Exploring Factors Associated With the Adoption of Nature‐Based Solutions for Flood Management: A Study on a Flood‐Prone Area of Bangladesh

ABSTRACT This study investigates the factors associated with the adoption of nature‐based flood management (NbFM) practices in Chilmari Upazila, a flood‐prone area in northern Bangladesh, using the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). A community‐based cross‐sectional survey was conducted among 589 adults aged 18 years and above, selected using a multistage nonprobability sampling strategy to capture experiences from hard‐to‐reach flood‐affected populations. Data were collected through face‐to‐face interviews using a structured questionnaire that covered sociodemographic characteristics, flood risk perceptions, response efficacy, self‐efficacy, and awareness of nature‐based solutions (NbS). Descriptive statistics revealed high awareness of flood risks: 57.39% of respondents perceived floods as extremely severe, while only 10% reported adopting NbS practices. Both stepwise backward and hierarchical multiple logistic regression analyses were employed to identify significant variables of NbS adoption. The stepwise regression identified gender, education level, primary occupation, housing type, receipt of information about NbS, perceived household vulnerability, response efficacy, and self‐efficacy as significant variables. In the hierarchical regression analysis, sociodemographic variables entered in the first step showed that males (aOR = 0.41, p = 0.019) and individuals with primary education (aOR = 0.26, p = 0.002) were less likely to adopt NbS, while those living in semi‐pucca houses (aOR = 2.87, p = 0.020) and those who had received information about NbS (aOR = 2.39, p = 0.026) were more likely to adopt these practices. Subsequent steps demonstrated that higher perceived household vulnerability and greater self‐efficacy significantly increased the likelihood of NbS adoption. The findings highlight the importance of information dissemination, education, housing conditions, perceived risk, and self‐efficacy in shaping the adoption of NbFM practices. Strengthening community awareness, improving access to NbS‐related information, and enhancing local capacity may play a critical role in promoting sustainable flood resilience in Bangladesh's flood‐prone regions.