Disaster Preparedness in Families With Children With Special Health Care Needs

Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) may present unique challenges for disaster preparedness. This study’s objective was to determine the impact of a disaster supply starter kit intervention on preparedness for families of CSHCN. The study was a 1-group pre-post cohort design with consecu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical pediatrics 2016-10, Vol.55 (11), p.1036-1043
Main Authors: Bagwell, Holli B., Liggin, Rebecca, Thompson, Tonya, Lyle, Kristin, Anthony, Allison, Baltz, Matthew, Melguizo-Castro, Maria, Nick, Todd, Kuo, Dennis Z.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Arkansas
Child, Preschool
Cohort Studies
Disabled Children
Disaster Planning - methods
Disaster Planning - statistics & numerical data
Emergencies
Emergency preparedness
Exceptional children
Female
Health care industry
Humans
Male
Parents
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) may present unique challenges for disaster preparedness. This study’s objective was to determine the impact of a disaster supply starter kit intervention on preparedness for families of CSHCN. The study was a 1-group pre-post cohort design with consecutive enrollment at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Medical Home Clinic. Pre- and postintervention survey findings were compared using McNemar’s test. Of the 249 enrolled, 223 completed the postsurvey. At presurvey, 43% had an Emergency Information Form, compared with 79% at postsurvey (P < .001). At presurvey, 18% had a disaster kit, compared with 99.6% at postsurvey, and 44% added items. Of the 183 respondents who did not have a disaster kit at presurvey, 99% (n = 182) had a disaster kit on postsurvey, and 38% (n = 70) added items. An inexpensive educational disaster supply starter kit may increase preparedness. Further investigation on sustainability and dissemination to other populations is needed.
ISSN:0009-9228
1938-2707
DOI:10.1177/0009922816665087