This study examines a Community-Led Disaster Preparedness (CLDP) programme implemented in Nairobi slums to assess its impact on schoolchildren's health and safety. The study employed a mixed-methods approach with quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gather data from schoolchildren and their parents/guardians. Data analysis utilised descriptive statistics for survey results and thematic coding for interview transcripts. A significant proportion (45%) of respondents demonstrated improved knowledge about disaster preparedness, while 32% reported changes in health behaviors as a result of the programme. Themes identified included enhanced communication channels between families and community leaders. The CLDP programme showed promising results in enhancing schoolchildren's awareness and engagement with disaster preparedness strategies, which can lead to better health outcomes during emergencies. Future research should explore long-term impacts of the programme and consider scalability across other Nairobi slums. Policy recommendations include integrating community-led initiatives into national disaster management frameworks and increasing funding for similar programmes.
Oleche et al. (Wed,) studied this question.