Individual Preparedness for Disasters and Emergencies: Research on Meskhetian Turks

Objective The main objective of this study is to investigate the level of disaster preparedness and associated socio-demographic characteristics of Meskhetian Turks as a marginalized population who migrated to Erzincan, Turkey due to war and conflict.Methods A total of 426 individuals between the ages of 18-65 participated in this study. Data were collected through face-to-face interview technique by utilizing the General Disaster Preparedness Belief Scale. The t test and one-way ANOVA test and multiple regression analysis (Enter model) were used to analyze the data.Results The total scale scores of the participants ranged between 80-138, with a mean score of 105.43 +/- 10.88. It was determined that the disaster preparedness levels of those who were between 32-38 years of age, who had bachelor's degree, who had disaster experience, and who received disaster training were higher. It was determined that there was a significant positive relationship between the disaster preparedness levels of the participants and age, education level, and disaster training.Conclusions Disaster preparedness levels of Meskhetian Turks were determined to be high. According to the results of the analyses, it was revealed that age, education level, and disaster training variables have a positive and significant effect on the level of disaster preparedness.