A sociological research on the impacts of Kahramanmaraş earthquakes on pregnant women: The case of Elazığ

Earthquakes, which are an unchangeable fact of our country, have a shaking effect with fractures in the Earth's crust. The traces of this effect are reflected in the social space, structures, social relations, and the individuals themselves. The profound effects of the earthquake on society extend beyond being a natural phenomenon, making it possible to be evaluated as a sociological phenomenon. The study of the social impacts of earthquakes reveals that they can have unequal effects on each individual and groups. Particularly pregnant women, who are among the vulnerable groups of society, may be affected by earthquakes more intensely than other individuals. The physical and psychological changes that occur during pregnancy can increase the vulnerability of women who are going through this process. Women whose vulnerability may increases during pregnancy and exposure to traumatic events, such as earthquakes, may impact on them to be more vulnerable to the effects of disaster. Approaching the pregnancy process from a sociological perspective, which is based on a biological assessment of ensuring the continuation of the generation, but emphasizes the importance of this process in social and cultural relational processes. Therefore, the vulnerability of the pregnant group to earthquakes is revealed through the sociological evaluation of the effects of the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes on pregnant women. It is emphasized that these vulnerabilities can be eliminated through the accomplishment of necessary studies in the field, recognition, and taking necessary measures. This research was intended to explain the effects of the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023, on pregnant women through the example of Elazığ. A phenomenological qualitative research pattern was used. The research frame consisted of pregnant women who were located in and received training in secure attachment and kangaroo care through the Life Decoupling Project, the NST department of the Obstetric Clinic of the Elazığ Fethi Sekin City Hospital. The sample group selection was carried out with a purposeful target sampling technique. The sampling group consisted of 30 pregnant women who were patients and received training at the NST department of Elazığ Fethi Sekin City Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient Clinic. In the research methodology process, qualitative research techniques, including face-to-face semi-structured interviews and observations to access information and evaluate the research topic, were used. While the obtained data were systematically analyzed, the qualitative focus of the study was taken into account. In this context, the descriptive analysis method, which is among the qualitative analysis techniques, was used decently. Qualitative data were analyzed, and in the necessary parts, SPSS (Statistics 26) was used additionally in evaluations as well. As a result of the research, it was revealed that the conditions of pregnant women affected by the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes varies and these were depending on different factors within the framework of the 'nine items included in the sub-objectives of the study'. In this research, it has been found that pregnant women are negatively affected by earthquake disasters and therefore they are vulnerable to this disaster. Keywords: Earthquake, Vulnerable Groups, Women, Pregnancy