Impact of an Education Intervention on Missouri K‐12 School Disaster and Biological Event Preparedness. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rebmann, Terri; Elliott, Michael B.; Artman, Deborah; VanNatta, Matthew; Wakefield, Mary
• Is Part Of: Journal of school health. Volume 86:Number 11(2016:Nov.)
• Page Start: 794
• Page End: 802
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: disaster preparedness -- school nurses -- terrorism -- pandemic -- influenza; School health services -- Periodicals; School children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; School Health Services -- Periodicals; Health Education -- Periodicals; 371.71
• DOI: 10.1111/josh.12435
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4391

Abstract

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: A 2011 nationwide school pandemic preparedness study found schools to be deficient. We examined the impact of a school nurse educational intervention aimed at improving K‐12 school biological event preparedness. METHODS: Missouri Association of School Nurses (MASN) members were e‐mailed a survey link in fall 2013 (ie, preintervention), links to online education modules (ie, intervention) in late fall, and a postintervention survey link in spring, 2014. School biological event readiness was measured using 35 indicators, for a possible score range of 0‐35. A paired t ‐test compared pre‐ to postintervention preparedness scores. RESULTS: A total of 133 school nurses (33.6% response rate) completed a survey; 35.3% of those (N = 47) completed both pre‐ and postintervention survey that could be matched. Pre‐ and postintervention preparedness scores ranged from 5 to 28.5 ( x ‾ = 13.3) and 6.5 to 25 ( x ‾ = 14.8), respectively. Postintervention scores were significantly higher than preintervention scores for those who watched at least 1 module ( t = −2.3, p < .05). CONCLUSION: The education intervention was effective at improving school preparedness, though the impact was small. The education intervention needs to be reassessed, especially in regard to providing a longer intervention period.