Household Disaster Preparedness Research Articles

Knowledge, perception or disaster experience? The new determinants of household disaster preparedness behaviour in Bangladesh

AbstractThis paper explores the relationship among education, knowledge, perception and disaster experience to investigate whether household disaster preparedness behaviour mitigates income losses. We employ instrumental variables approach and generate indigenous knowledge from a large‐scale dataset to examine responsiveness of disaster preparedness via unemployment and production. We identify disaster and climate knowledge perception as new determinant towards disaster risk reduction. Our findings suggest Disaster Preparedness Index (DPI) is almost 64% effective in mitigating household per capita net income loss in comparison with the mean via unemployment channel. We argue that informal education and community‐based training could bring more efficacies in this loss mitigation mechanism.

Tailoring Household Disaster Preparedness Interventions to Reduce Health Disparities: Nursing Implications from Machine Learning Importance Features from the 2018-2020 FEMA National Household Survey.

Tailored disaster preparedness interventions may be more effective and equitable, yet little is known about specific factors associated with disaster household preparedness for older adults and/or those with African American/Black identities. This study aims to ascertain differences in the importance features of machine learning models of household disaster preparedness for four groups to inform culturally tailored intervention recommendations for nursing practice. A machine learning model was developed and tested by combining data from the 2018, 2019, and 2020 Federal Emergency Management Agency National Household Survey. The primary outcome variable was a composite readiness score. A total of 252 variables from 15,048 participants were included. Over 10% of the sample self-identified as African American/Black and 30.3% reported being 65 years of age or older. Importance features varied regarding financial and insurance preparedness, information seeking and transportation between groups. These results reiterate the need for targeted interventions to support financial resilience and equitable resource access. Notably, older adults with Black racial identities were the only group where TV, TV news, and the Weather Channel was a priority feature for household disaster preparedness. Additionally, reliance on public transportation was most important among older adults with Black racial identities, highlighting priority needs for equity in disaster preparedness and policy.

‘We knew a cyclone was imminent’: Hazard preparedness and disaster management efficiency nexus in coastal Bangladesh

Natural hazard-prone countries in the global south adopted an anticipatory-preparedness approach in disaster risk reduction (DRR) by shifting away from the response and rehabilitation approach. It was highly associated with the policy recommendations of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) framework. Nevertheless, challenges remained in managing disaster risks due to heterogeneous efficiency among disaster managers. This research examines the institutional effectiveness of the disaster management agency in cyclone-prone areas in southwestern coastal Bangladesh through network analysis. This research also explores institutional efficiency's impact on household preparedness in mitigating losses. We collected two distinct data sets from the local Union Disaster Management Committee (UDMC) and households in the same operational area of UDMC that were at risk of cyclonic disasters. To evaluate the effectiveness of local disaster management institutions, we conducted structured interviews with 336 representatives, spanning eight UDMCs in the cyclone-prone regions. To assess the impact of institutional performance (specifically, the UDMCs) on household disaster preparedness and loss mitigation, we collected data from 696 at-risk households. These households were located within the operational zones of the eight UDMCs, and the data was obtained using a structured questionnaire. Based on the application of social network analysis, our findings demonstrated that UDMC members were more active in the aftermath of disasters, as confirmed by three centrality measures - degree, eigenvector, and betweenness. Consequently, upon employing the Negative Binomial and Poisson regression models, we found a positive association between household engagement with UDMCs and participation in disaster preparedness training. This training appeared to enhance the knowledge and capacity of the respondents. The spill-over effects from disaster preparedness appeared to bolster the resilience of at-risk households, assist them in avoiding disaster-induced damages, and maintain consumption stability in the wake of disasters.

Geographic Variation in Household Disaster Preparedness in the United States

Disaster events, such as floods, wildfires, and earthquakes, increasingly cause damage to livelihoods, the economy, and the environment. Preparing for disasters is noted as one of the most effective ways to adapt and increase resilience to these events, but research has shown that many people in the United States have not adopted recommended household preparedness actions. Moreso, there is currently no geospatial data set or tool for mapping geographic variation in disaster preparedness behavior, despite the availability of appropriate survey data. Using the Federal Emergency Management Agency National Household Survey from 2017 to 2020, we develop a multilevel regression and poststratification model that provides estimates at the state, county, and zip-code tabulation area scales of several preparedness actions and a general disaster preparedness index. Results show regional and state-level variation among preparedness levels, with the Southeast and Utah being generally more prepared than other regions of the United States. Additionally, we introduce an online interactive mapping tool for these results that practitioners, academics, and the public can use to identify preparedness levels in their area of interest. The outcomes of this study can be used to inform future work in hazard risk assessment and to further develop comparisons between risk perceptions and hazard preparedness. Finally, findings from this study contribute to the suite of geospatial models and methods used to assess the human dimensions of hazard risk and resilience.

