This study aims to assess the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in mothers affected by the February 2023 earthquakes in Turkey and to explore the influence of spiritual well-being and other factors on their Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) levels.

The study’s sample consisted of mothers invited to participate voluntarily through online social media platforms between October-December 2023. The Mother Information Form, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Control List, Post-Traumatic Growth Scale, and Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS) were used as data collection instruments.

A total of 303 mothers participated in this study. The mean total PTSD score was 49.35 (SD: 19.76), and 83.5% of mothers were categorized under severe anxiety levels. There was a statistically significant weak and positive relationship between PTSD and PTG levels (r: 0.282, P:0.000). When the predictors of PTG are considered, the spiritual well-being of mothers significantly predicts PTG (F: 43.944, P: 0.000). It accounts for 12.7% (R Square = 0.127) of the variance in mothers’ PTG.

Mothers showed high PTSD levels 9 months after the earthquakes, but alongside these high levels, it has a positive relation with their PTG, which may show mothers becoming stronger after their traumatic experience. Study results showed the mothers’ spiritual levels were a significant predictor for PTG.

In recent years, Japan has experienced a series of earthquakes and torrential rain disasters in various regions, and in Gifu City, there is concern about the possibility ofNankai Trough earthquakes in the near future. However, pharmacists’ awareness of disaster preparedness and status of drug stockpiles in pharmacies are not clearly outlined.

A survey on disaster prevention and stockpiling was conducted in 286 pharmacies in Gifu City. Data were collected from August to the end of October 2022. A simple aggregate was used in the study.

The response rate was 66.8% (191 pharmacies). Among them, 9.9% (19 pharmacies) had stockpiles of medicines for disasters, in which 33.3% of the medicines needed in the early stages of a disaster were above the average overall stockpiling rate. In addition, 2.1% (4 pharmacies) selected medicines according to national or prefectural manuals, and 96.3% (184 pharmacies) preferred to have the “national or local government” bear the cost of stockpiling.

This study allowed us to understand the stockpiling situation of pharmacies in Gifu City in event of a disaster such as the Nankai Trough earthquake, which is likely to occur in the future. Based on these results, it is necessary to consider measures for disaster stockpiling.

This study aims to identify midwives’ post-earthquake caregiving experiences.

A phenomenological study was undertaken in May-June 2023. The participants of the study consisted of 15midwives who were included in the study with the purposeful sampling method and volunteered to provide care during the earthquake. Data were collected by an in-depth interview method using a demographic information form and a semi-structured interview form. Thematic analysis was conducted on interview transcripts.

The research identified 2main themes: difficulties in managing midwifery care and the psychological impact of the earthquake on midwives. Challenges included issues with disaster organization, management, and coordination; communication gaps; insufficient medical supplies; harsh environmental conditions; inability to fulfill basic needs; lack of disaster-related knowledge and experience among midwives; and the overall survival conditions of disaster victims. The disaster caused several psychological effects on midwives, including shock, surprise, sadness, confusion, feelings of inadequacy, insomnia upon returning from the disaster area, nightmares, difficulty adapting, guilt about returning, feelings of helplessness, and experiences of loss and mourning.

This study detailed midwives’ experiences during disasters, difficulties, and barriers to effective care. It is crucial to record midwives’ experiences during disasters and use this information and solutions to prepare for future disasters. Disaster preparedness training for midwives should be planned to increase physical and emotional resilience.

This cross-sectional study investigates the immediate psychological effects of disaster relief operations on team members following 2 consecutive major earthquakes in Turkey.

A total of 170 participants, including professional firefighters, search and rescue (SAR) workers, and volunteers, were surveyed approximately 1 month after the conclusion of active SAR operations. The study utilizes the DSM-V criteria and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5) to assess symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among participants.

The findings reveal a point prevalence of 35.3% for probable PTSD, highlighting the substantial psychological impact on disaster relief teams. Factors such as age, residency in affected areas, and active SAR involvement significantly influenced probable PTSD rates. Interestingly, actively engaged SAR members had lower probable PTSD rates, possibly due to their training. Those who directly witnessed the earthquakes had higher scores, highlighting the impact of firsthand exposure. Additionally, individuals aged 50 and above displayed a higher mean total severity score compared to younger participants.

This research contributes to understanding the mental well-being of disaster relief professionals. The study’s findings underscore the importance of timely mental health support and training for these responders, emphasizing the need for preparedness in disaster relief teams.

This study assesses the operational challenges and clinical outcomes encountered by a university-based Emergency Medical Team (EMT) during the medical search and rescue (mSAR) response to the February 2023 earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey.

In this observational study, data were retrospectively collected from 42 individuals who received mSAR services post-earthquake. The challenges were categorized as environmental, logistical, or medical, with detailed documentation of rescue times, patient demographics, injury types, and medical interventions.

