Using the Precaution Adoption Process model to describe a disaster preparedness intervention among low-income Latinos

Deborah C. Glik1, David P. Eisenman, Qiong Zhou, Chi-Hong Tseng and
Steven M. Asch

November 25, 2013

Only 40–50% of households in the United States are currently disaster prepared. In this intervention study, respondent-driven sampling was used to select a sample (n¼187) of low income, Latino residents of Los Angeles County, randomly assigned into two treatment conditions: (i) household preparedness education received through ‘promotora’ (community health worker) led small group meetings, and (ii) household preparedness education received through print media. Weinstein’s Precaution Adoption Process, a stage model appropriate for risk communication guided the intervention. Outcomes are conceptualized as stages of decision making linked to having disaster supplies and creating a family communication plan. Quantitative results showed a significant shift over time from awareness to action and maintenance stages for disaster communication plans and supplies in both study arms; however, the shift in stage for a communication plan for those in the ‘platica’ study arm was (P<0.0001) than for those in the media arm. For changes in stage  linked to disaster supplies, people in both media and ‘platica’ study arms improved at the same rate. Simple media-based communications may be sufficient to encourage disadvantaged households to obtain disaster supplies; however, adoption of the more complex disaster family communication requires interpersonal education.

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