Determining CBRN Risk Perceptions and Preparedness Levels and Related Factors of Emergency Health Services Personnel: Tekirdağ Provincial Example

Emergency medical services personnel are among the first responders in the event of a CBRN incident. The aim of this study is to determine the CBRN risk perceptions, preparedness levels, and related factors of emergency medical personnel working in Tekirdağ district. The study was conducted with 142 participants. A socio-demographic questionnaire consisting of 30 items and a scale measuring risk perception and preparedness for CBRN hazards were used. The participants’ responses were transferred to the SPSS 21.0 software, and validity of the measurements was tested through confirmatory factor analysis. As the data were found to be normally distributed across all independent variables, differences between two group means were analyzed using t-tests, and ANOVA were used for variables with more than two categories. In the bivariate analysis, the mean risk perception score of personnel who had participated in CBRN duties was found to be significantly higher than those who had not (p=0.03). Moreover, participants with one year or less of experience had significantly lower mean risk perception scores compared to other groups (p<0.001). Additionally, those who reported having sufficient knowledge about CBRN and those who stated they knew their responsibilities during CBRN incidents had significantly higher preparedness scores (respectively; p<0.001 and p=0.04). Finally, the Pearson correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between the CBRN risk perception score and the preparedness score (r=0.393, p<0.001). It is suggested that practical training and drills may be increased to enhance the capacity of personnel in responding to CBRN events. The study findings suggest that practical training and drills may be increased to enhance the preparedness of emergency health services personnel for CBRN hazards. It should also be noted that efforts to increase personnel’s CBRN risk perception will also positively contribute to their preparedness. © 2025, Ankara University. All rights reserved.