Abstract

Background: Healthcare workers are central to emergency response, and their perceptions of preparedness policies can significantly influence the effectiveness of healthcare service delivery, particularly in low-resource settings.
Objective: To assess healthcare workers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of emergency preparedness policies in managing healthcare service disruptions in Mardan and Swabi, Pakistan.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 511 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and administrative staff, across public and private healthcare facilities. Data were collected using a self-administered, pretested questionnaire assessing knowledge of emergency preparedness policies, availability of preparedness resources, perceived policy effectiveness, and barriers to implementation. Convenience sampling was employed to ensure representation across different facility types and professional roles. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable linear regression to identify factors associated with perceived policy effectiveness.
Results: Job role (B = 0.185, p < 0.001) and knowledge of emergency preparedness policies (B = 0.192, p < 0.001) were the strongest predictors of perceived policy effectiveness. Experience (B = 0.111, p < 0.05) and facility type (B = 0.114, p < 0.05) were also significant contributors. The main barriers identified included inadequate funding (49%), insufficient training (43%), and limited staffing (38%).
Conclusion: Emergency preparedness policies were generally perceived as effective by healthcare workers. Nevertheless, targeted interventions to enhance training, financial support, and workforce capacity are essential to strengthen preparedness and improve healthcare service continuity in lowresource settings.

Key words: Emergency preparedness, healthcare disruptions, healthcare workers, policy effectiveness, Healthcare service management, Emergency service delivery.