In this mSAR study, 42 patients from 30 operations were analyzed and divided into environmental (26.2%), logistical (52.4%), and medical (21.4%) challenge groups. Median rescue times were 29 (IQR 28–30), 36.5 (IQR 33.75–77.75), and 30.5 (IQR 29.5–35.5) hours for each group, respectively (P = .002). Age distribution did not significantly differ across groups (P = .067). Hypothermia affected 18.2%, 45.5%, and 66.7% in the respective groups. Extremity injuries were most common in the medical group (88.9%). Intravenous access was highest in the medical group (88.9%), while splinting was more frequent in the medical (55.6%) and logistical (18.2%) groups. Hypothermia was most prevalent in the medical group (66.7%), followed by the logistical group (45.5%). Ambulance transport post-rescue was utilized for a minority in all groups.

The study concludes that logistical challenges, more than environmental or medical challenges, significantly prolong the duration of mSAR operations and exacerbate clinical outcomes like hypothermia, informing future enhancements in disaster response planning and execution.

This study was conducted to reveal the relationship between nursing students’ disaster response self-efficacy and their disaster preparedness perceptions.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on nursing students after a major earthquake that occurred in Turkey on February 6, 2023 (n = 302). Data collection took place from June 2023 to October 2023, using the Disaster Response Self-Efficacy Scale (DRSES) and Disaster Preparedness Perception Scale (DPPS). Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data.

Nursing students’ DRSES mean score was 63.35 ± 10.83 (moderate level) and DPPS mean score was 3.41 ± 0.50 (high level). A positive and moderate correlation was found between nursing students’ DRSES and DPPS scores (r = 0.515; P = 0.000). Predictors affecting nursing students’ disaster preparedness are disaster response self-efficacy score, being male, and making a family disaster plan.

The results of this study highlight the importance of increasing the disaster response self-efficacy needed by nursing students to successfully assist patients in disaster situations.

Pharmacists are vital in disaster response efforts, dispensing essential medications, managing pharmacy services, consulting, and educating survivors regarding their medications. Their contributions, however, are often underrepresented in scientific literature. This study aimed to explore the experiences of pharmacists who provided pharmacy services to meet the pharmaceutical needs of the survivors after 2 major earthquakes in Türkiye in 2023.

This study adopted a phenomenological approach. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling was used to invite pharmacists who provided pharmacy services to survivors. Interview transcripts were analyzed following an inductive, reflexive thematic analysis.

In total, 15 pharmacists were interviewed. Four main overarching themes “response to the earthquake,” “preparedness for the earthquake,” “experiences during service delivery,” and “mental and physical experiences” were developed.

From participants’ experiences, it is essential to expand the clinical responsibilities of pharmacists and train them in providing wound care, administering immunization, and prescribing. Pharmacists should be integrated as essential members of disaster health teams. International health organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and governments are encouraged to work collaboratively and develop disaster management plans including pharmacists in early responders. This might help mitigate the deficiencies and overcome challenges in health-care systems to provide effective patient-centered care by health professionals and respond effectively to disasters.

This study aims to evaluate the nutritional content and quality of the Turkish Red Crescent (TRC) menus delivered to earthquake victims after the 2023 earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye.

The menus of general, search-rescue, diabetes, and celiac were obtained from the TRC following the magnitudes of 7.8 and 7.6 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. The nutrient content of the menus was evaluated with the Nutrient Rich Food (NRF20.3) score. In addition, the menus’ energy, macronutrient, and micronutrient contents were compared with the dietary reference intake values of the Türkiye Dietary Guideline—2022, European Food Safety Authority, and Food and Drug Administration.

The general menu was insufficient to meet the daily requirements of vitamin D, vitamin K, vitamin C, calcium, and potassium for earthquake victims. The sodium, phosphorous, and omega-6/omega-3 ratios were much higher than the recommended intakes. The NRF20.3 score of the diabetes menu was significantly higher than the search-rescue and celiac menus (P < 0.05). The energy content of the search-rescue menu was significantly higher than that of other menus (P < 0.05).

The several nutritional risks were determined in TRC menus for earthquake victims who suffered from the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. Several supplementation programs can be applied to the earthquake regions to obtain strength immunity and effectively challenge posttraumatic stress symptoms.

In the aftermath of earthquakes, the availability of emergency units and operating rooms (OR) in hospitals can make a difference in the survival of those injured. OR professionals’ experience during earthquakes is vital for ensuring safe and effective surgical procedures. This study was conducted to explore perceptions and describe the experiences of OR professionals, aiming to improve OR processes during and after earthquakes.

This phenomenological study employed semi-structured interviews to collect qualitative data from 16 OR professionals who experienced the earthquake. Purposeful sampling was utilized for face-to-face interviews, and MAXQDA20 was used for content analysis.

The primary themes included workplace perspectives, during-earthquake experiences, ethical considerations, and post-earthquake experiences. The workplace was described as unique, dynamic, stressful, and disciplined. Participants experienced fear and panic during the earthquake. Abandoning patients was deemed unethical, resulting in ethical quandaries for professionals when their safety was at risk.

Participants displayed responsibility and ethical conduct while remaining with the patients during the tremor. Implementing practices is crucial in mitigating fear and chaos and improving information management. As such, it is highly recommended that hospital disaster plans incorporate the active participation of OR professionals.