Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2025

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
Published on: December 6, 2024
Health problems among disaster responders to the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake: a cross-sectional study
Karin Hugelius1, Jason Murphy2,3, Karin Blomberg4
1Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro university, Örebro, SE-701 82, Sweden. karin.hugelius@oru.se.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to describe perceived health problems among disaster responders after the earthquake in eastern Turkey/Syria in February 2023.
Methods:
A non-probability cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey.
Results:
A total of 525 local (18%) and international disaster responders (81%) participated in the study. Of these responders, 46% reported physical or mental health problems during or after their deployment, 15% required medical care during the mission, and 7% required medical evacuation. The most common health problems during the field mission were feeling scared or unsafe, sleeping problems, and headache. After the mission, fatigue, sleeping problems, and feeling depressed were the most frequently reported health problems. The local responders perceived significantly more health problems than did the international responders. Approximately 11% of the participants could not return to their ordinary work after deployment because of infections or mental health issues.
Conclusions:
Physical and mental health problems are commonly perceived by disaster responders and may reduce the effectiveness of disaster response. Raising awareness of health risks among disaster response workers and employers is essential to ensure proper duty of care and should include reparations and medical support during and after disaster response operations.
Related Concept Videos
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Bystander Effect

