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Journals / Avrupa Yaşam Bilimleri Dergisi / 2026 / Volume: 5 Issue: 1

Musculoskeletal pain and post-disaster living conditions among earthquake survivors: A cross-sectional study

Asuman Saltan(YALOVA ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0009-0004-6206-2036
Gözde Acar Arica(YALOVA UNIVERSITY)0009-0002-7509-0904
Cansu Poyraz Deniz0009-0004-8483-6258
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-05-01
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

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

These findings highlight the importance of considering demographic vulnerability alongside post-disaster environmental stressors when planning health and rehabilitation strategies for disaster-affected populations.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Musculoskeletal disorders not only compromise individual well-being but also impose significant burdens on public health systems and labor productivity, particularly in post-disaster settings where physical and psychological stressors are heightened.
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Key Findings & Data:This study aimed to investigate the musculoskeletal pain and its association with lifestyle-related factors among individuals temporarily residing in Yalova following the Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes on February 6, 2023.
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Conclusion & Impact:These findings highlight the importance of considering demographic vulnerability alongside post-disaster environmental stressors when planning health and rehabilitation strategies for disaster-affected populations.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:2023 Verileri
⚙️Variables:earthquakes · lifestyle · motor activity

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders not only compromise individual well-being but also impose significant burdens on public health systems and labor productivity, particularly in post-disaster settings where physical and psychological stressors are heightened. This study aimed to investigate the musculoskeletal pain and its association with lifestyle-related factors among individuals temporarily residing in Yalova following the Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes on February 6, 2023. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out. Participants completed a structured questionnaire evaluating demographic characteristics, post-disaster changes in living and working conditions, physical activity, sleep quality, and social participation. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). A total of 141 participants (mean age: 38.63 ± 14.8 years) were included in the study. A significant positive correlation was observed between age and pain intensity (r = 0.277, p <0.001). Female participants reported significantly higher pain levels than males (p = 0.002). In contrast, post-disaster lifestyle-related variables—including sleep quality, physical exercise habits, social participation, smoking, alcohol consumption, employment status, and housing conditions—were not significantly associated with pain intensity (all p > 0.05). Additionally, 30.5% of participants reported changes in employment status, including 21.3% who experienced job loss. Musculoskeletal pain was found to be prevalent among earthquake survivors in the post-disaster period, especially among women and older individuals. These findings highlight the importance of considering demographic vulnerability alongside post-disaster environmental stressors when planning health and rehabilitation strategies for disaster-affected populations.

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Cite This Article

Saltan, A., Arica, G. A., Deniz, C. P. (2026). Musculoskeletal pain and post-disaster living conditions among earthquake survivors: A cross-sectional study. Avrupa Yaşam Bilimleri Dergisi, Volume: 5 Issue: 1. https://doi.org/10.55971/EJLS.1828394

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