A Cross-Sectional Study on the Flood Emergency Preparedness among Healthcare Providers in Saudi Arabia

Ahmed M. Al-Wathinani, Abdulaziz Alakeel, Ahmad Hecham Alani, Mohammad Alharbi, Abdullah Almutairi, Tahani Alonaizi, Riyadh A. Alhazmi, Sultan M. Alghadeer, Abdulmajeed M. Mobrad, Krzysztof Goniewicz, Amir Khorram-Manesh and Attila J. Hertelendy
Additional contact information
Ahmed M. Al-Wathinani: Department of Emergency Medical Services, Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz College of Emergency Medical Services, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Abdulaziz Alakeel: National Pharmacovigilance and Drug Safety Center, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Riyadh 33292, Saudi Arabia
Ahmad Hecham Alani: Independent Researcher, London EC2V 7AN, UK
Mohammad Alharbi: Public Health Department, Ministry of Health, 34496 Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Abdullah Almutairi: Infection Control Department, King Khalid Hospital, Ministry of Health, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia
Tahani Alonaizi: Department of Nursing, King Fahad Medical City, Ministry of Health, Riyadh 12231, Saudi Arabia
Riyadh A. Alhazmi: Department of Emergency Medical Services, Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz College of Emergency Medical Services, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Sultan M. Alghadeer: Basic Science Department, Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz College of Emergency Medical Services, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Abdulmajeed M. Mobrad: Department of Emergency Medical Services, Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz College of Emergency Medical Services, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Krzysztof Goniewicz: Department of Aviation Security, Military University of Aviation, 08521 Deblin, Poland
Amir Khorram-Manesh: Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden
Attila J. Hertelendy: Department of Information Systems and Business Analytics, College of Business, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33174, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 3, 1-21

Abstract: This study used a descriptive cross-sectional methodology to measure healthcare workers’ knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and willingness to respond to a flood scenario in Saudi Arabia. A validated survey was distributed to collect data using a convenience sampling technique through multiple social media platforms. A total of 227 participants were included in this study: 52% of them were aged between 26 to 34 years, 74% were residents from Riyadh, and 52.4% worked in nursing divisions. A significant number of respondents (73.2%) had positive perceptions towards their hospitals’ ability to provide an effective response to a flood, 89% were willing to report to work following a flood, and 90% of participants reported the need to develop both guidelines and training for flood disaster preparedness. Preparation and successful flood mitigation in the hospital setting requires staff that have both knowledge and training in emergency management. One way to obtain such readiness is through competency-based training, including both table-top and full-scale live exercises. Although the willingness to respond to such a flooding emergency was high among staff, the development of guidelines and educational programs is needed in order to develop the competencies and skills sets to improve disaster preparedness response and preparedness efforts.

Keywords: flood; disasters; emergency preparedness; hospital preparedness; Saudi Arabia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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