Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences

Background & Aims: Hospital has an important role during unexpected and disastrous situation. Nurses as the largest group of health care providers can play important role in this field through increasing their knowledge and awareness level. This study was conducted to determine the effect of education on nurse’s awareness about disaster management.

Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study conducted on all nurses employed at the Oil Great Hospital of Ahwaz in 2013. The subjects were selected through systematic random sampling. The reliability of questionnaire was confirmed by obtaining Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.88. The data were analyzed statistically in the SPSS software.

Results: The results of this study showed that the level of nurses’ awareness about disaster management and their approach to this issue had significantly differed after the educational intervention (P=0.002). Also, the disaster management education was effective on nurses' awareness to manage disastrous situation (P=0.002). In addition, there was a significant relation between attending educational sessions (P=0.002) and some other variables with nurses' awareness level.

Conclusion: Based on the findings of research and the need for nurses' awareness about disastrous situation, establishment of preparation maneuvers, educational programs, and appropriate coordination and connections with the relative organizations are recommended.