[Nihon koshu eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health最新文献

{"title":"[Association between subjective change and risk of disability in older adults following the introduction of electric-powered carts: A one-year longitudinal study].","authors":"Ryota Watanabe, Masashige Saito, Shuhei Kobayashi, Kazushige Ide, Masaki Fukusada, Katsunori Kondo","doi":"10.11236/jph.25-001","DOIUrl":"10.11236/jph.25-001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Objective　The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism of Japan has recently been promoting the adoption of green (i.e., electric-powered) slow mobility carts, which can operate on public roads at speeds <20 km/h. A two-month trial of electric-powered cart services showed improvements in subjective indicators such as social interaction among older adults, with potential long-term benefits related to preventing the eventual need for long-term care (LTC). This study investigated whether the risk of requiring LTC decreased one year after the introduction and use of electric-powered carts in older adults whose subjective indicators improved following the introduction of the service.Methods　Electric-powered cart services were introduced in Kawachinagano City (Osaka Prefecture) and Oji Town (Nara Prefecture), beginning in July-August of 2022. Our analysis included 726 adults aged ≥65 years (385 from Kawachinagano City and 341 from Oji Town) who provided valid responses to a self-administered postal survey conducted at the baseline (i.e., when the program was introduced), as well as at a follow-up one year later. At the follow-up, operations had concluded in Kawachinagano City, but continued in Oji Town. LTC risk at the one-year follow-up was assessed using the LTC risk assessment scale, with higher scores indicating a greater risk. The explanatory variables included electric-powered cart usage (defined as cart usage several times per year or more) and changes in subjective indicators prompted by cart usage. The subjective indicators assessed were outings (three items), social activities (five items), and positive emotions (four items). Covariates included sex, LTC risk score, educational background, subjective economic status, employment, activities of daily living, marital status, and cohabitation at the baseline survey. Missing data were handled using multiple imputations (m = 200). Linear regression analysis was used to calculate the coefficients (B).Results　Of the total respondents, 290 (39.9%) reported using the electric carts. Electric-powered cart use was not significantly associated with LTC risk (B = 0.11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.40 to 0.63). No significant associations were found between changes in subjective indicators and LTC risk across the overall cohort. However, in Oji Town, older adults who reported increase in positive emotions such as enjoyment of daily life (-1.78, -3.21 to -0.35), feeling uplifted (-1.51, -2.87 to -0.15), and finding life more meaningful (-1.91, -3.53 to -0.30) showed significant reductions in LTC risk.Conclusion　While no overall association was found between electric-powered cart usage and LTC risk, certain positive emotional changes reported in the respondents from Oji Town were associated with reduced LTC risk. These findings suggest that electric-powered carts may contribute not only to mobility support but also to LTC prevention, by fostering positive emotions among older adults.","PeriodicalId":72032,"journal":{"name":"[Nihon koshu eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":"932-941"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144980669","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":"[Survey of learning needs regarding postpartum depression among public health nurses in Japanese municipalities].","authors":"Yusuke Takei, Yuki Kanzaki, Toshihiro Miyamura","doi":"10.11236/jph.24-118","DOIUrl":"10.11236/jph.24-118","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Objectives　This study aimed to identify the learning needs that public health nurses (PHNs) wish to meet in addressing postpartum depression among mothers in municipalities Japan.Methods　A mail survey was conducted with PHNs working in maternal and child health departments in 1,741 cities, wards, towns, and villages throughout Japan by a representative from each facility using a self-administered, unmarked questionnaire. The questionnaire included 23 items pertaining to sex, age, years of experience as a PHN, previous participation fees, method of participation, and desired future study content regarding postpartum depression. The analysis used Spearman's rank correlation coefficient for the association with each attribute, Mann-Whitney U test for comparisons based on training participation, and Kruskal-Wallis test for comparisons by years of experience. The Bonferroni correction was applied for multiple comparisons.Results　In total, 1,741 questionnaires were distributed and 630 were returned (response rate: 36.2%). The participants' mean age was 40.0 ± 9.4 years, with 233 (37.0%) in their 40s. The average number of years of experience as a PHN was 12.7±8.9, with 166 (26.3%) having 1-5 years of experience. Approximately 501 nurses (79.5%) had attended workshops on postpartum depression. Regarding the desire to participate in future training sessions for postpartum depression, 476 (75.6%) responded \"Yes.