Disaster Preparedness in Saudi Arabia’s Primary Healthcare Workers for Human Well-Being and Sustainability

Mona Raif Alrowili, Alia Mohammed Almoajel (), Fahad Magbol Alneam and Riyadh A. Alhazmi
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Mona Raif Alrowili: Department of Community Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Alia Mohammed Almoajel: Department of Community Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Fahad Magbol Alneam: Directorate of Health Affairs, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 77414, Alqurayat 77423, Saudi Arabia
Riyadh A. Alhazmi: Emergency Medical Services Department, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz College for Emergency Medical Services, King Saud University, Riyadh 11466, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-21

Abstract: The preparedness of healthcare workers for disaster situations depends on their technical skills, disaster knowledge, and psychosocial strength, including teamwork and emotional regulation. This study aims to assess disaster preparedness among healthcare professionals in primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in Alqurayat, Saudi Arabia, with a specific focus on evaluating technical competencies, psychosocial readiness, and predictive modeling of preparedness levels. A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and observational data from disaster drills to evaluate the preparedness levels of 400 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and administrative staff. The results showed that while knowledge (mean: 3.9) and skills (mean: 4.0) were generally moderate to high, notable gaps in overall preparedness remained. Importantly, 69.5% of participants reported enhanced readiness following simulation drills. Machine learning models, including Random Forest and Artificial Neural Networks, were used to predict preparedness outcomes based on psychosocial variables such as emotional intelligence, teamwork, and stress management. Sentiment analysis and topic modeling of qualitative responses revealed key themes including communication barriers, psychological safety, and the need for ongoing training. The findings highlight the importance of integrating both technical competencies and psychosocial resilience into disaster management programs. This study contributes an innovative framework for evaluating preparedness and offers practical insights for policymakers, disaster planners, and health training institutions aiming to strengthen the sustainability and responsiveness of primary healthcare systems.

Keywords: disaster management; healthcare providers; psychosocial readiness; emotional intelligence; teamwork; stress management; primary healthcare (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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