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133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
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133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA |
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Emily S. Read, BS, RN1, Deborah Lindell, ND, APRN, BC1, and Renee Witcher-Johnson, MPH2. (1) Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106-4904, 216-548-5812, devilcat007@msn.com, (2) Epidemiology, Cleveland Department of Public Health, 1925 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44114
Local health departments are faced with the need to prepare themselves and their communities for the threat of disaster, including potential terrorist attacks. Little is known about the thoughts, opinions, and attitudes of the American public regarding terrorism and disaster preparedness. This presentation will report a collaborative project by researchers from the Case Western Reserve University Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing (CASE) and the Cleveland Department of Public Health (CDPH). The project assessed Cleveland residents' concerns about disaster preparedness and terrorist attacks, and assisted with preparedness efforts. The aim is to reduce potential fear and anxiety related to disasters, particularly those due to terrorism. Theoretical frameworks for the project included Anderson and McFarlane's Community-as-Partner Assessment Wheel (2000) and the Mobilizing for Action Through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) strategic planning tool. A researcher developed Community Readiness Survey was used to help community residents identify their current level of disaster preparedness and their feelings pertaining to potential terrorist attacks. The CASE IRB approved the study and informed consent was obtained. Residents (n=114) in four different locations throughout the City of Cleveland were surveyed at community meetings. City of Cleveland residents were found to: 1) fear terrorist attacks happening nationally and locally, 2) feel not prepared for a disaster, and 3) feel that the CDPH is not prepared to assist them if a disaster were to occur. Participants were also asked to note routes of communication (television, mailings, and community meetings) that would be most appropriate for resident education regarding disaster preparedness. The assessment findings became the basis for researcher-designed interventions to facilitate resident preparedness. Implementation consisted of a short message to be aired on a local public access television channel and a Disaster Preparedness Guide mailed to the study participants. Program evaluation is a pre-test/post-test using the Community Readiness Survey. Evaluation results will be discussed at the time of the presentation. The project was supported by a grant from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called the "Cooperative Agreement on Public Health Response for Bioterrorism."
Learning Objectives: During this session, participants will learn the importance of community collaboration through a real-life example of a research project desinged and implemented to assist American citizens with emergency/disaster preparedness. At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will be able to
Keywords: Disasters, Emergency
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commertial supporters WITH THE EXCEPTION OF As a student, I am interning with the Cleveland Department of Public Health (CDPH). CDPH has received monies from government agencies (CDC) to establish bioterrorism/disaster preparedness. The expenses incurred through my research project were supported.
The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA