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The main purpose of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of flood-affected communities toward volunteerism. The study focused on a gender perspective to show the level of differences. The study followed a quantitative approach to collect, analyze, and present the data. A total of 410 samples were randomly selected for the study. A structured questionnaire with bivariate and multivariate indicators was used to collect data. Chi-square test, t-test, central tendency analysis, and variance analysis were performed to assess the differences between female and male responses. Results showed that there is a significant difference between female and male community members in terms of knowledge and attitude toward flood volunteerism. Female members were more aware of flood-related impacts (p

PurposePersons with disabilities face the impacts of disasters differently. Early warning systems can be one of the powerful tools to reduce the vulnerabilities of persons with disabilities and mitigate the impacts of disasters. The main objective of this study was to assess the disability inclusiveness of the current early warning system (EWS) in flood-prone areas of Bangladesh.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative method was focused on getting in-depth information. Persons with disabilities participated in focus group discussions (FGDs) and shared the inclusiveness and gaps of the current EWS. Through extensive literature review, a checklist was developed to conduct the FGDs. QDA Miner 6.0.6 software was used for coding and analyzing the data.FindingsResults indicated that, though persons with disabilities have proper risk knowledge, the current monitoring and warning service, dissemination and communication, and response capability are not fully inclusive. A significant gap in the EWS was found in response capability. Even if somehow persons with disabilities manage to receive a warning about a flood, they lack the capacity to respond to the warning.Research limitations/implicationsThe study proposed that to make an EWS inclusive and effective, the concerned authorities should focus on all four parts of the EWS.Originality/valueStudies related to disability and disaster management are not very common. Conducting a qualitative study provided the persons with disabilities the opportunity to share their perspectives. Future studies can focus on vulnerability and capacity assessment of persons with disabilities to identify areas requiring interventions to enhance resilience.

The main purpose of this study was to explore people’s perception on using social media for crowdsourcing both information and support as part of COVID-19 response. Also, the study tried to find the possibility of social media contributions to disaster management activities. A systematic research survey has been conducted using a quantitative research approach with a sample of 437 respondents. The results indicated that social media played an important role in crowdsourcing information and support during the COVID-19 pandemic. People regularly depended on social media platforms to get updated information and to contribute to different disaster management response activities. According to the findings, social media can greatly contribute to all the phases of disaster management. Use of social media can be more comprehensive for managing disasters in future.

PurposeThe objective of this study was to assess the relationship among intersectionality, vulnerability and resilience with evidence. The conceptual framework developed by the study believed that intersectionality and vulnerabilities intersect and reduce the level of disaster resilience.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative approach was followed with relevant support from both primary and secondary data to conduct the study. The study focused on flood as a specific natural hazard to assess the relationship among the indicators of the objective. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were performed in two different flood-prone areas of Bangladesh. FGDs included young men, young women, men and women with disabilities and older people. Also, secondary literature helped to support ground-level data.FindingsIn the face of a flood, results showed that people with intersectional characteristics become more vulnerable within the at-risk groups. There are differences in people's level of vulnerabilities among the people of vulnerable groups. The results support the discussion that intersectionality exaggerates vulnerabilities, thus reducing the level of disaster resilience. The study summarizes that intersectionality needs to be addressed while supporting groups at risk to achieve a resilient community.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is only based on qualitative and secondary data. For more generalized findings and implications, further research is needed. Also, this study will work as a guideline for future studies.Originality/valueThe study is one of the few works related to intersectionality. This study will open a new window to understand the importance of focusing on intersectional conditions while developing plans for disaster risk reduction (DRR).

