KAHRAMANMARAŞ DEPREMLERİNDE GÖREVLENDİRİLEN İSTANBUL AVRUPA YAKASI 112 ACİL AMBULANS PERSONELLERİNİN TRAVMA SONRASI STRES BOZUKLUĞUNUN DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ

Abstract

Abstract

Natural disasters caused by environmental phenomena have existed throughout human history and are expected to continue occurring in the future. Among these disasters, earthquakes not only result in physical destruction and economic losses but also lead to long-

lasting psychological consequences for affected individuals. Türkiye’s location on an active seismic belt makes the country prone to large-scale and devastating earthquakes at various intervals. In this context, the recent earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş had profound impacts across the country. Following the earthquakes, a nationwide relief and response effort was initiated, with numerous teams deployed to the disaster area from different regions of Türkiye as well as from abroad. In order to provide emergency medical assistance to individuals injured or trapped under the rubble, 112 emergency ambulance personnel working on the European side of Istanbul were also assigned and dispatched to the affected region. The aim of this study was to examine the levels of post-traumatic stress disorder among 112 emergency ambulance personnel from the European side of Istanbul who were deployed to the field after the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. The data were collected using the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale and analyzed with the SPSS 22.0 statistical software package. The study population consisted of 550 emergency medical personnel sent to the disaster area, while the sample included 226 participants who could be reached. The findings indicate that personnel with limited professional experience, female staff members, and those working in the nursing profession were at a higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder.