Disaster Preparedness After the 6th February Earthquake Türkiye: Does The Experience Affect The Preparedness?

This study aims to evaluate the disaster preparedness levels of individuals who sought healthcare at a university hospital following the February 6, 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye and to examine the influence of their disaster-related experiences on these preparedness levels. In this study, conducted after the earthquake, the Disaster Preparedness Scale was used to assess participants' disaster preparedness status, and questions were also included to determine disaster-related experiences. Data was analyzed using bivariate analyses and multiple linear regression models. 1,291 participants were included. Significant differences in preparedness scores were found between education, income, building age, and earthquake resistance of their residence house in terms of scale scores (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the variables of having experienced a disaster before (β=0.770), psychological impact after the earthquake (β=0.630), and losing a close relative due to a disaster (β=1.160) significantly affected disaster preparedness (p