Needs of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Geographic Location of Emergency Shelters Suitable for Vulnerable People during a Tsunami

Hisao Nakai, Tomoya Itatani, Seiji Kaganoi, Aya Okamura, Ryo Horiike and Masao Yamasaki
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Hisao Nakai: School of Nursing, Kanazawa Medical University, 1-1 Uchinada, Kahoku, Ishikawa 920-0265, Japan
Tomoya Itatani: School of Health Sciences, College of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, 5-11-80 Kodatsuno, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0942, Japan
Seiji Kaganoi: Department of Rehabilitation, Geisei Hospital, 4268 Wajiki, Geisei, Aki, Kochi 781-5701, Japan
Aya Okamura: Department of Rehabilitation, Geisei Hospital, 4268 Wajiki, Geisei, Aki, Kochi 781-5701, Japan
Ryo Horiike: Susaki Regional Welfare and Health Center, 6-26 Higashifuruichimachi, Susaki, Kochi 785-8585, Japan
Masao Yamasaki: Kochi Mental Health and Welfare Center, 2-4-1 Marunouchi, Kochi 780-0850, Japan

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-12

Abstract: In the current study, we sought to identify special needs and safe evacuation conditions for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (CNDs) along Japan’s tsunami-prone Pacific coast. A survey and spatial analysis were used to collect data of CNDs ( n = 47) and their caregivers. Areas predicted to be flooded in a tsunami, as well as evacuation routes to emergency shelters for vulnerable people (ESVPs), were mapped using geographic information systems (GIS). Our results showed that five professional staff were needed to support 33 CNDs requiring 135.9 m 2 of ESVP space. Critical safety factors were altitude, vertical evacuation, accessibility to ESVPs, and nonexistence of estuaries in the direction of evacuation. GIS-based spatial analysis and evacuation modeling for disaster preparedness and training plans that involve nurses are essential.

Keywords: children with neurodevelopmental disorders; disaster preparedness; emergency shelter; evacuation; tsunami (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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