The Relationship Between Post-Earthquake Anxiety Status with Sleep Problems, Low Back and Neck Pain in Victims of the Kahramanmaraş-Centred Earthquakes

Abstract

Background: This study aims to examine the relationship between the post-earthquake anxiety status of victims of the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquake and sleep problems, low back and neck pain. Materials and Methods: Individuals with a mean age of 27.9±9.1 years who experienced the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquake were included in the study. The individuals included in the study was evaluated with the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results: Of the participants, 67% were determined to have mild, moderate, and severe anxiety, and all of them had poor sleep quality (6.9±3.8). While the mean PSQI score of 57% of the participants sheltered in their own homes was 5 and above, this rate was 75% for those sheltered outside their homes. Of the individuals sheltered in their own homes, 27% and 37% of those sheltered outside their own homes had the ODI score percentages above 20%. A statistically moderate correlation was determined between the BAI score and the ODI score, the NDI score, and the PSQI score (r=0.511, r=0.604, r=0.539, respectively). Conclusions: Post-earthquake anxiety was revealed to be associated with sleep problems and low back and neck pain. Considering the relationship between the presence of anxiety, sleep problems, low back and neck pain in the support approaches to be adopted toward earthquake victims, approaches involving these parameters should be planned.