著者

Michio Murakami Yoshitake Takebayashi Masaharu Tsubokura

出版者

Tohoku University Medical Press

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.247, no.1, pp.13-17, 2019 (Released:2019-01-11)

参考文献数

14

被引用文献数

27

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Psychological distress has become a serious health risk after the Fukushima nuclear accident. Although, following the lifting of evacuation orders, the affected people have started returning home, their current status of psychological distress has not been reported yet. Here, we report the levels of psychological distress in both returnees and evacuees by using a K6 indicator. In January 2018, questionnaires were randomly distributed among 2,000 people, aged 20 to 79 years old, who were registered on the Basic Resident Register in the evacuation order areas of nine municipalities where residents have now started returning home. The total number of participants was 625. The returnees showed a significantly better psychological distress status than the evacuees. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) among the returnees (reference = evacuees), estimated from a logistic analysis by using age, sex, and annual income as covariates, were 0.525 (0.325-0.846) for K6 ≥ 10 and 0.444 (0.216-0.911) for K6 ≥ 13. The prevalence of K6 ≥ 10 in the returnees when adjusted by the age and sex distribution of the whole of Japan was 16.2%, higher than the value (10.3%) at 20 to 79 years old in the whole of Japan. Psychological distress among the evacuees is an urgent problem to be resolved, and social support is still necessary for the returnees. Long term follow-up of returnees, investigations of causality between return and psychological distress and its governing factors in each of the evacuee and returnee groups are required for the implementation of effective countermeasures.

著者

Michio MURAKAMI Takashi NAGAI Michiaki KAI

出版者

The Society for Risk Analysis, Japan

雑誌

リスク学研究 (ISSN:24358428)

巻号頁・発行日

pp.R-22-008, (Released:2022-11-16)

参考文献数

76

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Risk analysis approaches involving risk assessment, management, and communication have been developed independently in radiological protection, food safety, and environmental sciences. Summarizing the commonalities and differences in risk analysis methodologies in these fields may contribute to updating future risk analysis. Therefore, this review summarizes the multifaceted perspectives of risk assessment, management, and communication, with actual application examples, by introducing the birth of risk concepts and various risk indicators, and the historical development of risk management and assessment. Particularly, reviewing the relationship of socio-psychological aspects, the importance of ethical and normative perspectives, and the role of dialog with stakeholders is helpful. Based on these reviews, we note that understanding and applying risk indicators across fields is necessary in comparing different types of risk events. Furthermore, we mention that the application of risk assessment that considers egalitarianism and maximin principles will become more important in the future when emphasizing the consideration of ethical and normative perspectives in accordance with the social context and needs from the field. We then discuss the challenges and the need to update the risk analysis for planning and crisis management. We argue that incorporating collaboration with stakeholders can lead to ethically and socially acceptable risk assessment, management and communication.

著者

Masaharu TSUBOKURA Yuko NABESHIMA Michio MURAKAMI Tsuyoshi NEMOTO Toshiyuki KAMBE Saori NONAKA Yuki SHIMADA Yurie KOBASHI Akihiko OZAKI Tomoyoshi OIKAWA

出版者

The Japan Academy

雑誌

Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B (ISSN:03862208)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.96, no.2, pp.70-78, 2020-02-10 (Released:2020-02-10)

参考文献数

31

被引用文献数

13

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Responding to the radiation-related concerns of parents/guardians with infants/small children is an important public health issue for regional recovery after radioactive contamination. This study summarizes the results of a systematic internal contamination screening of infants/small children, aged 0–6 years, using BABYSCAN and individual counselling sessions with physicians about radiation concerns from 2014 to 2018 in Minamisoma City. Of 3,114 participants, no one was found to have internal contamination with radioactive caesium with a detection limit of 50 Bq/body. The questionnaire survey showed a decreasing trend of concerns about food contamination and playing outside as possible causes of internal contamination over time. Because people’s concerns were diverse in counselling sessions, individual responses are required. This study showed that examinations using BABYSCAN provide an opportunity for direct dialogue between the parents/guardians of infants/small children and experts. This can be considered a model case for risk communication conducted by the local government after a radioactive contamination incident.

