A Community-based Intervention Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Awareness Imparted on Earthquake Preparedness among the Residents of South Delhi, India

BACKGROUND: New Delhi is located in seismic zone IV, and the occurrence of earthquake is fairly common. Previous disasters have shown that only sustained and timely action to reduce risk can prevent or mitigate the impact of a disaster. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to assess the knowledge and preparedness regarding earthquake among the residents of South Delhi and to impart the awareness and assess the effectiveness of the awareness imparted. METHODOLOGY: One group pretest–posttest quasi-experimental research was done among 300 respondents on earthquake preparedness. RESULTS: As per the study, 89% of participants felt that earthquake is a concern for Delhi. It was observed that majority of the population are not prepared to handle large scale disaster. Significant association was found between pretest and posttest knowledge assessment scores of the study population. CONCLUSION: Disasters due to their unpredictable occurrence are difficult to tackle, but awareness and preparedness to face the calamity will help to reduce the burden of disaster.