Preparedness of Hospital Health Practitioners for Human-Induced Mass Casualty Incidents in Lanao del Sur: A Mixed-Methods Study

Abstract

Background: Mass casualty incidents (MCIs) caused by human-induced disasters, such as armed conflicts and terrorism, demand immediate, organized, and large-scale responses from healthcare institutions. In conflict-prone regions like Lanao del Sur in the southern Philippines, hospital health practitioners—especially nurses and physicians—play critical roles in reducing mortality and morbidity during such emergencies. Assessing their preparedness is essential for improving hospital emergency response systems and community resilience.
Objectives: This study assessed the level of preparedness of hospital health practitioners in Lanao del Sur in responding to human-induced MCIs and examined the relationships between preparedness and selected personal, professional, and institutional factors.
Methods: A mixed-methods research design was employed, incorporating both descriptive and inferential approaches. Quantitative data were collected from 212 licensed nurses and doctors employed in Amai Pakpak Medical Center and selected district hospitals in Lanao del Sur. A structured, validated, and pre-tested questionnaire measured preparedness across five domains: emergency assessment needs, disaster planning, information systems, institutional frameworks, and response systems. Variables such as personal demographics, professional profiles, and contextual institutional factors (e.g., facility accessibility, manpower availability, and resource adequacy) were analyzed for potential relationships using correlation statistics. Qualitative inputs gathered through informal interviews supplemented the findings.
Results: The majority of respondents reported being “always prepared” in terms of their confidence and ability to respond to human-induced MCIs across all five domains. Significant relationships were found between certain demographic variables (e.g., age, sex, and religion) and perceived preparedness. Likewise, professional characteristics such as training attendance, length of service, and educational attainment were significantly associated with preparedness scores. Among institutional factors, the availability of resources, presence of adequate manpower, and facility accessibility emerged as strong influencers of preparedness levels. Notably, hospital health practitioners assigned to more centralized facilities with permanent employment status demonstrated higher preparedness scores compared to those in remote assignments or temporary positions.
Conclusion: Hospital health practitioners in Lanao del Sur perceive themselves to be generally prepared to respond to MCIs caused by human-induced disasters. However, preparedness is significantly influenced by personal, professional, and systemic factors. The findings suggest the need for continuous education and simulation-based training, equitable resource allocation, and capacity strengthening of decentralized hospitals. Local government units and hospital administrators are urged to develop contextualized disaster response frameworks and integrate preparedness standards into regular hospital operations.