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

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 0.05). 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.