Improving Latino Disaster Preparedness Using Social Networks

Background Culturally targeted, informal social networking approaches to improving disaster preparedness have not been empirically tested. Purpose In partnership with community health promoters and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, this study tested a disaster preparedness program for Latino households. Design This study had a community-based, randomized, longitudinal cohort design with two groups and was conducted during February–October 2007. Assessments were made at baseline and 3 months. Analyses were carried out January–October 2008. Settings/participants Community-based study of 231 Latinos living in Los Angeles County. Intervention Participants were randomly assigned to attending platicas (small-group discussions led by a health promoter/ promotora de salud ) or receiving “media” (a culturally tailored mailer). A total of 187 (81.0%) completed the 3-month follow-up. Main outcome measure A self-reported disaster preparedness checklist was used. Results Among participants who did not have emergency water pre-intervention, 93.3% of those in the platica arm had it at follow-up, compared to 66.7% in the media arm ( p =0.003). Among participants who did not have food pre-intervention, 91.7% in the platica arm reported it at follow-up, compared to 60.6% in the media arm ( p =0.013). Finally, among participants who did not have a family communication plan pre-intervention, 70.4% in the platica arm reported one at follow-up, compared to 42.3% in the media arm ( p =0.002). Conclusions Although both arms improved in stockpiling water and food and creating a communication plan, the platica arm showed greater improvement than the media group.