Predictors of Knowledge and Practices Towards Flood Disaster Prevention Among Residents of Rubavu District, Rwanda

ABSTRACT Depending on their intensity, degree of human vulnerability, and exposure, weather‐related hazards like floods, storms, landslides, and wildfires can turn into catastrophic events. Improving emergency response requires a thorough evaluation of preparedness and resilience. Floods have repeatedly destroyed more than 5000 homes and 100 ha of crops in Rubavu district, where the Sebeya River regularly overflows into Lake Kivu. This study evaluated residents' awareness and preventive behaviors, as despite continuous mitigation efforts, there are still significant gaps in their knowledge and practices regarding flood prevention. The study used a cross‐sectional descriptive design. Rubavu district was the study site. The study population consisted of residents of the Nyundo, Rugerero, and Kanama sectors. The sample size calculation used Andrew Fisher's formula, which resulted in 385 participants. Quantitative and qualitative data were obtained using questionnaires and in‐depth interviews. Bivariate analysis revealed that age (x2 = 317.060, p = 0.000), gender (x2 = 380.993, p = 0.000), education (x2 = 309.504, p = 0.000), occupation (x2 = 318.566, p = 0.000), years of residence (x2 = 218.204, p = 0.000), understanding government initiatives (x2 = 195.859, p = 0.000), able to construct flood barriers (x2 = 30.068, p = 0.000), timely information (x2 = 120.614, p = 0.000), reliable information (x2 = 131.903, p = 0.000), community meetings (x2 = 69.027, p = 0.000), flood prevention experience (x2 = 86.241, p = 0.000), information sharing (x2 = 191.603, p = 0.000), and keeping ancestral properties (x2 = 82.902, p = 0.000); where statistically significant with flood prevention, but only the variable of having faced a flood challenge (x2 = 23.667, p = 0.000, AOR = 1.0 95% CI = 0.08–11.58. Sig = 0.00), was statistically significant at both bivariate and multivariable levels with flood prevention. This research data depicts that the proportion of residents with good knowledge of flood prevention was very low (4%), whereas their practice was excellent (96%). Furthermore, those who have experienced flooding difficulties are more adept at preventing floods than their counterparts. Efforts should also be made to improve the knowledge and practices of the residents regarding flood prevention through flood prevention programs.