Public Health Nurses’ Activities Conducted in Normal Times to Promote Residents’ Mutual Assistance during Disaster

Abstract

Objective: To identify activities performed by public health nurses (PHNs) in normal times that have promoted residents’ mutual assistance during disasters across different municipalities in Japan.

Method: We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional self-report questionnaire survey of PHNs in 1,463 municipalities. The questionnaires assessed whether activities were conducted to promote residents’ mutual assistance during disasters and if so, what details could be provided. We provided a qualitative analysis of the objects and method of such activities.

Results: We obtained 535 responses (a valid response rate of 36.6%). We found that 160 municipalities (29.9%) had conducted the aforementioned activities, and nine categories were extracted from 199 codes. The categories were as follows: “Hold meetings and drills for mutual assistance in the event of a disaster for resident groups;” “Develop a disaster prevention system that includes those requiring special care together with district organizations, etc. ;” “Link health services with activities to promote residents’ mutual assistance during disaster;” “Provide residents with education regarding mutual assistance in times of disaster in various ways and contents;” and “Discuss and take measures for disaster prevention and mutual assistance within an organization to improve comprehensive care in the community.”

Discussion: The characteristics of these activity were: group support that produces mutual assistance, including for those requiring special care; a population approach to prepare mutual assistance in the disaster by joining with daily health activities; system construction that makes mutual assistance a constant in normal times as well as in the case of disaster.