Azadeh Fatehpanah - Department of Emergency & Disasters Health, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

Introduction: The occurrence of natural disasters and their consequences cannot be eliminated. The earthquake is one of the characteristics of our planet, which alone has killed thousands of people, worldwide.Considering the seismicity of Iran and the necessity of preparedness and education of people about the appropriate and timely approach to this event, this study was conducted with the aim of investigating the changes in housewives’ knowledge and attitude toward household emergency kit in Yazd in 2015-2016.Methods: To achieve the purpose of this study, a valid and reliable questionnaire which asked about the demographics, knowledge, and attitude, was delivered. After completion of the questionnaire by the individuals, a training pamphlet that covered information about the earthquake, the importance of earthquake protection, and the items, provision, and maintenance of emergency kit was provided to each participant. After that, the participants were asked to fill out a similar questionnaire to the one that she had already completed.Results: According to the findings the mean scores of knowledge before and after education were significantly different (P<0.05), that is, education increased knowledge of the women. In all age populations, the mean attitude score increased but the increase was not significant (P> 0.05). There was no significant difference among different education levels (P> 0.05), in other words, people from the baseline had a high positive attitude toward learning and gaining information about earthquake and emergency kit. No significant difference was observed in the attitude change with respect to the type of house ownership (P> 0.05). In overall, the mean scores of attitude before and after education were not significantly different. In other words, people from the first had a high positive attitude toward education and learning about earthquake and emergency kit.Conclusion: The present study confirms that the people of the community have understood the importance of obtaining necessary information and earthquake preparedness. Therefore, they need education and should learn and use the materials about earthquake preparedness. It is thus recommended that training programs be provided in the form of booklets, pamphlets, or short media programs to raise knowledge of the people.

Attitude, Earthquake, Emergency kit, Knowledge