The Development of a General Disaster Preparedness Belief Scale Using the Health Belief Model as a Theoretical Framework

The Health Belief Model (HBM) is one of the oldest and most recognized conceptual framework of health behavior and can be applied to disaster preparedness efforts which focus predominantly on human behavior. The study aims to develop and test the psychometric properties of the General Disaster Preparedness Belief (GDPB) scale based on the HBM. A study group of 286 academic and administrative staff working in a Turkish University located in the city of Yalova completed a GDPB scale instrument containing 60 items. Exploratory Factor Analyses (EFA) was used for the construct validity of scale. Item analysis was assessed using item–total correlations and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. The EFA extracted six factors that jointly accounted for 59.2% of variance observed namely; Self efficacy (8 items), Cues to action (5 items), perceived susceptibility (6 items), perceived barriers (6 items), perceived benefits (3 items) and perceived severity (3 items). Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the subscales ranged from 0.90 to 0.74. The GDPB scale based on the HBM was found to be a valid and reliable tool. Findings from this study can be used to guide intervention aimed at informing and educating people about disaster preparedness.