| Session Assignment: 1717 | |
| BIOTERRORISM: AWARENESS AND PREPAREDNESS OF DENTON COUNTY MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS (MRC) VOLUNTEERS | |
| Author: Gloria Mendoza | Presenter: Gloria Mendoza |
| Department: Epidemiology | |
| Research Area: Other | |
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| (1) Bioterrorism, (2) Awareness, (3) Preparedness | |
| Raquel Y. Qualls- Hampton, MS, PhD UNTHSC- Fort Worth Department of Epidemiology Fort Worth, TX, 76107 Gloria Mendoza-Natividad UNTHSC- Fort Worth Department of Epidemiology Fort Worth, TX, 76107 Srishti Puri UNTHSC- Fort Worth Department of Epidemiology Fort Worth, TX, 76107 Neelofer Basaria UNTHSC- Fort Worth Department of Epidemiology Fort Worth, TX, 76107 Mayra Rodriguez UNTHSC- Fort Worth Department of Epidemiology Fort Worth, TX, 76107 | |
| Short Description: The 2001 anthrax events have vividly illustrated that terrorism involving the release of a biological agent is a major public health emergency requiring an immediate and well-coordinated response. Since it is unrealistic to gather a large scale of medical personnel in a short period of time, in case of a bioterrorist attack for example, it is necessary that community members be trained to a certain degree. In essence, this training and social awareness will build trusting relations between authorities and communities; this is the overall goal of Denton County’s Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). The investigators surveyed volunteers from this organization to assess whether those who had received bioterrorism training were better prepared for a bioterrorist event than those who had not received any related training. | |
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Purpose: 1. Assess the prevalence and recency of bioterrorism training among Denton County MRC volunteers.
2a. Assess MRC volunteers’ awareness in regards to bioterrorism and bioterrorist agents.
2b. Assess MRC volunteers’ preparedness to respond to a bioterrorist event.
3. Analyze the relationship between bioterrorism training and awareness/preparedness.
Methods: Investigators developed a web-based survey of 30 questions and offered it to MRC volunteers. After 1 month they collected 115 responses and following data cleaning, were left with a total of 109 responses. Respondents were reached via a list-serve provided by the Denton County MRC personnel. Survey was opened for response on November 3, 2008 and closed temporarily on December 1, 2008. Results: Results showed that 61% of the MRC volunteers had received bioterrorism training. In assessing for bioterrorism awareness, ¬ 73% were categorized as aware. However, 53% were found to be prepared and 47% were found to be not prepared for a bioterrorist event. Conclusions: Volunteers that have received bioterrorism training are 4.29 times more likely to be aware than those who have not received any bioterrorism training. In addition, volunteers that have received bioterrorism training are 7.19 times more likely to be better prepared than those with no bioterrorism training. Hence, the results of this pilot study are directed at first responders who form part of the Denton County MRC and have therefore been provided training to respond to a health emergency in order to analyze their readiness and preparedness. Investigators concluded it is essential to train first responders. |
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