[Relationship between radiation knowledge and radiation effect anxiety on the next generation: An analysis of a questionnaire survey disseminated to residents in Fukushima Prefecture].

Objectives　Since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, many people in Fukushima Prefecture have been concerned about the effects of radiation on their offspring. Although this fear should be relieved since no epidemiological study has shown evidential cases, situations wherein some people misunderstood the existence of evidence have been independently reported. Therefore, in this study, we examined the relationship between radiation knowledge and anxiety about radiation-based genetic effects using a survey mailed to residents in Fukushima Prefecture.Methods　In August 2016, we attempted to contact 2,000 people aged 20 to 79 years in Fukushima Prefecture through a survey distributed by mail inquiring about residents' health. We received 861 responses. Respondents selected their level of concern about radiation effects on the next generation on a four-point scale and answered five knowledge questions about radiation effects and protection. Responses were "correct," "incorrect," or "not sure." After adjusting according to residential area, family configuration, age, sex, academic background, media used, and trusted information source, we conducted multiple regression analyses to investigate the relationship between the level of concern and answers to the knowledge questions.Results　People who answered the knowledge questions more correctly had lower levels of anxiety. The number of "not sure" responses was unrelated to anxiety level. The results indicated that correct answers to questions related to radiation residuals in the body and genetic effects were negatively associated with anxiety. Incorrect answers to the question about genetic effects and another related to cell repair systems were positively associated with anxiety. Moreover, while a correct answer to another question related to the linear threshold model had a positive association, the association was insignificant. Further, any response related to radiation reference values in foods showed no association.Conclusion　Based on these results, we observed an association between the number of respondents with a correct knowledge of radiation and the degree of anxiety about radiation effects on the next generation. However, this relationship and its strength varied depending on the specific knowledge content. As a limitation of this study, the study could not establish any causality. Further studies, such as prospective interventional studies, should be conducted.

[Posttraumatic growth after the Fukushima nuclear disaster: Examination of free descriptions among Fukushima residents].

Objectives　Posttraumatic growth (PTG) refers to a positive psychological transformation experienced as a result of struggling with a major life crisis or traumatic event. In recent times, PTG has been used as a form of psychological support for those who have experienced trauma. In this study, we classified the free descriptions of PTG in Fukushima residents who experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE). We examined the relationship between basic characteristics and PTG clusters, and between "recovery from radiation anxiety" and PTG clusters.Methods　A mail survey was conducted in August 2016 among 2,000 Fukushima residents, aged 20-79 years. We asked the participants for a free description of the specific content of their PTG. We also asked about their age, gender, and education, as well as about radiation anxiety immediately after the GEJE and at the time of the survey. Participants were divided into the following groups: "no anxiety," "recovered from anxiety," and "unrecovered from anxiety". The PTG free descriptions were classified into eight categories, including five dimensions based on the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996) ("relating to others," "new possibilities," "personal strength," "spiritual change," and "appreciation of life") and three categories created according to Nishino et al. (2013) ("increased awareness of disaster prevention," "renewed recognition of nuclear-related issues," and "critical examination of information from authorities").Results　Of the 916 collected responses, data from 786 responses with no missing values were analyzed. Among women and young people, the proportion of those who answered "relating to others" and "appreciation of life" was high. For those with higher education, the proportion of those who answered "relating to others," "renewed recognition of nuclear issues," "critical examination of information from authorities," "personal strength," "spiritual change," and "appreciation of life" was high. In the "recovered from anxiety" group, the proportion of those who answered "renewed recognition of nuclear issues" was high.Conclusion　In assessing PTG, women and young people were more likely to report that they felt closely connected to family or friends, as well as to the community, and that they were grateful for their daily lives. Those with higher education tended to recognize that they have come to critically examine information provided by the national government, electric power companies, and national newspapers; they felt mental strength and growth after the earthquake. Those who recovered from radiation anxiety were more likely to report forming a heightened awareness of issues relating to nuclear power plants and energy.

[Relationship between media usage time and self-rated health among junior and senior high school students].