Bangladesh has seen a significant number of fatalities and injuries related to lightning in the past few years, which indicates that lightning has become a deadly hazard. This cross-sectional study aims to determine university students’ self-rated status about lightning. Additionally, it evaluates these students’ views toward lightning through knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP). A total of 1274 university students participated in an online KAP survey. Where appropriate, the Kruskal–Wallis or Mann–Whitney U test, Spearman’s rank correlation, and logistic regression models were performed. About 90% of university students perceive lightning as a dangerous event, and 38% rated their places unsafe. More than half of the survey population reported frequent lightning; most (84%) did not have lightning safety precautions, and a small portion (26%) received warning messages. Individuals encountering frequent lightning consider lightning-prone areas much more dangerous compared to the individuals encountering occasional lightning. Students living in tin sheds assessed lightning as a dangerous event (4.78 ± 0.53) and having unsafe surroundings (2.44 ± 0.98). Many individuals have enough knowledge (63%), developed positive attitudes (93%), and effective preventative practices (77%). The logistic regression analysis indicated that having adequate information and a good attitude can assist individuals in practicing lightning safety; also, student’s Gender, living with family, residential unit, university type, study year, major field, and having lightning-related subjects in university curricula as significant predictors. Females demonstrated better lightning practice than males. Additionally, lightning-related courses in university curricula are critical for educating students about lightning. Behavioral improvements among these students will require substantial lightning campaign actions coupled with effective education.

Despite the significant number of fatalities and injuries, there is currently a lack of data on public knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding lightning in Bangladesh. This study aims to assess the public’s knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) towards lightning in the country. A total of 1641 individuals participated in an online KAP survey. Where appropriate, the Kruskal–Wallis or Mann–Whitney U test, Spearman’s rank correlation, and logistic regression models were performed. About 65% of the survey population reported frequent lightning; most (72.64%) did not receive any warning messages, and small proportions (22.12%) had lightning safety precautions. Individuals with numerous lightning experiences perceived considerably unsafe places against lightning compared to infrequent lightning experiences (p < 0.05). Respondents reported good knowledge (56.06%), positive attitudes (82.27%), and good preventive practices (72.33%). The logistic regression demonstrated that having good knowledge and positive attitudes can help people practice lightning safety. Females demonstrated better lightning attitudes and practices compared to males. In comparison to urban residents, rural residents had poor practices. In addition, individuals’ educational levels might also play a crucial role in preparing them for lightning. Overall, extensive lightning campaign activities combined with effective education are required for the behavioral changes in this lightning-vulnerable society.

Dhaka has become the worst affected city in Bangladesh regarding dengue fever (DF). A large number of university students are residing in this city with a high DF risk. This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the DF status and responses among these students through their Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) survey. A total of 625 students participated in an online self-reported survey. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the status and KAP regarding DF. University students from the city perceived their living places as moderately safe (45.28%) against DF, whereas about 20% reported their DF infection history. Some of these students had exemplary DF knowledge (66.72%), attitude (89.28%), and practices (68.32%). However, many of them were also observed with a lack of knowledge about this disease’s infectious behavior, recognizing Aedes mosquito breeding sites, multiple infection cases, and the risk of DF viral infection during pregnancy. Fair correlations (p < 0.001) were determined in the KAP domain. Gender, residential unit, major, and dengue-relevant subjects were found to be significant predictors (p < 0.05) of KAP level in the univariate analysis. Major subject and residential units remained significant predictors of overall KAP level in further multiple analysis. This study revealed the urgency of infectious disease-related subjects and the relevant demonstration into the university curriculum. The study’s findings can assist the university, government and non-governmental organizations, and the health and social workers to prepare a comprehensive dengue response and preparedness plan.

