Effectiveness of Educational Program on Nurses’ Knowledge and Practice Regarding Disaster Management at a Private Hospital

Abstract

Background: Disaster management is a critical aspect of healthcare, yet many nurses lack adequate knowledge and practical skills to respond effectively to emergencies, especially in private hospital settings where standardized training is often limited. Addressing this gap is vital for improving health system resilience and patient outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured educational program in enhancing nurses’ knowledge and practice regarding disaster management, hypothesizing that targeted training would significantly improve preparedness and response capabilities. Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-post study was conducted at Ali Fatima Hospital, Lahore, enrolling 40 female nurses aged 17–30 years with at least six months of experience. Nurses with prior disaster management training or on extended leave were excluded. Data were collected using a validated, self-administered questionnaire measuring disaster knowledge and practice before and four weeks after a simulation-based educational intervention. Primary outcomes were changes in knowledge and practice scores. Paired sample t-tests, ANOVA, and chi-square tests were performed using SPSS version 27. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Green International University, adhering to the Helsinki Declaration. Results: Mean knowledge scores increased from 48.6 (SD = 5.7) to 73.5 (SD = 4.9), and practice scores from 54.3 (SD = 8.1) to 74.1 (SD = 7.5), with mean differences of 24.93 (95% CI: 23.92–25.93; p < 0.001) and 19.78 (95% CI: 16.98–22.57; p < 0.001), respectively. No significant subgroup differences were observed by experience or prior training. Conclusion: Structured, simulation-based educational programs significantly enhance nurses’ disaster preparedness and practice in private hospital settings, supporting their integration into routine professional development to optimize emergency healthcare delivery.