Effectiveness of Household Landslide Preparedness Education on the Preparedness Capacity of Families

Disasters are events that threaten and disrupt people’s lives and livelihoods due to natural and/or non-natural factors as well as human factors that cause human casualties, environmental damage, property losses, and psychological. The implementation of disaster preparedness has not been carried out comprehensively and continuously throughout Indonesia. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of landslide preparedness education interventions in increasing the landslide preparedness capacity of households in the Sukabumi Regency. The minimum sample was 118 for each intervention and control group. Random sampling was used for sampling technique. Data analysis was done using an independent t-test. The results of the study mean that the difference in knowledge scores showed a significant difference between the intervention group and the control group (F = 23.41, p-value = 0.000). In addition, the average difference in household preparedness scores for landslides showed a significant difference between the intervention and control groups (F = 190.08, p-value = 0.000). After the intervention, the intervention group’s household disaster preparedness improved significantly. Meanwhile, no significant increase was observed in the control group’s household disaster preparedness score after the intervention. Household disaster preparedness training may have an impact on the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of individuals and families. Trainings such as online and simulation using live or recorded demonstrations should be developed and evaluated for their effectiveness.
 Keywords: household landslide preparedness, education, preparedness capacity

Disaster Preparedness and Housing Tenure: How Do Subsidized Renters Fare?

Homeowners are significantly more prepared for disasters than renters. However, disaster preparedness among subsidized renters is an understudied topic despite their increased vulnerability to negative disaster outcomes. Previous research shows that one in three subsidized units is at risk for exposure to disasters, relative to one in four unsubsidized rental units and one in seven owner-occupied units. Subsidized housing residents often fall into many vulnerable statuses that would make them less prepared than renters and owners. Using 2017 American Housing Survey data, we examine differences in household disaster preparedness by housing tenure, with and without controls for such factors. Logistic regression analyses indicate that subsidized renters are significantly less prepared than unsubsidized renters, and both renter types are significantly less prepared than homeowners, controlling for demographic and neighborhood characteristics. The policy implications of this research are considered as they relate to the location and management of subsidized housing in an era of climate change.

A Comparative Assessment of Household Flood Disaster Preparedness in Floodprone Rural and Urban Communities in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Background: Households are important elements in food disaster preparedness and play important role in its management. This study compared household food disaster preparedness in food-prone rural and urban communities in Kaduna State.
 Methods: The comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among households in foodprone rural and urban communities in 2019. The study population were household heads. The sample size for the study was 202 each for the rural and urban communities. Respondents were selected by multi- stage sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Community members, community leaders and staff of Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) were also purposively selected for focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS 23.0 and the qualitative data using content analysis.
 Results: The mean ages (+SD) of the household heads in the rural and urban communities were 39.4±12.9 years and 43.7±13.9 years, respectively. Ten (2.5%) of the households in the urban communities were very prepared against foods but none in the rural communities. The most available household disaster preparedness elements in the rural communities were radio 150 (74.3%), flashlight 139 (68.8%) while house food insurance was non-existent. For the urban communities, the most available elements were availability of non-perishable food 147 (72.8%), household evacuation destination 147 (72.8%) while the least was house food insurance 2 (1.0%).
 Conclusion: The household food disaster preparedness was poor in both the rural and urban communities. There is need for effective food disaster education and training by SEMA for both communities.

Factors affecting household disaster preparedness in South Korea.

This study examines current household disaster preparedness and identifies its predictors in South Korea. A structured online survey was administered to 1,243 participants quota-sampled by age and population from each administrative district. Based on the socio-ecological model, interpersonal factors (general characteristics, prior disaster experience, anxiety, dispositional optimism, perceived disaster risk, and disaster preparedness knowledge), institutional factor (front-line preparedness), community factor (community resilience), public policy factor (governmental preparedness), and household disaster preparedness were measured. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, Bonferroni test, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple regression. The predictors of household disaster preparedness were occupation, economic status, prior disaster experience, anxiety, disaster preparedness knowledge, front-line preparedness, and community resilience. The most potent predictor of household disaster preparedness was community resilience. Our finding that community resilience, a community factor, has a greater impact on household disaster preparedness than personal factors calls for programs that promote such resilience. Further, continuous public education and campaigns are needed to increase public awareness of household disaster preparedness and to improve the public’s competency to prepare for potential disasters. This study raises the need for community programs for residents to increase household disaster preparedness knowledge and improve their competencies related to disaster response. This study is significant in highlighting the importance of community factors in improving household disaster preparedness amid the need to prepare for various types of disasters.

