Ready or Not? Understanding Student Perspectives on Health Emergencies An Exploratory Cross-sectional Study of Awareness and Perceived Roles Among Qatar University Students

Abstract

Disaster preparedness is increasingly recognised as a public health priority, yet university students remain an under-examined resource globally. Their potential contribution to resilience is often overlooked, particularly in the Gulf region where young people represent a vital but underutilised demographic. This study addresses this gap by exploring disaster preparedness among students at Qatar University (QU), offering preliminary insights that align with national priorities and the WHO Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (Health-EDRM) Framework. A bilingual online cross-sectional survey generated 109 responses. The questionnaire assessed knowledge of hazards, perceptions of roles and self-reliance, awareness of preparedness measures and institutional plans, and willingness to participate in training. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise patterns in awareness, confidence and preparedness behaviours, while short open-text responses were examined using content analysis to capture students' perspectives in their own words. Students demonstrated broad awareness of hazards relevant to Qatar, including infectious disease outbreaks, flooding, fires and extreme weather, though many felt only moderately informed and reported uneven confidence in responding to emergencies. Awareness of university emergency procedures and household preparedness was limited. Despite this, respondents expressed strong willingness to participate in future training, particularly practical, skills-based and curriculum-integrated approaches, alongside student-centred communication through social media. The qualitative comments added nuance by highlighting perceived psychological impacts, contextual concerns such as heat and flooding, limited familiarity with digital tools and a desire for clearer institutional guidance. Although the level of participation was modest, this exploratory study offers an initial indication of how university students in Qatar understand and engage with disaster preparedness. The findings identify gaps in knowledge, confidence and institutional communication, while also revealing genuine interest in developing preparedness skills. As one of the first studies to examine this topic within a Gulf university context, it provides a useful baseline for future research and highlights opportunities to strengthen youth-focused preparedness initiatives within higher education settings.