KNOWLEDGE AND EXPRESSED PRACTICES OF STAFF NURSES TOWARDS DISASTER PREPAREDNESS IN THE MEDEOR HOSPITAL, MANESAR, HARYANA, INDIA

Background: Disasters may be defined as "any destructive events that disrupt the normal functioning of a community". Aim: This study is aimed to assess the level of nurses’ knowledge and practices regarding disasters preparedness. Methods: Quantitative, descriptive, survey approach was used to assess nurse’s knowledge and practices among 20 random staff nurses of Medeor Hospital, Manesar, Haryana by using socio demographic data sheet, Descriptive statistics and Chi square test. Results: In overall view of the present study findings: the mean percentage of the knowledge score was 21.60% and the mean percentage of the practice score was 16.50%. The study findings revealed that knowledge and practices of disaster preparedness was average level with highly significant differences P≤ .000. Conclusion: Based on the present study results; it can be concluded that the level of knowledge and practice were average regarding disaster preparedness and neutral familiarity with emergency preparedness were found. Thus, an integration of clearly titled theory and practice teaching courses about disaster preparedness into nursing curriculum are needed and provided in respect to their knowledge and training preferences. Further, follow up research are necessary for maximizing nursing education and nursing quality in these critical areas applied to healthcare and community setting.