Percepcija javnosti o pripremljenosti is the central topic of this scientific publication.

Abstract

Biospheric disasters, among them the first place of the epidemic, pose a serious threat to human security. Starting from the seriousness and characteristic of disasters caused by epidemics, the subject of research is the examination of the nature of the impact of personal and social factors on the perception of the public on the preparedness to respond to biospheric disasters caused by epidemics. Two thousand and five hundred citizens from the area of nineteen local communities were interviewed using multi-pass random sampling. According to the obtained results, it was determined that the level of preparedness of the citizens is at a low level and that they are more prepared men, more educated citizens, the unemployed and those who feel fear. The results of the research can be used to create educational campaigns aimed at raising the level of awareness and preparation of citizens. Keywords: natural disasters, perception, epidemics, preparedness, risk management, Serbia.

Conclusions

Although the citizens of Serbia have faced the consequences of various epidemics multiple times in the past, research results show that only slightly less than half of the respondents are educated about epidemics. The lack of awareness and knowledge among citizens about epidemics can further complicate risk management in emergency situations, starting with the fact that citizens do not know which preventive measures to take from the moment they receive information about the spread of an infectious disease. A particular concern is the fact that one-third of citizens are absolutely unprepared to respond adequately to such an event. Adequate preparedness of citizens to respond to such events can significantly reduce the consequences for the life and health of people. One of the most important elements of citizens’ preparedness for response is knowledge about epidemics and the correct way to react. The study showed that citizens’ knowledge about epidemics is influenced by numerous personal and environmental factors. However, whether someone has been a volunteer or has regulated military status does not impact their knowledge in this area. The level of citizens’ knowledge about epidemics also varies due to the characteristics of the citizens themselves. For example, a higher level of knowledge about epidemics is found among citizens who are women, university-educated, or highly educated with excellent grades, married, without disabilities, employed, have an income over 75,000 dinars, feel fear and have previous experience, whose mothers and fathers did not finish elementary school. On the other hand, the results show that the level of citizens’ preparedness to react is lower than expected. Those more prepared to respond are citizens who are men, university-educated, very good students with incomes over 75,000 dinars, in relationships but not parents, who care for people with disabilities, unemployed, feel fear, and whose mothers and fathers completed postgraduate studies. Besides citizens’ preparedness for response, it is essential to have certain supplies that would mitigate the effects of emergencies caused by epidemics. It has been found that only half of the respondents have a first aid kit, which warns that this could negatively impact the self-rescue or self-protection of citizens from the consequences of an epidemic. Based on the presented research results, it is necessary to design campaigns and programs aimed at improving the knowledge of people, particularly university uneducated citizens, citizens who did not finish high school with excellent grades, unmarried citizens, the unemployed, those who do not have incomes above 75,000 dinars, those who do not feel fear and have no prior experience. Citizens’ knowledge can be improved through educational television programs or radio broadcasts that would inform citizens about potential epidemics and their consequences, ways of acting, and modalities of personal and family protection.

How to cite

Reference – Cvetković, V. (2018). Percepcija javnosti o pripremljenosti za biosferske katastrofe izazvane epidemijama: implikacije na proces upravljanja rizicima. Bezbednost, 60(3), 5-25.