Purpose
To clarify the health condition in mind and body of schoolchildren suffering from the effects of the Great East Japan Earthquake and health support services provided by their Yogo teachers.
Methods
Group interviews were carried out with three Yogo teachers from schools in Town A which was evacuated following the earthquake. The contents of the interviews were analyzed qualitatively.
Results and Discussion
1．Present health condition of schoolchildren
The results were classified into nine categories: (1) worries about future prospects for study and living; (2) increase in absenteeism due to changes in home environment; (3) worries and loneliness due to changes in relationships with friends; (4) inability to adjust to changes in school environment; (5) feeling limitations for coping; (6) increase in absenteeism; (7) parental concern about radioactive contamination; (8) adjustments to school life in evacuated areas; and (9) returning to normal school life. Even 18 months after the earthquake disaster chronic physical and psychological stresses due to living in temporary shelters for prolonged periods have led to physical and psychological problems and absenteeism. The results also reveal parental concern about radioactive contamination harming their children's health.
2．Health support services provided by Yogo teachers
These were classified into 13 categories: (1) providing health and hygiene goods to temporary shelters; (2) providing first-aid to evacuees; (3) ensuring the safety of children; (4) confirming the safety of children; (5) health management of children; (6) psychological care of children; (7) visiting absentee students at home; (8) support for families; (9) cooperation with specialists in other organizations; (10) cooperation with other school staff and organized responses; (11) undertaking coordination roles; (12) resuming normal running of treatment rooms; and (13) carrying out support activities based on their own experiences of the disaster. Yogo teachers were found to have resumed using treatment rooms at an early stage and conducted various health support activities. They wish to continue their health support efforts, making use of their own experiences of the earthquake disaster.
Conclusions
Early resumption of school functioning has played a key role in recovering the children's spirits and providing teachers and families with hope. Considering there is no sign of full recovery and problems with nuclear plants have not been resolved, is important to continue health support activities for children.
