Assessment of Fire Disaster Preparedness and Situation Analysis in Higher Learning Institution Students' Dormitories in Unguja, Zanzibar
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66531/mjph.2026.v1i2.e7Keywords:
Fire Safety, Disaster Preparedness, Student Dormitories, Firefighting, Institutions, ZanzibarAbstract
Background: Fire disaster preparedness is essential for protecting students living in dormitories in higher learning institutions. However, inadequate training, limited access to firefighting equipment, and insufficient awareness of fire safety regulations may compromise emergency response. This study assessed fire disaster preparedness among students residing in dormitories of higher learning institutions in Unguja, Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in seven higher learning institutions in Unguja. Data were collected from 420 students using a structured online questionnaire administered through KoboToolbox and from seven dormitory managers. Convenience sampling was used to recruit student participants. Descriptive statistics were generated using SPSS version 25, and Chi-square tests were used to examine associations between firefighting training and selected preparedness-related indicators, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: Of the 420 student respondents, 50.5% were male and 49.5% were female. About 62.1% knew the fire brigade emergency number and 73.3% could recognize a fire alarm, 55.2% had never received fire safety training and 83.7% had never participated in fire drills. Approximately 70.2% reported the availability of firefighting resources, 51.7% reported being able to access them, and 55.5% considered them adequate. Five of the seven institutions had installed fire extinguishers, of which two institutions had expired extinguishers among those assessed. Approximately 67% of respondents reported adequate evacuation routes, while 54.5% were unaware of fire safety regulations. Chi-square analysis showed statistically significant associations between firefighting training and identification of firefighting sources (p = 0.013), awareness of safety regulations (p < 0.001), and knowledge of the public fire rescue number (p = 0.015). No statistically significant association was observed between firefighting training and firefighting familiarity (p = 0.640).
Conclusion: Fire disaster preparedness in the surveyed student dormitories was characterized by gaps in training, participation in fire drills, access to firefighting resources, and awareness of fire safety regulations. Regular fire safety training, practical evacuation drills, routine equipment inspection, and improved communication of institutional safety procedures are needed to strengthen preparedness.
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