Disaster preparedness knowledge, attitude, and practice among Emergency Department staff in Ethiopian Hospitals

Disasters cause significant morbidity and mortality across Ethiopia, yet Emergency Department health professionals often lack adequate disaster-preparedness training. This study assessed knowledge, attitude, and practice of disaster preparedness among health professionals in the Emergency Departments of three tertiary hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to inform emergency medicine education and training.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from March to August 2021 among 197 health professionals. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from previously published disaster-preparedness Knowledge-Attitude-Practice instruments. Knowledge, attitude, and practice were assessed using validated scoring systems. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors.

Among 197 participants (of which 72.6% were nurses), with mean age 29.3 years, 53.3% demonstrated inadequate knowledge, 91.9% positive attitudes, and 59.4% inadequate practice. Only 29.4% had received disaster training, 48.7% were unaware of hospital disaster plans, and 31.5% had participated in drills within the past year. Prior disaster training independently predicted adequate knowledge (AOR 3.210, 95% CI 1.324-7.782) and adequate practice (AOR 6.281, 95% CI 2.442-16.154).

Despite positive attitudes, disaster-preparedness knowledge and practical readiness among Ethiopian Emergency Department professionals remain suboptimal. The strong association between training and preparedness highlights the need for structured disaster-preparedness education and regular simulation-based training to strengthen response capacity.