Preparedness and preventive behaviors for a pandemic disaster caused by COVID-19 in Serbia

This paper presents the results of quantitative research regarding the level of citizen preparedness for disasters caused by coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Serbia. The questionnaire examined citizens’ basic socio-economic and demographic characteristics, their knowledge, preparedness, risk perception and preventive measures taken individually and as a community to prevent the death and widespread transmission of novel coronavirus disease 2019 in the Republic of Serbia.

Based on the findings that there are major differences in the public’s perception of risks posed by communicable disease threats such as presented by COVID-19, the authors argue that emergency management agencies should use these differences to develop targeted strategies to enhance community and national preparedness by promoting behavioural change and improving risk management decision-making.