TheLong- Termed Outcomes of the Earthquakes on University Students Exposed to 1999 Marmara Region Earthquakes

Abstract

In this research, the purpose is to investigate health and memory problems, substance abuse status and fears of university students caused by the earthquakes. It was examined whether these long-term outcomes (health and memory problems, substance abuse status and fears) were related to gender, the situation of losing family members or significant others in the earthquake, the status of sheltering (in tents or prefabricated homes). This research was carried out with 209 university students attending to Anadolu and Osmangazi Universities’ different departments in the years of 2004-2005 were exposed to 1999 Marmara and Bolu-Düzce Eartquakes. In data collection, the questionnaire developed for this research was used. Data were analyzed by means of Chi- square (x2). Research findings indicated that 6 years after earthquake, individuals have not experienced health and memory problems, substance abuse habits caused by these earthquakes. However, approximately half of the participants have reported the ongoing fear appeared after the earthquakes. Moreover, the findings also revealed whether gender, the situation of losing their family members or significant others and the status of living in prefabricated housing sites of individuals exposed to the earthquakes were related to the long-term outcomes of earthquake.Earthquake, 17 August Marmara Earthquake, 12 November Bolu-Düzce Earthquake, university student, long-term outcome.