Disaster Awareness and Associated Factors Among 3rd and 6th Year Students of Ankara University Faculty of Medicine

INTRODUCTION: This study assessed disaster awareness among 3rd and 6th-year medical students at Ankara University and explored factors influencing their awareness. Understanding this is crucial for preparing future healthcare professionals for emergencies. The study investigates how different stages of medical education and receiving disaster education affect disaster awareness.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study at Ankara University Faculty of Medicine from August to October 2023 assessed disaster awareness among third and sixth-year students. Data were collected via Google Forms using a 20-item questionnaire covering demographics, disaster experiences, and medical school education and a 36-item 'Disaster Awareness Scale'.
RESULTS: A total of 352 participants, 210 in 3rd grade and 142 in 6th grade were included in the study. The mean disaster awareness score was 148.4. Disaster awareness was found to be higher in sixth-grade students who received disaster education at the medical faculty and those who participated in disaster drills. The scale scores of the participants who had experienced an earthquake and had a disaster experienced in their close circle were also higher.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the disaster awareness of the sixth-grade students those who received disaster education at the medical faculty, those who had experienced an earthquake, those whose close circle had experienced a disaster, and those who had participated in a disaster drill were significantly higher. These results emphasize the importance of formal education and drills in disaster preparedness. Therefore, it is recommended that disaster preparedness education should be disseminated and developed in all faculties.