Medical Facility Employees' Disaster Awareness, Attitude, Preparedness and Resilience in Northern Negros Occidental

<p><strong><span>Abstract:</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span> </span></strong></p> <p><span>Disasters pose significant threats to healthcare facilities, necessitating robust disaster preparedness and resilience strategies to ensure continuity of care and minimize adverse impacts. This study investigates the levels of disaster awareness, attitude, preparedness, and resilience among 201 employees of medical facilities in Northern Negros Occidental and explores their interrelationships across demographic groups including age, sex, length of service, and department. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research employed descriptive, comparative, and correlational methodologies. Data were collected through a validated survey questionnaire, achieving high internal consistency across all constructs (α > 0.89). Results indicate that overall disaster awareness, attitude, preparedness, and resilience are notably high among employees, with mean scores ranging from 4.60 to 5.54 on a six-point Likert scale. However, significant gaps were identified in misinformation about disaster preparedness, highlighting vulnerabilities in recognizing and managing misinformation during disaster events. Comparative analysis revealed significant differences in disaster resilience based on age, particularly in altruism and coping strategies. Correlational analysis demonstrated significant positive relationships between disaster awareness and both attitude (p = 0.010) and resilience (p = 0.003), as well as between attitude and both preparedness and resilience (p < 0.001). These findings highlight the need for healthcare institutions to integrate disaster misinformation management into standard emergency protocols. Policymakers should consider mandatory resilience training for medical personnel, incorporating psychological preparedness alongside logistical readiness. Strengthening disaster response frameworks by leveraging experienced staff as mentors and improving hospital-based disaster education can significantly enhance institutional preparedness.</span></p> <p><span> </span></p> <p><strong><span>Keywords:</span></strong><span> <em>Disaster Preparedness, Resilience, Healthcare Facilities, Disaster Awareness, Employee Attitude, Northern Negros Occidental</em></span></p>