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The Relationship Between Disaster Literacy and Disaster Preparedness in Community: After Earthquake Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 March 2025

Eda Kılınç İşleyen Open the ORCID record for Eda Kılınç İşleyen [Opens in a new window] ,
Esra Serpen ,
Zeliha Boztoprak ,
Özge Nur Çınkır  and
Elif Çınar
Eda Kılınç İşleyen*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health Sciences, Public Health Nursing Department, Uşak University, Uşak, Türkiye
Esra Serpen
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health Sciences, Public Health Nursing Department, Uşak University, Uşak, Türkiye
Zeliha Boztoprak
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health Sciences, Public Health Nursing Department, Uşak University, Uşak, Türkiye
Özge Nur Çınkır
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health Sciences, Public Health Nursing Department, Uşak University, Uşak, Türkiye
Elif Çınar
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health Sciences, Public Health Nursing Department, Uşak University, Uşak, Türkiye
*
Corresponding author: Eda Kılınç İşleyen; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between disaster literacy and disaster preparedness of the community.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted on adult participants after a major earthquake that occurred in Türkiye on February 6, 2023 (n = 414). Convenience sample was used in sample selection. Data collection instruments are the Disaster Literacy Scale-DLS and Disaster Preparedness Scale-DPS. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t test, correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data.

Results

Participants’ DLS score was 33.08 ± 6.72 (limited disaster literacy) and DPS score was 31.89 ± 5.15 (moderate level). A positive correlation was found between DLS and DPS scores (r = 0.242; P = 0.000). Disaster literacy scores are higher for those with higher education levels, those who have taken disaster-related training/courses, those who have a disaster plan at home, and those who have a disaster kit (P < 0.05). In community, increasing disaster literacy, having a disaster kit, insuring the house, and making family plans against disasters positively affect disaster preparedness.

Conclusions

The disaster literacy level of the participants is limited, and the disaster preparedness level is moderate. To increase the disaster literacy levels of individuals, it is recommended that public health nurses strengthen public education and disseminate disaster training in community.

Keywords

disaster literacydisaster preparednessearthquakepublic healthnurses
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 19 , 2025 , e51
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc

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