Objective　Due to the rapid development of the internet, its overuse and addiction among the younger population have increased. Several studies have reported a relationship between the prolonged usage hours of the internet and other media among junior and senior high school students and certain lifestyle habits, such as no breakfast, no exercise routine, lack of sleep, and mental health decline. There is a growing concern that the students' health could be affected due to over usage of the internet and other networking media. Therefore, we have examined the relationship between media usage time and self-rated health (SRH) of the junior and senior high school students.Methods　We analyzed the data of the "Fukushima Citizens' Health and Lifestyle Survey" conducted on May 2016. The participants included in the survey were junior and senior high school students from Fukushima City. We randomly selected 1,633 students and conducted a self-administered questionnaire survey. Of the 1,589 respondents, survey data from 1,480 students (583 junior and 897 senior high school students) were used in the analysis. The analysis was performed in each junior and senior high school student, with SRH as the dependent variable, media usage time as the independent variable, and various lifestyle factors as the adjustment variables. Furthermore, the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated.Results　Fifty-two junior high school students (8.9%) and 123 senior high school students (13.7%) had poor SRH. Among the junior and senior high school students, those who used media for >3 h were more likely to have poor SRH, and the significant association was noted among high school students (OR; 2.30, 95% CI; 1.36-3.90). For both junior and senior high school students, the SRH was significantly associated with obesity, no exercise routine, and stress. Additionally, for the high school students, the SRH was significantly associated with late bedtime routine.Conclusion　Our findings suggest that junior and high school students who overuse media are more likely to have a poor SRH.

Association of Perceived Environment and Physical Activity in Older Adults After the Great East Japan Earthquake.

The aim of this study was to examine the association between perceived environment and physical activity among older adults in Fukushima Prefecture after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and the impact of evacuation. Questionnaires were distributed to individuals aged 65 years and older from October to November 2018. Perceived environment was assessed using a five-item questionnaire on home fitness equipment, access to facilities, neighborhood safety, enjoyable scenery, and frequency of observing others exercising. Physical activity, assessed via the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Elderly Japanese, was segregated into levels based on the median score. Data from 249 participants (74.2 ± 6.9 years) were analyzed. A logistic regression analysis found that the unenjoyable Scenery × Residing in restoration public housing interaction (odds ratio = 3.87, 95% confidence interval = [1.20, 12.46]) was significant. The association between enjoyable scenery and physical activity varied according to whether the participants had experienced evacuation or not.

[The relationship between information sources, media, and "anxiety about the effects of radiation on future generations" in Hamadori and Fukushima Prefecture's evacuation areas after the nuclear accident].

Objectives　Nine years after the accident at the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in March 2011, anxiety about the effects of radiation on future generations persists. We considered the possibility that information from mass media sources and the Internet might influence this anxiety. Thus, this study examined the relationship between information sources and anxiety; based on the results, we consider the necessary measures to reduce this anxiety.Methods　We conducted a mail-based survey by distributing an anonymous self-administered questionnaire to 2,000 Fukushima Prefecture residents aged 20 to 79. We randomly selected 500 residents from Aizu, Nakadori, Hamadori, and the evacuation areas, and compared the data obtained from Hamadori and the evacuation areas. The objective variable was anxiety about the effects (of radiation) on future generations, while the explanatory variables were trusted sources and media the respondents used to get information on radiation. Other variables assessed included health status and knowledge of radiation. We conducted univariate analysis of combined data to assess the relationship between anxiety and the questionnaire items. This was followed by multiple regression analysis with anxiety as the objective variable and those showing significant differences in the univariate analysis as the explanatory ones. We then conducted multiple regression analysis, that included the interaction means between explanatory variables and evacuation areas.Results　Of the 500, 201 respondents were from Hamadori (40.2%) and 192 from the evacuation areas (38.4%). Multiple regression analysis revealed that anxiety was significantly lower among those who trusted government ministries and those who were healthy. Anxiety was also significantly lower among those who correctly answered the question on the genetic influence of radiation, while it was significantly higher among those who correctly answered the question on the dose-response model of radiation-induced cancer. In Hamadori, anxiety was significantly higher among those who watched private national television. In the evacuation areas, the result was the same as that of the combined data.Conclusion　Different information sources and media were significantly associated with anxiety about the effects of radiation on future generations. Therefore, media sensationalism should be reduced to prevent anxiety among citizens. Our findings highlight the importance of selecting information sources and media that disseminate accurate information, as well as the need to improve media literacy among citizens. Furthermore, a dose-response model of radiation-induced cancer must be communicated in a way that is not misleading. Receiving accurate information on the genetic effects of radiation can reduce anxiety among citizens.

[Relationship between prolonged media usage and lifestyle habits among junior and senior high school students].

