Factors Hindering Social Participation among Older Residents from Evacuation Zones after the Nuclear Power Plant Accident in Fukushima: The Fukushima Health Management Survey

Mayumi Harigane, Hiromi Imuta, Seiji Yasumura, Fumikazu Hayashi, Hironori Nakano, Tetsuya Ohira, Masaharu Maeda, Hirooki Yabe, Yuriko Suzuki, Kenji Kamiya and on behalf of the Mental Health Group of the Fukushima Health Management Survey
Additional contact information
Mayumi Harigane: Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Hiromi Imuta: Faculty of Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo 116-8551, Japan
Seiji Yasumura: Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Fumikazu Hayashi: Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, 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 School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Tetsuya Ohira: Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Masaharu Maeda: Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Hirooki Yabe: Department of Neuropsychiatry, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Yuriko Suzuki: Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Kenji Kamiya: Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
on behalf of the Mental Health Group of the Fukushima Health Management Survey: Membership of the Mental Health Group of the Fukushima Health Management Survey is provided in the acknowledgment.

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-14

Abstract: Considering the health effects of radiation accompanying the nuclear power plant accident that occurred in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, this study aimed to examine social participation after the disaster and factors hindering participation among citizens aged ? 65 years from designated evacuation zones inside the Fukushima prefecture. The target population comprised 180,604 residents in 13 municipalities containing designated evacuation zones. There were 73,433 valid responses (response rate, 40.7%); of which, data from 19,573 respondents aged ? 65 years were analyzed. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the factors associated with social participation. In total, 53.0% of older evacuees did not participate in recreational activities or communal services. Stratified analysis showed that living outside the Fukushima prefecture and requiring assistance with activities of daily living were associated with low social participation. This study clarified that the majority of older evacuees did not participate in social activities at the time of the survey within one year of the disaster. Furthermore, where these older individuals were evacuated to and whether they were able to live independently might have affected their social participation. Better subjective health, better sleep quality, and more frequent exercise may be associated with improved social participation.

Keywords: social participation; older adults; evacuation zone; Japan; Fukushima prefecture; activities of daily living; Great East Japan Earthquake; Fukushima Health Management Survey (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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