A Cross-Sectional Study on the Flood Emergency Preparedness among Healthcare Providers in Saudi Arabia

• Main Authors: Ahmed M. Al-Wathinani, Abdulaziz Alakeel, Ahmad Hecham Alani, Mohammad Alharbi, Abdullah Almutairi, Tahani Alonaizi, Riyadh A. Alhazmi, Sultan M. Alghadeer, Abdulmajeed M. Mobrad, Krzysztof Goniewicz, Amir Khorram-Manesh, Attila J. Hertelendy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-02-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: flood; disasters; emergency preparedness; hospital preparedness; Saudi Arabia
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/3/1329

This study used a descriptive cross-sectional methodology to measure healthcare workers’ knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and willingness to respond to a flood scenario in Saudi Arabia. A validated survey was distributed to collect data using a convenience sampling technique through multiple social media platforms. A total of 227 participants were included in this study: 52% of them were aged between 26 to 34 years, 74% were residents from Riyadh, and 52.4% worked in nursing divisions. A significant number of respondents (73.2%) had positive perceptions towards their hospitals’ ability to provide an effective response to a flood, 89% were willing to report to work following a flood, and 90% of participants reported the need to develop both guidelines and training for flood disaster preparedness. Preparation and successful flood mitigation in the hospital setting requires staff that have both knowledge and training in emergency management. One way to obtain such readiness is through competency-based training, including both table-top and full-scale live exercises. Although the willingness to respond to such a flooding emergency was high among staff, the development of guidelines and educational programs is needed in order to develop the competencies and skills sets to improve disaster preparedness response and preparedness efforts.