Fire outbreak management, functionality and preparedness among students at the College of Health Sciences, Makerere University

Abstract

Introduction: 600 fires were reported in Uganda in the first months of 2021, putting the country on course for a more than 40% rise over 2020.The most common causes of fires are heating equipment, electrical and lighting equipment, cooking equipment, smoking materials and intentional fires. Fires release toxic fumes which are harmful to man, lead to collapse of buildings and Environmental Contamination. Learning institution are at high risks of fires due to combustible materials such as papers, use of candles, electrical short circuits, suspected arson and overheating. Therefore, determining the awareness towards fire outbreak management, functionality, and preparedness among students at the College of Health sciences is necessary Objective: To determine the awareness towards fire outbreak management, functionality, and preparedness among students at the College of Health sciences, Makerere University. Method: A cross sectional study was carried out at Makerere University, College of Health Sciences employing quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. The sample size was 263 undergraduate students. Semi-structured interviewer led questionnaires for quantitative data collection were used to collect data on student’s knowledge regarding the use of firefighting equipment and fire outbreak management while qualitative data was collected while using key informant interview guide. Data was managed using STATA version 14.1. Results: In this study, more than half of the students 64.64% were not taught on fire preparedness and a quarter of the students 26.62% knew how to use some of these firefighting equipment though their main source of knowledge was school. Most of the schools had no fire safety plans, 100% had fire extinguishers, half 51.33% of their students were aware of escape routes and none of the schools had ever conducted fire simulations and drills. Conclusion and recommendation; A small percentage of the students were knowledgeable regarding the use of firefighting equipment and fire outbreak management which is an indication of low priority placed on fire preparedness therefore recommend fire safety preparation should be covered in the orientation of new students and regular training should follow.