Association of Anxiety over Radiation Exposure and Acquisition of Knowledge Regarding Occupational Health Management in Operation Leader Candidates of Radioactivity Decontamination Workers in Fukushima, Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Tomoo Hidaka, Takeyasu Kakamu, Shota Endo, Hideaki Kasuga, Yusuke Masuishi, Tomohiro Kumagai, Sei Sato, Takuma Sasaki and Tetsuhito Fukushima
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Tomoo Hidaka: Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Fukushima Medical University; Fukushima 960-1247, Japan
Takeyasu Kakamu: Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Fukushima Medical University; Fukushima 960-1247, Japan
Shota Endo: Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Fukushima Medical University; Fukushima 960-1247, Japan
Hideaki Kasuga: Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Fukushima Medical University; Fukushima 960-1247, Japan
Yusuke Masuishi: Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Fukushima Medical University; Fukushima 960-1247, Japan
Tomohiro Kumagai: Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Fukushima Medical University; Fukushima 960-1247, Japan
Sei Sato: Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Fukushima Medical University; Fukushima 960-1247, Japan
Takuma Sasaki: Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Fukushima Medical University; Fukushima 960-1247, Japan
Tetsuhito Fukushima: Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Fukushima Medical University; Fukushima 960-1247, Japan

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 17, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: An operation leader (OL) of radioactivity decontamination workers is required by law to have accurate knowledge of occupational health management (OHM) such as working environment management, control of operations, and health management as a field supervisor in Japan. The purpose of the current study is to examine the association between anxiety over radiation exposure and the possession/acquisition of the OHM knowledge required for OLs. In this cross-sectional study, data were collected before and after training sessions held by Fukushima Prefecture Labor Standard Associations in Fukushima, Japan, in 2017. Eighty-seven males who completed the questionnaires were enrolled to this study. As a result, acquisition of knowledge of working environment management was significantly associated with an increase of anxiety over radiation exposure after the session comparing the situation before and after the session (knowledge possession; odds ratio = 4.489; 95% confidence interval = 1.216, 16.571). In conclusion, acquisition of accurate knowledge of how to manage working environment management was associated with anxiety over radiation exposure. Although acquisition of said knowledge may contribute to the reduction of physical health risks, it may increase mental health risks. Both mental health support for OLs with accurate knowledge and educational support for those without accurate knowledge are required.

Keywords: occupational health management; occupational mental health management; knowledge management; risk perception; work safety; radioactivity decontamination work; Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant accident; disaster psychology; employee education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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