Results

Table 1. Respondents’ Characteristics

Variable n %
Age (years)
18–25 52 30.6
26–35 46 27.1
36–45 39 22.9
46–60 33 19.4
Gender
Female 122 71.8
Male 48 28.8
Marital status
Not married 88 51.8
Married 82 48.2
Years of experience in healthcare
profession
<1 30 17.6
1–5 66 38.8
6–10 13 7.6
11–15 43 25.3
>15 18 10.6
Highest qualification
Bachelor’s degree 156 91.7
Master’s degree 14 8.3
Current profession
Hospital nurse 105 105 61.8
Community nurse 65 38.2

Table 1 identifies the demographic characteristics of the respondents. During the 4-month period, a
total of170 nurses were recruited to participate in the study. The majority of the participants were
hospital nurses (n=105, 61.8%), and the remaining participants were com-munity nurses (n=65, 38.2%).
A majority of the respondents were female (n=122, 71.8%) and not married (n=88, 51.8%). More than
half of the respondents (n=98, 57.7%) were 18 to 35 years of age. More than half of the respondents
had been in the healthcare profession for 1 to 5years, and about 91.7% (n=156) had a bachelor’s degree
in nursing as the highest level of education.

Table 2. Nurses’ Preparedness for Disaster

n %
Organizations considered most involved in
disastrous situations
by healthcare workers
Red Cross 125 73.53
National Disaster Risk Reduction
Management Council
108 63.53
Department of Social Welfare and
Development
99 58.24
Department of Health 99 58.24
Provincial Government 88 51.76
Philippine National Police 81 47.65
Philippine Army 80 47.06
City Government 80 47.06
Bureau of Fire Protection 63 37.06
Awareness of available protocol of disaster
management at workplace
Yes 72 42.4
No 60 35.3
Don’t know 38 22.4
Participation in an activity in accordance with
disaster management
at workplace
Yes 53 31.2
No 117 68.
Table 2. Nurses’ Preparedness for Disaster
n %
Organizations considered most involved in
disastrous situations
by healthcare workers
Red Cross 125 73.53
National Disaster Risk Reduction
Management Council
108 63.53
Department of Social Welfare and
Development
99 58.24
Department of Health 99 58.24
Provincial Government 88 51.76
Philippine National Police 81 47.65
Philippine Army 80 47.06
City Government 80 47.06
Bureau of Fire Protection 63 37.06
Awareness of available protocol of disaster
management at workplace
Yes 72 42.4
No 60 35.3
Don’t know 38 22.4
Participation in an activity in accordance with
disaster management
at workplace
Yes 53 31.2
No 117 68.

Table 2. Nurses’ Preparedness for Disaster

n %
Organizations considered most
involved in disastrous
situations
by healthcare workers 125 73.53
Red Cross
108 63.53
National Disaster Risk Reduction
Management Council
99 58.24
Department of Social Welfare
and Development
99 58.24
Department of Health
88 51.76
Provincial Government
81 47.65
Philippine National Police
80 47.06
Philippine Army
80 47.06
City Government
63 37.06
Bureau of Fire Protection
Awareness of available
protocol of disaster
management at workplace
Yes 72 42.4
No 60 35.3
Don’t know 38 22.4
Participation in an activity in
accordance with disaster
management
at workplace
 Yes 53 31.2
No 117 68.8

Table 2 The respondents were asked to indicate which organization they considered to be most involved
during disasters. Approximately three fourths (n=125, 73.53%) of the respondents quoted the
involvement of the Philippines National Red Cross. Apart from the Red Cross, participants also
recognized the NDRRMC (n=108, 63.53%),the Department of Social Welfare and Development(n=99,
58.24%), and the Department of Health (n=99, 58.24%) as being involved in disaster response. More
than half of the respondents (n=98, 57.7%) were not aware of an existing protocol for disaster
management in the workplace.

Table 3. Perceived Own Preparedness and Role During Disaster Preparedness

n %
Nurses’ perception of their
own preparedness
Totally unprepared 23 13.5
Somewhat unprepared 32 18.8
Somewhat prepared 81 47.6
Fully prepared 34 20.0
Nurses’ perception of their role
during disaster preparedness
Educator 107 62.94
Caregiver 104 61.17
Counselor 82 48.24
Coordinator 71 41.76
Manager 58 34.12
Researcher 49 28.82
*Respondents answered more than once

Table 3 More than three fourths of the respondents (n=136,80%) admitted that they were not fully
prepared for a disaster, while only 20% (n=34) acknowledged that they were adequately prepared.
When respondents were asked about the perception of their roles during disaster preparedness, the
majority of them believed that their primary roles were as educator (n=107, 62.94%),caregiver (n=104,
61.17%), and counselor n=82,48.24%

Table 4. Learning Needs in Relation to Disaster Preparedness

n %
Materials needed for disaster
preparedness*
Drills 110 64.71
Disaster management protocol 96 56.47
Disaster management course 88 51.76
 Informational website 77 45.29
Onsite visit 70 41.18
Information pamphlets 54 31.76
Educational courses that
should be taken in preparing
for disaster*
First aid 79 46.47
Field triage 43 25.29
Basic life support 57 33.53
Advanced cardiovascular life 37 21.76
support
Pre hospital trauma life support 11 6.47
Advanced trauma care for 4 2.35
nurses
Advanced trauma life support 7 4.12
Infection control 22 12.94
Peritrauma counselling 23 13.53
Post-traumatic psychological
care 6 3.53 6 3.53

*Respondents answered more than once

Table 4 shows the responses of the respondents in relation to their learning needs regarding disaster
preparedness. When asked about what materials and activities related to disaster preparedness should
be developed to enable healthcare workers to prepare for disasters, the majority cited specific practice
drills and scenarios (n=110, 64.71%), development and implementation of disaster management
protocols (n=96, 56.47%), and completion of a disaster management course (n=88, 51.76%) as
important. Participants were also asked to indicate what kind of educational courses should be taken to
prepare for dis-asters. First aid (n=79, 46.4%), field triage (n=43,25.29%), basic cardiac life support
(n=57, 33.53%),advanced cardiac life support (n=37, 21.76%), and pre hospital life support (n=11, 6.47%)
were cited as the most essential courses to be taken to prepare them sufficiently.

Results:

Three fourths of the respondents (n=136, 80%) indicated that they were not fully prepared to respond
to disasters, while only 20% (n=34) acknowledged that they felt they were adequately prepared.
Respondents believed that they could function in the primary roles of educator (n=107,62.94%),
caregiver (n=104, 61.17%), and counselor (n=82, 48.24%). More than half of the respondents (n=98,
57.7%) were not aware of existing protocols of disaster management in the workplace. Courses taken in
such areas as first aid (n=79, 46.4%), field triage (n=43, 25.29%), and basic cardiac life support (n=57,
33.53%) were cited as important in preparing for disasters.