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A Solution for Loneliness in Rural Populations: The Effects of Osekkai Conferences during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

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  • Ryuichi Ohta

    (Community Care, Unnan City Hospital, 96-1 Iida, Daito-cho, Unnan 699-1221, Japan)

  • Koichi Maiguma

    (Department of Law and Economics, Faculty of Law and Literature, Shimane University, 1060 Nishikawatsucho, Matsue 690-8504, Japan)

  • Akiko Yata

    (Community Nurse Company, 422 Satokata, Kisuki-cho, Unnan 699-1311, Japan)

  • Chiaki Sano

    (Department of Community Medicine Management, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, 89-1 Enya cho, Izumo 693-8501, Japan)

Abstract

Social prescribing is an essential solution to the lack of social connection and interaction and provides a key approach to problems faced by communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. One social prescription used in Japan is the Osekkai conference, which has the potential to increase social participation in rural communities. The revitalization of Osekkai can improve social interactions among people involved in the conference, thereby reducing loneliness. This interventional study was conducted with people who participated in the Osekkai conference. The primary outcomes of the degree of loneliness were compared between 2021 and 2022 using the Japanese version of the three-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. The demographic data and process outcomes of participants were measured using a questionnaire. The participants’ roles in the Osekkai conference increased between the two periods. Loneliness scores tended to decrease during the study period (4.25 to 4.05, p = 0.099). In the questionnaire on loneliness, the scores for item 2 decreased significantly during the study period (1.36 to 1.25, p = 0.038). In conclusion, this study shows that the continual provision of Osekkai conferences as a social prescription may reduce the degree of loneliness among participants with improved social participation in rural communities. Future studies should investigate comparative interventions to show the effectiveness of social prescription on loneliness in communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Ryuichi Ohta & Koichi Maiguma & Akiko Yata & Chiaki Sano, 2022. "A Solution for Loneliness in Rural Populations: The Effects of Osekkai Conferences during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-10, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5054-:d:798707
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    10. Yumi Naito & Ryuichi Ohta & Chiaki Sano, 2021. "Solving Social Problems in Aging Rural Japanese Communities: The Development and Sustainability of the Osekkai Conference as a Social Prescribing during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-15, November.
    11. Ryuichi Ohta & Akiko Yata & Yuki Arakawa & Koichi Maiguma & Chiaki Sano, 2021. "Rural Social Participation through Osekkai during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-9, May.
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    13. Ryuichi Ohta & Yoshinori Ryu & Daisuke Kataoka & Chiaki Sano, 2021. "Effectiveness and Challenges in Local Self-Governance: Multifunctional Autonomy in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-14, January.
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    1. Ryuichi Ohta & Yoshinori Ryu & Chiaki Sano, 2022. "Improvement in Quality of Life through Self-Management of Mild Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-9, May.
    2. Ryuichi Ohta & Koichi Maiguma & Akiko Yata & Chiaki Sano, 2022. "Rebuilding Social Capital through Osekkai Conferences in Rural Communities: A Social Network Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-10, June.

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