@article{ref1,
title="Using an education intervention to increase preparedness among pet owners: results of a pilot study",
journal="Disaster medicine and public health preparedness",
year="2018",
author="Baker, Lisa R. and Cormier, Loretta A. and Vogtle, Laura K.",
volume="12",
number="4",
pages="441-445",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: Households with pets are considered a high-risk population, presenting many challenges to response and recovery efforts. Research indicates that households with pets are less likely to evacuate during disasters, and pets left behind pose a health risk to relief workers and the general public. This pilot study explores a brief education intervention targeting households with pets as a method of increasing general household preparedness, with the purpose of facilitating evacuation and protective behaviors in this population. <br><br>METHODS: A convenience sample of households with pets was recruited to participate in a one-group pre- and post-survey design evaluating the impact of a brief education intervention on increasing pet-specific and general household preparedness levels. <br><br>RESULTS: Results suggest that the sample population was below national estimates in basic household preparedness before the intervention. Post-survey results indicate an increase in completion of some preparedness tasks after the intervention. There was a statistically significant increase in overall pet preparedness at the P=0.10 level; however, that difference did not translate into general household preparedness. <br><br>CONCLUSION: The findings from this study are consistent with those from previous literature suggesting that persons often place the needs of their pets above their own; however, the use of a brief education intervention may be successful in increasing pet-specific preparedness levels, which may be useful in successful evacuation and pet well-being. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;page 1 of 5).<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1935-7893",
doi="10.1017/dmp.2017.101",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2017.101"
}