A mixed-methods study on speech and language disorders after the earthquake in Türkiye: awareness, service gaps, and lived experiences

This study examines societal awareness levels, service access barriers, and policy gaps regarding speech and language disorders (SLD) after the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, utilizing a mixed-methods approach. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed. A quantitative survey was conducted with 450 participants via stratified cluster sampling across four severely affected provinces. This was followed by qualitative in-depth interviews with 30 participants selected through purposive maximum variation sampling, using a semi-structured interview guide informed by the quantitative findings. 59.3% of participants observed at least one SLD symptom in their families, yet only 19.5% received a formal diagnosis and 14.2% consulted a speech-language therapist. The mean awareness score was 41.2/75. Significant predictors of awareness included educational attainment (β = 0.312), presence of SLD symptoms (β = 0.241), and loss of a close relative (β = 0.211). Qualitative themes highlighted fear of stigmatization, lack of service awareness, prioritization issues, and weak system coordination. A critical service gap exists in post-disaster SLD care in Türkiye. The findings suggest that the integration of SLD screening into disaster response systems, the strengthening of tele-therapy infrastructure, and the implementation of targeted community awareness initiatives may help improve access to speech–language services in post-disaster contexts. Public health relevance—How does this work relate to a public health issue? Public health significance—Why is this work of significance to public health? Public health implications—What are the key implications or messages for practitioners, policy makers and/or researchers in public health?