Mental Health of the Children Living in the Temporary Housing Complex in Fukushima after the Great East Japan Earthquake (2)

ABSTRACTObjective:We aimed to investigate the association between types of housing and allergic symptoms at 3–4 years following the Great East Japan Earthquake.Methods:Our study was based on the ToMMo Child Health Study conducted in 2014 and 2015, a cross-sectional survey of public school children in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. Of the 46 648 invited schoolchildren in the 2nd to 8th grades, 9884 were included. Presence of eczema, wheezing, and mental health symptoms was defined with questionnaires. To calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs for the associations between types of housing and eczema or respiratory symptoms, we fitted generalized linear mixed models, included a random effect for municipality of residence, and adjusted for sex, school grade, survey year, and mental health symptoms.Results:Prefabricated temporary housing was significantly associated with eczema symptoms (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.06–2.02). Even after adjusting for the presence of mental health symptoms, our analysis produced similar results (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.03–1.96). Conversely, it was not significantly associated with respiratory symptoms (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.61–1.54).Conclusions:Children living in prefabricated temporary housing had a higher prevalence of eczema symptoms; however, prevalence of respiratory symptoms was not significantly higher.

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Health Effects of a Farming Program to Foster Community Social Capital of a Temporary Housing Complex of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2015.6 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 103-110 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Sho Takahashi ◽

Mikihito Ishiki ◽

Naoki Kondo ◽

Aiko Ishiki ◽

Takeshi Toriyama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Purpose In Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Great East Japan Earthquake ◽

Health Promotion Program ◽

Temporary Housing ◽

Mineral Density ◽

Disaster Victims ◽

Control Subjects ◽

Sense Of Purpose

ABSTRACTObjectiveWe launched a health promotion program called the Hamarassen (“let’s get together”) Farm, which provided farming opportunities for the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake who resided in temporary housing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of this program on physical and mental health in terms of bone mineral density (BMD) and a sense of purpose in life.MethodsAmong 39 female participants in whom BMD was evaluated, there were 12 Hamarassen participants, 8 self-farming control subjects, and 19 non-farming control subjects. BMD was measured by calcaneal quantitative ultrasound immediately after the project launch and 5 months later. A sense of purpose in life prior to and 2 months after the project’s commencement was measured in 21 additional Hamarassen participants by use of the K-I Scale. Interviews were also conducted to qualitatively evaluate the effects of the Hamarassen program.ResultsThe mean BMD T-score improved by 0.43 in the Hamarassen group, by 0.33 in the self-farming group, and by 0.06 in the controls (p=0.02). Among the 21 Hamarassen participants in whom mental health was evaluated, the average score for a sense of purpose in life improved from 20.5 to 24.9 (p=0.001).ConclusionsThe Hamarassen Farm provided disaster victims with opportunities for social participation, interpersonal interaction, and physical exercise; such opportunities may improve physical and psychosocial well-being. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:103-110)

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Social Support Improves Mental Health among the Victims Relocated to Temporary Housing following the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1620/tjem.234.241 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 234 (3) ◽

pp. 241-247 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

Shihoko Koyama ◽

Jun Aida ◽

Ichiro Kawachi ◽

Naoki Kondo ◽

S V Subramanian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

Great East Japan Earthquake ◽

Temporary Housing

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Re-Increased Male Suicide Rates in the Recovery Phase Following the Great East Japan Earthquake

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000656 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (6) ◽

pp. 422-428 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Masatsugu Orui

Keyword(s):

Social Connectedness ◽

Recovery Phase ◽

Great East Japan Earthquake ◽

Temporary Housing ◽

Period Analysis ◽

Suicide Rates ◽

Male Suicide ◽

The Social ◽

The Difference

Abstract. Background: Monitoring of suicide rates in the recovery phase following a devastating disaster has been limited. Aim: We report on a 7-year follow-up of the suicide rates in the area affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, which occurred in March 2011. Method: This descriptive study covered the period from March 2009 to February 2018. Period analysis was used to divide the 108-month study period into nine segments, in which suicide rates were compared with national averages using Poisson distribution. Results: Male suicide rates in the affected area from March 2013 to February 2014 increased to a level higher than the national average. After subsequently dropping, the male rates from March 2016 to February 2018 re-increased and showed a greater difference compared with the national averages. The difference became significant in the period from March 2017 to February 2018 ( p = .047). Limitations: Specific reasons for increasing the rates in the recovery phase were not determined. Conclusion: The termination of the provision of free temporary housing might be influential in this context. Provision of temporary housing was terminated from 2016, which increased economic hardship among needy evacuees. Furthermore, disruption of the social connectedness in the temporary housing may have had an influence. Our findings suggest the necessity of suicide rate monitoring even in the recovery phase.

