Prevalence of probable post-traumatic stress disorder among survivors of the 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye.

BACKGROUND

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most prevalent conditions following a devastating earthquake or disaster.

AIM

To explore the prevalence of probable PTSD and its risk factors among earthquake survivors in Türkiye.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study examined 1100 survivors, aged ≥ 18 years, in 11 provinces of Türkiye affected by the 2 June 2023 earthquakes. We collected the data 5 months after the earthquakes and measured PTSD using the PTSD checklist for the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders fifth edition (DSM-5), the Connor-Davidson resilience scale, and multidimensional scale of perceived social support. We analysed the data using SPSS version 28.

RESULTS

The earthquake survivors were aged 18-89 years, mean age 35.59 years, and more than half of them were female (58.8%). Prevalence of probable PTSD was 55.2%. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that prevalence of probable PTSD was predicted by female gender, current smoking, sleep disturbance, chronic disease, being trapped under the rubble, loss of a first-degree relative, post-earthquake sheltering in a tent or container or someone else's house, high post-earthquake anxiety, and low socioeconomic status. Survivors with high psychological resilience had lower probable PTSD prevalence.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of PTSD was high among our participants and psychological resilience seemed to be a mitigating factor for PTSD. There is therefore a need to focus on improving psychological resilience among earthquake survivors to prevent or minimise PTSD.