Japanese Journal of Hygiene最新文献

{"title":"[Responses to \"A Review of the Book 'Minamata Disease and the Responsibility of Medical Authorities'\"].","authors":"Shigeru Takaoka","doi":"10.1265/jjh.24005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1265/jjh.24005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Drs. Futatsuka, Eto, and Uchino expressed their opinions in the Journal of the Japanese Society for Hygiene in the form of a review of my book, \"Minamata Disease and the Responsibility of Medicine.\" (The reviewers translated it as \"Responsibility of Medical Authorities,\" but for my purposes in writing this book, I believe it should be translated as \"Responsibility of Medicine.\") The nine major comments of the three reviewers described in this book review were reviewed from the basic perspective of toxicology, epidemiology, and neuroscience. This book review is fraught with either medical, logical, or ethical problems in all the nine points as follows: (1) the inadequate way in which exposure and health hazards are considered from the toxicological perspective, (2) problems in interpreting epidemiological information, (3) the failure to consider recent achievements in methylmercury toxicosis studies, (4) presenting the reviewers' own theories without regard to the content of my book while calling it a \"book review,\" (5) presenting and criticizing what Takaoka does not claim as if he does, and (6) making claims that are inconsistent with the three reviewers' own views. The problems with this book review will become even clearer when you read \"Minamata Disease and the Responsibility of Medicine\" itself.</p>","PeriodicalId":35643,"journal":{"name":"Japanese Journal of Hygiene","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142093855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"[To the memory of the late Dr. Akira Okada].","authors":"Hiroyuki Nakamura","doi":"10.1265/jjh.2024o1","DOIUrl":"10.1265/jjh.2024o1","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35643,"journal":{"name":"Japanese Journal of Hygiene","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140332129","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"[Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Pediatric Epilepsy Medication Self-Management Questionnaire Caregiver Version].","authors":"Mai Yamada, Tomoko Sumiyoshi, Nao Seki, Aya Saito, Makiko Tsubokawa","doi":"10.1265/jjh.24004","DOIUrl":"10.1265/jjh.24004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The objectives of this study were to develop a Japanese version of the Pediatric Epilepsy Medication Self-Management Questionnaire Caregiver Version (PEMSQ-J) and to examine its reliability and validity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among primary caregivers (N=309) of children under the age of 18 taking epilepsy medication. The PEMSQ-J was the main instrument used to collect information such as basic demographics.Cronbach's α was calculated to determine internal consistency, and the intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated to assess reproducibility. In addition, confirmatory factor analysis with covariance structure analysis was performed to confirm the goodness of fit of the model. Finally, criterion-related validity was confirmed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Analysis of responses to items on the PEMSQ-J revealed no ceiling or floor effects, and there was no marked bias in distributions in terms of skewness or kurtosis. Internal consistency assessed with Cronbach's α ranged from 0.847 to 0.935. A test of reproducibility revealed that the intraclass correlation for the total score was 0.730. Exploratory factor analysis identified two factors, which differed from the four factors in the original version. When their details and structure were examined, however, the two were interpreted as having a similar structure. Similarly to those of the original version, the goodness-of-fit indices for the four factors according to confirmatory factor analysis were close to the standard values.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The PEMSQ-J, which consists of 27 items with a four-factor structure, was statistically acceptable, and it was found to have a certain degree of reliability and validity.</p>","PeriodicalId":35643,"journal":{"name":"Japanese Journal of Hygiene","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142548014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"[Awareness of issues in research and educational activities and expectations for young researchers' activities and supporting].","authors":"Xi Lu, Tomoko Fujitani, Midori Takeda, Wataru Miyazaki, Takamitsu Miyayama, Masamitsu Eitoku, Akira Minoura","doi":"10.1265/jjh.23006","DOIUrl":"10.1265/jjh.23006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To understand the actual situation and needs of young researchers and to provide reference for the management of Young Researchers Association (YRA) and the Japanese Society for Hygiene activities in the future.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An Internet survey was conducted on 67 members registered in YRA of the Japanese Society for Hygiene. The questions included those on basic information, research content and impressions about the activities of the society.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Although members of YRA differ in backgrounds, research method used, and years of research experience, the respondents rated the organization as highly useful and participated continuously. In particular, they considered that participation in the planning of academic conferences and summer gatherings of YRA not only helped improve interpersonal relationships and expertise, but also provided opportunities to consult regarding educational activities and collect information. Regarding the format of conferences, it was shown that the majority of requests were for a hybrid format. It was also shown that most of the respondents expected opportunities for collaboration and joint research through participation in YRA.