Emergency service workers' earthquake anxiety and evaluation of factors affecting earthquake anxiety

Abstract

Background: Following the Pazarcık (Kahraman Maraş) Earthquake in February 2023, both immediate and lasting effects of the disaster were observed in Turkey. As with any natural disaster, this event had a significant societal impact and resulted in various psychological consequences.Objective: This study aims to assess the factors influencing the anxiety and attitudes of emergency service personnel in the aftermath of the earthquake.Methods: The study utilized a questionnaire distributed to physicians, auxiliary healthcare staff, and other personnel in the emergency department of a tertiary care and research hospital following the Pazarcık (Kahramanmaraş) earthquake in February 2023. The questionnaire, which included demographic information, history of exposure to earthquakes and natural disasters, and the Earthquake Anxiety Scale (EAS), comprised 42 items. All participants completed the questionnaires.Results: Ninety-nine physicians, auxiliary healthcare staff, and emergency department personnel participated in the study, with 49.5% being female. The mean age of the participants was 34.74±7.04 years. When comparing demographic data, it was found that male participants had significantly lower EAS scores (p<0.001) than their female counterparts. The individuals who had lost a close relative or experienced material losses due to earthquakes exhibited significantly higher EAS scores (p=0.038, p=0.047). No significant correlation was found between participants' EAS scores and their ages (r=-0.1338, R²=0.01913, p=0.172).Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that female participants and those with prior earthquake experiences may experience greater anxiety during natural disasters.

Keywords

• emergency department
• earthquake anxiety scale
• natural disaster