Association of different factors with presenteeism in disaster responders after the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.

Abstract

Victims of natural disasters require extensive medical, health, and welfare services. Disaster responders play a vital role in caring for victims but frequently face their own health problems. Responders may work despite physical or psychological distress (presenteeism), leading to many problems. We examined the association of activities and environmental factors with presenteeism in responders during the acute and subacute phases of recovery from the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake (January 6 to March 31, 2024) using records from the Disaster Responder's Health Management version of J-SPEED. Presenteeism prevalence was 2.8% (acute phase: 3.5%; subacute phase: 2.1%). Unclear task and command (aOR=8.44, 95%CI: 5.49-13.00) and inability to take meals and breaks (aOR=8.92, 95%CI: 5.86-13.60) were associated with higher presenteeism odds. Support activities in the Health Emergency Operation Center (acute phase) and an unsafe work environment (subacute phase) were also significantly associated with presenteeism. The environmental determinants of presenteeism differed in the acute and subacute phases. However, potential confounding, including responder characteristics, could not be adjusted due to data limitations, so results should be interpreted cautiously. Nevertheless, improving the working conditions and implementing a comprehensive health management system for disaster responders, including pre-disaster training programs, may help mitigate their presenteeism.