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Through YRA, we would like to contribute to the further revitalization of young researchers and the Japanese Society for Hygiene by understanding and responding to the needs of diverse young researchers.</p>","PeriodicalId":35643,"journal":{"name":"Japanese Journal of Hygiene","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141155562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"[Development of a Comprehensive Health Literacy Scale and Relationship between Health Literacy and Health-Related Behaviors among Japanese Workers].","authors":"Keirin Nakadai, Junichi Kasamaki, Honoka Maruta","doi":"10.1265/jjh.23003","DOIUrl":"10.1265/jjh.23003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>In this study, we aimed to develop a comprehensive health literacy (HL) scale for Japanese workers (CHLS-J) and to investigate the relationship between HL and health-related behaviors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a cross-sectional study by a questionnaire survey of Japanese workers aged 18 years and older (N=313). The HL scale we previously developed was slightly modified on the basis of the pre-examination and used for developing CHLS-J. Self-reported data on demographic variables, socioeconomic status, health-related behaviors, present illness, past illness, and HL were collected. To determine the factor structure of the HL scale, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted, and the internal consistency of the scale was assessed using Cronbach's coefficient alpha. The criterion-related validity was evaluated using the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From the results of factor analysis, 30 HL items were extracted and the structure was based on three factors (the knowledge and competencies for collecting health information, decision-making and communication, and the motivation for utilizing health information). High CHLS-J scores were significantly associated with food purchasing behaviors based on food labeling and maintaining a well-balanced diet. Furthermore, patients with present or past illness were more likely to have high CHLS-J scores.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The results show that CHLS-J is mostly a validated and reliable scale, and that the high-HL group had a healthy eating lifestyle. This study suggests that CHLS-J can be used to measure HL and educate Japanese workers on the necessity of health behavioral changes.</p>","PeriodicalId":35643,"journal":{"name":"Japanese Journal of Hygiene","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140120933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"[Health Idea from Altruistic Perspective].","authors":"Takahiko Katoh","doi":"10.1265/jjh.24003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1265/jjh.24003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>What is health? We all have a goal that we aspire for in our life-our \"reason to live\". Health is a pillar necessary for achieving our goal in life and I believe that altruism is the basic principle of this pillar. In this paper, I first discuss altruism in health from biological and economic perspectives, and then review the history of the concept of health. Next, I introduce the keywords necessary for understanding health and then present the points necessary for determining good health and for the role of each individual in issues concerning health. In conclusion, I would like to define health as a state of physical, mental and social well-being necessary for people to achieve self-achievement and happiness while living in society. Health is an attitude, and the very process of striving to achieve good health is itself \"good health\". In addition, altruism is fundamental to good health. The spirit of respect and empathy for not only humans health but also \"planetary health\" is important.</p>","PeriodicalId":35643,"journal":{"name":"Japanese Journal of Hygiene","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142093854","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"[Ethics Review Committees of Public Health Institutes in Japan].","authors":"Yusuke Inoue, Shinichi Sato, Izen Ri, Kyoko Mimura, Masahiro Kitao, Ayako Kamisato, Kaori Muto","doi":"10.1265/jjh.24002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1265/jjh.24002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Recent legislative changes in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic have placed an increased emphasis on the research activities of Local Public Health Institutes (PHIs) in Japanese municipalities. However, few studies have examined the ethical review processes of these institutes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed information on (a) the status and year of establishment of \"Ethics Review Committees\" (and equivalent committees), (b) the number of review cases for each year, (c) the status of public disclosure of committee activities, and (d) the composition of committee members for 85 PHIs across Japan. Publicly available information from each PHI and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare was used for the analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 85 PHIs nationwide, about half of them publicly disclosed the establishment of their committees (41 committees, 48.2%). The number of review cases handled by the committees varied, with some committees having no cases or only one case. Among the committees, approximately 20% still maintained adherence to outdated national research ethics guidelines, and approximately 15% did not specify any guidelines they followed. Furthermore, we identified committees without external members (at least two committees) and those lacking public representation (four committees).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There are differences in the operational performance of ethics review committees at PHIs, possibly owing to varying levels of understanding of the guidelines, the degree of proactive engagement in academic research, and the emphasis on human subject research. There is a crucial need to accumulate and share experiences that support the review functions of the committees.