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Association between Health Literacy and Radiation Anxiety among Residents after a Nuclear Accident: Comparison between Evacuated and Non-Evacuated Areas

Author

Listed:
  • Yujiro Kuroda

    (Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima Prefecture 960-1295, Japan)

  • Hajime Iwasa

    (Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima Prefecture 960-1295, Japan
    Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan)

  • Masatsugu Orui

    (Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima Prefecture 960-1295, Japan)

  • Nobuaki Moriyama

    (Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima Prefecture 960-1295, Japan)

  • Chihiro Nakayama

    (Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima Prefecture 960-1295, Japan)

  • Seiji Yasumura

    (Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima Prefecture 960-1295, Japan)

Abstract

Following the accident at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in March 2011, both experts and the national government provided insufficient information on radiation, leading to widespread distrust in the community. This study aimed at clarifying the association between anxiety about radiation and health literacy among residents in evacuation and non-evacuation areas in Fukushima. A questionnaire survey was sent to randomly sampled residents between August and October 2016, and data from 777 responses (38.9% valid response) were analyzed. The questionnaire assessed current radiation anxiety and discrimination and prejudice based on radiation exposure through seven items and communicative and critical health literacy through five items. Multiple regression analysis of the association between radiation anxiety and health literacy showed that the level of health literacy was significantly negatively associated with radiation anxiety in the evacuation areas (marginally in the non-evacuation areas) and marginally negatively associated with discrimination and prejudice in the evacuation areas but not in the non-evacuation areas. Therefore, improving health literacy could alleviate radiation anxiety.

Suggested Citation

  • Yujiro Kuroda & Hajime Iwasa & Masatsugu Orui & Nobuaki Moriyama & Chihiro Nakayama & Seiji Yasumura, 2018. "Association between Health Literacy and Radiation Anxiety among Residents after a Nuclear Accident: Comparison between Evacuated and Non-Evacuated Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-12, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:7:p:1463-:d:157326
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Hiromi Kawasaki & Satoko Yamasaki & Natsu Kohama & Susumu Fukita & Miwako Tsunematsu & Masayuki Kakehashi, 2020. "Analysis of the Training Effect of a Nursing Undergraduate Course on the Management of Radiation-Related Health Concerns—A Single Group Experiment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-11, October.
    2. Sonia Ruiz de Azua & Naiara Ozamiz-Etxebarria & Miren Agurtzane Ortiz-Jauregui & Ana Gonzalez-Pinto, 2020. "Communicative and Social Skills among Medical Students in Spain: A Descriptive Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-8, February.
    3. Shuhei Nomura & Michio Murakami, 2018. "Public Health Preparedness for and Response to Nuclear Disasters: An Editorial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-4, November.

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