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Examining Individual and Environmental Factors Associated with Emergency Preparedness Among People with Disabilities in China

Author

Listed:
  • Yue Xu

    (College of Medicine Rockford, University of Illinois, Rockford, IL 61107, USA)

  • Bo Chen

    (Faculty of Law, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China)

  • Kelly Hsieh

    (Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60608, USA)

Abstract

Background : People with disabilities, particularly those from developing countries, often fare worse during disasters, pandemics, and other emergencies. China is located in the most disaster-prone region in the world. However, no study has examined emergency evacuation planning among people with disabilities in China. The latest literature on emergency preparedness tends to focus on individual-level factors such as demographic characteristics, self-efficacy, and disability status. A focus on individual-level factors overlooks the importance of environmental influences on disaster preparation. Objective : This paper explores how individual and environmental factors are associated with emergency preparedness among people with disabilities in China. Methods : Two hundred and forty-eight people with various disabilities filled out an online cross-sectional survey on the level of emergency preparedness among people with disabilities in China. We conducted a hierarchical logistic regression to examine which environmental-level factors are associated with emergency preparedness after controlling for individual-level factors. Results : The results show that when entering only individual-level factors, self-efficacy in evacuation and previous emergency experiences are significant factors associated with being prepared. After including the environmental-level factors, self-efficacy remains significant. People with a physical disability and those from Hubei province, when compared with respondents from the rest of China, are less likely to be prepared. Another protective factor other than self-efficacy is being part of an online disability peer-support group. Conclusions : When designing risk management interventions, public health officials should consider both individual- and environmental-level factors. Using an online peer-support community may be considered an innovative component when designing these interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Yue Xu & Bo Chen & Kelly Hsieh, 2025. "Examining Individual and Environmental Factors Associated with Emergency Preparedness Among People with Disabilities in China," Disabilities, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-18, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jdisab:v:5:y:2025:i:2:p:46-:d:1652757
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Strobl, Eric, 2012. "The economic growth impact of natural disasters in developing countries: Evidence from hurricane strikes in the Central American and Caribbean regions," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(1), pages 130-141.
    2. Kuo-yi Jade Chang & Michelle Villeneuve & Tonia Crawford & Ivy Yen & Dale Dominey-Howes & Gwynnyth Llewellyn, 2023. "Disaster Preparedness, Capabilities, and Support Needs: The Lived Experience Perspectives of People with Disability," Disabilities, MDPI, vol. 3(4), pages 1-18, December.
    3. Javiera V. Castañeda & Nicolás C. Bronfman & Pamela C. Cisternas & Paula B. Repetto, 2020. "Understanding the culture of natural disaster preparedness: exploring the effect of experience and sociodemographic predictors," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 103(2), pages 1881-1904, September.
    4. Rachel M. Adams & David P. Eisenman & Deborah Glik, 2019. "Community Advantage and Individual Self-Efficacy Promote Disaster Preparedness: A Multilevel Model among Persons with Disabilities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-18, August.
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