Assessing the knowledge and practices and Identifying the factors affecting the flood preparedness in a community affected by recurrent floods in Kolonnawa MOH area and developing a plan to improve the flood preparedness-H.A.S.Rasanjalee

Abstract 

Introduction 

This research was conducted in a Grama Niladhari division in Ambathale, a  community who get affected by recurrent floods in Kolonnawa MOH area. 

Objectives 

The objectives were to assess the knowledge and practices on flood preparedness in  the community including their compliance with early warning and evacuation during  flood situations and to develop a plan to improve flood preparedness . 

Methodology 

A community based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with  participation of 150 participants. Most flood affected Grama Niladhari Division was  selected in a recurrently flood affected PHM area in Kolonnawa and a house was selected randomly and went along the road collecting data from consecutive houses. The knowledge of the participants and their practices including compliance with early  warning and evacuation and factors affecting the compliance was assessed through an  interviewer administered questionnaire. Then a plan was developed to improve the  flood preparedness. 

Results 

Almost all the participants experienced a flood at least once during last three years,  but approximately half of them were not aware on a safe route and a safe place to  evacuate in a flood. The knowledge of people on early warning message  dissemination methods was adequate and their practices during floods were  satisfactory. People maintained their good hygienic practices even in flood situations.  Poor compliance was seen toward the evacuation instructions given in a flood where  more than half of the families remained in their houses until the last moment and  females were more compliant than males towards the interventions carried out by the  preventive health sector.

Conclusions and Recommendation 

The current early warning dissemination methods such as television and radio are  widely accepted by people and recommend to be continued. SMS alerts and a disaster  warning mobile app can be recommended for this purpose and social media can be  used to educate people in addition to delivering warning messages on disasters.  Educating people on the disaster management center hot line number (117) is also  important. 

Educating people on identified safe routes and places to evacuate in a flood, preferably the previous temporary shelter sites and strengthening the sanitary facilities  in these places are recommended. Educating people on the importance of compliance  with the evacuation notices is also important. 

Key words- recurrent floods, flood preparedness, compliance with evacuation