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.