Disaster Awareness and Preparedness: The Case of Ondokuz Mayıs University

Abstract

This study offers a comprehensive examination to understand university students’ disaster awareness and preparedness level in the case of Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU). Within the scope of the research, focusing on disaster awareness, preparedness, and awareness of the students, an attempt was made to explain how various demographic factors affect attitudes toward disasters. A survey was conducted with the participation of 382 students who were studying in the 2022–2023 Spring Semester in all faculties, colleges, and institutes within the broad academic structure of OMU. The data were examined with descriptive statistics, and the relationships between variables were evaluated using the chi-square test. According to the findings, disaster awareness and preparedness must be addressed from a broad perspective and planned, especially by considering demographic diversity. It was stated that this study could contribute to education in terms of disaster management not only for OMU but also for other higher education institutions.