Post-earthquake healthcare challenges: access to medications in affected provinces

Bayram Özgür D.

Sağlık ve Toplum, cilt.35, sa.2, ss.62-69, 2025 (Hakemli Dergi)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 35 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Dergi Adı: Sağlık ve Toplum
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.62-69
  • Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Aim: The February 6, 2023 earthquakes severely disrupted healthcare services, limiting access to medications and mental health support in Turkey. This study aims to examine these challenges.

Method: A cross-sectional online survey assessed 282 participants from the 10 most affected provinces between November 2023 and February 2024. Data included socio-demographics, medication access difficulties, and mental health conditions. Descriptive analyses were conducted using SPSS-23.

Results: Most participants were women (73.8%) and aged 18-25 (72.0%). Significant issues included difficulty accessing pharmacies (30.5%) and essential medications for diabetes (21.7%), hypertension (17.4%), and pain relief (4.3%). Shortages of sanitary pads (63.3%) and hygiene products (16.7%) were noted. Stress increased in 74.8%, with 57.5% reporting poorer sleep; 16.3% sought psychological support.

Conclusion: The study highlights disruptions in medication access. Findings emphasize the need for comprehensive disaster response plans to ensure continuity of essential healthcare services, particularly for individuals with chronic conditions.

Keywords: earthquake, healthcare access, mental health, disaster preparedness