\" The most common method of payment for participation in past training was \"free of charge\" (427 respondents, 67.8%), followed by \"publicly funded\" (242 respondents, 38.4%). Regarding the preferred mode of training, 325 (51.6%) preferred on-demand (video viewing-on-demand) training and 284 (45.1%) preferred real-time online training. Regarding the desired content of training on postpartum depression, the items for which > 60% answered \"Yes\" were the pathogenesis of postpartum depression, correct use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), perspectives on assessing mothers' psychiatric symptoms, and how to deal with suicidal thoughts and feelings.A significant difference was observed in the participation status of training sessions on postpartum depression and learning content regarding the \"correct use of the EPDS (P = .004)\" and \"social resources available in the community (P = .002).\"Conclusion　Approximately 80% of PHNs have participated in training sessions on postpartum depression and would want to receive further training eventually.Regarding future training methods, PHNs desired learning methods using information and communication technology, and > 60% desired learning content with practical application, such as \"perspectives for assessing psychiatric symptoms in mothers,\" \"methods for dealing with suicidal thoughts and feelings,\" \"correct use of EPDS,\" and \"pathophysiology of postpartum depression.\"</p>","PeriodicalId":72032,"journal":{"name":"[Nihon koshu eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":"951-960"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144980649","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":"[Exploring the need for and potential of multidimensional monitoring of health disparities using public data].","authors":"Midori Takada, Jun Aida, Yuri Ito, Toshiyuki Ojima, Aoi Kataoka, Kota Katanoda, Katsunori Kondo, Naoki Kondo, Hirokazu Tanaka, Tomoki Nakaya, Marisa Nishio, Daisuke Nishi, Tetsuji Yokoyama, Takahiro Tabuchi","doi":"10.11236/jph.25-046","DOIUrl":"10.11236/jph.25-046","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":72032,"journal":{"name":"[Nihon koshu eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":"961-967"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145287909","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":"[Proposal of a patient reverse referral preference scale for regional medical collaboration].","authors":"Ryusuke Yoshimi, Yutaro Nemoto, Hirotaka Kato, Koji Hara","doi":"10.11236/jph.24-094","DOIUrl":"10.11236/jph.24-094","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Objectives　Regional medical collaborations have become increasingly important in recent years. To facilitate such collaborations, it is necessary to promote reverse referrals from large hospitals to clinics. This study aimed to identify the factors that constitute patient preferences regarding reverse referrals and propose a new patient reverse referral preference scale based on the guidelines of the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN).Methods　Seven specialists developed a pool of items that related to preferences for reverse referrals. Patients aged 20 years and older who had been hospitalized in university hospitals or other large hospitals (with 400 beds or more) within the past six months and who were currently receiving treatment for their condition were included in the study. The factor structure that constituted patient reverse referral preferences was determined using an online questionnaire and an exploratory factor analysis. A new scale for assessing patient reverse referral preferences was developed using the factors identified as subscales, and the reliability and validity of the scale were examined.Results　Screening surveys were conducted on 23,000 registered members of an internet survey panel, of whom 374 met the criteria for this study and 293 responded to the survey. The factor analysis identified four factors related to patient preferences for reverse referrals: \"evaluation of primary care physicians,\" \"reverse referral acceptability,\" \"treatment continuity,\" and \"disease assessment.\" Based on these factors, we created a 19-item scale, \"The 19-item Patient Preference Questionnaire Form for Reverse Referral (PQR-19).\" Cronbach's alpha coefficients for each subscale indicated sufficient reliability (0.76 to 0.87). In terms of validity, patients who accepted reverse referrals at physician recommendation had significantly higher scores on the PQR-19 total score (3.28 ± 0.69 vs. 2.96 ± 0.63, P = 0.044) and its subscale, treatment continuity (3.52 ± 0.76 vs. 3.05 ± 0.81, P = 0.012), and tended to have higher scores on other subscales, compared to those who did not accept reverse referrals.Conclusion　This study identified four factors that constituted patient preferences for reverse referrals through a factor analysis and proposed a new scale, PQR-19. Some aspects of the scale's reliability and validity have not yet been fully verified, which remains a topic for future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":72032,"journal":{"name":"[Nihon koshu eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":"853-861"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144776989","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":"[Assessment of urinary cotinine levels in heated tobacco product (HTP) users: Effectiveness of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)].","authors":"Ying Jiang, Kazuaki Kawai, Yun-Shan Li, Noriaki Kakiuchi, Hiroshi Yamato","doi":"10.11236/jph.24-141","DOIUrl":"10.11236/jph.24-141","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Objectives　Urinary cotinine concentration is widely used as a reliable biomarker to objectively evaluate smoking status. High-precision methods, such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), are mainly used for measuring cotinine concentrations. However, these techniques require expensive equipment and specialized analytical techniques; therefore, they are not suitable for large-scale surveys. Conversely, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which is simple and low-cost and has a precision comparable to that of LC-MS and GC-MS, has attracted attention. ELISA has been shown to be useful for evaluating urinary cotinine levels in combustible cigarette smokers; however, its application to heated tobacco product (HTP) users has not yet been examined. Thus, in this study, we aimed to measure urinary cotinine concentrations in HTP users and ascertain whether ELISA is as effective as LC-MS for such measurements.Methods　Urine samples were collected from workers at a certain workplace during lunch breaks on weekdays. In total, 33 participants were analyzed: 11 nonsmokers, 13 cigarette-only smokers, and 9 HTP-only users. Urinary cotinine concentrations were measured using LC-MS and ELISA. The correlation between the measurements obtained using these methods was evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient; the agreement was examined using the Bland-Altman analysis.Results　The ELISA and LC-MS results showed a high correlation (cigarette-only smokers: r ＝ 0.84, P ＜ 0.001; HTP-only users: r ＝ 0.96, P ＜ 0.001). The Bland-Altman plot showed a high degree of agreement, with 90.9% of the data between both methods falling within the limits of agreement.Conclusion　ELISA was useful for evaluating urinary cotinine levels in cigarette smokers and HTP users. Because of its convenience and low cost, ELISA is expected to be utilized for large-scale epidemiological surveys and promoting smoking control in workplaces.</p>","PeriodicalId":72032,"journal":{"name":"[Nihon koshu eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":"880-885"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144776987","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":"[Effects and driving factors of digital transformation in measures against infectious disease operations at a public health center].","authors":"Kana Yamamoto, Yuuki Zentoku, Takahisa Sugisawa","doi":"10.11236/jph.24-116","DOIUrl":"10.11236/jph.24-116","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Objective　The study aim was to clarify the effects and driving factors of digital transformation (DX) on COVID-19 countermeasures.Methods　The Obihiro Public Health Center promoted the use of DX to cope with the increased workload caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Before August 3, 2022 (early phase), the center devised measures using questionnaires; however, we had to print and file an epidemiological investigation form and questionnaire for each patient. From August 4 to November 16, 2022 (middle phase), we created a database that consolidated all the information on a sheet of paper and printed it automatically. After November 17, 2022 (later phase), the workflow was reviewed to completely digitize the operations, and personal records were handed over within an electronic folder. Quantitative indicators included the percentage of groups adopting DX, and paper usage was compared for the three phases. The number of days required from notification acceptance to recuperation began, and the questionnaire response time was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U-test. Questionnaire response rates were compared using the chi-square (χ²) test. Qualitative data were coded based on the reflections of the staff involved in the DX promotion. Subcategories were created from commonalities among the codes, and categories were generated through increasing levels of abstraction.Results　As the phases progressed, the percentage of groups adopting DX increased and paper usage decreased. The number of days required was shorter in the later phase (0.4 days) than in the middle phase (0.6 days, P < 0.05). The questionnaire response time was shorter in the later phase (72.3 minutes) than in the middle phase (97.5 minutes, P < 0.01). The questionnaire response rate increased from 4.9% in the middle phase to 11.4% in the later phase (P < 0.01). Seven [categories] of DX driving factors were extracted from the qualitative data. The middle phase included [a need to review the support system because of the rapid spread of infection] and [concrete proposals to introduce DX and decisions by management]. During the later phase, the workflow became paperless as it was completed electronically. Furthermore, we promoted our efforts while providing [technical support to enhance the understanding and adaptation to the DX promotion]. We also sought to [understand individual values and encourage improved awareness].Conclusion　DX efforts reduced paper usage and the time spent on administrative tasks. The driving factors for DX were motivation from social situations, actions, decision-making to solve issues, and support for organizations and individuals. The promotion of DX across departments has led to labor-saving improvements and greater efficiency in operations.