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Awareness and Preparedness Regarding Disasters among Residents of An

Urban Slum in Delhi

Article · January 2013

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Research and Reviews: A Journal of Medicine
ISSN: 2249 – 8648, Special Issue 2013
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Awareness and Preparedness Regarding Disasters

among Residents of An Urban Slum in Delhi
Bikash Chetry1*, Charu2, N. Thian Guite1, Anil K Gupta3, Jugal Kishore2,
1
Department of Social Work, University Of Delhi, Delhi, India
2
Department Of Community medicine, Maulana Azad medical College, New Delhi, India
3
National Institute of Disaster Management, New Delhi, India

Abstract
The burden of natural disasters falls most heavily upon developing nations where over 95% of
disaster related deaths occur. Urban areas are especially prone to disasters affecting millions
of people each year through loss of life, serious injury, and loss of assets and livelihoods. To
assess the awareness and preparedness about disasters among residents of an urban slum in
central Delhi, a community based cross sectional study was conducted among residents of an
urban slum in central Delhi. Hundred subjects were selected with purposive sampling. They
were interviewed using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire after taking informed consent.
Data was entered in MS-Excel. Results were presented in mean and simple proportions 52% of
subjects belonged to age group of 21–30 years. Those belonged to Hindu religion were 52%
and 27% were semi skilled workers. 61% of the subjects had knowledge what is disaster. 78%
of subjects knew about earthquake but only 69% had knowledge about what they have to do in
order to save their life in case there is an earthquake. Helpline number of PCR and fire brigade
was known to 90% and 67% of study subjects respectively. The primary source of information
about disasters was Television (28%). The present study concluded that the awareness and
practices regarding disaster preparedness is not satisfactory among residents.

Keywords: awareness, preparedness, disaster, Delhi

*Author of Correspondence: E-mail: chetry.bikash@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION poor quality of housing, overcrowding,

A disaster is defined as a “disruption of human
ecology that exceeds the capacity of the
community to function normally” [1]. The
burden of natural disasters falls most heavily
upon developing nations where over 95% of
disaster related deaths occur. In India, 60% of
the land is prone to earthquakes. 12% is
susceptible to floods and 8% is vulnerable
to cyclones. Twenty-two states are
categorized as multi-hazardous and the 8,000
kilometer long coastline is exposed to tropical
cyclones, storms and floods [2]. Urban areas
are especially prone to disasters affecting
millions of people each year through loss of
life, serious injury, loss of assets and
livelihoods [3]. The urban poor groups are the
most affected by such disasters. In addition,
their disaster risks are intensified due to their
socio-economic condition as well as due to
disadvantages associated with slums, such as
inadequate access to safe water, improper
sanitation, and other infrastructure [4].
Community-based disaster preparedness
(CBDP) approaches are becoming increasingly
important elements of vulnerability reduction
and disaster management strategies. They are
associated with a policy trend that values the
knowledge and capacities of local people and
builds on local resources, including social
capital [5]. After disaster, even rehabilitation
is a challenge which causes a number of
physical and mental health maladies which
results due to disruption of key support
services including families and other social
services [6]. A critical component of disaster
preparedness is the knowledge of available
local resource information and how to
response at the time of disaster. For
involvement of community, it is important to
assess their perception about disaster and its
preparedness. Keeping above aspect in view,

RRJoM (2013) 63-66 © STM Journals 2013. All Rights Reserved Page 63
Research and Reviews: A Journal of Medicine
ISSN: 2249 – 8648, Special Issue 2013
__________________________________________________________________________________________

