A Qualitative Evaluation of the Impact of the 2023 Earthquake on Earthquake Survivors in Hatay Province, Türkiye: A phenomenological approach
1
Tekirdağ Malkara District Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Republic of Türkiye, Malkara/Tekirdağ, Turkey
2
Muş Community Health Center, Ministry of Health, Republic of Türkiye, Central District/Muş, Turkey
3
Public Health, Marmara University School of Medicine, Maltepe/İstanbul, Turkey
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3417
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
On 6 February 2023, the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, with magnitudes of 7.7–7.8, caused extensive destruction across 11 provinces, including Hatay, resulting in more than 50000 deaths in Türkiye. This study aimed to qualitatively evaluate the impact of the earthquake disaster on survivors in Hatay Province, assessing their physical, psychological, and social challenges, their awareness, and lived experiences, and their adaptation to this situation five months after the earthquake.
METHODS:
This qualitative study using a phenomenological approach was carried out with 16 adult participants who were earthquake survivors in Hatay province, Türkiye. The data were collected through face-to-face in-depth interviews in the fifth month of the first earthquake. Thematic analysis was conducted using ATLAS.ti. Ethics committee approval for the study was obtained.
RESULTS:
The ages of participants were between 23 and 62 years, and eight of them were males. Physical challenges included shelter, food, water, and personal hygiene. Many participants stated that these needs were met through aid. While some participants continued living in tent or container settlements, others temporarily relocated to other cities or rural areas. Many participants described coping with trauma by spending more time with loved ones. Two participants reported available mobile mental health services but avoided them due to emotional distress triggered by sharing their experiences. Participants reported reliance on field hospitals and mobile services beyond the university hospital, with one noting early mobile vaccination stations. Some participants reported transportation disruptions due to the earthquake. Some participants stated that educational services resumed in the second month after the earthquake, with university students being accommodated in other cities.
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite aid and solidarity, insufficient disaster preparedness posed significant adaptation barriers to new life for vulnerable groups. Reducing vulnerability and preventing trauma remain key to future disaster resilience.
On 6 February 2023, the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, with magnitudes of 7.7–7.8, caused extensive destruction across 11 provinces, including Hatay, resulting in more than 50000 deaths in Türkiye. This study aimed to qualitatively evaluate the impact of the earthquake disaster on survivors in Hatay Province, assessing their physical, psychological, and social challenges, their awareness, and lived experiences, and their adaptation to this situation five months after the earthquake.
METHODS:
This qualitative study using a phenomenological approach was carried out with 16 adult participants who were earthquake survivors in Hatay province, Türkiye. The data were collected through face-to-face in-depth interviews in the fifth month of the first earthquake. Thematic analysis was conducted using ATLAS.ti. Ethics committee approval for the study was obtained.
RESULTS:
The ages of participants were between 23 and 62 years, and eight of them were males. Physical challenges included shelter, food, water, and personal hygiene. Many participants stated that these needs were met through aid. While some participants continued living in tent or container settlements, others temporarily relocated to other cities or rural areas. Many participants described coping with trauma by spending more time with loved ones. Two participants reported available mobile mental health services but avoided them due to emotional distress triggered by sharing their experiences. Participants reported reliance on field hospitals and mobile services beyond the university hospital, with one noting early mobile vaccination stations. Some participants reported transportation disruptions due to the earthquake. Some participants stated that educational services resumed in the second month after the earthquake, with university students being accommodated in other cities.
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite aid and solidarity, insufficient disaster preparedness posed significant adaptation barriers to new life for vulnerable groups. Reducing vulnerability and preventing trauma remain key to future disaster resilience.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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