Patients with thoracic trauma require rapid decision making and early intervention, especially during natural disasters when the influx of patients complicates hospitalization decisions. Identifying the characteristics of these patients can improve triage protocols, optimize resource allocation, and enhance outcomes in future disaster scenarios.

The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of hospitalized patients after the February 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye and to contribute to Disaster Medicine.

This retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in a university hospital’s emergency department (ED) located in the earthquake area. All patients over 18 years old with earthquake-related thoracic trauma were included. Demographic information, mechanisms of injury, associated injuries, laboratory results, and treatments were recorded. Patients were divided into two groups: discharged and hospitalized.

The study included 179 patients, with a median age of 45 years. Overall, 80.4% were trapped under debris, and 43.8% were rescued on the first day. Hospitalization rates were higher in patients trapped under debris and those rescued after the first day. Blunt thoracic trauma was observed in 95.5% of patients. One hundred and three patients (57.5%) underwent Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (E-FAST) in the ED, 152 patients (84.9%) underwent x-ray, and 129 patients (72.1%) underwent computed tomography (CT). Imaging studies revealed rib fractures in 49.7% and lung parenchymal injuries in 48.6% of patients. Patients with lung parenchymal injury had higher hospitalizations rates. Hospitalized patients had higher levels of white blood cells (WBCs), potassium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, creatinine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-myocardial band (CKMB), and troponin I.

This study highlights the prevalence of blunt thoracic trauma and the importance of imaging in the assessment of thoracic injuries following earthquakes. While few patients needed surgery, many required hospitalizations and had abnormal laboratory results, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring for complications like muscle damage and infection.

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between disaster literacy and disaster preparedness of the community.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on adult participants after a major earthquake that occurred in Türkiye on February 6, 2023 (n = 414). Convenience sample was used in sample selection. Data collection instruments are the Disaster Literacy Scale-DLS and Disaster Preparedness Scale-DPS. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t test, correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data.

Participants’ DLS score was 33.08 ± 6.72 (limited disaster literacy) and DPS score was 31.89 ± 5.15 (moderate level). A positive correlation was found between DLS and DPS scores (r = 0.242; P = 0.000). Disaster literacy scores are higher for those with higher education levels, those who have taken disaster-related training/courses, those who have a disaster plan at home, and those who have a disaster kit (P < 0.05). In community, increasing disaster literacy, having a disaster kit, insuring the house, and making family plans against disasters positively affect disaster preparedness.

The disaster literacy level of the participants is limited, and the disaster preparedness level is moderate. To increase the disaster literacy levels of individuals, it is recommended that public health nurses strengthen public education and disseminate disaster training in community.

The knowledge of students’ quality of life and post-traumatic stress disorder levels, investigation of the relationship between them, and taking measures are essential in terms of guiding the necessary interventions. This study was conducted to determine the quality of life and post-traumatic stress disorder levels of midwifery students experiencing an earthquake.

This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 363 midwifery students who had experienced the Kahramanmaras, Türkiye earthquake. Data were obtained using a Descriptive Information Form, the PTSD-Brief Scale, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF).

The rate of post-traumatic stress disorder in the sample studied (n = 363), which consisted of midwifery students who would work in the field of health, was 21.5% 2 months after the earthquake. The multiple linear regression analysis indicated that factors predicting post-traumatic stress disorder following the earthquake were quality of life score related to physical and environmental domains, damage status of the house, presence of family history of depression, and smoking status.

This study, which was conducted 2 months following the earthquakes, showed that living spaces had an impact on the occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.

Earthquakes cause great destruction due to their suddenness and intensity. Although all people are affected by earthquakes, children are among those most affected. Every year, millions of children and young people are exposed to many natural disasters and are affected differently. Earthquakes can cause physical, mental, and sleep disorders in children. The aim of this study is to investigate the post-traumatic response and its effects on sleep on child and adolescent earthquake survivors living in the earthquake zone in Turkey.

This research was carried out between June and August 2023 as a descriptive and cross-sectional study. A total of 230 earthquake survivor children from Adıyaman were included in the study. Personal information forms, the Child Posttraumatic Stress Reaction Index (CPTS-RI), and the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) were used to collect data.

It was determined that the scale scores of the children who were financially affected by the earthquake, who were injured, and who were under the rubble were higher (P < 0.05).

It was observed that more than half of the children had severe trauma and had sleep disorders. Children who experience trauma from an earthquake have more sleep disorders. For this reason, in addition to emergency aid and interventions in earthquakes, arrangements should be made for the mental health of children and social and psychological support should be provided.

History of prior mental disorder, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), increases risk for PTSD following subsequent trauma exposure. However, limited research has examined differences associated with specific prior mental disorders among people with PTSD.

The current study examined whether different prior mental disorders were associated with meaningful differences among individuals presenting to a specialist service for severe earthquake-related distress following the Canterbury earthquakes (N = 177).

