2026 年 13 巻 1 号 p. 91-105
Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between disaster prevention and community awareness and physical and mental health among residents of the Yunohira district of Yufuin town, Oita Prefecture, Japan. We also aimed to examine the factors that help prevent an accelerated population decline after a disaster.
Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey on residents of Yunohira district regarding their attributes, physical and mental health, disaster experience and prevention, and community awareness. We then performed statistical factor analysis on the collected data.
Results: The residents of the Yunohira area showed a high level of disaster awareness and strong attachment to their community. Although disasters appeared to have a lasting impact on their physical and mental health, those who had experienced a disaster actively engaged in self-care to overcome such challenges. Additionally, community attachment positively correlated with changes in health status, regardless of disaster experience. However, high disaster awareness and strong community attachment alone were found to be insufficient for implementing disaster preparedness actions.
Conclusions: The present findings suggest that strong community attachment may be associated with lower disaster-induced physical and mental fatigue. This attachment could be one of the reasons why the population decline did not accelerate even after repeated severe disasters. Furthermore, as the use of hazard maps, which are the initial step in disaster prevention actions, faces a number of obstacles, promoting the use of hazard maps that are easy for residents to use remains an urgent need.
