Musculoskeletal pain and post-disaster living conditions among earthquake survivors: A cross-sectional study
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.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Public Health (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
May 1, 2026
Submission Date
November 22, 2025
Acceptance Date
January 22, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 5 Number: 1