Concepts and Components of Household Disaster Preparedness: A Qualitative Study

INTRODUCTION: Despite the prevalence of the term “household disaster preparedness”, there is no consensus over a single and clear definition in this regard. The present study aimed to identify the components and explain the concept of household disaster preparedness. METHODS: The present study was conducted based on a qualitative design. After reviewing the concept and components of household disaster preparedness in previous studies, the subjects were selected by purposive sampling from managers and experts active in the field of disaster risk reduction, as well as heads of families. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and were analyzed by the thematic analysis method, then the main and sub-components of household disaster preparedness were identified. FINDINGS: The classification of the components of household disaster preparedness revealed that this concept encompasses cognitive, physical-operational, financial, social, and psychological dimensions. However, household disaster preparedness was defined based on these dimensions. CONCLUSION: Household disaster preparedness consists of different dimensions. In order to evaluate this preparedness, an appropriate instrument is needed to assess all its dimensions.

Place Attachment and Household Disaster Preparedness: Examining the Mediation Role of Self-Efficacy.

Household preparedness is essential for resilience-building and disaster risk reduction. Limited studies have explored the correlations between place attachment, self-efficacy, and disaster preparedness, especially in the east Asian cultural context. This study investigates the mediating role of self-efficacy between place attachment and disaster preparedness based on data from the 2018 Shandong General Social Survey (N = 2181) in China. We categorized the preparedness behaviors into three specific clusters: material, behavioral and awareness preparedness. Multiple linear regressions and the Sobel Goodman tests were employed to estimate the correlations with the control of necessary confounding variables such as disaster experience, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. The results demonstrate that both the place attachment and self-efficacy are correlated with higher degrees of overall preparedness and all three types of preparedness, and self-efficacy plays a mediating role between place attachment and disaster preparedness. These findings highlight the importance of promoting place attachment and self-efficacy in the advocacies and outreach activities of disaster preparedness.

Social support, educational, and behavioral modification interventions for improving household disaster preparedness in the general community-dwelling population

Social support, educational, and behavioral modification interventions for improving household disaster preparedness in the general community-dwelling population

What Do You Mean by Community Resilience? More Assets or Better Prepared?

Understanding people's perception of community resilience to disaster is important. This study explores the correlations of household livelihood assets, the adopted household disaster preparedness activities, and individuals' assessment of community resilience. The data was collected in 2018 by surveying a group of survivors affected by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China. The CART (Community Advancing Resilience Toolkit) was used to measure individuals' perception of community resilience, while the livelihood assets included financial, physical, natural, human, and social capitals owned by the family, and the preparedness contained 13 activities. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models were used to test our hypotheses. Social capital is consistently and positively associated with the overall individuals' perceived community resilience, while the natural, human, and financial capitals' effects are not significant. The awareness and participation preparedness activities are positively correlated with the perceived community resilience, but the material preparedness activities are not. Social capital and disaster preparedness activities are critical in building community resilience. Community resilience can be achieved by making the community more connected and by providing disaster preparedness interventions.

The influence of expertise on perceived and actual household disaster preparedness

• Experts' households are better prepared for a disaster than those of non-experts. • Experts appear no more accurate at predicting their preparedness than non-experts • Perceived and actual preparedness should be high and aligned

Differences in disaster preparedness between urban and rural communities in China

Pre-disaster mitigation and preparedness activities are necessary to reduce vulnerability in a society and to protect people whenever disasters occur. Although disaster preparedness and protective behaviors have attracted scholars worldwide, there has been little investigation into the differences between the preparedness of rural and urban households. This study examines the associations of various influencing factors with household disaster preparedness in urban and rural China, where urban-rural differences remain substantial in spite of rapid economic growth. Data from a large area affected by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake were used. Results from linear regression models showed that the urban-rural differences in disaster preparedness were mainly explained by the socioeconomic factors, such as education, income, and social status (being a CCP member). Community activities intended to reduce the risk of disaster can also encourage an individual to carry out preparedness activities. Interventions may be needed to focus on low socioeconomic status households to improve their disaster preparedness. Community activities may serve as an important approach to design interventions.

