A Study on Disaster Experience and Preparedness of University Students

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the disaster experience (accidents, education etc) and the concern for disaster preparedness of college students. Methods: This research design was a descriptive study. Data were collected from November 1, 2011 to December 30, 2011 and analyzed by the SPSS PASW statistics 18.0 program. Results: There were statistical significances in major (p<.050), grade(p<.001), and a completed disaster class(p<.001) between general characteristics and concern for disaster preparedness. The major disaster events that occurred from 2003 to 2010 in Korea were the 2007 Taean oil spill (85.4%), the 2003 Daegu subway fire (82.7%), and the 2008 Sungnyemun fire (62.9%). The possible disaster events in Korea were hurricanes, floods, fires (including wildfire), and the shutdown of communication lines. Subjects learned about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (18.2%), first aid for bleeding and fractures (17.8%), a fire drill (14.3%), and an escape drill for an earthquake (14.0%). They wanted to learn the fire drill (11.33%), the escape drill for an earthquake (9.7%), a war drill (9.0%), a disaster confrontation drill on the subway (8.6%), and a fire and explosion evacuation drill (8.4%). Half of subjects were not prepared with emergency supplies for disasters because they thought that a disaster would not occur. Conclusion: It is necessary to develop the disaster educational programs according to subject's demands in Korea.