Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Fire Safety Systems and Preparedness among Healthcare Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Navi Mumbai.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i6.1920Keywords:
Fire safety, Health care workers, Preparedness, Shout-Activate-Vacate-Extinguish (S.A.V.E), Rescue-Alarm-Confine-Evacuate (R.A.C.E), Knowledge-Attitude-PracticeAbstract
Background: Fire safety is a vital aspect of occupational health, especially in healthcare settings where the presence of vulnerable patients, complex equipment, and hazardous materials increases the risk of fire-related emergencies. Ensuring the safety of patients, staff, and infrastructure requires not only robust systems but also well-informed and adequately prepared healthcare personnel.
Objective: The primary aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness and preparedness regarding fire safety among healthcare professionals, focusing on three key domains: knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP).
Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among healthcare staff in a tertiary care setting. The survey tool included items assessing participants’ theoretical knowledge (knowledge domain), perceptions and beliefs (attitude domain), and self-reported actions in simulated or real scenarios (practice domain). The collected data were analyzed to determine the proportion of correct versus incorrect responses in each domain.
Results: Out of the total participants, the attitude domain demonstrated the highest accuracy, with 77.04% of responses reflecting a positive and proactive approach to fire safety. The practice domain showed moderate accuracy (56.9%), indicating that while some practical preparedness exists, there is room for significant improvement. The knowledge domain revealed the greatest deficiency, with correct responses accounting for only 51.3%, underscoring substantial gaps in theoretical understanding of fire safety protocols such as S.A.V.E. (Shout, Activate alarm, Vacate, Extinguish) and R.A.C.E. (Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate).
Conclusion: Although healthcare professionals display commendable attitudes towards fire safety, there is a critical need to enhance both theoretical knowledge and practical preparedness. Regular, hands-on training programs, refresher courses, and mock drills should be implemented to foster a comprehensive fire safety culture within healthcare institutions.
Recommendations: Implement periodic fire safety training, practical simulations, and audits to strengthen knowledge, attitude, and emergency response among healthcare staff.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Jinitha Panikar, Dr. Prasad Kulkarni, Dr. Adwait Malik, Dr. Masum Reza, Dr. Manali Deshpande, Dr. Vaishali Thakare
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