</p>","PeriodicalId":35643,"journal":{"name":"Japanese Journal of Hygiene","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142548013","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"[Factors Related to Work Engagement in Occupational Health Nurses: From both Aspects of Work Environmental and Individual Factors].","authors":"Kayoko Tanaka,&nbsp;Ikuharu Morioka","doi":"10.1265/jjh.22004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1265/jjh.22004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) states that it is an important issue to realize a work environment where people find their job worth doing, and the MHLW utilizes work engagement as the concept of a job worth doing. In this study, we aimed to clarify the factors related to work engagement in occupational health nurses from both aspects of work environmental and individual factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 2,172 occupational health nurses who belonged to the Japan Society for Occupational Health and were in charge of practical work. Among them, 720 responded and their responses were analyzed (valid response rate: 33.1%). The Japanese version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-J) was used to measure their feelings on whether their job is worth doing. Question items at three levels, namely, work level, department level, and workplace level, were selected from the new brief job stress questionnaire as the work environmental factors. Three scales, namely, professional identity, self-management skills, and out-of-work resources, were used as the individual factors. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine the factors related to work engagement.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean total score of UWES-J was 57.0 points, and the mean item score was 3.4 points. Among attributes, age, having children, and the position of chief or above were positively correlated to the total score, but the number of occupational health nurses in the workplace was negatively correlated to the total score. Among work environmental factors, work-self balance (positive), which is a subscale at the workplace level, and suitable jobs and opportunities to grow up, which are the subscales at the work level, were positively correlated to the total score. Among individual factors, self-esteem as a professional and self-improvement to be professional, which are the subscales of the professional identity, and problem resolution, which is a subscale of self-management skills, were positively correlated to the total score.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In order for occupational health nurses to find their job worth doing, it is desirable that they will have options to choose diverse and flexible work styles, and that their employers will establish a work-life balance for the entire organization. It is preferable that the occupational health nurses can self-improve, and that their employers will provide opportunities for them to develop professionally. The employers should also establish a personnel evaluation system that allows for promotion. Results also suggest that the occupational health nurses need to improve their self-management skills, and that the employers should assign them to positions suitable to their abilities.</p>","PeriodicalId":35643,"journal":{"name":"Japanese Journal of Hygiene","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9312994","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"[Necessity of Pressure-free Time at Work-Historical Consideration].","authors":"Takahiko Katoh,&nbsp;Mai Horiguchi","doi":"10.1265/jjh.22012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1265/jjh.22012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Many developed countries, including Japan, have capitalist economies based on market principles. In capitalism, businesses try to develop new products and increase their added value, and expand the market in order to generate new profits. Owing to the universalization of capitalist efficiency, our daily lives are becoming condensed to only the necessary things in life. In addition, the advancement of science and technology, which is the driving force behind the expansion of profits, has forced people to become obsessed with new technology and information, and as a result, we have also lost our mental comfort. In this paper, first, we explain the time required to secure the energy necessary for human survival throughout human history. Second, we describe labor productivity with the emergence and development of capitalism. Third, we explain the difference between essential time and pressure-free time, and consider the necessity of pressure-free time during working hours. Finally, we discuss the relationships among pressure-free time, presenteeism, and work engagement.</p>","PeriodicalId":35643,"journal":{"name":"Japanese Journal of Hygiene","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9293816","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"[Relationships of Exercise and Dietary Intake with Bone Density in Young Adult Women].","authors":"Akiko Saiki,&nbsp;Miho Yamashita,&nbsp;Momoe Komiyama,&nbsp;Masahiro Toda","doi":"10.1265/jjh.22011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1265/jjh.22011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships of dietary intake, exercise, and menstrual regularity with bone density. In 81 female university students, the osteo-sono-assessment index (OSI) was determined by quantitative ultrasonography. In addition, a questionnaire on the intake of calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus, exercise experiences in junior high school and high school days, and menstrual regularity was administered. The OSI was higher in the group that had the habit of exercising in junior high school and high school. Furthermore, the higher OSI was associated with higher vitamin D intake and lower phosphorus intake. These findings suggest the importance of exercise and dietary intake for improving bone density.</p>","PeriodicalId":35643,"journal":{"name":"Japanese Journal of Hygiene","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9526685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}