Graduate certificate in local development planning, land use management and disaster risk management: a knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) evaluation
Disaster Prevention and Management
ISSN: 0965-3562
Article publication date: 16 June 2021
Issue publication date: 25 October 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to assess knowledge retention of the graduates of the online graduate certificate on local development planning, land use management and disaster risk management (PDLOTGR, the abbreviation of the certificate's Spanish title). The certificate was offered to practitioners and faculty members of Latin American countries since 2016.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors reviewed the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) method to develop a specific approach, which included the preparation of a KAP survey, a composite KAP index and three sub-indices. The survey targeted two groups: (1) experimental group, composed of the certificate's 76 graduates, and (2) control group, comprised of 25 certificate's candidates, who had not yet undergone the training/intervention. The statistical analysis included a one-way multivariate analysis of variance to compare the mean scores on the KAP index and sub-indices for individuals in the experimental and control groups.
Findings
The study results showed significant differences in the knowledge sub-index between those who had completed the PDLOTGR training and those who had not, while the attitudes and practices sub-indices did not show significant differences. When using the KAP index, a statistically significant difference was also observed between the two groups.
Originality/value
Perceived knowledge assessment offers an acceptable and non-intimidating option for evaluating continuing education and professional development programs associated to disaster risk. It is particularly helpful in determining whether an intervention or program has a lasting impact. It is not, however, a substitute for direct knowledge assessment, and the use of other methods to evaluate the performance of a capacity building program's graduates.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This material is based on work supported by the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA), regional office for Latin American and the Caribbean, under Cooperative Agreement # 720FDA19CA00059 with Florida International University. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies, express or implied, of USAID/OFDA.
Citation
Sarmiento, J.P., Sarmiento, C., Hoberman, G. and Chabba, M. (2021), "Graduate certificate in local development planning, land use management and disaster risk management: a knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) evaluation", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 30 No. 4/5, pp. 510-524. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPM-02-2021-0034
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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