Citation

Baker LR, Baker MD. Disaster Med. Public Health Prep. 2010; 4(3): 240-245.

Affiliation

Dr Lisa Baker is with the Department of Sociology and Social Work, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Dr Mark Baker is with the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Publisher Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1001/dmp.2010.28

PMID

21149221

Abstract

Families with children with special health care needs may present a challenge for disaster responders. This study examined the level of personal disaster preparedness among this at-risk population in relation to the general population, and explores whether special health care needs or perception of disaster risk affects preparedness levels. A convenience sample of 145 families presenting to an urban tertiary care children's hospital was surveyed using a previously validated instrument to gather information on levels of preparedness and factors influencing preparedness. In spite of significant special health care needs and concern about disasters, families remain unprepared for a disaster event. Health care and psychosocial support workers are in a unique position to increase preparedness levels in this at-risk population.

Language: en