Epidemiological Data of Patients Consulted to Kayseri City Hospital Physical Therapy Clinic in the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake

The quality of life of people after the earthquake is significantly affected. In particular, adequate and correct management of the damage caused by trauma on the human body is very important to reduce disability. Epidemiological information about the injury pattern from past earthquakes is crucial for preparedness and effective response to potential earthquakes in regions where resources are scarce. Thanks to the epidemiological data obtained from post-earthquake injury patterns, hospitals can be prepared for possible earthquakes, and disability and mortality can be reduced.

Although many earthquake victims suffer injuries that require treatment, there are large gaps in knowledge regarding the epidemiology of earthquakes. It is essential to evaluate the data collected after the earthquake in the planning phase of the health demands of the earthquake area. Epidemiological studies on earthquakes guide the planning and organization of health services for hospitals located in and around the earthquake area. By knowing the injury patterns that will occur after the earthquake, the effectiveness of the early and specific treatments to be applied to the earthquake victims can be increased significantly. In this way, complications, disability and mortality rates that may occur in future natural disasters can be reduced. The aim of this study is to record the injury patterns and treatments of the patients who were consulted to the physical therapy and rehabilitation clinic after the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake in our country, which is an earthquake zone, and to ensure that the physical therapy physicians meet the possible earthquakes in a more knowledgeable, experienced and prepared manner.