Objective　In recent years, the long-term use of media (including the Internet, video games, and social networking services) at a young age has been regarded as a problem. It has been pointed out that prolonged media usage may have an undesirable effect on the growth of adolescents from the physical, mental, and social perspectives. Junior and senior high school students are in a particularly important period of self-management of the basic lifestyle habits acquired thus far. Additionally, they must cultivate the ability to interact appropriately with media used daily. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the time expended on media usage and lifestyle habits among junior and senior high school students.Methods　A sample of 1,633 students was extracted from all junior and senior high schools in Fukushima City. Principals of the schools distributed a self-administered questionnaire to their students. In total, 1,589 responses were obtained; as surveys of 30 students were missing values for gender and grade, they were excluded from the analysis, and data from 1,559 respondents were ultimately analyzed. A binomial logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between an independent variable (media usage time) and dependent variables (subjective health, lifestyle habits, and drinking and smoking experience) while controlling for gender and grade.Results　Among junior high students, media usage for more than three hours was significantly related to "no breakfast," "no exercise habits," "irregular sleep," "lack of rest," and "feeling stressed." Among high school students, media usage for three hours or more was significantly related to "poor subjective health status," "eating only one or two meals a day," "no breakfast," "low food diversity," "obesity," "no exercise habits," "irregular sleep," "late bedtime," "waking up late," "drinking," and "smoking."Conclusion　Our findings indicate that three or more hours of daily media usage is related to unhealthy lifestyles in terms of sleeping, eating, physical activity, drinking, and smoking. Junior and senior high school students who responded to the survey indicated that prolonged usage was also adversely related to their subjective health. Because the overuse of media is associated with students' lifestyles and health, it is important to develop an educational system that helps junior and senior high school students use media properly.

Efficacy of group intervention involving physical activity on subjective well-being of elderly returnees after evacuation following the Great East Japan Earthquake.

AIM: In general, physically activity contributes to better subjective well-being (SWB) in the elderly. However, the physical activity level of older people who experienced relocation after the Great East Japan Earthquake has been reported to be low, possibly leading to low SWB. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of group intervention involving physical activity on SWB among older returnees after the Great East Japan Earthquake. METHODS: The participants were randomly allocated to an intervention group (4 men, 10 women) or a control group (7 women). Participants in the intervention group attended a series of weekly classes over eight weeks to encourage daily physical activity, whereas participants in the control group received no intervention. SWB, the primary outcome, was assessed by the World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index. RESULTS: Median variation in the World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index scores at 3 months from the baseline in the intervention and control groups was -1.0 and -2.0 points, respectively; the difference was borderline significant (P = 0.06). There was no significant difference between the groups in the median of variation in muscle strength (P = 0.79) or mobility (P = 0.77) at 3 months. CONCLUSION: The intervention might prevent deterioration in participants' SWB. Further studies involving older returnees with poor physical activity and/or sedentary lifestyle may be beneficial for health promotion in the area.

Effectiveness of an Intervention Program to Enhance the Self-Confidence of Kindergarten Teachers Dealing with Radiation-Related Health Concerns from Parents of Young Children: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effectiveness of an intervention program to enhance the self-confidence of kindergarten teachers who address radiation-related health concerns among parents following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in March 2011, wherein radiation anxiety among mothers with young children was high. Kindergarten teachers are expected to address the concerns of these parents. METHODS: Participants from 2 private kindergartens in Fukushima City were assigned to either the intervention group (n = 10), which received an intervention program comprising lectures, group discussions, and presentations, or the control group (n = 16), which received only written materials used in the intervention program. Changes in the measured scores post-intervention were calculated, and the mean values were compared between both groups using the Student's t-test. RESULTS: The primary outcome was self-confidence, and the difference-in-differences approach was used to assess the effectiveness of the intervention program. The study found a more significant difference between pre- and post-intervention self-confidence in the intervention group compared to the control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The intervention program effectively enhanced the self-confidence of kindergarten teachers in dealing with radiation-related health concerns of parents with young children.

