Disaster Management and Preparedness among Future Jordanian Health Professionals: Exploring Knowledge, Attitude, and Readiness to Practice

Abstract

Healthcare students as volunteers and future healthcare providers must be prepared to manage disasters. Disasters occurred worldwide and are highly prevalent in the recent time. We examined the level of knowledge (K), attitude (A), and readiness to practice (rP) among Jordanian healthcare university students regarding disaster medicine preparedness. The research goal is to establish a university educational course and training program for the healthcare profession students. A cross-sectional study assessed Jordanian medical, pharmacy, and health science students’ KArP levels using pretested and validated questionnaires. Cronbach’s alpha for the final tool was K = 0.586; A = 0.814, rP = 0.542; KArP = 0.730. Statistical methods to compare means and explore the association were used with an alpha level of 0.05. Participants (n = 267) had a median age of 20 (IQR: 19.0 – 22.0). More female respondents than males; more respondents are in the pharmacy degree program and in the final year of their program. The median (IQR) of the total K, A, rP, and overall KArP scores were K [10.0 (7.0 – 12.0)]; A [39.0 (32.0 – 46.0)]; rP [31.0 (27.0 – 34.0)]; and overall KArP [80.0 (71.0 – 88.5)]. Knowledge and attitude were significant predictors of readiness to practice. Students from Jordan's public and private health colleges have moderate disaster medicine preparedness levels. Knowledge and attitude of students are determinants of readiness to practice. This research has confirmed the findings carried out in other countries (i.e., Qatar, China, Pakistan, Yemen, UAE) and it has used a validated tool that was earlier established in Qatar. Thus, it is evident that a course and training program are required for the healthcare university students.