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Five-year Psychosocial Impact of Living in Post-Disaster Prefabricated Temporary Housing

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2021.212 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-31

Author(s):

Tetsuya Akaishi ◽

Tomomi Suzuki ◽

Harumi Nemoto ◽

Yusuke Utsumi ◽

Moe Seto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Interaction ◽

The Other ◽

Temporary Housing ◽

Psychiatric Status ◽

History Of ◽

Psychosocial Conditions ◽

Long Term Impact ◽

Post Disaster

Abstract Objective: This study aims to evaluate the long-term impact of living in post-disaster prefabricated temporary housing on social interaction activities and mental health status. Methods: A total of 917 adult residents in a coastal town, whose residences were destroyed by the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE), were enrolled for the assessment held five years after the disaster. They answered questions about their experience and consequence of living in prefabricated temporary housing after the disaster. Their present scores on five types of self-reported measures regarding the psychosocial or psychiatric status and their present and recalled social interaction activities were cross-sectionally collected. Results: A total of 587 (64.0%) participants had a history of living in prefabricated temporary housing, while the other 330 (36.0%) had not. The prevalence of social interaction activities significantly decreased after the GEJE. However, the experience of living in prefabricated temporary housing did not adversely affect the subsequent social interaction activities or mental conditions of the participants five years after the disaster. Conclusions: Living in post-disaster prefabricated temporary housing may not negatively impact subsequent psychosocial conditions or social interaction activities five years later.

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Practical Report of Disaster-Related Mental Health Interventions Following the Great East Japan Earthquake during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Potential for Suicide Prevention

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph181910424 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (19) ◽

pp. 10424

Author(s):

Masatsugu Orui ◽

Suzuka Saeki ◽

Shuichiro Harada ◽

Mizuho Hayashi

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

High Risk ◽

Telephone Counseling ◽

National Average ◽

Great East Japan Earthquake ◽

Health Interventions ◽

Financial Difficulty ◽

High Psychological Distress ◽

Mental Health Interventions ◽

Questionnaire Surveys

Background: This practical report aims to publicize the ongoing disaster-related mental health interventions following the Great East Japan Earthquake during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Disaster-related mental health interventions consisted of: (1) screening high-risk evacuees with high psychological distress (Kessler 6 score ≥ 13) or binge drinking; and (2) visiting selected high-risk individuals and providing them counseling through outreach in evacuee housing. These activity records were compiled from existing material in the Sendai City Office; therefore, no new interviews or questionnaire surveys were conducted. Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, we introduced telephone counseling and shortened the time of support as a result of the restrictions. Counselors addressed issues of “loneliness” or “isolation” among evacuees, who had little connection with society due to the pandemic. Moreover, the procedure for obtaining COVID-19 special financial aid was explained to evacuees in financial difficulty. During this period, the suicide rates in the affected area did not increase significantly as compared to the national average. Conclusions: Our report may be instructive in terms of preventing suicide during the pandemic using high-risk approaches and counselors trained in disaster-related mental health interventions.

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Effect of Residence in Temporary Housing After the Great East Japan Earthquake on the Physical Activity and Quality of Life of Older Survivors

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2017.19 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 701-710 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Nobuaki Moriyama ◽

Yukio Urabe ◽

Shuichi Onoda ◽

Noriaki Maeda ◽

Tomoyoshi Oikawa

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Physical Activity Level ◽

Great East Japan Earthquake ◽

Activity Level ◽

Control Group ◽

Temporary Housing ◽

Mobility Function

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to compare the physical activity level and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between older survivors residing in temporary housing after the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE; temporary housing group) and older individuals residing in their own homes (control group) and to clarify whether mobility function and muscle strength were correlated with physical activity among older temporary housing residents.MethodsSubjects were recruited to the temporary housing group (n=64, 19 men and 45 women) or control group (n=64, 33 men and 31 women) according to their residence. Physical activity was assessed by the number of walking steps determined by using a triaxial accelerometer, mobility function by the Timed Up and Go test, muscle strength by the grasping power test, and HRQOL by the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short Form Survey v2.ResultsIn the temporary housing group, reduced physical activity and correlation between physical activity and mobility function in men, and muscle strength in both men and women, were observed. There was no significant difference in HRQOL between groups except for bodily pain in women.ConclusionSupport for older evacuees should focus on maintaining their physical activity level as well as on HRQOL to avoid deterioration of health in these survivors. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:701–710)

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Factors in Mental Health Problems among Japanese Dialysis Patients Living in Heavily Damaged Prefectures Two Years after the Great East Japan Earthquake

Advances in Psychiatry ◽

10.1155/2015/265907 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Hidehiro Sugisawa ◽

Hiroaki Sugisaki ◽

Seiji Ohira ◽

Toshio Shinoda ◽

Yumiko Shimizu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Disaster Planning ◽

Health Problems ◽

Great East Japan Earthquake ◽

Specific Factor ◽

Dialysis Patients ◽

Related Factors ◽

Mitigating Factors

This study examined the prevalence of mental health problems and related factors among dialysis patients living in prefectures that were heavily damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Research was conducted two years following the disaster, and data of 1500 residents of the prefectures were analyzed. This study examined disaster related stressors, gender, socioeconomic status, health problems prior the earthquake, and social support, all of which have been identified as aggravating/mitigating factors in previous research on disaster survivors. We also examined advanced awareness of emergency planning as a dialysis specific factor. Mental health problems after the disaster were categorized into three types: PTSD and depression comorbidity, PTSD only, and depression only. Results indicated that people with comorbidity, PTSD, and depression comprised 7.5%, 25.0%, and 2.9% of the sample, respectively. Not only disaster related stressors but also health problems prior to the disaster had an aggravating direct effect on comorbidity and PTSD. In addition, social support and advanced awareness of disaster planning had a mitigating effect on comorbidity. These results suggest that advanced awareness of disaster planning is a dialysis specific factor that could decrease the occurrence of comorbidity among dialysis patients following a disaster.

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