Disaster preparedness behaviour among rural people in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives

Abstract

        A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to identify disaster preparedness behaviour among rural people in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives.A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from two hundred and thirteen inhabitants of ten islands from 15-20 January 2008. Chi-square test was performed to describe the association among related factors and disaster preparedness behaviour.
        The results revealed that more than one-half of the respondents had a good level of disaster preparedness behaviour. The following factors have statistically significant association with preparedness behavior namely gender, occupation, income, education, types of houses lived, knowledge, perception, tidal flood experiences, experience of tsunami, frequency tidal flood experiences, involvement of communitybased tidal flood disaster preparedness activities, availability of information on tidal flood disaster preparedness and accessibility to information on tidal flood disaster preparedness.
         It is recommended that sustaining a good level of knowledge and preparedness behaviour is paramount for disaster preparedness in rural areas. Further enhancing and strengthening of community-based awareness activities must be emphasized and implemented. Disaster preparedness must be kept as a priority at national and atoll (provincial) level planning for development and improving the quality of life of people.