Emergency Preparedness: Knowledge and Perceptions of Latin American Immigrants

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1999Author
Carter-Pokras, Olivia
Zambrana, Ruth E.
Mora, Sonia E.
Aaby, Katherine A.
Citation
Carter-Pokras O, Mora SE, Zambrana RE, Aaby KA. Emergency preparedness: knowledge and perceptions of Latin American immigrants. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved; 2007;18:465-481.
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This paper describes the level of public emergency knowledge and perceptions of
risks among Latin American immigrants, and their preferred and actual sources of emergency
preparedness information (including warning signals). Five Latino community member focus
groups, and one focus group of community health workers, were conducted in a suburban
county of Washington D.C. (N51). Participants came from 13 Latin American countries,
and 64.7% immigrated during the previous five years. Participants had difficulty defining
emergency and reported a wide range of perceived personal emergency risks: immigration
problems; crime, personal insecurity, gangs; home/traffic accidents; home fires; environmental
problems; and snipers. As in previous studies, few participants had received information
on emergency preparedness, and most did not have an emergency plan. Findings regarding
key messages and motivating factors can be used to develop clear, prioritized messages for
communication regarding emergencies and emergency preparedness for Latin American
immigrant communities in the U.S.