Objectives: The study aimed to clarify the perception of using smartphones as a means for parental control in three-year old children among mothers.

Methods: Participants were ten mothers whose children were aged between three and four years. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted, wherein the participants were asked about their experience and thoughts on ‘using smartphones as a means for parental control in three-year old children’. Data was analysed using inductive and qualitative methods.

Results: The following five categories were identified: ‘A smartphone seizes growth power of children and my parental role’, ‘A smartphone helps me by bringing a sense of reassurance’, ‘The convenience of a smartphone attracts me’, ‘I am responsible for controlling smartphones access as a parent’, and ‘Even when I can rely on a smartphone, I should discover the meaning of parenting my children by myself’.

Discussion: A smartphone is a tool that can adversely affect a mother’s parenting, or can effectively help her to control her child, and its convenience can attract mothers. It is important that mothers use a smartphone in a controlled manner based on their willingness as a parent.

Objective: This research was aimed to clarify the relationship between the importance of participation in preventative healthcare classes by elderly and attitude toward life.

Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to elderly participants (age ≥ 65 years) who were participating in preventative healthcare classes in A city. The questionnaires contained items concerning individual characteristics, the importance of class participation, and the participant’s attitude toward life (e.g., subjective feelings of happiness). Factor analysis and multiple logistics regression analysis were performed to understand the relationship between the importance of class participation and the participant’s attitude toward life.

Results: Questionnaire responses were obtained from 314 out of 378 surveyed participants (effective response rate: 75.4%). Two factors were extracted to the importance of participation in preventative healthcare classes: “Promotion of self-growth” and “Stimulation of psychosomatic and social aspects”. Two factors were extracted to the attitude toward life: “Spiritual and social enrichment” and “Health-oriented”. Both factors of the importance of participation were significantly related to the “Health-oriented” factor of attitude toward life (odds ratios respectively= 15.7 and 3.85). “Promotion of self-growth” was also related to the “Spiritual and social enrichment” factor of attitude toward life (odds ratio = 1.12).

Discussion: Since the importance of participation is related to attitude toward life, it is necessary to develop preventative healthcare classes focused on elderly people’s attitude toward life.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of public health nurse (PHN) preceptors and the career development support systems in the nationwide local governments in which the public health centers were located.

Methods: A nationwide anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted from 2012 to 2015 for PHNs who precepted novice PHNs and were employed by local governments in which the public health centers were located.

Results: Returned were 335 (42.5%) usable responses. PHNs who had experiences fostered by preceptors were 34.9%. Many (45.7%) of the PHN preceptors were educated in technical nursing schools. The majority (88.1%) of novice PHNs being fostered was educated in universities. Preceptors’ career stages were mainly managerial in the prefectures and later-middle in others. Preceptors were asked if they could attend training and 76.1% responded that they could; however actual attendance was 67.2%. The meetings to discuss PHN career development held more than once a month were 33.0%. The frequency of case conferences had significant differences according to the type of municipality.

Discussion: Preceptor trainings, PHN career development meetings, and case conferences need to be more highly developed. The system should gradually provide more support for PHN preceptors in their early-middle career by PHNs in their later-middle or managerial positions.

Objectives: This study aimed to clarify the desire to be monitored and way of being monitored among older residents.

Methods: The participants were residents aged 65 and older from a metropolitan city. Anonymous questionnaires on information regarding demographics, interactions within a community, being monitored, expectations and anxiety regarding monitoring, intention of being monitored, and desired monitoring partner were distributed to all households within the neighborhood associations that agreed to participate. The data were analyzed using a chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test. Significance level was 5%.

Results: A total of 526 questionnaires were returned (valid sample was 511). Results suggested that 74.0% older residents wanted to be monitored. Older residents who wanted to be monitored by neighborhood members had a significantly higher rates of “getting relief” and “connection.” Older residents who wanted to be monitored by health care professionals had significantly higher rates of “maintaining their lives.” Older residents who wanted to be monitored by life support services or systems had significantly higher rates of “being interfering” and “not being able to trust others.”

Discussion: It is thought that the older residents decide the way of being monitored based on expectation and worry considering their relationship with the person.

Objective: This study aimed to discuss the importance of an activity evaluation method that we developed for municipal public health nurse (PHNs).

Methods: We interviewed twelve PHNs in four cities about their opinions on our method and asked them whether it was helpful in improving their practice ability after the trial. We subsequently analyzed the interview data qualitatively.

Results: Some of the opinions on our method were as follows: “I understood both my role as a PHN and the status of or policy on health activities more clearly”, “I noticed that I’m not conscious of current situation and aim of our activity.” When asked whether our method helped improve their practice ability, participant responses included the following: “We understood our own and other PHNs’ viewpoints by having discussions with them.”, “We have a better idea of the thoughts or opinions of young PHNs”.

Discussions: Through the activity evaluation method developed by us, PHNs could confirm the objectives of their activities, understand their thought process better, and share them with other PHNs. Therefore, our activity evaluation method can lead to an improvement in the practice ability of PHNs.