ABSTRACT

Disasters, whether natural or man-made, are increasingly frequent and pose significant challenges to public health. Nurses at public health centers (Puskesmas) play a crucial role in disaster preparedness and response, yet their specific contributions and experiences remain underexplored. This study investigated the perspectives, roles, and challenges faced by Puskesmas nurses in disaster preparedness in Maros Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Employing a qualitative design with conventional content analysis, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 nurses, selected via purposive sampling based on inclusion criteria. The findings reveal that nurses are pivotal in triage, patient management, team coordination, and providing psychosocial support during disasters. They also emphasized the importance of training in emergency response, mental health management, and inter-institutional collaboration to enhance preparedness. However, nurses face substantial challenges, including limited resources, high patient volumes, and coordination difficulties during disaster response. These obstacles necessitate adaptive strategies, prioritization, and efficient resource management. The study underscores the need for targeted training and improved systems to support nurses in their critical roles during disasters. Findings contribute to advancing disaster risk management practices and ensuring effective healthcare delivery during emergencies.

Keywords: Disaster preparedness, public health center nurses, disaster response, qualitative study, triage, psychosocial support, resource management, emergency training.
https://doi.org/10.57180/mdxz8481