JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Natural and human-made disasters, particularly earthquakes, threaten global sustainable development, causing significant loss of life, displacement, and economic damage. Indonesia, located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, faces frequent seismic events, highlighting the need for effective disaster preparedness. Traditional training methods often fall short in practical application, prompting the exploration of innovative tools like virtual reality (VR) simulations. VR offers immersive, scenario-based training, improving knowledge retention and response skills. This study evaluates VR's impact on earthquake preparedness among rural Indonesian volunteers, aiming to develop scalable interventions to enhance community resilience and reduce disaster-related risks.

Objective:

Earthquakes significantly threaten rural communities in Indonesia, highlighting the critical need for effective training programs for volunteers who serve as primary emergency responders. Virtual Reality (VR) simulation training has recently gained attention as a novel method to enhance disaster preparedness through immersive, interactive learning experiences. This study evaluated the effectiveness of VR simulation training in improving earthquake preparedness knowledge and practical response skills among rural volunteers in Indonesia.

Methods:

This quasi-experimental research involved 400 rural volunteers who were equally divided into two groups: an intervention group (n=200) trained using VR simulations and a control group (n=200) receiving standard training. The VR training modules covered earthquake awareness, search and rescue operations, first aid procedures, and evacuation practices. Participants' knowledge and practical skills were evaluated using the Earthquake Preparedness Knowledge Questionnaire (EPKQ) and Earthquake Response Practical Skills Assessment (ERPSA) at baseline, immediately after training, and at a three-month follow-up. Data analysis employed repeated-measures ANOVA and multiple regression

Results:

Volunteers trained with VR demonstrated substantial improvements in both knowledge (F(2,396) = 45.32, p < 0.001) and practical skills (F(2,396) = 38.76, p < 0.001) compared with the conventional training group. Post-hoc tests confirmed that these improvements remained consistent even after three months. Regression analysis indicated education level (β = 0.32, p < 0.001) and age (β = -0.18, p = 0.02) significantly influenced VR training outcomes. After controlling for demographic factors, the VR intervention still significantly enhanced earthquake preparedness knowledge (β = 6.23, p < 0.001) and practical response abilities (β = 5.45, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

VR simulation training significantly boosts earthquake preparedness knowledge and practical response skills among rural Indonesian volunteers, with enduring benefits. These findings support VR's potential as a scalable, effective disaster preparedness tool in resource-constrained environments