Household preparedness for emergency events: a cross-sectional survey on residents in four regions of China

Objective This study aimed to assess household preparedness for emergency events and its determinants in China.Design A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted on 3541 households in China in 2015.Participants Households were selected using a stratified cluster sampling strategy, represent...

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Main Authors: Chaojie Liu, Wei Xu, Chao Yi Chen, Yajun Dai, Weilan Xu, Qunhong Wu, Yanhua Hao, Ning Ning
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2019-11-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/11/e032462.full
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author Chaojie Liu
Wei Xu
Chao Yi Chen
Yajun Dai
Weilan Xu
Qunhong Wu
Yanhua Hao
Ning Ning
author_facet Chaojie Liu
Wei Xu
Chao Yi Chen
Yajun Dai
Weilan Xu
Qunhong Wu
Yanhua Hao
Ning Ning
author_sort Chaojie Liu
collection DOAJ
description Objective This study aimed to assess household preparedness for emergency events and its determinants in China.Design A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted on 3541 households in China in 2015.Participants Households were selected using a stratified cluster sampling strategy, representing central, eastern, western and southern regions of China. The designed questionnaires were administered through face-to-face interviews.Outcome measures Household emergency preparedness was measured with 14 indicators, tapping into the supply of nine emergency necessities (food and water, extra batteries, battery-powered radio, battery-operated torch, first-aid kit, gas mask, fire extinguisher, escape ropes, whistle), coverage of accident insurance, knowledge of local emergency response systems (emergency numbers, exit routes and shelters) and availability of a household evacuation plan. If an individual acted on 9 of the 14 indicators, they were deemed well prepared. Logistic regression models were established to identify predictors of well preparedness based on 3541 returned questionnaires containing no missing values.Results Only 9.9% of households were well prepared for emergencies: 53.6% did not know what to do and 31.6% did not want to think about it. A higher level of preparedness was found in the respondents who have attained higher education (adjusted OR=0.826 compared with the higher level), participated in emergency training activities (adjusted OR=2.299), had better emergency knowledge (adjusted OR=2.043), reported less fate-submissiveness (adjusted OR=1.385) and more self-reliance (adjusted OR=1.349), prior exposure to emergency events (adjusted OR=1.280) and held more positive attitudes towards preparedness (adjusted OR=1.286).Conclusion Household preparedness for emergency events is poor in China. Lack of motivation, negative attitude to preparedness and knowledge shortfall are major but remediable barriers for household preparedness.
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spelling doaj-art-9a85f74ae84a4eeeb007ce70e95736dd2024-11-27T18:05:13ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552019-11-0191110.1136/bmjopen-2019-032462Household preparedness for emergency events: a cross-sectional survey on residents in four regions of ChinaChaojie Liu0Wei Xu1Chao Yi Chen2Yajun Dai3Weilan Xu4Qunhong Wu5Yanhua Hao6Ning Ning7School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia1 Scoool of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China1 Scoool of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China1 Scoool of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, ChinaCollege of International Education, Qiqihaer Medical University, Qiqihaer, Heilongjiang, China1 Department of Social Medicine, Health Management College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, ChinaSchool of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University / West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People`s Republic of ChinaObjective This study aimed to assess household preparedness for emergency events and its determinants in China.Design A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted on 3541 households in China in 2015.Participants Households were selected using a stratified cluster sampling strategy, representing central, eastern, western and southern regions of China. The designed questionnaires were administered through face-to-face interviews.Outcome measures Household emergency preparedness was measured with 14 indicators, tapping into the supply of nine emergency necessities (food and water, extra batteries, battery-powered radio, battery-operated torch, first-aid kit, gas mask, fire extinguisher, escape ropes, whistle), coverage of accident insurance, knowledge of local emergency response systems (emergency numbers, exit routes and shelters) and availability of a household evacuation plan. If an individual acted on 9 of the 14 indicators, they were deemed well prepared. Logistic regression models were established to identify predictors of well preparedness based on 3541 returned questionnaires containing no missing values.Results Only 9.9% of households were well prepared for emergencies: 53.6% did not know what to do and 31.6% did not want to think about it. A higher level of preparedness was found in the respondents who have attained higher education (adjusted OR=0.826 compared with the higher level), participated in emergency training activities (adjusted OR=2.299), had better emergency knowledge (adjusted OR=2.043), reported less fate-submissiveness (adjusted OR=1.385) and more self-reliance (adjusted OR=1.349), prior exposure to emergency events (adjusted OR=1.280) and held more positive attitudes towards preparedness (adjusted OR=1.286).Conclusion Household preparedness for emergency events is poor in China. Lack of motivation, negative attitude to preparedness and knowledge shortfall are major but remediable barriers for household preparedness.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/11/e032462.full
spellingShingle Chaojie Liu
Wei Xu
Chao Yi Chen
Yajun Dai
Weilan Xu
Qunhong Wu
Yanhua Hao
Ning Ning
Household preparedness for emergency events: a cross-sectional survey on residents in four regions of China
BMJ Open
title Household preparedness for emergency events: a cross-sectional survey on residents in four regions of China
title_full Household preparedness for emergency events: a cross-sectional survey on residents in four regions of China
title_fullStr Household preparedness for emergency events: a cross-sectional survey on residents in four regions of China
title_full_unstemmed Household preparedness for emergency events: a cross-sectional survey on residents in four regions of China
title_short Household preparedness for emergency events: a cross-sectional survey on residents in four regions of China
title_sort household preparedness for emergency events a cross sectional survey on residents in four regions of china
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/11/e032462.full
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