Breastfeeding assumes critical importance in the aftermath of disasters such as earthquakes, as it provides all the essential nutrients required by infants, enhances their immune systems, and mitigates the risks associated with using contaminated water for formula preparation. This study investigates the experiences of breastfeeding mothers living in temporary shelters within the earthquake-affected region.

A qualitative approach was employed to identify the challenges faced by breastfeeding mothers. The study’s sample included 14 mothers who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview form and analyzed using MAXQDA qualitative data analysis software, following Colaizzi’s 7-step method.

The mothers in the study ranged in age from 31-37 years, with their infants ranging from 10 days-6 months old. Based on the data gathered from the interviews, 4 main themes were identified: basic life needs (with sub-themes of housing, warmth, nutrition, hygiene/sanitation, sleep, and clothing), emotional difficulties (with sub-themes of shock, fear, crying, and stress), care difficulties (with sub-themes of challenges in accessing medication, constipation, diarrhea, reduced comfort, and decreased urine output), and breastfeeding difficulties (with sub-themes of breast rejection, breast engorgement, baby feeding issues, reduced milk production or interruption, and privacy concerns).

From the onset of the earthquake, mothers encountered significant challenges in breastfeeding their infants. In emergency and disaster situations, it is imperative that experienced health care personnel offer essential information and support to assist these mothers in navigating the difficulties they face.

This study aimed to design and validate a measurement tool in Turkish to assess the challenges perceived by individuals involved in the disaster response process, such as volunteers, health care personnel, firefighters, and members of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

This methodological study was conducted from November 2023 through March 2024. The scale development process comprised item development, expert reviews, and language control, followed by the creation of a draft survey, pilot testing, application of the final scale, and statistical analyses. All stages, including validity and reliability analyses, were conducted in Turkish. While reliability analysis used Cronbach’s alpha, item-total correlations, intraclass correlation coefficients, test-retest reliability, Tukey’s additivity, and Hotelling’s T-squared tests, validity analysis included Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses (EFA/CFA). Software such as AMOS 22.0 and SPSS 22.0 were used to perform statistical analysis.

Findings indicated six dimensions with 23 items, with factor loadings ranging from 0.478 to 0.881. The CFA demonstrated acceptable fit indices. Test-retest analysis showed a robust positive correlation (r = 0.962) between the measurements. The scale’s total Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.913. Sub-dimension reliability scores were calculated as follows: 0.865 for environmental and health, 0.802 for communication and information, 0.738 for organizational, 0.728 for logistical, 0.725 for individual, and 0.809 for other factors.

This study showed that the Perceived Challenges in Disaster Response Scale (PCDRS), developed and validated in Turkish, is a reliable and valid measurement tool. It offers a foundation for understanding the challenges faced by disaster response teams and for formulating improvement strategies.

Despite advances in treatment and outcomes for paediatric heart failure, both physical and psychosocial comorbidities remain notable among this patient population. We aimed to qualitatively describe the psychosocial experiences of adolescent and young adults with heart failure and their caregivers’ perceptions, with specific focus on personal challenges, worries, coping skills, and resilience.

Structured, in-depth interviews were performed with 16 adolescent and young adults with heart failure and 14 of their caregivers. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Content analysis was performed, and themes were generated. Transcripts were coded by independent reviewers.

Ten (63%) adolescent and young adults with heart failure identified as male and six (37.5%) patients self-identified with a racial or ethnic minority group. Adolescent and young adults with heart failure generally perceived their overall illness experience more positively and less burdensome than their caregivers. Some adolescent and young adults noted specific worries related to surgeries, admissions, major complications, death, and prognostic/treatment uncertainty, while caregivers perceived their adolescent and young adult’s greatest worries to be around major complications and death. Adolescent and young adults and their caregivers were able to define and reflect on adolescent and young adult experiences of resilience, with many adolescent and young adults expressing a sense of optimism and gratitude as it relates to their medical journey.

This study is the first of its kind to qualitatively describe the psychosocial experiences of a racially and socioeconomically diverse sample of adolescent and young adults with heart failure, as well as their caregivers’ perceptions of patient experiences. Findings underscore the importance of identifying distress and fostering resilient processes and outcomes in young people with advanced heart disease.