Two sets of comparisons were made: between participants with no history of prior disorder and participants with history of any prior disorder; and between participants with history of prior PTSD and those with history of other prior disorders. Comparisons were made in relation to sociodemographic factors, earthquake exposure, peri-traumatic distress, life events and current psychological functioning.

Participants with any prior mental disorder had more current disorders than those with no prior disorder. Among participants with history of any prior disorder, those with prior PTSD reported more life events in the past 5 years than those with other prior disorders.

Findings suggest a history of any prior mental disorder contributes to increased clinical complexity, but not increased PTSD severity, among people with PTSD seeking treatment. Although post-disaster screening efforts should include those with prior mental disorders, it should also be recognised that those with no prior disorders are also at risk of developing equally severe PTSD.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of post-earthquake trauma levels of nursing students on their academic motivation and career decisions.

The sample of this descriptive study consisted of 228 students studying at Gaziantep Islamic Science and Technology University, Department of Nursing. The data were collected using an online questionnaire created by the researchers. This online questionnaire form consists of seven questions about socio-demographic characteristics, and it also includes the Determination of Post-Earthquake Trauma Levels Scale, Academic Motivation Scale, and Career Decision Scale. SPSS 23.0 package program was used for the analysis of the data, and P < 0.05 was accepted for the level of significance.

It was determined that the post-earthquake trauma level of the students was above the moderate level (63.49 ± 17.29) and that the extrinsic motivation-identified regulation, extrinsic motivation-external motivation, and intrinsic-knowledge levels were more affected by the earthquake (P < 0.05). In addition, it was determined that the mean Career Decision Scale score of the students (74.20 ± 17.35) was below the average.

It was determined that post-earthquake trauma level had positive effects on intrinsic motivation-stimulation, extrinsic motivation, and amotivation, but had no effect on career decision.

Earthquakes rank among the most deadly natural disasters, and children are particularly affected due to their inherent vulnerability. Following an earthquake, there is a substantial increase in visits to emergency services. These visits stem not only from patients seeking care for physical traumas resulting from the earthquake and its subsequent complications, but also from individuals affected by the circumstances created by the disaster.

This study aims to determine the characteristics and outcomes of children who presented to the pediatric emergency department (PED) after the earthquake and to evaluate children who had crush injuries at a referral tertiary university hospital away from the earthquake area.

The medical records of children who presented to the PED from the earthquake area from February 6 through March 7, 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Children rescued from under rubble were categorized as Group 1, those affected by earthquake conditions as Group 2, and patients seeking medical attention due to the follow-up of chronic illnesses were considered as Group 3. Patient data, including sociodemographic characteristics, time period under rubble (TPR), laboratory findings, and details of medical and surgical procedures, developing acute kidney injury (AKI), and the requirement for hemodialysis were recorded.

A total of 252 children were enrolled in the study, with 52 (20.6%) in Group 1, 180 (71.4%) in Group 2, and 16 (6.0%) in Group 3. The median age was six (IQR = 1.7-12.1) years. In the first group (n = 52), 46 (85.2%) children experienced crush injuries, 25 children (46.3%) developed crush syndrome, and 14 of them (14/25; 56.0%) required dialysis. In the second group, the most common diagnoses were upper respiratory tract infections (n = 69; 37.9%), acute gastroenteritis (n = 23; 12.6%), simple physical trauma (n = 16; 8.8%), and lower respiratory tract infections (n = 13; 7.1%). For children in the third group, pediatric neurology (n = 5; 33.3%), pediatric oncology (n = 4; 25.0%), and pediatric nephrology (n = 3; 18.8%) were the most frequently referred specialties.

Crush injuries, crush syndrome, and AKI were the most common problems in the early days following the earthquake. Along with these patients, children who were affected by the environmental conditions caused by the earthquake, as well as children with chronic illnesses, also accounted for a significant portion of visits to the PED, even if they were distant from the disaster area.

Precautions taken before an earthquake are of vital importance. When buildings collapse, the weight of the ceiling crushes objects such as furniture, leaving a space or void within the rubble. This area is called the “triangle of life.” The larger and stronger the object, the more it will maintain its volume; the more the object maintains its volume, the larger the void will be, and the less likely it is that the person who uses this void will be injured.

Durable, solid furniture such as beds and tables that can be tipped over during an earthquake in appropriate areas in the building can form a living triangle. Creating and using the triangle of life is the method of protection in an earthquake that produces the highest probability of survival.

Two earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.8 and 7.5 occurred in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey, on February 6, 2023. This report presents the case of a 43-y-old female victim of these earthquakes who used the triangle of life to survive; she was removed from the rubble 164 h after the earthquake.

The case provides evidence that predetermining areas in which the triangle of life can be formed and storing supplies necessary for survival can decrease morbidity and mortality in an earthquake.