Socio-Demographic Predictors of Earthquake Preparedness Among University Students: Evidence from a Public University in Bangladesh

Monim Abdullah , Bipro Acharjee , Sumia Akter Mim, Mahfujul Haque , Muntaha Alam Elma, Utpol Chakraborty, Sabbir Hossain, Jannatun Nayeem Nigar, Samiur Rahman, Md. Junayed Islam

Bangladesh is exceptionally prone to recurring hydrological and meteorological disasters, which have traditionally dominated the national policy and disaster management discourse. Consequently, seismic risk remains heavily underemphasized, leaving major urban centers like Dhaka highly vulnerable to catastrophic human and structural losses from potential earthquakes. While structural mitigation receives occasional attention, the public's behavioral resilience and practical preparedness remain significantly overlooked. This study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding earthquake preparedness among university students in Bangladesh and to identify the key socio-demographic factors influencing their readiness.
A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted among 840 undergraduate and graduate students in a highly rated public university in Dhaka. The structured, self-administered questionnaire demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .890).
The participants obtained relatively high mean scores for factual knowledge and favorable attitudes. However, their actual preparedness practice score was notably low, exposing a pronounced "knowledge-behavior gap". Multiple linear regression models revealed that overall earthquake preparedness was significantly predicted by several socio-demographic variables. Age, geographic location of growing up, housing type, family size, family type, house ownership, income level and maternal education levels were significant predictors of preparedness. Notably, only 1.7% of students relied on educational institutions as their primary information source, whereas those relying on family channels (40.8%) exhibited significantly better practice scores than those relying on social media (28%).
The study highlights a critical deficiency in practical earthquake readiness among Bangladeshi youth, heavily stratified along socio-demographic and economic lines. To bridge the gap between risk awareness and physical readiness, a paradigm shift is needed in urban disaster management. Educational institutions must transition from passive public safety messaging toward mandatory, hands-on disaster training, evacuation drills, and targeted active support for socio-economically vulnerable student groups to cultivate community-wide seismic resilience.