Knowledge, attitude and community preparedness in facing flood disasters.

The purpose of this study is to look at the residents of Kota Belud, Sabah, Malaysia's knowledge, attitude, and preparedness in the event of a flood disaster. This study used a questionnaire instrument and a quantitative survey design method. Simple random selection was used to choose the study sample, which included 384 persons from the Kota Belud community. The study outcomes were analysed using descriptive analysis (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential analysis (One-Way ANOVA & Pearson Correlation). The results of the analysis showed that the level of knowledge (M= 4.51, SD= 0.40) and attitude (M= 4.62, SD= 0.35) was high while the preparedness (M= 3.62, SD= 0.46) was at a moderate level. The ANOVA results showed no significant difference between the knowledge (F= 2.489, p= 0.060) and attitudes (F= 2.252, p= 0.082) of the population-based on residence. However, there was a significant difference between population preparedness based on residence (F= 5.936, p= 0.001). Pearson correlation analysis showed a weak significant relationship between knowledge and attitudes towards community preparedness in the face of flood disasters with values of r= 0.128, p= 0.012 and r= 0.101, p= 0.048. The implications from the findings of this study show that most of the people of Kota Belud have a high level of knowledge and attitude in facing flood disasters, but the level of preparedness to face flood disasters is at a moderate level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]