著者

Yuko Hino Michio Murakami Sanae Midorikawa Akira Ohtsuru Shinichi Suzuki Kumiko Tsuboi Tetsuya Ohira

出版者

東北ジャーナル刊行会

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.239, no.4, pp.333-343, 2016 (Released:2016-08-18)

参考文献数

35

被引用文献数

1 26

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After the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident in 2011 and thyroid examinations of children in Fukushima, the Radiation Medical Science Center began “Explanatory meetings on thyroid examination” as a method of communication with residents such as the subjects themselves and their guardians. Through questionnaires, we examined the relationship between anxiety (regarding the effects of radiation on the thyroid) before the meetings and individual attributes including attitudes on radiation, and then verified the effects of the meetings using measures of anxiety, comprehension, and satisfaction, as the outcomes. Of the meetings in 2014-2015, 799 people attended 30 sessions in Kenchu, Kenpoku, Iwaki, Soso, and outside of Fukushima Prefecture, and 594 people responded the questionnaires before and after the meetings on the same day. Level of anxiety before the meetings varied depending on individual attributes (including attitudes regarding collection information on radiation, advisors on radiation, and levels of subjective understanding), highlighting the importance of presenting information about radiation in a manner that is easy to understand, as well as providing opportunities for the exchange of opinions. Participation in meetings reduced anxiety. This was largely attributed to explanations about general characteristics of cancer and objective facts, including doses; status of the Chernobyl accident; and comparison in results of thyroid examinations with other prefectures in Japan. An opportunity for a question-and-answer session also contributed to increased overall satisfaction. The lower number of meeting participants was associated with anxiety reduction and higher subjective comprehension. The present findings obtained will be useful to facilitate evidence-based risk communication.

著者

Yuka Ueda Michio Murakami Masaharu Maeda Hirooki Yabe Yuriko Suzuki Masatsugu Orui Seiji Yasumura Tetsuya Ohira The Fukushima Health Management Survey Group

出版者

Tohoku University Medical Press

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.248, no.4, pp.239-252, 2019 (Released:2019-08-10)

参考文献数

40

被引用文献数

14

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Many studies have consistently reported the bidirectional relationship between problem drinking and psychological distress following a disaster, but the risk factors of problem drinking following a disaster remain unclear. In this study, we therefore aimed to explore the risk factors associated with the incidence of problem drinking among evacuees after the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011. We used the data for evacuees of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident, obtained from the Mental Health and Lifestyle Survey. A total of 12,490 individuals from 13 municipalities, which included the evacuation order areas after the accident, completed surveys between 2012 and 2013. The CAGE (Cutting down, Annoyed by criticism, Guilty feeling, and Eye-opener) questionnaire was used to screen the participants for alcohol dependence, and a score ≥ 2 indicated problem drinking. Logistic regression models were applied to investigate the possible predictors of problem drinking. The results showed that insufficient sleep and heavy drinking (≥ 4 drinks per day) were significant risk factors for the incidence of problem drinking in both men and women. Additional risk factors included family financial issues due to the disaster and trauma symptoms among men and a diagnosed history of mental illness among women. Other remaining variables were not significantly associated with problem drinking. The present study is the first to identify the risk factors for problem drinking following a compound disaster. Our findings could be used to develop a primary intervention program to improve evacuees’ health and lives following a disaster.

著者

Makoto Hasegawa Michio Murakami Shuhei Nomura Yoshitake Takebayashi Masaharu Tsubokura

出版者

Tohoku University Medical Press

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.248, no.2, pp.115-123, 2019 (Released:2019-06-26)

参考文献数

35

被引用文献数

8

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After Fukushima disaster in 2011, the health status of the region’s residents deteriorated. We analyzed the health status, care needs, and access to health services among evacuees and non-evacuees using healthcare expenditure (for self-employed and unemployed individuals aged < 75 years) and long-term care expenditure (mainly for individuals aged ≥ 65 years). Fukushima Prefecture was divided into four areas according to their evacuation status: non-EOAs (municipalities that did not include evacuation order areas (EOAs)); EOAs/non-EOAs (municipalities that included both EOAs and non-EOAs); short-term EOAs (municipalities where the EOA designation was lifted in most areas by fiscal year (FY) 2011); and long-term EOAs (municipalities where most EOA designations remained in place until the end of FY 2015). Increases in expenditure on healthcare and long-term care per capita in short-term and long-term EOAs were greater in FY 2015 than the average values in FYs 2008-2010. The increases in expenditure were higher in short-term and long-term EOAs than those in non-EOAs and EOAs/non-EOAs. The increases in dental health expenditure were attributed to enhanced accessibility to dental health facilities. Furthermore, the evacuations contributed to increases in healthcare and long-term care expenditure, independent of aging and improved accessibly to health facilities. Possible explanations for these increases include the poor health status of the evacuees following the evacuations, reduced availability of informal care provided by family members and neighbors, and reduced patient copayments. The findings highlight the necessity of health promotion among evacuees.

