Comparing the Knowledge Level of Students of Junior High Schools of the Cities of Shiraz and Kerman on Measures Needed to be Taken for Confronting the Hazards of Earthquake

Many cities such as Tehran, Tabriz, Rudbar, Manjil, Tabas, Lar, Qazvin, Zanjan, Hamedan, and Kermanshah are prone to damages and losses arising from the earthquake. The occurrence of an earthquake can lead to the destruction of school buildings and disruption in the function of educational systems, and the first responders will be school officials and students.
This research was conducted with the objective of comparing the knowledge level of the students of junior high schools of the city of Shiraz with those of the city of Kerman in confronting the earthquake hazards. The research method was descriptive – surveying and the statistical population included all of the students of junior high schools of the cities of Shiraz and Kerman. By employing the cluster sampling method and based on Cochran’s formula, 380 students were selected in the city of Shiraz and 376 in the city of Kerman. Data collection tool was the researcher compiled questionnaire which was distributed among the sample population after checking its validity and reliability. Data were analyzed using statistical methods of independent t test and one-way variance analysis with SPSS V. 21 software.
Findings showed that 54.5% of Shirazi students and 59.4% of Kermani students received scores between 0.40 and 0.60, and 23.6% of Shirazi students and 27.1% of Kermani students received scores between 0.60 and 0.80. The knowledge level of Kermani students on measures needed to be taken prior to the occurrence of an earthquake was higher than the Shirazi students. However, there was no difference between the two groups in their knowledge on necessary measures that are needed to be taken during and after the occurrence of the earthquake.
The knowledge level of students regarding the serious hazards in the event of an earthquake had been lower than the desired level. The knowledge level of the Kermani students has been assessed as being higher than the Shirazi students. Therefore, there is a need for training and education through new methods to improve the students’ knowledge on exigent measures that are needed to be taken prior, during, and after the earthquake.