Arman Azadi - Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
Ali Sahebi - Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Health, Safety and Environment, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Hamed Tavan - Student Research Committee, Department of Nursing, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.

Background: Currently, hospital preparedness is an essential element for disaster management. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to examine the attitudes, knowledge and performance of nurses with respect to crisis management. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken among ۱۱۲ nurses working in three hospitals affiliated to the Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Iran. A questionnaire designed according to previous studies was used to identify demographic information, nurses’ attitudes (۱۱ questions), knowledge (۶ questions), and performance (۶ questions) regarding hospital preparedness during disasters. The data were analyzed using SPSS version ۱۹.۰.  Results: The overall scores for attitude, knowledge, and performance of nurses were ۲۷.۳۵, ۹.۵, and ۳.۸۸, respectively. There was a significant correlation between educational degree and nurses’ attitude (P=۰.۰۲۷). Also, there was a significant relationship between work experience and nurses’ attitude regarding hospital preparedness during disasters (P=۰.۰۲۲). Conclusion: Although most of the nurses had a fair attitude regarding hospital preparedness during disasters, their knowledge and performance were poor.

Knowledge, Attitude, Nurses, Disaster preparedness