EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNITY CHANGE AGENTS ON ATTITUDE REGARDING DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AMONG WOMEN RESIDING AT SELECTED COASTAL AREAS OF THIRUKAZHUKUNDRAM, KANCHEEPURAM DISTRICT

Aim & Objective: To assess the effectiveness of community change agents on attitude regarding disaster preparedness among women. Methodology: Researcher adopted a quasi experimental research design for the study. 414 (experimental-206 & control-208) who fulfilled inclusion criteria were selected by using non probability convenient sampling technique. Researcher obtained written Informed consent from the community change agents and women. Researcher chosen the community change agents and created a favorable attitude towards coastal disaster readiness package (CDRP). Similar training was given to the women regarding home disaster preparedness through the community change agents. Data was collected using a attitude scale. Results: The study findings showed that the pre test mean attitude score of experimental and control group women was 43.81 with SD of 5.98 and 44.55 with SD of 4.76 respectively. The post test attitude mean score of experimental and control group women was 83.22 with SD of 6.38 and 45.23 with SD of 5.91. Conclusion: The study concluded that the positive attitude and active participation of community change agents and reinforcement of disaster related education and training is extremely essential for the women living in coastal villages, at regular intervals in order to maintain the sustainability of disaster preparedness measures.