Long-term evacuation and obesity: a 12-year follow-up comparative study of residents inside and outside Katsurao Village after the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Objective: Evacuation, owing to a disaster, impacts various aspects of an individual's life, including health status. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity among residents of Katsurao Village, Fukushima Prefecture, after the evacuation order due to the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011 was lifted in 2016 and to compare the prevalence of obesity by place of residence (inside or outside the village). Methods: The number of examinees, sex, age, place of residence, body mass index (BMI), exercise habits, smoking habits, drinking habits, and dietary status were extracted from the results of health checkups since 2016. We compared the BMI of the indigenes of Katsurao Village by place of residence (inside or outside the village) over time. Results: Although 7 years have passed since 2016, ~70% of the registered residents of Katsurao Village still live outside the village. The obesity rates have consistently been higher among people living outside the village compared to those inside, and the place of residence was the only factor significantly associated with obesity. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest early intervention is necessary to prevent health risks associated with disaster evacuation if the evacuation period is prolonged.

Outpatient rehabilitation for an older couple in a repopulated village 10 years after the Fukushima nuclear disaster:An embedded case study.

BackgroundLittle information is available on the role of community-based rehabilitation after a nuclear disaster. Here, we report the case of an older couple living in an area repopulated after the Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011 who received outpatient rehabilitation.Case presentationAn 84-year-old woman underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) after she fell and sustained a trochanteric fracture while caring for her husband with Alzheimer's disease. The 85-year-old husband experienced worsening behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) following his wife's hospitalization. The couple received rehabilitation at an outpatient facility in a nearby village using a shuttle service. The woman's postoperative anxiety was relieved and her physical function improved. Moreover, the husband's BPSD symptoms decreased.ConclusionA wife and husband showed improvement in physical function after THA and alleviation of BPSD, respectively, following rehabilitation. In post-disaster, resource-scarce areas, older adults may benefit from utilizing the outpatient rehabilitation services available in the surrounding area.

Categorization of disaster-related deaths in Minamisoma city after the Fukushima nuclear disaster using clustering analysis.

The medical situation during disasters often differs from that at usual times. Disasters can lead to significant mortality that can be difficult to monitor. The types of disaster-related deaths are largely unknown. In this study, we conducted a survey to categorize the disaster-related deaths caused by a radiation disaster. A total of 520 people living in Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture, at the time of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, who were certified to have died due to disaster-related causes were surveyed. We divided the participants into those who were at home at the time of the earthquake and those who were in hospitals or facilities when the disaster struck and conducted a hierarchical cluster analysis of the two groups. Disaster-related deaths could be divided into seven groups for those who were at home at the time of the disaster and five groups for those who were in hospitals or facilities at the time of the disaster. Each group showed different characteristics, such as "the group with disabilities," "the group receiving care," and "the group with depression," and it became evident that not only uniform post-disaster support, but support tailored to the characteristics of each group is necessary.

Relationship between the Effects of Perceived Damage Caused by Harmful Rumors about Fukushima after the Nuclear Accident and Information Sources and Media.

The nuclear accident that accompanied the Great East Japan Earthquake of 11 March, 2011, was also an information disaster. A serious problem that arose after the accident and persisted for a long time was the damage caused by harmful rumors (DCBHR). In 2016, a cross-sectional questionnaire survey on health and information was conducted in Fukushima. The eligible population of this survey was 2000 Fukushima residents, which included those in the evacuated areas. We received 861 responses. Data were analyzed using the responses to the question about perceived DCBHR as the objective variable and the sources of information residents trusted and the media they used as explanatory variables. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that those who trusted government ministries and local commercial TV were significantly associated with no effect. In contrast, those who used Internet sites and blogs were significantly associated with a negative effect. This study underlines the pivotal importance of media and information, literacy, and education and discusses how these should be improved to avoid DCBHR in the future. Furthermore, accurate information should be made available to all sections of the population to diminish DCBHR.

Association between Tai Chi Yuttari Exercise and Longevity and Prevention of Long-Term Care Need: Survival Analysis in Kitakata City, Japan.

This study examined whether participation in Tai Chi Yuttari exercise is associated with a delay in the death and new certification for long-term care need of older adults. Individuals who participated in Tai Chi Yuttari exercise classes in 2011-2015 (participation group) were compared with individuals from the Basic Resident Register of Kitakata City (non-participation group). Death and new certification for long-term care need were selected to evaluate the effectiveness of participation in Tai Chi Yuttari exercise classes. The periods from the start date of the observation to each person's date of occurrence of events were calculated. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to compare survival curves between the groups. A total of 105 and 202 individuals in the participation and non-participation groups, respectively, were observed. Survival duration (χ2 = 8.782, p = 0.003) and the period before receiving certification for long-term care (χ2 = 5.354, p = 0.021) were longer in the participation group than in the non-participation group. In the stratified analysis by sex, survival duration was longer in the participation group in men only (χ2 = 7.875, p = 0.005). Participation in Tai Chi Yuttari exercise might be effective in delaying death, especially in men, and new certification for long-term care.

