Consideration of tuberculosis prevention education for immigrants in Japan

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K12325
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 80010:Area studies-related
• Research Institution: Kanagawa University of Human Services
• Principal Investigator: Kigawa Mika 神奈川県立保健福祉大学, 保健福祉学部, 准教授 (10177785)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 感染症 / 国内発生予防 / 滞日外国人 / リテラシーギャップ / 提供手段

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We investigated the information necessary to prevent tuberculosis (TB) in Japan and how to provide it to Nepalese people who wish to work or study in Japan. There are differences between Japan and Nepal in diagnosis methods, treatment policies, and self-payment of treatment costs to TB, which are thought to be factors that make Nepalese people who come to Japan for study or work uncooperative with treatment. Young Nepalese people don't know much about TB, so it was thought that simply encouraging them to undergo tuberculosis checkups and consultations in Japan is not enough. We also found that it is necessary to help them understand that prevention before entering the country is also important. We created educational materials on tuberculosis for Nepalese people who wish to stay in Japan and considered the content and educational methods. We have started research on the relationship between diabetes and tuberculosis onset, and between a history of COVID-19 and tuberculosis prognosis.

Free Research Field

公衆衛生学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年新規結核患者における外国出身者の割合は、新規結核患者数の減少とともに増加している。結核は感染症の1つであり、重要な公衆衛生上の課題である。本研究で得られた知見は、国による疾患への理解や治療方法等が異なることが患者の治療協力に影響する可能性があることを示しており、またその情報提供の手段としてリーフレットのみでなく多様な手段を用いることの必要性を示した点で学術的意義がある。また来日して就業・就学、留学を希望する外国ルーツの者が日本で感染・発病しないための有用な情報提供として本研究の知見は社会的意義が高い。日本で多い糖尿病、新型コロナウイルス感染症と結核との関連を検討することは、有意義である。