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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
4286.0: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - Board 5

Abstract #115485

Understanding first aid and disaster preparedness in today’s schools: Student and staff knowledge and access to resources

Barbara Muth, Preparedness, American Red Cross, 8111 Gatehouse Road, Falls Church, VA 22042, 703-206-7419, muthba@usa.redcross.org

Baseline research was conducted among students and staff in eight sites across the U.S. to assess preparedness. First aid and disaster preparedness knowledge increased annually from grades 1 through 5 (p<.001). First aid knowledge continued to increase through grade 8 (p<.001) while disaster preparedness knowledge did not increase after the fifth grade. Behavioral intentions (planning for emergencies, diffusion of information, civic responsibility, and disaster preparedness) decreased annually from grades 7 through 11 (p<.01). Self-efficacy (emergency preparedness and first aid) decreased annually from grades 7 through 12 (p<.05).

Preparedness was not strong among school staff. 75% had not had any first aid or CPR training in the past three years while nearly 50% had been called upon to respond in a first aid emergency and 30% had had to use first aid or CPR skills in the school. Teachers and staff were more likely to have been trained in suburban schools and were less likely to have fast access to a phone if they were in an urban school.

The evidence suggests that schools are not prepared for emergencies. We will discuss the implications of unprepared students and schools in an emotional climate that calls for strengthening preparedness and examine applications of the evidence in making policy decisions and designing training and interventions for school systems to increase preparedness.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Safety, School-Based Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commertial supporters WITH THE EXCEPTION OF AT&T Wireless provided grant funding that supported the research in this abstract.

School Health Posters: School Safety, Violence and Asthma

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA