ABSTRACT
Background: Assessing and addressing psychosocial needs of disaster survivors is very crucial to facilitate a faster recovery because psychosocial support aids in reducing actual and perceived stress and preventing negative psychological and social consequences in disaster-affected communities. Health and mental health professionals need to be equipped with knowledge and skills required to work with disaster survivors. In this direction National Institute of Mental Health Neurosciences, Bengaluru in collaboration with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India has begun a series of capacity building programs. Objectives: The objectives of the study are to transfer knowledge and skills on psychosocial care in disaster management to health and mental health professionals, to integrate it with the existing health care system and to develop a resourceful network of professionals who can be involved in various phases of disaster management including preparedness and response services. Methods: The study followed pre and post without control group design. A total of 64 training participants (Ganjam-34 and Cuttack-30) including Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatric social workers, and Medial Officers of Odisha were selected as the study population. Data was collected using Disaster Opinion Questionnaire (DOC), Knowledge Level Questionnaire (KLQ), Semi structured questionnaire (SSQ) and Background information sheet. The collected data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: It was found that the participants were highly engaged with the presented material and in the activities conducted during the training program. The comparison between the pre and post assessment of the participants on DOC, KLQ and SSQ showed the knowledge gain among them about psychosocial care concepts, principles, techniques and process for disaster survivors including vulnerable groups such as children, women, elderly and persons with disability. This change in their knowledge, attitude, skills and behaviors was statistically significant. Conclusion: As hazards, risk and vulnerability are rapidly increasing in India and other countries and people are less prepared to face such changes in environment and society, there is an urgent need to capacitate all stakeholders of government and non- government agencies with knowledge and skills to prepare communities for effectively facing disasters as well as to care for survivors during and after disaster.
