Health Risk Perceptions and Behaviors among Japanese Overseas Workers Serving in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Introduction

  The number of Japanese working in developing countries is increasing, and it is critical to understand more clearly their perceived travel risks and ensuing behaviors. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate health risk perception, health behavior, and disease prevention among Japanese overseas workers who had lived in low and middle-income countries.

Methods

  A qualitative descriptive design was used. A purposive sample of Japanese (N = 8; [3 men; 5 women]) experienced in sponsored overseas volunteer work were interviewed.

Results

  Three categories emerged from the content analysis of health risk perceptions: pre-overseas travel concerns, increased awareness of travel-related risks, and desire to avoid injury or illness. The related health behaviors and disease preventions were: pre-departure preparatory steps for preventive actions, preventive efforts against injury and illness using available resources, finding a safe hospital, and treatment of health problems. Their health behaviors reflected the extent of activities they had to undertake to protect health when they had limited knowledge of and access to the country’s resources. In the absence of continuous health advice from reliable sources, past experience became important.

Conclusions

  The health risk perceptions of the overseas worker were informed by their past experience and from pre-departure advice, which in turn influenced their pre-departure preparation. Pre-departure and in-country advice could be very important to support the efforts of overseas workers to avoid injury or illness.