Role of the Nurse in Emergency Preparedness: A Survey of Secondary Health Facilities in Northern, Nigeria

SAMAILA Balarabe Ayuba^1, , Aliyu Danjuma¹, Yashi Garda Nassa², Iliya Joseph³, Akoh Williams Matthew⁴ and Shiaka Ndalayi Micheal⁴

¹Department of Nursing Services, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika-Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria

²Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna State University

³Ministry of Health Kaduna State

⁴School of Nursing, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Tudun-Wada, Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria

Cite this paper:
SAMAILA Balarabe Ayuba, Aliyu Danjuma, Yashi Garda Nassa, Iliya Joseph, Akoh Williams Matthew and Shiaka Ndalayi Micheal. Role of the Nurse in Emergency Preparedness: A Survey of Secondary Health Facilities in Northern, Nigeria. World Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2015; 3(3):54-60. doi: 10.12691/jpm-3-3-2

Abstract

Backgroud:The advent of emergency or disaster has posed serious challenges to the lives of many citizens in different localities and communities. This was as a result of either inadequate preparation for emergency or insufficient knowledge and skills on how to handle emergency situation by those concerned. So mamy lives were claimed; properties damaged and destroyed which calls for adequate and effective preparation against future occurrences by emergency rescue team members as well as healthcare professionals such as nurses. Methods:This is a cross sectional, descriptive survey conducted to explore the role of a nurse in emergency preparedness among nurses in Zaria local Government area of Kaduna State. One hundred and twenty (120) structured questionnaires were administered using simple random sampling technique. Results: The findings of this study established that 34% of the participants were within the age range of 30-39 years. Near two third of the participants 63% were female and 25% of the participants were at the rank of Nursing Officer II (N.OII), 22% of which work in accident and emergency unit while 45% had a working experience between 1-10 years. More than half 60% of the participants had a clear and correct understanding of the concept of emergency preparedness. So also, most of the participants strongly agreed that the roles of a nurse in emergency preparedness are enormous and central to emergency preparedness. Most of the participants 53% and 55% ticked all the tools itemized for emergency preparedness use as well as the factors affecting emergency participants respectively. Conclusion: Disaster preparedness maximized safe condition, decreases vulnerability and minimizes risk to individuals when they are confronted by a hazard. The role of the Nurses is central to emergency preparedness as a custodian of hospital infrastructures.

Keywords:
disaster preparedness role nurse Zaria Nigeria.

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