Mobile Applications and Community Disaster Preparedness: Insights from a Scoping Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2025.v16isupp2.017Abstract
Background: Mobile applications have emerged as innovative solutions for enhancing community resilience during emergencies. However, their widespread adoption faces challenges, including usability limitations, accessibility barriers, and integration issues within existing disaster management systems. Objective: This scoping review systematically investigated the role of mobile applications in strengthening community disaster preparedness. Methods: The study employed the Arksey and O’Malley framework for scoping reviews. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, covering publications from 2012 to 2024. Eligible studies included peer-reviewed articles focusing on mobile applications designed for disaster preparedness, excluding non-peer-reviewed sources and those lacking a community focus. Data extraction utilised a standardised form, and quality assessment was performed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Results: The review included 16 studies from an initial pool of 256 records. The findings highlighted that mobile applications often feature real-time notifications, educational modules, and tools for emergency coordination. Applications targeting specific demographics, such as older adults, demonstrated improved readiness outcomes but underscored the importance of addressing diverse user needs. Conclusion: Mobile applications are pivotal in enhancing community disaster preparedness and resilience, offering a range of functionalities that can significantly contribute to readiness. Future research should focus on validating these applications in real-world settings and examining their effects on both individual and community-level preparedness outcomes.
Keywords:
Disaster Preparedness, Mobile Applications, Scoping Review, UsabilityDownloads
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