Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal sense of coherence (SOC) and paternal participation in child-rearing.

Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional online survey was conducted with mothers who were rearing children aged 1–2 years and living with their spouse or partner (hereafter referred to as “father”), using panel data owned by a research firm. The survey included basic attributes (age, employment status, presence or absence of childcare support, use of childcare facilities and programs, etc.), a short Japanese version of the SOC scale with 13 items, and the fathers’ childcare participation (emotional support, direct childcare, and housework behaviors).

Results: Of the 333 responses received, 331 were valid. Most respondents had low SOC (60%). Binomial logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between high maternal SOC and greater emotional support from fathers (OR=1.051, 95% CI=1.016–1.088, P=0.004). There was no significant association between higher maternal SOC and fathers’ direct parenting or housework behaviors.

Discussion: Fathers’ emotional involvement motivates mothers to view the stress of child-rearing as meaningful, rather than as a negative factor. The findings of this study indicate that paternal emotional involvement, such as actively listening to mothers, is associated with higher maternal SOC than is paternal instrumental involvement, such as childcare and housework.

Objective: To investigate the thoughts of participants who completed a diabetes prevention class regarding the continuation of healthy behaviors.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six participants who maintained their health behaviors for more than 4 months after completing the class. Verbatim transcripts of the interviews were analyzed using the qualitative synthesis method (KJ method).

Results: The internal aspects of continuing healthy behavior included motivating health behaviors that are beneficial to both the family and self. These included choosing diet and behaviors that determine future health status as well as motivating health behaviors that are beneficial to oneself: choosing an easy, comfortable, and inexpensive diet and exercise. On the other hand, difficulties in improving diet existed, as while doing so, no coping methods work for everyone. As an escape route to continuity, freeing oneself from blame and guilt through awareness of one’s right to self-determination is essential. However, the goal of continuation is to maintain good health and enjoy life throughout, although thoughts of difficulty in maintaining weight and coping methods being a battle against oneself were working in the background.

Discussion: The results suggest that the participants view their own choices of exercise methods and eating habits in relation to “how they will live” in the challenging situations related to difficulties in maintaining weight.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of two assessment tools (Pregnancy and Childbirth Assessment Tool and Infancy Assessment Tool) in identifying cases requiring information sharing within child welfare, using case vignettes.

Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to public health nurses across 34 municipalities. Participants were asked to evaluate case vignettes using assessment tools and determine the necessity of information sharing with child welfare based on the provided case vignettes.

Results: In total, 117 responses were obtained. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of the Pregnancy and Childbirth Assessment Tool were 85.2%, 70.2%, and 0.87, respectively. For the Infancy Assessment Tool, the sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 80.0%, 73.9%, and 0.86, respectively.

Discussion: Pregnancy and Childbirth Assessment and Infancy Assessment Tools exhibited good accuracy in identifying cases requiring information sharing regarding child welfare. These results suggest that the tools can facilitate the early identification of children and families in need of maternal and child health support. Further evaluations in real-world settings are required.

Purpose: To examine novice public health nurses’ responses to health crisis management duties during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 novice public health nurses who commenced their employment between 2020 and 2022 and had experience in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The data were analyzed both qualitatively and descriptively.

Results: Six categories were identified: (1) Entering the field with limited preparation and gaining experience through trial and error; (2) Coping with anxiety and adjusting to the workplace through advice and information sharing; (3) Striving to balance infectious disease response with routine duties; (4) Responding flexibly by leveraging personal traits and experiences; (5) Managing an overwhelming volume of consultations and complaint calls; and (6) Assuming mentoring responsibilities while undergoing their own learning process.

Considerations: In situations characterized by high uncertainty and the need for immediate fact-based decision-making, such as those encountered during the COVID-19 response, participants relied more on the Observe, Orient, Decide, Act framework than on the Plan, Do, Check, Act cycle. This suggests that their ability to make situational judgments is supported by a workplace environment characterized by mutual trust and collaborative support.

Objective: To identify the current status and needs of in-service education for nursing professionals (public health and registered nurses) at outsourced Community General Support Centers (hereinafter referred to as “Centers”), stratified by professional qualification.

Methods: Between March and April 2023, questionnaires were distributed by mail to nursing professionals at all outsourced Centers in Hiroshima Prefecture. Responses were collected through anonymous self-administered survey forms or online submissions. The survey gathered basic information, data on the current status of in-service education, preferred educational content, and reasons for these preferences.

Results: Of the 167 participants, responses were obtained from 61 public health nurses and 41 registered nurses (response rate 61.1%). Both groups demonstrated high levels of engagement in workplace activities, on-the-job training, and self-directed professional development. The participation rate in training related to public health activities among nursing professionals at the Centers, excluding work-related training, was low; however, many expressed a desire to participate. Public health nurses tended to seek improvement in their overall health-activity competencies, whereas registered nurses expressed a greater desire to enhance their practical skills.

Discussion: Developing an in-service education program for nursing professionals at outsourced Centers that considers their needs for in-service education is important, which may vary according to nursing qualifications and work experience, and workplace factors, such as nurse staffing levels.