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Quality of Life and Intention to Return among Former Residents of Tomioka Town, Fukushima Prefecture 9 Years after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident

Author

Listed:
  • Makiko Orita

    (Department of Global Health, Medicine and Welfare, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 8528523, Japan)

  • Yasuyuki Taira

    (Department of Global Health, Medicine and Welfare, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 8528523, Japan)

  • Hitomi Matsunaga

    (Department of Global Health, Medicine and Welfare, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 8528523, Japan)

  • Masaharu Maeda

    (Department of Disaster Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1247, Japan)

  • Noboru Takamura

    (Department of Global Health, Medicine and Welfare, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 8528523, Japan)

Abstract

We evaluated the association between health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) and intent to return home among former residents of Tomioka Town, Fukushima Prefecture 9 years after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident to support the recovery of the community after the accident. We conducted a questionnaire survey asking residents about their intention to return to their original home, risk perception for radiation exposure, HR-QOL using the HR-QOL Short Form 8 (SF-8), and sense of coherence using the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-13). Among the 1029 residents, a total of 138 (13%) had already returned to Tomioka (group 1), 223 (22%) were undecided (group 2), and 668 (65%) had decided not to return (group 3). Group 2 had poorer HR-QOL than groups 1 and 3, especially physical function, body pain, general health, social functioning, and mental health. The ratio of residents with a better sense of coherence was significantly higher in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. Our present study indicated poorer HR-QOL among residents who were undecided about returning home. It is necessary to provide a model for a multidisciplinary approach for the public during the recovery phase of a nuclear accident.

Suggested Citation

  • Makiko Orita & Yasuyuki Taira & Hitomi Matsunaga & Masaharu Maeda & Noboru Takamura, 2020. "Quality of Life and Intention to Return among Former Residents of Tomioka Town, Fukushima Prefecture 9 Years after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-9, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6625-:d:412212
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yuriko Suzuki & Yoshitake Takebayashi & Seiji Yasumura & Michio Murakami & Mayumi Harigane & Hirooki Yabe & Tetsuya Ohira & Akira Ohtsuru & Satomi Nakajima & Masaharu Maeda, 2018. "Changes in Risk Perception of the Health Effects of Radiation and Mental Health Status: The Fukushima Health Management Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-11, June.
    2. Masatsugu Orui & Maiko Fukasawa & Naoko Horikoshi & Yuriko Suzuki & Norito Kawakami, 2020. "Development and Evaluation of a Gatekeeper Training Program Regarding Anxiety about Radiation Health Effects Following a Nuclear Power Plant Accident: A Single-Arm Intervention Pilot Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-15, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuya Kashiwazaki & Hitomi Matsunaga & Makiko Orita & Yasuyuki Taira & Keiko Oishi & Noboru Takamura, 2022. "Occupational Difficulties of Disaster-Affected Local Government Employees in the Long-Term Recovery Phase after the Fukushima Nuclear Accident: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Modeling Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-10, March.
    2. Naomi Ito & Nobuaki Moriyama & Ayako Furuyama & Hiroaki Saito & Toyoaki Sawano & Isamu Amir & Mika Sato & Yurie Kobashi & Tianchen Zhao & Chika Yamamoto & Toshiki Abe & Masaharu Tsubokura, 2023. "Why Do They Not Come Home? Three Cases of Fukushima Nuclear Accident Evacuees," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-7, February.
    3. Keiko Oishi & Makiko Orita & Yasuyuki Taira & Yuya Kashiwazaki & Hitomi Matsunaga & Noboru Takamura, 2021. "Risk Perception of Health Risks Associated with Radiation Exposure among Residents of Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-8, December.

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