Objective: An earthquake is a natural disaster that seriously affects individuals physically and psychologically. Although there has been a great deal of research on the psychological effects of earthquakes, few have focused on local health workers and its early effects. In this study, it is aimed to determine the levels and predictors of early post-earthquake trauma of the local health workers working in the affected area in the earthquake that occurred on January 24, 2020, Malatya-Elazig. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on a sample of 201 healthcare workers after three weeks from of the earthquake. In order to determine the factors that may affect the trauma response in the participants, a questionnaire was applied to question demographic variables, previous traumatic experiences, concerns and losses at the time of the earthquake, and institutional and social expectations. Post-Earthquake Trauma Level Determining Scale was used to record post-earthquake trauma levels, and TEMPS-A was used to determine dominant temperament characteristics. Results: Severe trauma level was detected in 25.8% of the participants. Trauma scores were higher in women, those who were married, those who had children, those who experienced the earthquake for the first time and those who had anxiety about losing their own life or their relative's life during the earthquake. In the logistic regression analysis, it was determined that anxious temperament and fear of losing a loved one during an earthquake increased the severity of the trauma, whereas a previous earthquake history decreased it. Conclusions: Detection of the factors associated with the trauma response is important both in terms of protecting the mental health of health workers and ensuring the continuity of health services in disasters such as earthquakes that affect millions of people.

Aim COVID‐19 pandemic has created a serious psychological impact worldwide since it has been declared. This study aims to investigate the level of psychological impacts of COVID‐19 pandemic on Turkish population and to determine related factors. Methods The study was carried out by using an online questionnaire using the virtual snowball sampling method. The sociodemographic data were collected on the following subjects: participants’ experience on any signs of infection within the last month, the history of COVID‐19 contact‐treatment‐quarantine, level of compliance with precautionary measures, the sources of information and level of knowledge about the pandemic process and their belief levels on the knowledge they acquire. Besides, the questions that take place in the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale‐21 (DASS‐21), and “Impact of Events Scale‐Revised (IES‐R) were asked to participants. Results Of the 3549 participants, anxiety was found in 15.8%, depression in 22.6%, stress in 12.9%, and psychological trauma in 20.29% based on moderate and above levels. Female gender, young age, higher education level, being single, high monthly income, presence of psychiatric illness, a large number of people living together, having any signs of infection, and contact history with COVID‐19 infected person or contaminated object are identified as risk factors that may increase psychological impact. Compliance with the rules was found to reduce the risk of psychological response. Conclusions The risk factors for the psychological impact of COVID‐19 pandemic, and acknowledging these factors can help to formulate the interventions to reduce the stress levels of the population.

Background. Parents of a child with neurological problems such as seizures and epilepsy experience significant mental distress. Little is known about the mental state of parents in such a stressful situation. This study aims to determine the prevalence of self-reported depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and quality of life in parents of children with epilepsy and first unprovoked seizure. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted among the parents of children diagnosed with first unprovoked seizure and epilepsy admitted to the Pediatric Neurology Department, Outpatient Unit of İnönü University Medical Faculty Hospital. Participants filled out a questionnaire investigating demographic variables, Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Results. 113 parents participated in the study. Depression was found in 7%, anxiety in 14%, and sleep quality disorder in 33.3% of parents of children diagnosed with epilepsy on the basis of moderate or higher severity, while depression was found in 8.9%, anxiety in 14.3%, and sleep disorder in 21.4% of parents of children diagnosed with first unprovoked seizure. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Mothers were at higher risk for loss of physical function and social functionality. There was a positive correlation between BAI, BDI, and PSQI scores. Quality of life sub-dimension measured by SF-36 was associated with different levels of depression, anxiety, and sleep quality. Conclusion. Addressing parental psychiatric problems by professionals involved in the treatment of children with a history of seizures may have the potential to provide further support for the family and the care of patients.

Objectives: On February 6, 2023, 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude earthquakes struck southeastern Türkiye, affecting 11 provinces and causing significant losses. This study aims to assess the mental health status of survivors in the twelfth month after the earthquake. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey with the virtual snowball sampling method. The survey included sociodemographic data, previous traumas, earthquake-related experiences, and the Post-Earthquake Trauma Level Determining Scale (PETLDS) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: The study included 2544 participants. The mean PETLDS score was 58.14±18.18, indicating that the participants were highly traumatized. Among them, 59.5% had high levels of post-traumatic symptoms, 44.2% had high anxiety, and 61% had high depression symptoms. 35.77% of participants displayed a co-occurrence of post-traumatic stress along with anxiety and depression. Female gender was the strongest predictor of high-level trauma and anxiety, while a history of psychiatric disorder was the strongest predictor of depression. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that symptoms were predicted by low income, low education level, smoking, comorbid chronic diseases, past traumatic experiences, the loss or injury of a loved one due to the earthquake, personal injury, temporary displacement, and damage to homes and workplaces. Conclusions: The findings suggest that one year after the earthquake, mental health problems are prevalent among survivors, highlighting the need for urgent psychiatric interventions.

COVID-19 is the biggest pandemic of the last century. While a large number of cases and mortality rates direct the research to the clinic and prognosis of the disease, the mental health of these patients has recently become a matter of concern. This study aims to predict psychiatric morbidity and possible associated markers in COVID-19 survivors. A total of 102 survivors with COVID-19 infection participated in this study. A questionnaire was applied to the participants to evaluate demographic variables, history of comorbid diseases, smoking, loss of a relative due to COVID-19, and environmental attitudes after the discharge. Length of hospitalization, lung findings, intensive care history and treatments were recorded. Psychiatric morbidities were evaluated with General Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and The National Stressful Events Survey PTSD Short Scale. Anxiety was found in 20.6%, depression in 13.7% based on moderate and above levels, 21.6% had significant PTSD. Female gender, history of psychiatric and comorbid diseases, smoking, perceived discrimination, and lack of long-lasting immunity posed a risk in terms of psychological response. There was a negative correlation between age and depression scores. No relation was found between the duration of hospitalization, presence of lung involvement, receiving intensive care treatment, losing a relative due to COVID-19 and psychological response. On patients treated for COVID-19 infection, psychological response continue after discharge. Mental health support and efforts to reduce stigma among infected subjects can reduce the psychological impact caused by the pandemic.