Are the youth
prepared for earthquakes? Subjective knowledge, risk perception and mitigation behaviors
among the youth in Metro Manila, Philippines
Samonte Christian Jaycee and Labor Jonalou S.
Disaster Advances; Vol. 15(7); 47-54;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/1507da047054; (2022)
Abstract
The present pandemic enables us to recheck the capacity of the youth to be prepared
for various natural and man-made disasters. This study adds to the literature that
assesses the current knowledge, perception and mitigation behaviors of the youth
about earthquakes. A survey of 300 young individuals from one of the public universities
in Manila, Philippines has revealed that young individuals still have high knowledge
about earthquakes and the dangers because of earthquakes to themselves and their
families. They also seek and share knowledge about the disaster because they perceive
it to be a risky situation.
Earthquake mitigation behaviors are also part of their disaster preparedness practices.
Relationships of these three variables were established. There is, however, a lack
of actual dissemination of the earthquake-related knowledge and practices outside
the social circles of the youth. It is, therefore, necessary to tap the capacity
of the youth in information dissemination and mitigation at a community level.