Why Do They Not Come Home? Three Cases of Fukushima Nuclear Accident Evacuees.

Many people wish to return to where they used to live after evacuation due to disaster. After the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, many residents were forced to evacuate due to concerns about radiation. Subsequently, the evacuation order was lifted, and the government promoted a return policy. However, it has been reported that a considerable number of residents living in evacuation sites or other areas wish to return but are unable to do so. Here, we report three cases of Japanese men and one woman who evacuated after the 2011 nuclear accident in Fukushima. These cases reveal the rapid aging of residents and their health issues. These issues suggest that enhancing medical supply systems and access to medical care can aid in post-disaster reconstruction and residents' returning.

Idobata-Nagaya: a community housing solution for socially isolated older adults following the great East Japan earthquake.

Introduction: Following the Great East Japan Earthquake, the living environment of socially isolated older adults has become a pressing concern. In response, Nagaya, a collective housing program, was established in Soma City, Fukushima, Japan to address social isolation among older adults and support their long-term health. This study aimed to identify characteristics of individuals in Nagaya and examine the sustainability of this initiative. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of residents who were relocated to Nagaya, emphasizing their characteristics, the continuity of their stay in Nagaya, and their care certification levels, using data up to December 31, 2022. We employed Kaplan-Meier curves to analyze the duration for which residents continued to reside in Nagaya and the time leading up to the requiring care-level certification. Results: Of 65 people who moved to Nagaya after the disaster, 30 people (46.2%) continued to live there, 21 (32.3%) died during their stay, and 14 (21.5%) moved out. The overall duration of occupancy averaged 6.39 years (SD 3.83 years). The proportion of requiring care-level certification occurrences per person-year was 0.0577 for those without care certification and 0.3358 for those with requiring support level at the time of moving in. Conclusion: In summary, Nagaya-style communal housing may offer suitable living environments for older adults with diverse needs during disasters and serve as a valuable tool for developing public policies in aging societies.

Multisite Lifestyle for Older People after the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster.

After the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster in 2011, the Japanese government implemented a return policy, lifting most evacuation orders in former evacuation areas. Consequently, the return of residents is currently underway. However, it has become common for a large number of residents to carry out multisite living, a lifestyle involving returning to their hometown while maintaining their house at the evacuation site, or living at more than two sites. This report focuses on one aspect of the secondary effects of the nuclear incident, which forced affected residents to adopt a multisite lifestyle. Disasters always have a strong impact, via displacement, on those who are socially vulnerable, such as older people in an ageing society. They need intense support to resume their daily life as it was before the incident. For this report, we interviewed an elderly lady in her 90s, who is executing "multisite living" at evacuation sites, in order to obtain reassurance from neighbours and the local community. Our findings may provide valuable suggestions on how older people can restart their lives with the local community in an ageing society after disasters, which could apply to any kind of disaster preparedness.

Association of the Number of Teeth With Physical Function and Length of Hospital Stay After Hip Fracture Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study at a Tertiary Hospital in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: Although lower-extremity muscle strength is associated with physical function, there are challenges in assessing the muscle strength of patients after hip surgery due to pain or limited cognitive function. The number of teeth is a characteristic that can be easily examined. Although the relationship between the number of teeth and physical function has been reported in recent years, there are no reports examining the relationship with prognosis in patients with hip fractures. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between the number of teeth and physical function and length of hospital stay after hip fracture surgery and to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the number of teeth on postoperative prognosis. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary clinical care facility. Patients aged ≥65 years who underwent hip surgery were included. A total of 101 patients (mean age: 85.1±8.0 years) were included. The factor analyzed was the number of teeth at admission. Patients were divided into two groups according to the number of teeth: those with ≥20 and those with ≤19 teeth. The outcomes were knee extension muscle strength-to-weight ratio at two weeks postoperatively and the length of hospital stay. A multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the association between the two groups. RESULTS: Of 101 patients, 79 (78.2%) had ≤19 teeth, whereas 22 (21.8%) had ≥20 teeth. The mean muscle strength-to-weight ratio and length of hospital stay were 0.26±0.11 kgf/kg and 57.5±31.4 days, respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the number of teeth was significantly associated with the muscle strength-to-weight ratio (ß=-0.26, p=0.04) but not with the duration of hospitalization (ß=0.17, p=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that assessment of the number of teeth at admission may be a useful predictor of patient physical function.

