Behavior Pathology and Public Beliefs during Earthquakes; Case Study: The City of Babol

This paper examinesand evaluates the knowledge of Babol citizens about the region seismicity and their readiness to deal with this situation. A questionnaire was distributed among the people of the city to gain awareness of the earthquake, their urgent needs, their behavior during the earthquake, their preparedness and the most common educational method, and receiving and transmitting earthquake concepts, etc. The 426 questionnaires were randomly distributed, consisted of those aged over 18 years old in different areas like universities and hospitals of the Babol. After completion of questionnaires, the responses were analyzed on SPSS software. According to the results, 62% of the respondents received educational materials about the earthquake, but 70% of them, did not consider Babol an earthquake-prone city or had no knowledge of its seismicity. Also, according to the results of the research, 72% of 18-25 years old have learned earthquake education materials by "school and university" and 21% through "radio, television, and internet", but 81% of this group did not consider Babol an earthquake-prone city or they had no knowledge of its seismicity. 46% of 34-41 age group and 41% of the age group "over 50 years old " also learned about earthquake education through "radio, television, and internet", but 66% and 58% of them did not consider Babol to be an earthquake-prone city or They did not know about it. One reason for these opinions in the minds of the people of Babol about this city seismicity is based on that they have a wrong definition of earthquake-prone or seismic since they were calling the city being earthquake-prone while experiencing earthquakes a few times a year or earthquake have been occurrences a few times in the region. The result shows that the earthquake-related training materials about the seismic condition of the city and make awareness should be as a priority. This reason can also be mentioned that many people have chosen "radio, television and internet" as an educational material source for receiving information about earthquakes. It seems that it is because of the television of the Islamic Republic of Iran, broadcasting information about the earthquake in general and nationally and, there is no detailed information provided about the region seismic status to the audiences. As a consequence, the new media can be used to raise public awareness about earthquake preparedness. In recent years, with the pervasiveness and availability of the internet and smartphones in society, the emergence of messaging applications and social networks, traditional means of communication have been marginalized. Therefore these phenomena should be used wisely to give a great chance to make public awareness and raise the level of that effectively. In conclusion, proper education and increase awareness about earthquakes should give as a priority. Education is expensive, but in societies without awareness and preparedness for damage and loss, after natural disasters such as earthquakes, it will cost governments hundreds of times more than education. We must always remember that prevention is better than cure. In this situation, the prevention is a right and, systematic training or education that this education should be attractive and enjoyable enough for young and adolescents. If a child is well educated, his family will benefit the most from that.