Dissertation
Examining the perceived willingness and ability of public works staff to respond during a public health emergency: a mixed methods study
Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.), Drexel University
Sep 2017
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-7732
Abstract
This mixed methods study sought to explore the extent to which public works staff believe they will respond to a public health emergency, identify factors which may influence their willingness and ability to respond, and provide an in-depth understanding of this behavior intention. Themes identified through background research and the study's qualitative interviews informed the study's quantitative survey. Statistical tests for association examined the relationship between the independent variables (attitude and belief statements, individual and employment characteristics, support services, perceived threat, and efficacy), and willingness and ability to respond outcomes. A few of the key findings of the study were as follows: 1. Sense of duty and supportive family were newly identified concepts which may contribute to increased willingness and ability to respond, 2. Positive responses to attitude and belief statements were typically associated with greater odds of being willing and able to respond, 3. Support services most desired by public works staff may not be those most likely to increase willingness and ability to respond, 4. Major influential factors related to willingness and ability to respond included family preparedness, confidence, employer/institutional trust, and efficacy, 5. Efficacy had a greater influence than threat on willingness and ability to respond, 6. When high threat was combined with high efficacy for the extended parallel process model variable it further increased the odds of being willing to respond but decreased the odds of being able to respond, compared to when low threat was combined with high efficacy, 7. Understanding one's response role may not be necessary to believe one's response role is important, and 8. Public works staff have a high rate of willingness and ability to respond compared to other populations from previous studies.
Metrics
41 File views/ downloads
39 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Examining the perceived willingness and ability of public works staff to respond during a public health emergency
- Creators
- Suzanne C. Redington - DU
- Contributors
- Augusta M. Villanueva (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xiii, 224 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Dana and David Dornsife School of Public Health; Community Health and Prevention; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 7732; 991014632398604721