Disaster preparedness and associated factors among households and medical institutions, in the Rathnapua district.

Abstract

This cross sectional study covers 579 households from areas frequently affected by disaster in Ayagama, Elapatha and Kalawana MOH divisions, for the household component. All the allopathic medical institutions were included in the other component. Data on the household measures of disaster preparedness was obtained using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Disaster preparedness was poor among the households where the principal occupant was uneducated or only educated up to grade 5, with two or more children, and total family income of less than Rs. 9000.00 and among the skilled and unskilled laborers .in agricultural or related work. The households which were frequently affected by natural disasters, demonstrated a satisfactory level of life saving as well as property saving disaster preparedness . Although there was a disaster coordination centre at district level, no facilities were available to coordinate the activities in the field. Majority of the primary care medical institution, including most of the district, peripheral and rural hospitals, had a poor level of disaster preparedness. However, most of the referral care medical institutions as well as preventive medical institutions had a satisfactory level of disaster pre parades. It is recommended to conduct disaster preparedness programs at community level especially in frequently affected areas and make disaster preparedness at the medical institutions a priority issue