Despite the public health concern, there is a dearth of research regarding perceived noise pollution and noise-related health status in Bangladesh. This study was carried out to evaluate the noise-related health status among Bangladesh’s adult population. 1386 adult Bangladeshis participated in an online survey. A linear regression model was used to evaluate overall noise-related health status determinants. 91% of the survey population reported noisy environments in their neighborhood, with the majority reporting two types (34%) of noise pollution sources. Road vehicles (38%) and construction activities (24%) were identified as significant source of noise pollution. The Bangladeshis are primarily exposed to noise during school and office hours. Socio-demographic information, perceived noise pollution and individual views towards noise pollution were examined as determinants of noise-related health problems. Females were found to be more impacted than males, and young people also expressed concern about noise pollution’s influence. Residents in mixed-unit buildings exhibited a significant level of noise-related health problems such as deafness, insomnia, heart disease, headache, stress, poor concentration, production loss, fatigue, irritability, heartburn, indigestion, ulcers, and high blood pressure. Noise pollution from road vehicles and industry has been shown to have a negative effect on people’s health. Individuals affected by noise were interested in noise reduction efforts. The findings of this research may aid in the improvement of international, national, and local noise control efforts.

The main purpose of this study was to assess the level of community flood resilience with a special focus on gender. A gender perspective ensures the representation of diversified voices in the study. From concept development to data representation, all the steps were completed ensuring gender-based inclusion. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used to conduct the study. A total of 402 responses were analyzed as the sample. A linear structured questionnaire was developed by using a five-point Likert scale to collect quantitative data. As part of the qualitative tool, in-depth observation was used in the study. The study found that female members of the community lag in terms of disaster resilience comparing to their male counterparts. The scores in different components of resilience assessment framework indicate that there are gaps in terms of level of resilience from the gender perspective. The same disaster can create a disproportionate level of impact on women and men due to an unequal level of resilience. The study indicates that assessing community disaster resilience and introducing resilience enhancement interventions should focus on a gender-based approach.

With the fluctuating condition of the pandemic, people's perception of COVID-19 is also inconstant. If people perceive a low risk of any health emergency or any other crisis, they won't look for proper information to change their attitude, which might increase their risk. Through the use of two different theories and a mixed-method approach, this study attempted to understand the current perception about COVID-19 and the relationship between risk perception and information-seeking behavior. Survey and in-depth key informant interviews were used as tools for data collection. The results indicated that COVID-19 related risk perception changes following people's demographic and socio-economic characteristics. Also, the study found out a relationship of variation in information-seeking behavior on the basis of factors like demographic characteristics, past experience of any emergency, salience, and belief. Results specified that people seek information differently when they perceive a risk to be of higher order. The study summarized that the information sought about any risk could also amplify or reduce the level of perceived risk. In the end, the study concluded that if people do not perceive the risk of any emergency and don't seek proper information, raising awareness about a pandemic like COVID-19 and managing the emergency will be challenging.

Fire is one of the major human-induced hazards which takes place due to less or no precautionary measures. According to the official statistics of Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence (BFSCD), a total of 19672 fire incidents took place around the country in the year 2018 from which 6208 incidents took place in Dhaka city. The amount of damage and loss is very high. A total of 130 people died and 664 people were injured due to fire incidents around the country in the year 2018. In this paper, an attempt has been made to find outthe vulnerable condition of the study area in regards to fire disasters with specific vulnerability assessment tools and the existing coping capacity of the people due to fire disasters in the study area. Considering the objectives of this paper a quantitative methodology was used for collecting and analyzing data. For assessing the vulnerability of people in terms of fire a specific questionnaire was developed using the Likert scale. Secondary quantitative data was also explored to cross-check the findings of this paper and to increase reliability and validity. For assessing the coping capacity of the people in this paper, a framework has been used to learn Individual Disaster Coping Capacity (IDCC), Actual Community Disaster Coping Capacity (ACDCC), and Potential Disaster Coping Capacity (PCDCC) of the study area. In both IDCC and ACDCC scales the study area marked very low points. In PCDCC the community marked average to high points. The result represents that the community has the potentiality to cope with fire incidents if they are provided with knowledge and skills development support. This study indicates that with proper supports and interventions the community can develop a satisfactory coping capacity. According to the definition of risk, there are three components which are hazard, vulnerability, and capacity. If we focus to reduce the risk of fire, we need to reduce the vulnerabilities and increase capacity. For this reason, taking different programs and measures to increase the coping capacity of community people will support mitigating and reducing the impacts of fire.