How university teachers faced the earthquake of April 16, 2016?

Abstract

This research is carried out with teachers from one of the oldest universities in the Province of Manabí, specifically located in the city of Portoviejo. Its objective was to investigate how university teachers faced the earthquake on Saturday, April 16, 2016. In a population of 842 university teachers, a sample of 60 percent of teachers was selected. A descriptive, analytical, retrospective and cross-sectional study was carried out. It was possible to analyze the knowledge and attitudes assumed by the university professors in the face of a sudden, unforeseen event that surprised everyone. From the results obtained it was possible to identify an unsuspecting teaching population as well as the rest of the general public, without an emergency plan to be applied, lack of updated and applied knowledge, vulnerable human beings whose professional training did not guarantee the Timely and efficient response to a natural phenomenon that has had disastrous consequences for both people and material, physical and psychological goods. The qualitative-quantitative approach allowed the analysis of the results, converting them into significant data. In conclusion, a phenomenon of nature is earthquake, tsunami, flood or other, if the population is not anticipated and prevented the consequences will be impacting on people equally, without considering socio-economic, educational, vocational, occupational, racial or religious.