Assessing the Preparedness of Diploma III Nursing Students for Tsunami and Earthquake Disasters in Aceh

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the disaster knowledge and preparedness levels among Diploma III Nursing students in Aceh Province regarding earthquakes and tsunamis. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional quantitative study involved 443 fourth-semester, second-year nursing students from four Diploma III Nursing institutions in Banda Aceh Municipality and one in Aceh Besar Regency, selected through non-probability sampling. Data was collected over six months, from September 2022 to February 2023, through interviews using a questionnaire based on the LIPI-UNESCO/ISDR framework. This framework assesses five disaster preparedness parameters: preparedness plans, disaster warning systems, resource mobilization, preparedness policies and guidelines, and emergency response plans. Pearson's correlation coefficients (r), with α = 0.05 and a 95% Confidence Interval, were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Most Diploma III Nursing students demonstrated a "fairly good" level of disaster knowledge regarding earthquakes and tsunamis (62.9%). However, their disaster preparedness was rated as "unprepared" (45.5%). The analysis of the five disaster preparedness components revealed that preparedness plans were rated as "unprepared" (55.2%), disaster warning systems as "ready" (66.5%), resource mobilization as "unprepared" (43.7%), preparedness policy and guidelines as "unprepared" (34.4%), and emergency response plans as "unprepared" (27.8%). A significant positive correlation was found between disaster knowledge and preparedness (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The readiness of Diploma III Nursing students can be enhanced through structured and ongoing disaster education and active participation in disaster simulations and drills. Developing and implementing a disaster nursing curriculum is essential for improving the preparedness of students who will serve in disaster-prone areas.