The relationship between disaster awareness perception and disaster literacy of individuals affected by disasters: The case of Elaziğ province

The perception of disaster awareness refers to individuals perception of risk and danger, while disaster literacy refers to acquiring and understanding information about disasters and translating it into appropriate behavior. Examining the relationship between these two concepts is important for correctly understanding disaster risks and planning effective interventions. This study comparatively evaluated the perception of disaster awareness and disaster literacy levels of 394 adult individuals aged 18-60 in Elâzığ Province who had experienced a disaster, using a cross-sectional research design and purposive sampling. The mean ± standard deviation values of the obtained data and the between-group comparisons were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software. In the study, the total mean score on the Disaster Awareness Perception Scale was 129.49±22.36, and the total mean score on disaster literacy was 32.97±10.47, indicating that the observed level was limited. A positive and statistically significant correlation was identified between educational level and disaster awareness perception (R=0.433, p<0.001), as well as total disaster literacy scores (R=0.387, p<0.001). The results of the linear regression analysis showed that the dependent variable, disaster literacy, had a positive and significant association with the sub-dimensions of receiving disaster education, incorrect disaster education, and pre-disaster awareness (R²=0.403, p<0.001). Enhancing disaster literacy in disaster-experienced communities, correcting misconceptions and conceptual misunderstandings, and strengthening disaster risk management awareness trainings are of critical importance for resilience. To contribute to the development of future disaster preparedness strategies, it is recommended that comparative studies be conducted that also include disaster-unaffected groups and are enriched with additional variables.