Tailoring Digital Tools to Address the Radiation and Health Information Needs of Returnees after a Nuclear Accident

Takashi Ohba, Aya Goto, Yui Yumiya, Michio Murakami, Hironori Nakano, Kaori Honda, Kenneth E. Nollet, Thierry Schneider and Koichi Tanigawa
Additional contact information
Takashi Ohba: Department of Radiation Health Management, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Aya Goto: Center for Integrated Science and Humanities, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Yui Yumiya: Center for Integrated Science and Humanities, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Michio Murakami: Department of Health Risk Communication, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Hironori Nakano: Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Kaori Honda: Center for Integrated Science and Humanities, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Kenneth E. Nollet: Department of Blood Transfusion and Transplantation Immunology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Thierry Schneider: Nuclear Protection Evaluation Center (CEPN), 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
Koichi Tanigawa: Futaba Medical Center, Tomioka Town, Fukushima 979-1151, Japan

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 23, 1-13

Abstract: Digital tools are increasingly used for health promotion, but their utility during recovery from a nuclear disaster has yet to be established. This study analysed differences in knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward digital tools for radiation protection and health promotion, and preferences for specific application functions, among cohorts living within and outside areas affected by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station (FDNPS) accident. A needs assessment was conducted by internet survey, and responses from those affected (N = 86) and not affected (N = 253) were compared and quantified by an adjusted odds ratio (aOR), using logistic regression analyses. KAP toward the radiation-related application in the affected group had an aOR of 1.95 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.12–3.38) for knowledge, and 5.71 (CI = 2.55–12.8) for practice. Conversely, toward the health-related application, the aOR of the affected group was 0.50 (CI = 0.29–0.86). The preference in the affected group was significantly lower for two application functions related to radiation measurement and two health-related functions (one about the effects of radiation in general and another about personal health advice in general): aOR range 0.43–0.50. Development of specific applications incorporating the findings from this survey was intended to foster a locally appropriate eHealth environment during recovery from the FDNPS accident.

Keywords: application tool; eHealth; Fukushima nuclear accident; health promotion; KAP survey; radiation protection; SHAMISEN-SINGS project (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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