著者

Yui Yumiya Michio Murakami Yoshitake Takebayashi Satoshi Suzuki Tetsuya Ohira

出版者

Tohoku University Medical Press

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.248, no.4, pp.261-272, 2019 (Released:2019-08-22)

参考文献数

28

被引用文献数

8

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After the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, there was confusion among the public caused by uncoordinated information about radiation provided by diverse channels. We explored the association between information sources regarding reconstruction progress after the disaster and mental fatigue in Fukushima. We used data from the annual public opinion survey by the Fukushima Prefectural Government on its policies from 2013 to 2015, which contained survey responses from 1,300 community residents randomly selected from the 28 municipalities in the Fukushima Prefecture. The survey contained a question assessing mental fatigue: “How often do you usually feel mentally tired or depressed?” In total, 2,130 participants (758 participants in 2013, 699 participants in 2014, and 673 participants in 2015) were analyzed. The respondents were classified as two categories, “high mental fatigue” and “low mental fatigue,” based on their responses to this question. Overall, the proportion of participants with high mental fatigue was 13.2%. There was no association between the year of survey or occupation and high mental fatigue. Cluster analysis was performed to classify information sources. Then, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the associations between clusters of information sources and high mental fatigue. We found that unreliable information sources, such as “Internet” and “a combination of TV, radio, and word of mouth,” were significantly associated with high mental fatigue, compared with reliable information sources, such as “municipal public relations in addition to major media (newspaper, TV, and radio).” These findings provide important insights into how information sources affect mental fatigue following a disaster.

著者

Toshihiro TERUI Kazuki YOSHIDA Mie SASAKI Michio MURAKAMI Aya GOTO

出版者

Japan Epidemiological Association

雑誌

Journal of Epidemiology (ISSN:09175040)

巻号頁・発行日

pp.JE20200108, (Released:2020-08-29)

参考文献数

36

被引用文献数

5

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Background: Discrepancies between parents’ reports of paternal parenting have been gaining attention, but epidemiological evidence is scarce in Asia. This study aimed to clarify agreement/discrepancy between paternal and maternal recognition of paternal parenting, and the association between actual paternal parenting time and background factors.Methods: Data from couples whose children attended 4-month-child health check-ups in Fukushima City were analyzed (N = 509). Based on paternal recognition of paternal parenting (PRPP) and maternal recognition of paternal support (MRPS), couples were classified into four groups. Each group’s paternal household work and parenting time were analyzed. Univariable and multivariable analysis were performed to investigate the association between agreement/discrepancy and background factors of children and parents.Results: Frequency of positive agreement (PRPP+ and MRPS+) was 83.9%, whereas negative agreement (PRPP- and MRPS-) was 2.6%. As for discrepancy, PRPP+ and MRPS- was 8.4% and PRPP- and MRPS+ was 5.1%. Fathers’ total median parenting time was 2 (weekdays) and 6 (weekends) hours, and showed significant differences among the four groups. Multivariable analysis revealed that compared to positive agreement, maternal mental health condition and pregnancy intention were significantly associated with the discrepancy PRPP+ and MRPS−, paternal mental health condition and marital satisfaction with the discrepancy PRPP−and MRPS+, and maternal mental health condition with negative agreement.Conclusions: We identified differences in parenting time and mental health characteristics among couples depending on agreement/discrepancy in recognition of paternal parenting. Assessing both parents’ profiles is necessary in clinical practice to promote paternal participation in childcare.

著者

Rei YAMASHITA Michio MURAKAMI Yuichi IWASAKI Nao SHIBAYAMA Keisuke SUEKI Mahua SAHA Goro MOURI Soulichan LAMXAY Haechong O Yukio KOIBUCHI Hideshige TAKADA

出版者

日本水環境学会

雑誌

Journal of Water and Environment Technology (ISSN:13482165)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.13, no.2, pp.179-194, 2015 (Released:2015-04-10)

参考文献数

49

被引用文献数

3 15

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The release of radiocesium from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant caused environmental contamination. We analyzed sources, behavior, and temporal trends of radiocesium by 1-year monitoring in an urban river, the Ohori River. The concentrations of 137Cs in both particulate and dissolved phases decreased to ~ 16% within 1 year. The partition coefficient in dry weather was estimated to be 3.2 × 104 L/kg. 137Cs concentrations in the particulate phase were higher during wet weather than during dry weather on the basis of both suspended solids (SS) weight and liquid volume. The ratios of 137Cs concentration to deposited 137Cs in the Ohori River (e.g., composite: 0.26 m2/kg-SS in June - July 2012) were higher than those in the Abukuma River, probably because of differences in land use. Source analysis by a chemical mass balance method showed that 22% of 137Cs came from river water in dry weather, 39% from river sediments, and 39% from road dust highlighting urban surface deposits such as road dust as major sources of 137Cs in the river water even 2 years after the accident, and that the wash-off of these deposits increased the 137Cs concentration in the river during wet weather.