SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Connectist: Istanbul University Journal of Communication Sciences / 2025 / Sayı: 69

Health-related disaster risk communication in the 6 February 2023 Türkiye earthquake: Insights from vulnerable groups and healthcare professionals

Türkiye’de 6 Şubat 2023 depreminde sağlıkla ilişkili afet risk iletişimi: Kırılgan gruplar ve sağlık çalışanlarının görüşleri

Besime Pınar Özdemir(ANKARA UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-5801-2878
Melike Aktaş Kuyucu(ANKARA UNIVERSITY)0000-0003-1503-4302
İsmail Uğur Aksoy(ANKARA UNIVERSITY)0000-0001-8530-8343
Pages
101–117
Publication Date
2026-01-12
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings indicate that both older adults and families caring for children with disabilities were insufficiently prepared for the earthquake and experienced difficulties in accessing health-related information, retrieving medical records, and being directed to needed services.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study examines health communication experiences of older adults, family members caring for children with disabilities, and the healthcare personnel serving during and after the earthquakes that occurred on 6 February 2023.
📊
Key Findings & Data:The study underscores the urgent need for inclusive and anticipatory health communication strategies that ensure continuity of care, support coordination, and respond to the needs of at-risk groups.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:The findings indicate that both older adults and families caring for children with disabilities were insufficiently prepared for the earthquake and experienced difficulties in accessing health-related information, retrieving medical records, and being directed to needed services.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:2023 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Sağlık iletişimi · sağlıkla ilişkili afet risk iletişimi · sağlık profesyonelleri

Abstract

This study examines health communication experiences of older adults, family members caring for children with disabilities, and the healthcare personnel serving during and after the earthquakes that occurred on 6 February 2023. Semi-structured interviews with eight mothers, three older adults, and seven healthcare professionals reveal the challenges they faced in accessing health information and services. The findings indicate that both older adults and families caring for children with disabilities were insufficiently prepared for the earthquake and experienced difficulties in accessing health-related information, retrieving medical records, and being directed to needed services. Difficulties in retrieving medical records, the lack of well-developed communication capacities and in some cases the absence of caregivers further complicated the delivery of health services. The study underscores the urgent need for inclusive and anticipatory health communication strategies that ensure continuity of care, support coordination, and respond to the needs of at-risk groups. It offers recommendations such as enhancing health literacy, developing disaster-resilient digital information systems, establishing support mechanisms, and designing service models vulnerable groups.

Özet

Bu çalışma, 6 Şubat 2023 depremleri sırasında ve sonrasında yaşlı bireylerin, engelli çocuklara bakım veren aile üyelerinin ve bu gruplara hizmet sunan sağlık personelinin sağlık iletişimi deneyimlerini incelemektedir. Bu deneyimlerden hareketle, sağlıkla ilişkili afet risk iletişimine yönelik öneriler geliştirmektedir. Sekiz anne, üç yaşlı birey ve yedi sağlık çalışanıyla gerçekleştirilen yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler, katılımcıların sağlık bilgisine ve hizmetlere erişim süreçlerinde karşılaştıkları güçlükleri ortaya koymaktadır. Bulgular, hem yaşlı bireylerin hem de engelli çocuklara bakım veren ailelerin depreme yeterince hazırlıklı olmadığını ve sağlıkla ilgili bilgilere erişim, tıbbi kayıtlara ulaşım ve ihtiyaç duyulan hizmetlere yönlendirilme konusunda önemli sorunlar yaşandığını göstermektedir. Tıbbi kayıtlara erişimde yaşanan güçlükler, kırılgan grupların sağlık iletişimi bağlamındaki sınırlı iletişim kapasiteleri ve birçok durumda bakım verenlerin yokluğu, sağlık hizmetlerinin sunumunu daha da zorlaştırmıştır. Çalışma, afet koşullarında bakım sürekliliğini sağlayan, etkili koordinasyonu destekleyen ve risk altındaki grupların ihtiyaçlarına yanıt veren kapsayıcı ve öngörücü sağlık iletişimi stratejilerinin gerekliliğini vurgulamaktadır.Bulgular doğrultusunda, sağlık okuryazarlığının güçlendirilmesi, afetlere dayanıklı dijital bilgi sistemlerinin geliştirilmesi, iletişim süreçlerini kolaylaştıracak aracılık mekanizmalarının oluşturulması ve kırılgan gruplara yönelik kapsayıcı hizmet modellerinin tasarlanması gibi öneriler sunulmaktadır.

