Evaluation and associated factors of public health emergency management among medical college students in a city in Southwest China: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Colleges and universities face an increased risk of public health emergencies. Among them, medical colleges and universities deserve more attention as they serve as the play a fundamental role in providing public health emergency services and in cultivating medical professionals. Effectively managing infectious disease prevention and control, as well as responding to public health emergencies in medical colleges and universities, is of great importance for enhancing the capacity of social emergency governance and improving the completeness of the public health system. This study aims to understand the management of public health emergencies in medical colleges in a city in southwest China, explore the factors associated with medical college students ’ evaluations, and provide recommendations for emergency management mechanisms in colleges and universities. Methods In total, 781 medical college students were selected through stratified random sampling and surveyed using a questionnaire. The main factors affecting students ’ evaluation of emergency management were analyzed using multiple linear regression and structural equation modeling. Results The overall emergency management situation in medical colleges was relatively complete, with satisfactory results. Medical college students ’ satisfaction with the timeliness of prevention measures was the highest, while the publicity and education were the lowest. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that grades, emergency education, -simulation training, -information reporting, and dynamic adjustment measures were associated with the evaluation of emergency management by medical students. Conclusions Although the evaluation of emergency management in medical colleges was generally positive, certain limitations still existed. To improve the development of the public health system, colleges and universities should constantly reform and innovate emergency management mechanisms according to the important links in the prevention and control processes.