</p>","PeriodicalId":72032,"journal":{"name":"[Nihon koshu eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":"871-879"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144683711","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 associated with dialysis initiation in Ehime, Japan].","authors":"Yuichi Seto, Hideaki Kono, Hiromi Hirose, Isao Saito","doi":"10.11236/jph.24-109","DOIUrl":"10.11236/jph.24-109","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Objective　This study aimed to clarify the rate of dialysis initiation among the National Health Insurance (NHI) members and identify factors associated with individuals who underwent specific health checkups. These findings were shared with NHI insurers to help develop effective health services and reduce the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD).Method　We analyzed individuals aged 40-74 years who were insured under the NHI in Ehime Prefecture in 2012, excluding those already on dialysis. Individual patient data were sourced from the National Health Insurance Database and Specified Health Examination Data Management System. The dependent variable was dialysis initiation, whereas the independent variables included various associated factors. A 4-year cumulative rate of dialysis initiation was calculated from 2013 to 2016 and stratified by age and participation in specific health checkups. Poisson regression analysis was performed to estimate the rate ratios adjusted for age, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and urinary protein levels.Results　The 4-year cumulative rate of dialysis initiation was 40.1 per 100,000 among those who underwent specific health checkups compared to 423.7 per 100,000 among those who did not. The rate of dialysis initiation was significantly higher among individuals with eGFR <45 and urinary protein ≥2+. Additionally，hypertension and diabetes mellitus were significant associated factors, with the rate ratios of 3.87 (95% CI: 1.37-10.9) and 7.51 (95% CI: 3.05-18.5), respectively.Conclusion　These findings highlight an urgent need to improve health check-up participation rates to identify high-risk individuals and to prevent disease progression. This study also underscores the importance of addressing diabetes and other associated factors in CKD management, which may lead to the development of targeted health initiatives by NHI insurers.</p>","PeriodicalId":72032,"journal":{"name":"[Nihon koshu eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":"862-870"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144776988","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":"[Turnover intentions of public health nurses after responding to COVID-19: A comparison with 10 years ago (A report of the Committee on Public Health Nursing 2022/2023 survey)].","authors":"Aya Iguchi, Atsuko Taguchi, Taichi Sato, Megumi Iwamoto, Hiroko Okuda, Soichiro Mochizuki, Taeko Shimazu, Tomofumi Sone, Kaori Maeda, Maki Muroka, Eri Mochida, Junko Omori","doi":"10.11236/jph.25-064","DOIUrl":"10.11236/jph.25-064","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Objectives　This study aimed to determine how turnover intentions among public health nurses have changed following their coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response compared to 10 years ago, using propensity score matching.Methods　As part of the Committee on Public Health Nursing's 2022/2023 activities, we conducted a repeated cross-sectional survey among public health nurses based on the Job Demands-Resources Model, a theoretical framework for turnover intentions. We collected cross-sectional observational data from periods before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. Pre-pandemic data came from a 2013 survey (\"2013 survey\"), while post-pandemic data were collected between December 2022 and February 2023 (\"2023 survey\"). For the 2023 survey, we created a self-administered questionnaire similar to the 2013 instrument. We stratified and sampled 4,000 full-time public health nurses for distribution, ensuring the proportion of full-time public health nurses matched that of employees in established administrative organizations nationwide. After adjusting for 11 covariates-including sex and administrative classification of respondents' municipalities-through propensity scores, we extracted data for analysis. We compared turnover intentions using the χ² test and compared burnout and work engagement, as mediating variables for turnover intention, using t-tests.Results　The 2023 survey yielded 2,127 valid responses (53.2% valid response rate), and the 2013 survey provided 1,798 responses. After propensity score matching, 2,492 responses (1,246 per group) were used for analysis. Compared to the survey conducted ten years ago, the 2023 survey included more respondents who were staff members or chiefs in health sectors, prefectures, and local governments with jurisdictions exceeding 300,000 people. However, after propensity score matching adjustment, standardized differences for all adjustment variables fell below 0.1, confirming homogenized distributions and composition ratios between groups. Compared to 2013, significantly more public health nurses in the 2023 survey reported turnover intentions. Additionally, public health nurses experienced greater burnout and lower work engagement than 10 years ago.Conclusion　These findings suggest that the COVID-19 response may have exhausted public health nurses and increased their turnover intentions. Further analysis of job demands and resources as factors influencing burnout and work engagement is needed to ensure the career continuity of public health nurses.