Feasibility study of an intervention program to enhance self-confidence of kindergarten teachers who deal with radiation-related health concerns from parents with young children.

BACKGROUND: Following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident in March 2011, radiation anxiety was high among residents in affected areas. Enhancing radiation-related health literacy is effective in reducing radiation anxiety. This feasibility study aimed to examine a novel intervention program to enhance the self-confidence of kindergarten teachers who deal with radiation-related health concerns from parents in order to determine the feasibility of conducting a future randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Teachers and administrative staff of two private kindergartens in Fukushima City and members of Media Doctor Japan (a research group for enhancing the quality of health news reporting in Japan) were recruited for study participation. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group participated in the intervention program, comprised of lectures, group discussions, and presentations. The control group received the same written materials used in the intervention program. The primary outcome of this study was feasibility, assessed via four questions concerning program acceptability and described without quantitative analysis. Secondary outcomes were self-confidence concerning parent consultation (1 question, 4-point Likert scale), radiation-related health knowledge (5 question quiz, 1 point for each correct answer, score: 0-5), and health literacy (assessment developed by Ishilawa, et al., score: 1-5) assessed numerically before and after the intervention. Means and standard deviations of outcomes before and after the intervention and their changes in both groups were reported with groups of participants (kindergartens and the Media Doctor Research Japan) reported separately. No quantitative analyses were performed for secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Five and six kindergarten workers and seven and seven Media Doctor Japan members participated in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Reported acceptability was generally positive, and only one participant gave a negative response regarding program usefulness. Improved self-confidence was found in kindergarten employee participants. Radiation-related health knowledge was higher after the intervention in both kindergarten teachers and Media Doctor Japan members. The amount of change was higher in the intervention group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention program enhanced self-confidence in kindergarten employees. The feasibility of the intervention program for a larger randomized controlled trial was ascertained. Time to conduct lectures and group discussions should be increased to further enhance health literacy. TRIAL REGISTRATIONS: UMIN000042527 [University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) Center] registered on November 25, 2020.

Issues in Radiation Nursing Education in Japan Before and After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident.

BACKGROUND: The response of nurses in Japan to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident was deemed inadequate. This study examined the issues in Japanese radiation nursing education. METHOD: Anonymous, self-administered postal questionnaires were sent to managers and teachers of 1053 basic nursing educational institutions in Japan. RESULTS: Among the 342 institutions that completed the questionnaire, 218 (63.7%) had incorporated Radiological Nursing Education into their curriculum while 124 (36.3%) had not. Based on the time of their incorporation, they were divided into the pre-accident incorporation group and the post-accident incorporation groups. For 89 of 111 institutions (85.6%) in the former group, the main reason for the incorporation was radiotherapy care. For 11 of 26 institutions (42.3%) in the latter group, the incorporation was their response to the nuclear disaster. CONCLUSION: Nursing education in Japan has been inadequate, and as such, nurses find it hard to respond to nuclear disasters. Examining the current nursing education system and building a new model based on the nuclear disaster experience are urgent issues.

Subjective Wellbeing and Related Factors of Older Adults Nine and a Half Years after the Great East Japan Earthquake: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Coastal Area of Soma City.

This study examined older adults' subjective wellbeing and related factors in the coastal area of Soma City nine and a half years after the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE). Data were collected from 65- to 84-year-old residents and 1297 participants via a questionnaire from October to November 2020. The participants were divided into two groups: housing complexes and non-housing complexes. The dependent variable was subjective wellbeing assessed via Lawton's Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS). Using multivariate regression analysis, the factors most strongly related to a low PGCMS score for both groups were poor health conditions, difficulties resting while asleep, poor financial wellbeing, inability to chew certain foods, and fear of solitary death. The GEJE experience was further distinguished in the housing complex group by the loss of an important non-family individual; for the other group, important factors were female gender, junior high school education level or lower, limited social networks, and deterioration of a family member's health. Older adults' subjective wellbeing in Soma City was low after nine and a half years following the GEJE. For disaster victims and their families in both groups, it is crucial to implement measures such as long-term, continuous physical and mental health support.