Developing a program to support workers affected by the Kumamoto Earthquake

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19753
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 58080:Gerontological nursing and community health nursing-related
• Research Institution: Fukuoka University
• Principal Investigator: Koga Kayoko 福岡大学, 医学部, 講師 (20598966)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 災害 / 精神的健康

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The Kumamoto Earthquake occurred on April 14 and April 16, 2016, with seismic intensity reaching level 7.This study aimed to investigate the actual health effects on employed individuals affected by the Kumamoto Earthquake and to develop an educational program for them. Surveys were conducted six months and one year after the earthquake. Subsequent surveys funded by the Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research were carried out three years and five years later. Results showed that common self-reported symptoms after the disaster included headaches, lower back pain, irritability, and insomnia. It was evident that older age groups experienced higher levels of self-reported symptoms and psychological stress. Furthermore, three years after the earthquake, high levels of psychological stress were observed, particularly among those whose homes were partially destroyed. Even five years after the earthquake, PTSD was detected in 10% of the individuals surveyed.

Free Research Field

地域・在宅看護論、健康支援、地域包括ケアシステム

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

我が国は、災害多発国である。国連開発計画（United Nations Development Programme;
UNDP）によると1980年から2000 年にかけて年間地震頻度は、世界第4 位とされている。毎年のように大規模災害が発生しており、防災体制強化は重要な課題の一つとされている。先行研究では、経時的に追った研究は少ない。本研究結果は、就労者において震災3年後に精神的健康が低いこと、災害における自覚症状の抽出、ストレス要因を明らかにした。この結果は、就労者の災害における健康問題（二次被害）の予防、離職率の低下、企業における災害対策への指針（BCP：事業継続計画）に大きく寄与できる。