Purpose, The purpose of the study is to discover difficulties and related factors that affect non-Japanese women during their pregnancies, and to offer suggestions for the provision of appropriate midwifery practice and education for non-Japanese in Japan.
Method, Non-Japanese participants were recruited at an English language childbirth class. Semi-structured interviews were conducted during participants’ pregnancies and/or after childbirth. Content analysis based on both inductive, with categories based on the Sunrise model, and deductive approaches was performed. Data was collected from April to October 2012.
Results, Eleven women participated in this study. They experienced difficulties because of differences between their own culture and Japanese culture. Difficulties described by participants varied from troubles and worries at medical settings to struggles and annoyances in their daily life. “Peer networks” served as a mediating factor aimed at amelioration of cultural gaps. On the other hand, “embarrassment”, of both sides, created communication barrier.
Discussion, Midwives had better to overcome own embarrassment. However, as it can be challenging to change natural inclinations, health providers should effectively apply available resources, for instance medical interpreters. Additionally, midwives should help to make links with peers for women who do not belong to peer network. It may also be effective to collaborate with other health providers, such as public health nurses in communities.

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Objective: To consider the ways of providing nursing care assistance through international cooperation in the Lao P.D.R. (Laos) by clarifying the division of roles between family and nurses as well as the difference in working years as a nurse.
Methodology: In May 2014, a self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 100 nurses in hospital A in Laos to find out the contents of care given by family and nurses. The questionnaire was prepared based on the survey for “Technical aspects for nursing care practices (nursing skills)” developed by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (2004) which was categorized into 69 items under 13 sections.
Results: 60 people responded to the questionnaire (60% effective response rate). Care given by the family mainly included elimination support, dietary support, bathing support, changing bed linen and clothing, maintaining good figure and giving bed baths. Care given by nurses mainly included items under assisting medical treatment. No significant difference was found in terms of working years as a nurse (comparison between more than 8 working years versus less than 8 years), for the items which more than 50% of nurses responded as the ‘nursing care to be provided by the family’. A significant difference was found in terms of working years as a nurse (p=0.02) among the group of nurses with more than 8 working years for assisting bathing which less than 50 % of nurses responded as the ‘nursing care to be provided by a nurse’.
Conclusion: Results from the questionnaire clarified that in Laos, nurses provide technical care such as assisting medical treatments, and the family supports some parts of care services needed for recovery. This indicates the importance of understanding nurses’ roles and responsibilities within the context of each country that may be different from Japan, when providing international cooperation for nursing.

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Purpose
In Mongolia, a company did exploratory mining of a uranium deposit in Dornogovi Province and abandoned radioactive soil for a few years. The people living near the deposit were never informed of the situation. Therefore, an action research aimed to foster the people’s preparation to respond to radiation exposure was introduced. Prior to commencing community activities, we conducted a study aimed knowing the people’s health status and knowledge and utilizing those to develop effective activities.
Method
Zuunbayan subdistrict in Sainshand District in Dornogovi agreed to participate in the research. A health checkup and questionnaire study was implemented in July 2017 at Zuunbayan Hospital in 272 children and 300 adults who agreed to participate. The adults answered to the questionnaire about their knowledge of radiation and their intention to participate in the activities. The adults who came up to the Hospital for receiving their health checkup results in September 2017 answered to the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale questionnaire.
Results
Only a few needed further examination and medical consultation. Remarkable results were high positive proportions in the urinary bilirubin among both children and adults (45-60%) and approximately 30% of the under five children were overweight. One-eighth of the adults knew somewhat about the radiation and its health effects, and three-fourths intended to participate in the activities. The resilience scores in 139 persons was 67.1 out of 100 on average and had no correlation with age or sex.
Discussion
These participants were healthy as a whole, however, there might be many suspected carriers of viral hepatitis. Although a small number of people knew about the radiation and its health effects, they were well motivated to participate in the activities. We will work with the people on the activities including correct information dissemination of radiation and its health effects and general health issues.

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