Objective: The devastating Kahramanmaras earthquake doublet struck with a magnitude of Mw 7.8 and Mw 7.7, occurring 9 hours apart on February 6, 2023. Earthquakes can cause significant psychological impacts. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and determinants of probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among university students eight months following the 2023 earthquake doublet in Kahramanmaras, Turkiye.
Method: Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants. The study included 445 university students who completed a detailed questionnaire about the 2023 Turkiye-Syria earthquakes, along with the PTSD checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5, PCL-5). Researchers prepared the questionnaire to evaluate pre-earthquake psychiatric history, behavioral reactions during and after the earthquake, experiences of being trapped under rubble, physical injury status, extent of property damage, and loss of loved ones through face-to-face interviews.
Results: According to the PCL-5 scores, 61.6% of the participants exhibited probable earthquake-related PTSD. Factors associated with a higher prevalence of probable earthquake-related PTSD included being female, having severe house damage, pre-existing psychiatric conditions, and a history of traumatic events. Only 26.5% of the participants were in a safer location outside buildings during the second earthquake.
Conclusion: A total of 274 subjects (61.6%) were diagnosed with probable earthquake-related PTSD eight months after the 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquake. The determinants linked to a probable PTSD diagnosis were severe house damage, pre-existing psychiatric conditions, a history of traumatic events, and being female. These findings enhance our understanding of probable earthquake-related PTSD, its associated risk factors, and underscore the importance of taking preventive measures to mitigate the psychological impacts of earthquakes.