The association between educational attainment and resilience to natural hazard-induced disasters in the West Indies: St. Kitts & Nevis

Abstract The link between education and effective disaster risk reduction (DRR) is a familiar concept. It is important to further investigate this potential association due to the increased frequency of natural hazard-induced disasters secondary to climate change. The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between educational attainment and resilience to natural hazard-induced disasters in St. Kitts and Nevis. We hypothesize that educational attainment is positively associated with resilience. Participants were selected via convenience sampling. Educational attainment and resilience were ascertained in 343 adult (age ≥ 18 y) residents of St. Kitts & Nevis using a structured and self-administered questionnaire. Data such as demographics, education, and information related to natural hazard-induced disasters was gathered. Logistic regression models analyzed the association between educational attainment and resilience after adjusting for age, sex, race, average monthly income, and island of residence. Compared to those with no more than primary school education, adults with a professional education were significantly more likely to be resilient (OR 2.39 CI [1.08, 5.28]). In contrast, the odds of resilience among adults with no more than secondary school education compared to the referent group was not significant (OR 0.99 CI [0.52, 1.89]). Professional school education positively associates with resilience to natural hazard-induced disasters. However, since this represents a minority of the population, there should be greater efforts to increase disaster preparedness education in primary school, secondary school, and within the community to further build resilience to natural hazard-induced disasters.