| Title |
Changes in Islanders' Awareness and Behavior and Public Health Nurses' Response to the First COVID-19 Clusters on Japan's Remote Island |
| Subtitle |
|
| Authors |
Chiharu Takada1), Akiko Mizuta1), Rika Yatsushiro2), Chihoko Tabata3) |
| Authors (kana) |
|
| Organization |
1)Department of Community-based Comprehensive Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University, 2)Department of Fundamental and Clinical Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University, 3)Kagoshima Nursing Association |
| Journal |
Japanese journal of occupational medicine and traumatology
|
| Volume |
70
|
| Number |
6
|
| Page |
222-227 |
| Year/Month |
2022 / 11 |
| Article |
Original article |
| Publisher |
Japanese society of Occupational Medicine and Traumatology |
| Abstract |
【Objective】 This study aimed to examine the changing awareness and behavior among islanders and the community-oriented activities of public health nurses when COVID-19 clusters first appeared on remote islands lacking human and physical resources. 【Methods】 Between February and March 2021, three public health nurses, working at the town hall and dealing with one of the first COVID-19 clusters on a remote island in Japan's Kagoshima Prefecture, were then interviewed. Qualitative descriptive and content analysis methods were used to extract concepts from verbatim records relating to changes in residents' awareness and behavior and public health nurses' actions on their behalf. First, common concepts were allocated as codes, which were then grouped into categories and subcategories. Following approval from Kagoshima Nursing Association's Ethical Review Board (No. R2-3; January 16, 2021), written informed consent was obtained from the participants. 【Results】 The content analysis generated four categories and fifteen subcategories. With regard to change among islanders, the concepts of social inclusion for individuals testing positive for and individual stress due to increasing awareness of COVID-19 were extracted. Likewise, concepts concerning public health nurses were acquisition of appropriate health guidance on unknown infectious diseases, collaboration with related organizations to implement preventive measures, and support for resuming services. The COVID-19 cluster outbreaks led to the closure of all services on the island, causing a reduction in physical and social activities, raising concerns about islanders' mental functions declining. Therefore, with guidance from the Japanese government, infectious-disease experts in Kagoshima Prefecture, infection control nurses, and a certified Nurse Administrator, public health nurses were able to introduce preventive measures and teach preventive behaviors based on accurate information and resume services. 【Conclusion】 On remote islands, the role of public health nurses, in collaboration with related organizations, is to impart knowledge about correct infection prevention and monitor changes in islanders' awareness and behavior to insure a safe environment. |
| Practice |
Clinical surgery |
| Keywords |
islander, COVID-19, consultation |