🔖

Cite This Article

Özdemir, B. P., Kuyucu, M. A., Aksoy, İ. U. (2026). Health-related disaster risk communication in the 6 February 2023 Türkiye earthquake: Insights from vulnerable groups and healthcare professionals. Connectist: Istanbul University Journal of Communication Sciences, Sayı: 69, 101–117. https://doi.org/10.26650/CONNECTIST2025-1741492

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (35)

  1. Adıyaman, A., Can, V., & Sarman, A. (2025). The impact of earthquake preparedness training on mothers with physically disabled children: a randomized controlled study. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 9554, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94426-y google scholar
  2. Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetimi Başkanlığı. (2023). 06 Şubat 2023 Pazarcık-Elbistan (Kahramanmaraş) Mw: 7.7 – Mw: 7.6 [depremleri raporu]. https://deprem.afad.gov.tr/assets/pdf/Kahramanmara%C5%9F%20Depremi%20%20Raporu_02.06.2023.pdfgoogle scholar
  3. American Red Cross. (January, 2020). Closing the gaps: Advancing disaster preparedness for older adults. https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/training-services/scientific-advisory-council/253901-03%20BRCROlder%20Adults%20Whitepaper%20FINAL%201.23.2020.pdf retrieved from on August 25, 2025. google scholar
  4. Aslan, R., & Şahinöz, S. (2023). The experiences of people with disabilities in the 2020 İzmir earthquake: A phenomenological research. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 95, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.103868 google scholar
  5. Battle, D. E. (2014). Persons with communication disabilities in natural disasters, war, and/or conflict. Communication Disorders Quarterly, 36(4), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1177/1525740114545980 google scholar
  6. Birleşmiş Milletler Kalkınma Programı. (2024). Depremden etkilenen bölgelerde yaşayan engelli bireylere yönelik ihtiyaç analizi raporu. Ankara, Birleşmiş Milletler Kalkınma Programı (UNDP). google scholar
  7. Chan, E. Y. Y., & Shi, P. (2017). Health and risks: Integrating health into disaster risk reduction, risk communication, and building resilient communities. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 8(2), 107–108. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13753-017-0131-z google scholar
  8. Grech, S., & Weber, J. (2025). Disability inclusive disaster risk reduction: Laying the terrain. S. Grech & J. Weber (Eds.), An introduction to disability inclusive disaster risk reduction: Intersecting terrains (pp. 1–16). Routledge.google scholar
  9. Hipper, T. J., Davis, R., Massey, P. M., Turchi, R. M., Lubell, K. M., Pechta, L. E., & Chernak, E. (2018). The disaster information needs of families of children with special healthcare needs: a scoping review. Health Security, 16(3), 178-192. https://doi.org/10.1089/hs.2018.0007 google scholar
  10. Howard, A., Agllias, K., Bevis, M., & Blakemore, T. (2017). Vulnerability of older people in disasters: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 22, 284–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2017.02.015 google scholar
  11. Howard, A., Agllias,K, Bevis, M., & Blakemore, T. (2017). They’ll tell us when to evacuate”: The experiences and expectations of disaster-related communication in vulnerable groups. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 22, 139-146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2017.03.002. google scholar
  12. İstanbul Seismic Risk Mitigation and Emergency Preparedness Project. (2023). Disaster and emergency planning guide for people with disabilities. Republic of Türkiye Governorship of İstanbul; Ministry of Interior, Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency; İstanbul Project Coordination Unit. https://www.ipkb.gov.tr/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DISASTER-PEOPLE-WITH-DISABILITIES-GUIDE.pdfgoogle scholar
  13. Jevtić, M., Cvetković, V. M., Gačić, J., & Raonić, Z. (2025). Factors of vulnerability and resilience of persons with disabilities during disasters: Challenges and strategies for inclusive risk reduction. [Preprint]. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202503.1928.v1 google scholar
  14. Peek, L., and L.M. Stough. 2010. Children with disabilities in the context of disaster: A social vulnerability perspective. Child Development 81(4): 1260–1270. google scholar
  15. Kılıç, N. P., Özdemir, B. P., Gençtürk Hızal, G. S., Aktaş, M. (2021). Covid-19 pandemisinde iletişimsel ihtiyaçlar, beklentiler ve deneyimler üzerine nitel bir araştırma: 65 yaş ve üzeri Ankara örneklemi. Connectist: Istanbul University Journal of Communication Sciences, 60, 127-155. https://doi.org/10.26650/CONNECTIST2021-0744 google scholar