</p>","PeriodicalId":72032,"journal":{"name":"[Nihon koshu eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":"897-904"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145016662","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":"[Association between driver's license possession and outings for personal errands among older adults in Higashi-Surugawan metropolitan area].","authors":"Daigo Inamasu, Akio Kubota","doi":"10.11236/jph.25-012","DOIUrl":"10.11236/jph.25-012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Objective　Public transport is less developed in regional cities than in metropolitan areas. Consequently, older adults in these cities often face difficulties in securing alternative means of transportation after surrendering their driver's licenses, which can lead to reduced outings. Understanding the relationship between possessing a driver's license by an older adult and the purpose of outings in regional cities can provide fundamental information for designing appropriate support measures. This study aimed to examine the association between driver's license possession and outings for personal errands among older adults living in regional cities, while focusing on sex-specific patterns and differences between early- and late-stage older adults.Methods　A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from 9,463 individuals aged 65-84 years who responded to the third Higashi-Surugawan metropolitan area person trip survey, which was carried out in Shizuoka Prefecture in December 2015 and February 2016. Outing purposes were classified into categories such as \"routine household chores and shopping,\" \"non-routine shopping,\" \"social activities, meetings, recreation, dining,\" \"pick-up and drop-off,\" \"medical visits,\" \"tourism and leisure,\" and \"other personal purposes.\" Logistic regression analyses were performed separately by sex and by early- and late-stage older adults, with the presence or absence of outings for each purpose as the dependent variable and driver's license possession as the independent variable.Results　The findings indicated a significant positive association between driver's license possession and outings for certain purposes. Among early-stage older men, possessing a license was associated with outings for \"non-routine shopping,\" \"pick-up and drop-off,\" and \"tourism and leisure,\" whereas among late-stage older men, it was associated with outings for \"routine household chores and shopping\" and \"pick-up and drop-off.\" Among early stage older women, possessing a license was associated with outings for \"social activities, meetings, recreation, dining,\" \"pick-up and drop-off,\" \"medical visits,\" \"tourism and leisure,\" and \"other personal purposes,\" whereas among late-stage older women, it was associated with outings for \"social activities, meetings, recreation, dining,\" \"pick-up and drop-off,\" \"tourism and leisure,\" and \"other personal purposes.\"Conclusion　Drivers' license possession among older adults living in regional cities is associated with outings for several personal purposes, such as household chores, shopping, social activities, and medical visits.</p>","PeriodicalId":72032,"journal":{"name":"[Nihon koshu eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":"845-852"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144683700","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":"[Support for public health center directors during the COVID-19 pandemic: A questionnaire survey].","authors":"Yuri Akamatsu, Toshiyuki Ojima, Hiroko Shimada, Rie Fujita, Sanae Haruyama","doi":"10.11236/jph.24-148","DOIUrl":"10.11236/jph.24-148","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Objectives　In Japan, public health centers (PHCs) have been crucial in managing health crises during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to provide insight into future crisis management measures by identifying the support that PHC directors received and found useful while performing their duties during the pandemic.Methods　A questionnaire survey targeting PHC directors from 468 PHCs nationwide was conducted between September and October 2022. The survey items included the support received by directors in performing their roles and duties during the pandemic, type of support (medical duties, medical coordination, coordination work, and management duties), and support they found useful. Descriptive statistics were performed.Results　Valid responses were obtained from 189 PHC directors (40.4%), most of which were doctors. The highest proportion of support the directors received was from public health nurses/clerical staff at PHCs and head offices (73.0%), followed by from infectious disease specialists and Disaster Medical Assistance Teams. This support from public health nurses/clerical staff had the highest proportion of which the directors found useful (60.9%). Regarding communication, 48.1% of the directors found it useful to obtain an understanding from the administration heads, whereas < 40% found it useful to exchange information with other PHC directors or head offices. The type of support differed depending on whether the directors received it or with whom they exchanged information.Conclusions　During the COVID-19 pandemic, PHC directors mainly received human support from various occupations led by public health nurses/clerical staff and found the support useful. The type of support differed depending on who they received support from. The directors found it useful to obtain an understanding from the administration heads and were less likely to exchange information with other PHC directors or head offices. Two-way communication may not have been established in this case. Human support, appropriate placement, and two-way communication are important for the management of future health crises.</p>","PeriodicalId":72032,"journal":{"name":"[Nihon koshu eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":"886-896"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144776990","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}