this study was planned to assess the awareness of 21–30 years. Those belonged to Hindu
and preparedness about disasters among religion were 52% and 27% were semi-skilled
residents of an urban slum in central Delhi. workers. Only 39% of the subjects were native
residents of Delhi. Rest of the subjects
MATERIAL AND METHODS belonged to Bihar (15%), Uttar Pradesh
Study Design, Participants and Sampling (21%), Rajasthan (13%) and other states
Technique (12%). Monthly family income of most of the
This was a community based cross sectional subjects varied from 10000–12000 per month.
study conducted over a period of 2 months Details of socio demographic profile are
from September to October, 2012 among shown in Table 1.
residents of an urban slum in central Delhi. All
individuals 21 to 50 years of age residing in Table 1: Demographic Characteristics of
the area constituted the study population. A Study Subjects.
total of 100 individuals were included in the Characteristic Percentage
study. Study subjects were selected by Age Group(years)
purposive sampling method. 21–30 52
31–40 40
Methodology 41–50 08
Data was collected by house to house survey. Education
Written informed consent was taken from each Illiterate 20
subject before taking interview. A pretested, Primary 17
Middle 21
semi-structured questionnaire was prepared
High school 21
which consisted of items on demographic
Post High School 20
profile like age, gender, education, occupation
Graduation and
etc. of study subjects. Items on the awareness above
1
and preparedness regarding disasters were also Occupation
included. After data collection, the researcher Unemployed 17
made a power-point presentation to educate Unskilled 20
the community people about preparedness for Semi-skilled 27
various disasters. Skilled 13
Clerical/ Shop
Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria owner/ Semi 20
Those who did not know to read and Professional
understand English were excluded. Those Professional 3
refused to give consent for the study were also Religion
excluded. Hindu 52
Muslim 21
Statistical Analysis Christian 13
Data was entered in MS-Excel. Results were Others 14
presented in mean and simple proportions and
percentages. Data was expressed in simple Awareness and Preparedness about
frequency tables. Disaster
In regard to awareness about disaster, 61% of
Ethical issues the subjects had knowledge what is disaster
All participants were explained purpose of the while rest had no knowledge about disaster.
study and confidentiality was assured before 78% of subjects knew about earthquake but
taking interview. Written informed consent only 69% had knowledge about what they
was taken from all participants before study. have to do in order to save their life in case
there is an earthquake as shown in Figure 1.
53% knew about fire as a disaster.
RESULTS
Helpline number of PCR and fire brigade was
Demographic Profile of Participants
known to 90% and 67% of study subjects
A total of 100 individuals were included in the
respectively. 70% of subjects had no idea
study. 52% of subjects belonged to age group
whom they should call in time of any disaster.

RRJoM (2013) 63-66 © STM Journals 2013. All Rights Reserved Page 64
Research and Reviews: A Journal of Medicine
ISSN: 2249 – 8648, Special Issue 2013
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The primary source of information about
disaster was Television (28%). Other sources
of information were newspaper and posters. It
Figure 1: Knowledge about Earthquake and its Response.
Attitude
About 84% of the subjects thought that the
community was at the risk of disaster. In terms
family and community preparedness, 72% felt
that their family was well prepared to manage
disasters but when asked about preparedness
of community, only 60% thought that the
community was prepared for facing any
disaster. When asked about their perception
about major disaster for which community is
at risk, majority (53%) answered fire.
However, 68% of the subjects thought that fire
cannot be prevented.
Preparedness
Most of the respondents (68%) had first-aid kit
available in their house. 96% of the subjects
had no plans for elderly or the sick people
during disasters and 88% of them never
discussed disaster and its preparedness with
other family members. Most of the houses
observed were at risk of disasters like
electricity wires in the house were open which
can catch fire anytime.
DISCUSSION
The study showed that a significant percentage
of the subjects had knowledge about the
disasters. Another study carried out by
Kangabam RD et al in Itanagar, India also
found that most of people involved in study
knew about disasters [2]. 78% of subjects had
RRJoM (2013) 63-66 © STM Journals 2013. All Rights Reserved
was reported that students were taught about
disasters and its preparedness in their schools
and colleges.
knowledge about earthquakes but they didn’t
know what they had to do in case of an
earthquake. It is especially important in Delhi
due to its proximity to Northwest Himalayan
range which is known to be most vulnerable
seismic zone for large magnitude earthquakes
[7]. Helpline number for fire brigade was
known only to 67% of subjects which is very
less keeping in view of vulnerability of the
houses to fire. A study by Jaslow D et al also
found that only 42% of the subjects were
aware of their building fire plan and 40%
believed that since they were not at risk of fire,
they need not to know how to use it [8].
Although a significant proportion thought that
they were well prepared for disaster but their
perception cannot be relied upon because it
was only subjective assessment of their
perception not objective. A study conducted
by Blessman J et al found that only 15% of
participants were prepared and other 8% were
well prepared for disasters. The principal
barrier found was lack of knowledge about
disasters [9]. Thus it is important that the
community should be sensitized and well
aware of different disasters so that they can
take measures for mitigation. It was found that
most of the subjects never discussed with their
family members about disaster preparedness.
This fact is important because a plan has to be
framed beforehand so that each member of the
family knew what they have to do in disaster
Page 65
 Research and Reviews: A Journal of Medicine
ISSN: 2249 – 8648, Special Issue 2013
__________________________________________________________________________________________
situation. Television was cited as major source
of information by participants. Television
should be explored further as an option to
educate the community regarding disasters and
its preparedness. The study shows that the
community is under prepared to face any
disaster situation. The importance of
awareness of people has been already
highlighted [10].
The present study signifies the importance of
raising the awareness about disasters, planning
and training the community regarding disaster
preparedness. A number of studies have shown
significant improvement in community’s
ability in response to disasters after an
intervention of health education about disaster
mitigation and control [11-13].
CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATION
The present study concluded that the
awareness and practices regarding disaster
preparedness is not satisfactory among
residents. Therefore there is an urgent need for
intensive IEC activities to raise the awareness
regarding disaster and its preparedness.
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