  16. Kumar, R. (2019). Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners (5th ed.). Sage Publication. google scholar
  17. Lam, R. P. K., Leung, L. P., Balsari, S., Hsiao, K. H., Newnham, E., Patrick, K., & Leaning, J. (2017). Urban disaster preparedness of Hong Kong residents: A territory-wide survey. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 23, 62–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2017.04.008 google scholar
  18. Pakalın, B., & Mersin, F. (2023). Depreme hazırlar mı? Özel gereksinimli bireylerin deprem anında güvenliği. İzmir Kâtip Çelebi Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi, 8(2), 795-802. google scholar
  19. Palenewen, L. A. (2024). Saving by understanding the needs of people with disabilities during natural disasters: A scoping review. Journal of Nursing Science Update (JNSU),12(2), 139-148. https://doi.org/10.21776/ub.jik.2024.012.02.0 google scholar
  20. Pang, N., Karanasios, S., & Anwar, M. (2020). Exploring the information worlds of older persons during disasters. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 71(6), 619–631. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.24294 google scholar
  21. Phraknoi, N., Sutanto, J., Hu, Y., Goh, Y. S., & Lee, C. E. C. (2023). Older people’s needs in urban disaster response: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 96(1), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.103809 google scholar
  22. Rofiah, N. H., Kawai, N., & Hayati, E. N. (2024). Disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction in schools: A confirmatory factor analysis. Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 16(1), a1559. https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v16i1.1559google scholar
  23. Ronoh, S., Gaillard, J. C., & Marlowe, J. (2015). Children with disabilities and disaster risk reduction: a review. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 6, 38-48. DOI 10.1007/s13753-015-0042-9 google scholar
  24. Shah, A. A., Ullah, A., Mudimu, G. T., Khan, N. A., Khan, A., & Xu, C. (2023). Reconnoitering NGOs strategies to strengthen disaster risk communication: A conventional content analysis approach. Heliyon, 9(7), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17928 google scholar
  25. Smith, N., Donaldson, M., Mitton, C., & Lee, E. (2024). Communication in disasters to support families with children with medical complexity and special healthcare needs: a rapid scoping review. Frontiers in Public Health, 12, 1229738. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1229738 google scholar
  26. Stebbins, R. A. (2001). Exploratory research in the social sciences. Sage Publication. google scholar
  27. Türk, A. (2022). Deprem özelinde engelli bireylere duyarlı afet yönetimi modeli. Afet ve Risk Dergisi 5(1), 61–77. https://doi.org/10.35341/afet.1078869google scholar
  28. United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015). Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction 2015–2030. United Nations Office for disaster risk reduction. https:///www.undrr.org/publication/sendai-framework-disaster-risk-reduction-2015-2030. google scholar
  29. United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. (2017). The Sendai framework terminology on disaster risk reduction. "vulnerability". https://www.undrr.org/terminology/vulnerability retrieved on June 9, 2025 from google scholar
  30. United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. (2017). The Sendai framework terminology on disaster risk reduction. "disaster". https://www.undrr.org/terminology/disaster retrieved on June 7, 2025 from. google scholar
  31. Yarımkaya, E., & Bakkaloğlu, H. (2024). Experiences of parents of individuals with intellectual disabilities after the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Türkiye: a phenomenological study. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2024.2363009 google scholar
  32. Yurdigül, Y., Bayraktar, R., & Çil, S. (2024). A study on Kahramanmaraş Earthquake survivors: “Social media platforms were more effectively used than the traditional media”. Connectist: Istanbul University Journal of Communication Sciences, (66), 211-229. https://doi.org/10.26650/CONNECTIST2024-1460282 google scholar
  33. World Health Organization (2021). Disaster risk management for health: Overview. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/disaster-risk-management-for-health-overview. google scholar
  34. World Health Organization (2017). Communicating risk in public health emergencies: a WHO guideline for emergency risk communication (ERC) policy and practice. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241550208 google scholar
  35. World Health Organization (2019). Health emergency and disaster risk management framework. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241516181 google scholar