Building Capacity for Emergency and Disaster Preparedness: Basic and Psychological First Aid Training for Sanitation Workers

Abstract

Background: Sanitation workers at railway stations often serve as first responders to traffic accidents and emergency situations Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of emergency and disaster preparedness among sanitation workers at Egyptian Railways through basic and psychological first aid training. Methods: Design: A quasi-experimental, one-group pretest-posttest design was employed. Setting: The training took place in the skills lab of nursing colleges. Sample: Sixty-six sanitation workers employed by Egyptian railways took part in the study. Data Collection Tools: Pre- and post-training assessments were conducted using structured questionnaires to evaluate knowledge and observational checklists to assess practical skills. Demographic data were also gathered. The training program consisted of three core modules: disaster preparedness, first aid for emergency situations, and psychological first aid. Results: Three-quarters of participants were male (75%) with a mean age of 45.41±4.31 years. Significant improvements were observed in both knowledge and practice across all training modules. Disaster preparedness: Knowledge scores increased from 10.52 to 49.21; practice scores rose from 3.18 to 10.00. First aid: Knowledge improved from 19.15 to 95.94; practice scores reached 100.00. Psychological first aid: Knowledge rose from 5.65 to 39.21; practice scores improved from 4.92 to 28.88. All improvements were statistically significant (p = 0.000). Conclusion: The study demonstrates that targeted training programs can significantly enhance sanitation workers' knowledge and practice in handling emergency situations. Recommendations: Expanding such training initiatives could strengthen emergency response capabilities and enhance public safety, particularly in high-risk public environments such as railway stations.