Disaster Preparedness, CBRN Attitudes, and Self-Efficacy Among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Baykal, Dilek; Demiralay, Şeyma; Takmaz, Rabia; Keskin, Fatımanur Sude; Demircioglu, Hatice

doi:10.3390/ijerph23091174

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Open AccessArticle

Disaster Preparedness, CBRN Attitudes, and Self-Efficacy Among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

by

Dilek Baykal

^*

,

Şeyma Demiralay

,

Rabia Takmaz

,

Fatımanur Sude Keskin

and

Hatice Demircioglu

Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Atlas University, Istanbul 34408, Türkiye

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(9), 1174; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23091174

Submission received: 7 July 2026 / Revised: 20 August 2026 / Accepted: 4 September 2026 / Published: 7 September 2026

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

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Abstract

Background: Disasters and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) incidents pose significant challenges to public health systems and require a well-prepared nursing workforce. Assessing nursing students’ disaster preparedness, CBRN attitudes, and self-efficacy is essential for identifying educational needs and strengthening future emergency response capacity. Methods: A total of 302 nursing students were recruited from universities in Istanbul between January–June 2024. Data were collected using an Information Form, the Nursing Student CBRN Attitude Scale, the Nursing Student CBRN Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Disaster Preparedness Scale. Results: While 92.7% of students considered CBRN important, 64.2% reported lacking knowledge. No gender differences emerged; however, significant correlations were found between knowledge of earthquakes and CBRN, students’ attitudes, self-efficacy, and preparedness. Conclusions: Self-efficacy levels increased with the academic year. Integrating disaster and CBRN education into nursing curricula with emphasis on applied training is crucial to strengthening future nurses’ preparedness and response capacity.

Keywords: self-efficacy; attitude; disaster preparedness; hazards; nursing

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MDPI and ACS Style

Baykal, D.; Demiralay, Ş.; Takmaz, R.; Keskin, F.S.; Demircioglu, H. Disaster Preparedness, CBRN Attitudes, and Self-Efficacy Among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23, 1174. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23091174

AMA Style

Baykal D, Demiralay Ş, Takmaz R, Keskin FS, Demircioglu H. Disaster Preparedness, CBRN Attitudes, and Self-Efficacy Among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2026; 23(9):1174. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23091174

Chicago/Turabian Style

Baykal, Dilek, Şeyma Demiralay, Rabia Takmaz, Fatımanur Sude Keskin, and Hatice Demircioglu. 2026. "Disaster Preparedness, CBRN Attitudes, and Self-Efficacy Among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 23, no. 9: 1174. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23091174

APA Style

Baykal, D., Demiralay, Ş., Takmaz, R., Keskin, F. S., & Demircioglu, H. (2026). Disaster Preparedness, CBRN Attitudes, and Self-Efficacy Among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(9), 1174. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23091174

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Disaster Preparedness, CBRN Attitudes, and Self-Efficacy Among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

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