Reliability and Validity of Household Disaster Preparedness Index (HDPI)

Introduction: The preparedness of families for the disasters can set auspicious grounds for the preparedness of the whole society. In Iran health system, Household Disaster Preparedness Index (HDPI) that is composed of 15 items is applied for assessing the household preparedness in disasters. This study was conducted to investigate the reliability and validity of this index. Methods: In order to investigate the HDPI reliability, we two methods, namely internal consistency and stability determination, are. In order to investigate HDPI validity, we examined the face validity, content validity and construct validity. To do so, besides interviewing with the experts and family heads, 200 families were selected based on multistage cluster sampling method from amongst a study population that included the families in all the counties in Isfahan Province. Use has been made in content validity investigation of both qualitative and quantitative methods; and, in investigating the construct validity, exploratory factor analysis was the method of choice. Results: The amount of HDPI internal consistency was calculated 0.786 which is in an acceptable range. HDPI stability, as well, was computed 0.98 using the test-retest method which is also in an optimal level. Therefore, it can be stated that HDPI enjoys the required reliability. Investigation of HDPI face validity indicated that the families have problems in perceiving some of the items of this index. The experts presented suggestions for improving the HDPI content validity following the qualitative investigation of the content validity. In the investigation of the content validity ratio (CVR), all the items, except the ones numbered 1, 3 and 4 were in an acceptable range; however, the investigation of the content validity index (CVI) indicated that only the validity of the items numbered 12 and 13 was acceptable in terms of all the three scales of relevancy, clarity and simplicity. To determine the construct validity, we used exploratory factor analysis to extract five factors (subscales), namely reduction of vulnerability, planning for disasters, family empowerment, procurement of resources for disasters and specialized programs. The internal consistency of these subscales indicated that only the internal consistencies of the first and the second factors were in an acceptable range. Conclusion: The present study revealed that although HDPI was a reliable measure, it did not enjoy the required validity for assessing the household preparedness in disasters.

Factors Affecting Household Disaster Preparedness Among Foreign Residents in Japan

AbstractJapan is a country known both for its devastating natural disasters and its high level of community preparedness. However, while demographic pressures stemming from an aging society have led to a growing foreign population, scholars have paid little attention to understanding the levels of disaster preparedness exhibited by this group. Using representative data from the 2015 Nagoya City Foreign Resident Survey, this article is the first to explore variations in household disaster preparedness among Japan’s foreign residents. Although numerous factors were found to affect preparedness, the most important appear to be national origin, experience with disaster training, and exposure to disaster information. Japanese language proficiency, perhaps surprisingly, was of minor importance. We thus argue that a person’s cultural background and their exposure to information about local hazards affect their ability to identify and assess risk, which increases the likelihood that they will prepare their household for emergencies. This study not only provides insight into what might drive preparedness activities within foreign populations but also helps explain how migrants obtain disaster information. Its main implication is that Japan’s disparate migrant populations require a strategically varied approach when considering interventions to address disaster vulnerability.

Impact of information seeking, disaster preparedness and typhoon emergency response on perceived community resilience in Hong Kong

Gentrification and urban development in coastal megacities have increased community resilience due to better physical and socioeconomic conditions to cope with natural hazards. However, perceived community resilience, namely public belief regarding the ability of society to recover, is under-researched. In particular, specific pathways between information seeking and perceived community resilience during extreme storm events are rarely discussed. Therefore, this study applied structural equation modelling to examine the associations between the use of traditional and new information channels in typhoon-related information seeking and individual perceived community resilience, with disaster preparedness and typhoon emergency response as mediators. This analysis was based on a population-based cohort (n = 1015) and the Cantonese version of the Conjoint Community Resiliency Assessment Measure (CCRAM-10). Generally, CCRAM-10 and four of the five sub-dimensions were rated lower than average, although 89.8% of the respondents used at least two channels to acquire typhoon-related information. Direct associations were found between the use of traditional information channels (e.g., television) and greater perceived community resilience (β = 0.096; SE = 0.035), and two indirect associations were found via individual disaster preparedness behaviours and typhoon emergency response behaviours. However, we found only indirect associations between the use of new information channels (e.g., social media) and greater perceived community resilience via individual and household disaster preparedness behaviours. These associations suggest that community-based programmes should consider improving perceived community resilience by making more information-seeking channels available for residents. To increase urban resilience in coastal areas, new information channels should also be synergised with both top-down and bottom-up typhoon-related information as well as physical and socioeconomic conditions of the urban environment for urban governance and community-based disaster management.

