Health Professionals' Knowledge and Perceived Clinical Skill Toward Emergency Preparedness and Its Associated Factors in North Showa, Ethiopia, 2024

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Emergency and public health problems are unavoidable and can strike at any time. In a globalized world where crises are getting more common, more devastating, and have a substantial influence on society's health and life, the quality of healthcare services is becoming increasingly important. Such an emergency causes a double burden of impact, especially for African states, due to their low economies and burden of ill health. Objectives To assess health professionals' knowledge and perceived clinical skill toward emergency preparedness and its associated factors in North Showa, Ethiopia, 2024. Methods An institution‐based cross‐sectional study design was employed from December 1 to January 30, 2024. Data was collected using a pre‐tested and structured questionnaire from 424 study participants. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 software. On bivariable logistic regression analysis, variables with p ‐value < 0.25 were transferred to multivariable logistic regression analysis and variables with p ‐value < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. The result was summarized using tables, graphs, and charts for different variables. Results A total of 424 participants were enrolled in the study, with a response rate of 413 (97.4%). Among 413 study participants, only 57.6% participants had adequate knowledge of emergency preparedness. Midwifery (AOR = 0.097; 95% CI 0.033–0.284), laboratory (AOR = 0.244; 95% CL 0.073–0.812), pharmacy (AOR = 0.078; 95% CI 0.021–0.288), disaster volunteer (AOR = 0.542; 95% CI 0.318–0.924), having 1–5 years of experience (AOR = 2.541; 95% CL 1.479–4.365), and > 30 years of age (AOR = 3.694; 95% CI 2.026–6.733) were significantly associated with adequate knowledge toward emergency preparedness. Conclusion and Recommendations About 57.6% of health professionals working in North Showa, Oromia, Ethiopia had adequate knowledge of emergency preparedness. Midwifery, laboratory, pharmacy, disaster volunteering, 1–5 years of experience and > 30 years of age were significantly associated factors. Therefore, training regarding emergency preparedness should be given to all health professionals, including midwifery, medical laboratory and pharmacy, to increase their knowledge level. The local health department also recommended working on creating many disaster volunteer health professionals to solve the problem.