Earthquake Risk Perception and Preparedness of a Sample of Residents Following a Major Earthquake in Türkiye in 2023

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate these residents’ levels of earthquake risk perception and preparedness following the disastrous earthquake event on 6 February 2023 near Kahramanmaraş in Türkiye. The study involved a cross-sectional descriptive design. A sample of convenience comprising 411 residents of areas not impacted directly by the 6 February 2023 earthquakes completed an online survey over a three-month period March to May 2023. There was no indication of notably elevated levels of earthquake risk perception among those residents surveyed overall. Levels of physical, or material, preparedness for earthquakes were lower than desirable. Earthquake risk perception was negatively, though weakly, related to both physical and psychological preparedness. Physical preparedness was strongly and positively correlated with psychological preparedness. Having (a)past earthquake experience (b)read or viewed earthquake safety material, (c)attended earthquake safety meetings and (d)work experience related to emergencies were all associated with significantly higher levels of residents’ preparedness. Although the information was collected a short time after a disastrous earthquake event when overall levels of community awareness of the danger posed by earthquakes were likely to be high, the findings about the levels of a possible earthquake preparedness were not satisfactory. Possible implications for improving community earthquake preparedness are discussed.