OBJECTIVE : To clarify how public health nurses perceive the health literacy of mothers with infants regarding childcare.

METHODS : The study participants were five public health nurses with >3 years of experience in maternal and child health care working in two cities and three towns with different regional characteristics in prefecture A. A semi-constructive interview-based survey was conducted from March to April 2018, which included a qualitative inductive analysis of how public health nurses perceive the current state of health literacy regarding childcare. The study purpose was explained verbally and in writing, and the participants signed a consent form. This study was approved by the ethical review committee of the affiliated university.

RESULTS : The public health nurses recognized several key factors in health literacy : （1） mothers having access to familiar sources of child-rearing information ; （2） inadequate understanding of child-rearing information due to poor communication ; （3） mothers selecting child-rearing information based on their own values ; （4） child-rearing manuals taking precedence over the child’s situation ; （5） identifying reliable childcare information ; and （6） mothers performing child-rearing at the mercy of excess information.

DISCUSSION : Public health nurses felt the need to educate mothers so that they can make good use of reliable information, including from public health nurses and other professionals. As information technology continues to advance, new infectious diseases （e.g., coronavirus disease） emerge, and online support becomes the mainstay of support. The importance of supporting mothers to increase their health literacy regarding childcare was suggested.

Objective : To determine the levels of disaster awareness among mothers of infants and toddlers, and the changes in such awareness after their participation in a disaster seminar.

Methods : We conducted an online seminar on disaster prevention for mothers of infants and toddlers in prefecture A, and administered a web-based questionnaire survey before and after the seminar. The questions sought to obtain information on the participants’ basic attributes as well as their knowledge and sources of information on complex disasters, disaster awareness, and disaster preparedness. We used descriptive statistics and a corresponding t-test to analyze changes in disaster awareness and demonstrate changes in perceptions of preparedness.

Results : Among the 27 participants, over 90% had little or no knowledge about complex disasters. Less than 10% had some knowledge. The most common sources of information about complex disasters were television and radio, comprising a total of 70%. Disaster preparedness scores increased significantly （p <.001） after the seminar. Furthermore, factor analysis demonstrated a significant increase and differences in Factors 1, and 3, that is, “imagination of disaster situation,” and “other-orientedness” （Factors 1 and 3 : p <.001）. The number of items that the

respondents wanted to prepare for themselves and their children（ e.g., toys and baby food） increased in all categories after the seminar.

Discussion : This study revealed that the participants lacked knowledge regarding complex disasters and were inadequately prepared to face such disasters with their children. As the participants’ disaster awareness and preparedness increased after the seminar, the seminar could be considered effective. Our findings suggest the need for continued disaster-related efforts in the community, including the implementation of awareness-raising activities for mothers, children, and their families regarding complex disasters, as well as the verification of approaches that effectively lead from disaster prevention awareness to concrete action.

The purpose of this study was to characterize nurses’ empathic attitudes towards end-stage cancer patients with fatigue. Data were collected from six end-stage cancer patients with fatigue through participant observation and semi-structured interviews, and qualitatively and descriptively analyzed. Through analysis, 144 codes and 18 subcategories were identified, which were classified into six categories : ［respecting patients’ will and self-esteem in a natural manner］, ［being considerate of patients’ anxiety about the future that drains their energy］, ［sympathizing with patients’ true feelings that are difficult to express and speaking for them］, ［caring about patients as much as possible at all times］, ［understanding changes in patients’ conditions even without much complaint from them］, and ［providing responsible care based on one’s professional knowledge and experience］. Based on these categories, nurses’ empathic attitudes may be characterized as “dedication to try to remove the pain so that it does not overlap” and “high nursing competence based on palliative care experience”.

Objective : To clarify the perceptions of ward chief nurses at community-based hospitals in the Kinki, Chugoku, and Shikoku regions, as well as the current situation regarding career development. Methods : We conducted a self-administered questionnaire survey of 187 ward chief nurses. Results : Responses were obtained from 101 chief nurses （response rate : 54.0%）. Of the respondents, 54 replied that their ward had staff members who desired more advanced education. Their thoughts/opinions about advanced education were classified as follows : ［it helps those nurses to advance their knowledge/skills/career］, ［it is helpful in improving the quality of nursing care in wards/hospitals］, and ［（they）, as ward managers, want to support staff members’ growth/career development］. Support provided to staff members included guidance/advice on goal management, learning for career development, and organizational support such as work shift adjustment and training fees. On the other hand, issues included staff members’ low career orientation, manpower shortages, and difficulties in work shift and duty adjustment. Conclusion : The ward chief nurses wanted to encourage staff members’ growth and qualitative improvements in nursing care and to explore support for career development issues.