Comparative Disaster Preparedness Competencies of Nurses and Midwives: A Meta-Analysis of Global Evidence, 2000–2025

Background The increasing frequency and severity of disasters worldwide has underscored the need for a resilient health workforce. Nurses and midwives, as frontline providers, are pivotal in disaster preparedness and response. However, comparative evidence regarding their disaster-related competencies remains fragmented. Objective This meta-analysis synthesizes global evidence from 2000–2025 to compare disaster preparedness skills between nurses and midwives, with emphasis on knowledge, attitudes, and practical capabilities. Methods A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and regional databases. Eligible studies included cross-sectional surveys, intervention trials, and mixed-methods research assessing disaster preparedness competencies among nurses and/or midwives. Data were extracted and pooled using random-effects meta-analysis in Stata 18. Subgroup analyses examined geographic region, training exposure, and professional cadre. Results Forty-nine studies (n = 18,742 participants; 12,315 nurses, 6,427 midwives) met inclusion criteria. Pooled effect sizes indicated that nurses demonstrated higher overall disaster preparedness scores (SMD = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.28–0.56) compared to midwives, particularly in triage, logistics, and interprofessional coordination. Midwives, however, exhibited greater strengths in maternal–child emergency response (SMD = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.12–0.49). Training exposure significantly moderated outcomes: both cadres with structured disaster training scored markedly higher than untrained peers (p < 0.001). Conclusion Nurses generally outperform midwives in broad disaster preparedness domains, while midwives excel in maternal–child emergency contexts. These findings highlight the need for integrated, cadre-sensitive disaster training curricula that leverage the complementary strengths of both professions. Policymakers should prioritize interprofessional disaster education to optimize workforce readiness.