Abstract
Effective disaster management requires an adequate supply of qualified and competent staff. This can be achieved through appropriate training and education of the healthcare workers in order to impart the necessary competencies required for responding to disasters. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of educational program on nurses` knowledge and awareness of internal disaster management. The study was conducted at Al Mabara of Tanta city. That was brought staff nurses from different hospitals at Al Ghrebia Governate using a quasi-experimental design. Sample of the study included 36 staff nurse. Two tools were used, knowledge questionnaire sheet for assessing subjects` knowledge about internal disaster management and, attributes of hospital disaster management questionnaire for assessing their awareness. The results showed a statistical significant improvement (P ≤0.05) was found in nurses' level of knowledge and awareness about internal disaster management on post program. Pre program, majority did not know the content of the hospital disaster management plan, also, minor percent of nurses had good knowledge grades on hospital disaster plan, internal disaster's types, causes, dimensions and phases, concepts, this percent was improved post program. Regarding their awareness, more than half was aware that planning and information, and more than one third not aware that the team work and leadership skills have a role in disaster management this awareness was changed post program. It concluded that pre program nurses' knowledge and awareness about internal disasters and related disaster management plan was generally poor and it significantly improved post program. Therefore, it is recommended that periodical testing of nurses` knowledge and performance of disaster management plan is essential to identify their training needs. Conducting of simulation exercises should be done regularly, with full participation of all hospital staff in order to be ready for managing any internal disasters