Turkey border and coastal health personnel working in inspection centers level of perception of disaster awareness

This study was conducted to examine the Disaster Awareness Perception Level of the Personnel of the Turkish Borders and Coasts Health Supervision Center (TBCHSC) in a descriptive manner. The research was applied to 435 personnel working in the TBCHSC between 15.11.2024-15.05.2025, through Google forms, with the necessary institutional permissions. In the study, Demographic Information Form (DIF) and Disaster Awareness Perception Scale (DAPS) were applied. The data were analyzed using SPSS-27 program. The findings were evaluated at p<0.05 significance level. Independent Sample T-Test and Mann Whitney U Test were applied for paired groups; Kruskal Wallis-H analysis was applied for three or more groups. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between the scales. According to the findings of the study, the Disaster Education Awareness Score (DEAS), Pre-Disaster Awareness Score (PREDAS), False Disaster Awareness Score (FADS), Post-Disaster Awareness Score (POSTDAS) and Disaster Awareness Perception Scale Score (DAPS) of individuals aged 41 years and above are significantly and higher than the other individuals aged 40 years and below (p<0.05). In the gender variable, the FADS, POSTDAS and DAPS averages of males were significantly higher than females (p<0.05), and the difference between DEAS and PREDAS in both genders was not statistically significant (p>0.05). There is no statistically significant difference between marital status and DEAS, PREDAS, FADS, POSTDAS and DAPS scores (p>0.05). The difference between the mean scores of DEAS, PREDAS, POSTDAS, FADS and DAPS was statistically significant in individuals who had children compared to those who did not (p<0.05), and the difference between the mean scores of POSTDAS, FADS and DAPS was not statistically significant in individuals who had children (p>0.05). There is no statistically significant difference between the scores of DEAS, PREDAS, POSTDAS, DAPS and the status of having experienced a disaster before (p>0.05), while the difference between the status of having experienced a disaster and FADS is statistically significant (p<0.05) and it is higher in individuals who have experienced a disaster before. There is no statistical difference between PREDAS, FADS, POSTDAS, DAPS in individuals who received disaster training (p>0.05), the relationship between receiving disaster training and DEAS score is significant and disaster awareness increases in individuals who receive training (p<0.05). DAPS was not statistically significant in individuals who had a close loss in a disaster in the last three years (p>0.05). The mean scores of PREDAS, FADS, POSTDAS, DAPS were significantly higher (p<0.05) in individuals who had experienced a close loss in a disaster, and the level of disaster consciousness and awareness increased in individuals who had experienced a close loss. The scores of DEAS, PREDAS and POSTDAS were significantly higher (p<0.05) in individuals who had made preparations for disasters before, and there was no statistical difference between individuals who had made preparations for disasters and the averages of FADS and DAPS (p>0.05). In terms of educational status, DEAS and PREDAS averages of high school graduates were significantly higher than those of university graduates (p<0.05). There is no significant difference between FADS, POSTDAS and DAPS averages between high school and university graduates (p>0.05). In individuals with middle income level, the mean of DAPS is higher and significantly higher than low and high income group (p<0.05). The means of DEAS, PREDAS, FADS, POSTDAS, DAPS of individuals with longer working years are statistically higher and significant compared to individuals with shorter working years (p<0.05).