The value of health consultations for local government employees after the radiation accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K10566
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 58080:Gerontological nursing and community health nursing-related
• Research Institution: Hirosaki University
• Principal Investigator: KITAMIYA Chiaki 弘前大学, 保健学研究科, 教授 (10344582)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 健康相談 / 健康課題 / 自治体職員支援 / 災害看護 / 放射線事故

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The health issues of local government employees after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant were reviewed over time. The proportion of health consultations gradually decreased from 10.1% in 2019 to 3.4% in 2022 for psychological illness and increased from 34.3% in 2019 to 84.6% in 2022 for physical discomfort. The number of users per visit was approximately 20.
Mental health issues prevailed until 8 years after the earthquake, whereas physical health issues, including health promotion, prevailed from the 9th year onward. The number of health consultations depended on the requirements of local government officials. Health counseling was considered to be used to address the health issues of local government employees.

Free Research Field

看護学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

福島第一原子力発電所の事故による広域的避難および自治体機能の帰還が行われた。地方自治体職員の健康課題に着目し、さらに継続的に介入を行っている研究は少ない。復興途上の制限のある環境下で、健康相談を実施し職員の健康課題の経年推移から、こころに関する相談が減少し、事故後9年目以降に健康増進を主とする健康相談の活用が見られるようになってきた。今後、同様の事象が生じたときの支援の指針とすることができると考えられた。