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

Year 2026, Volume: 5 Issue: 1 , 35 - 43 , 01.05.2026

Asuman Saltan , Gözde Acar Arica , Cansu Poyraz Deniz

https://doi.org/10.55971/EJLS.1828394

https://izlik.org/JA46TD34TC

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

earthquakes , lifestyle , motor activity , pain

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