Effectiveness of an Educational Program in Enhancing Preparedness for Large-Scale Earthquakes Among Japanese University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Although many countries worldwide face a high risk of earthquakes, preparedness among younger populations remains alarmingly low, despite their important role in strengthening current and future community resilience.

Aim: This study evaluated the effectiveness of an educational program designed to enhance preparedness for large-scale earthquakes among Japanese university students.

Methods: A two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted. Japanese university students (n=110) were recruited through convenience sampling using recruitment flyers and randomly assigned to the intervention (n=54) or control (n=56) group. The educational program was based on the cognitive-affective strategies of the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (TTM). Outcomes, including disaster prevention consciousness, stages of behavioral change related to earthquake preparedness, and individual preparedness behaviors, were assessed at baseline and one month after the intervention. Between-group differences were analyzed using chi-square tests and independent-samples t-tests.

Results: At baseline, no statistically significant differences in participant characteristics or outcome measures were observed between the groups. One month after the intervention, the intervention group had significantly higher disaster prevention consciousness scores than the control group. Additionally, the intervention group had a significantly lower proportion of participants in the precontemplation stage and a higher proportion in the preparation stage. Implementation rates were also significantly higher in the intervention group for several key preparedness behaviors related to home safety, safety confirmation and evacuation, and stockpiling essential household supplies.

Conclusion: An educational program based on the cognitive-affective strategies of the TTM improved earthquake preparedness among university students.

Keywords: Earthquake preparedness, educational program, randomized controlled trial, university student