Prevalence of Non-Engineered Buildings and Population at Risk for a Probable Earthquake: A Cross-Sectional Study from an Informal Settlement in Tehran, Iran

Constructions in informal settlements not respected any applying rules, regulations of urban planning, and building codes with high population density, are the municipality challenge. We aimed to identify level of buildings seismic vulnerability and population at risk in Tehran's Farahzad informal settlement in 2017. In this observational cross-sectional study, residential buildings were assessed for seismic performance of constructions. We screened 160 buildings according to Iranian national guidelines by Rapid Seismic Visual Screening Method as a tool to calculate and determine Level of Retrofitting (LR) scores of buildings. We also interviewed residents of the buildings to collect data regarding socio-demographic data, individual disability status, Disaster Assessment of Readiness and Training (DART) regarding household disaster preparedness, and time occupancy in the buildings. Overall, 160 buildings with 209 households and 957 individuals were surveyed. 97.5% of buildings were formed of heavy construction materials. None of them were categorized as engineered buildings and LR of residential buildings ranged from 82.4% to 163.8% with a mean 117.9%. LR scores of more than 100% were capped as 100%. Vulnerable groups of the sample population include under-five years old (8.7%), 60 yr old and above (6.7%), and 9.1% of households had at least one disabled member. 16.7% of households were living in homes with dense area. The DART score for 94.3% of surveyed households was zero. Disaster managers in Tehran municipality must design and implement a comprehensive risk reduction plan in poor urban areas as vulnerable regions for earthquake hazard.

Association of US Households’ Disaster Preparedness With Socioeconomic Characteristics, Composition, and Region

Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the US government has promoted household disaster preparedness, but preparedness remains low. To identify disparities in disaster preparedness among US households. This cross-sectional study used data from a nationally representative sample of US households from the 2017 American Housing Survey's topical section on preparedness to assess associations of disaster preparedness with households' socioeconomic characteristics, composition, and region. Logistic regressions were used to assess associations of household characteristics with overall preparedness, resource- and action-based preparedness, and specific preparedness items. Data analyses were completed on March 27, 2020. Combined household income, head of household's education level, race/ethnicity, marital status of head of household, head of household aged 65 years or older, presence of children or a household member with a disability, and region. Nine actionable preparedness items, such as having an emergency carry-on kit (resource), food and water stockpiles (resource), and alternative communication plans and meeting locations (action). Items were summed for the measures of overall, resource-based, and action-based preparedness, with preparedness defined as meeting at least half of the criteria. Among 16 725 included households, 9103 household heads were men (54.4%), 11 687 were married (69.9%), and 10 749 (66.1%) had some college education or higher. In all, 1969 household heads (11.8%) were black, while 2696 were Hispanic/Latino (16.1%); 3579 household heads (21.4%) were 65 years or older. A total of 7163 households (42.8%) included children, and 3533 households (21.2%) included a person with a disability. Households were more likely to fulfill at least half of the criteria for resource-based preparedness (10 950 households [65.5%]) than for action-based preparedness (6876 households [41.1%]). Wealthy households and those with household heads aged 65 years or older were more likely to fulfill at least half of resource-based items (wealthy households: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] by logged income, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.13-1.22]; household heads age ≥65 years: aOR, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.29-1.55) but less likely to fulfill action-based items (wealthy households: aOR: 0.96 [95% CI, 0.93-0.99]; household heads age ≥65 years: aOR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.84-0.99]). Households with black household heads were more likely to fulfill items directly related to emergencies (carry-on emergency kit: aOR, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.14-1.39]; alternative communication plan: aOR, 1.55 [95% CI, 1.39-1.72]; alternative meeting location: aOR, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.07-1.31]) but less likely to fulfill resource-based items (at least half of resource items: aOR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.80-0.99]). These findings suggest that types of preparedness vary by household characteristics. Targeted strategies are needed to promote preparedness across communities.

Household disaster preparedness in the Islamic Republic of Iran: 2015 estimation.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is at high risk of natural disasters. Households are the basic unit of society and they need to be prepared for disasters. This study assessed disaster preparedness among Iranian households in 2015. Using multistage cluster sampling, 2968 households in the catchment area of 53 public health departments in all 30 provinces of the Islamic Republic of Iran were surveyed on the disaster preparedness measures they had taken in the past year. The data collection questionnaire included 15 disaster preparedness measures. The mean preparedness score was calculated and its association with residence (urban versus rural), house ownership (owner versus renter) and education level of the head of the household (illiterate, elementary school, middle school, high school, university) was evaluated. The mean score for household disaster preparedness was 9.3 out of 100 (95% confidence interval: 8.3-10.3). Multivariate analysis showed higher preparedness among rural than urban households (P = 0.02). Higher education level was positively associated with a higher preparedness score (P < 0.001), as was house ownership (P < 0.001). The level of household disaster preparedness in the Islamic Republic of Iran in 2015 was low. In line with the first priority for action of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the current study provides an overall picture of household disaster preparedness in the Islamic Republic of Iran. This estimation can be used as a baseline value for policy-making, planning, and evaluation of public awareness of disasters in the country.