Classification of Disaster Prevention Behaviors of Residents of Town B in Prefecture a Who Have Experienced Disasters Using Principal Component and Cluster Analysis

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to classify the characteristics of residents’ disaster prevention behavior and to obtain suggestions for future disaster prevention education.

Methods: In 2021, an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire survey about disaster prevention behaviors was conducted which included 1,600 residents aged between 20 and 89 years in Town B, with their responses subjected to principal component analysis, cluster analysis, and the chi-squared test.

Results: Responses were obtained from 1,062 eligible residents (response rate: 66.3%). Of the respondents, 928 (99.3%) implemented disaster prevention behaviors. In the principal component analysis of disaster prevention behaviors, seven components were extracted, including “preparation to ensure safe evacuation,” “preparation to maintain community relationships,” and “securing energy for essential tools.” In the cluster analysis, residents were divided into seven clusters, including clusters in which all seven principal components were implemented at high and low rates, respectively. Significant differences among the clusters were noted in terms of age, occupation, family situation, personal lifestyle, and disaster self-efficacy.

Conclusion: The disaster prevention behaviors of the residents could be divided into clusters based on the principal components, with the findings suggesting the need for educational techniques on disaster prevention to be tailored toward the characteristics of respective clusters.