The Effectiveness of Planned Teaching Programs on Knowledge of Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation among School Teachers

Abstract

Background: A disaster is an incident or series of incidents that disrupts the environment and poses threats to lives and property, with immediate or long-term consequences. Teachers have a major role in strategic planning of disaster preparedness and mitigation, their knowledge and skill regarding disaster prevention should be upgraded and evaluated regularly.

Method: It was a pre-experimental study consisting of the same group before and after the intervention. The study assessed the potential effectiveness of planned teaching program (PTP) on knowledge of disaster preparedness and mitigation among school teachers. The level of knowledge of school teachers was assessed using a self-structured questionnaire. Planned teaching program was implemented and post-test was conducted after 7 days using the same questionnaire. The effectiveness of the planned teaching program was evaluated by comparing the knowledge score in pre-test and post-test using descriptive and inferential statistic.

Results: Sixty-six teachers from selected schools were included in the study, majority (62.1%) were female, and the mean age (SD) of the respondent was 35.41(10.42). There was no association between the level of knowledge and demographic variables like age, sex, level of education and teaching experience. Most of the respondents had moderate knowledge before the planned teaching program (PTP), and after PTP, most of them had adequate knowledge. The mean post-test score was 33, while the mean pre-test score was 25.35; the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: The findings of the study showed that the planned teaching Program was potentially effective in improving the knowledge of school teachers regarding disaster preparedness and mitigation.