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

{"title":"[Response techniques used by public health nurses to support home-based care via telephone during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic].","authors":"Kazuyo Arima, Mikiko Ito","doi":"10.11236/jph.25-079","DOIUrl":"10.11236/jph.25-079","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Objective　To identify the technical approaches used by public health nurses for providing telephone support to patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) receiving home-based care during the pandemic.Methods　Five managers and five newly appointed public health nurses from five municipalities, each with experience in home-based care for homebound COVID-19 patients, were interviewed. A qualitative analysis was performed using Braun and Clarke's methodology.Results　The analysis yielded 68 codes, with 10 unique to managerial public health nurses. These codes were grouped into eight categories, which were then subdivided into three primary response techniques: methods for establishing ongoing support to patients with unknown COVID-19 status, including those who are not cooperative or hostile; approaches for rapid adaptation to establish an effective recovery environment for infectious diseases; and strategies for improving the self-care abilities of patients with COVID-19 and their families. During the telephone support sessions, nurses relied not only on verbal expressions but also encouraged non-verbal expressions and collected non-verbal information to gain a multidimensional understanding of patients' situation and needs. This involved managing patients' refusal to respond as well as their strong treatment requests. Unique observations among managerial nurses included the following: continuing to provide detailed explanations to obtain patient consent, managing resistance to containment strategies, and remaining aware of their authority as health center staff; understanding the perceived threat of COVID-19 by patients, families, and local residents to inform awareness; and deliberately issuing instructions to patients to gather precise vital information from their posture or behavioral responses. Due to their experience, managerial nurses were able to empathetically understand patients and their families, apply emotional intelligence, and engage in conversations that enabled them to sensitively detect subtle early signs of health deterioration.Conclusion　This study identified techniques to address the unique public health challenges posed by infectious diseases, providing valuable insights for training resilient public health nurses.</p>","PeriodicalId":72032,"journal":{"name":"[Nihon koshu eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":"156-166"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145440186","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":"[Comparison of estimated salt and potassium intake and urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio based on casual urine: A 10-year follow-up of NIPPON DATA2010].","authors":"Kaori Kitaoka, Aya Kadota, Katsushi Yoshita, Yukiko Okami, Keiko Kondo, Akiko Harada, Nagako Okuda, Takayoshi Ohkubo, Tomonori Okamura, Katsuyuki Miura","doi":"10.11236/jph.25-021","DOIUrl":"10.11236/jph.25-021","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Objectives　This study compared the estimated 24-hour salt intake, estimated 24-hour potassium intake, and sodium-to-potassium (Na/K) ratio based on casual urine samples from the general Japanese population at baseline and 10 years later.Methods　NIPPON DATA2010 is a cohort study of participants in the 2010 National Health and Nutrition Survey of Japan; 2,244 individuals were included in the 2020 follow-up survey of NIPPON DATA2010. Among them, 798 individuals consented to participate in urine testing and were sent a self-collection kit. The estimated 24-hour salt intake (g/day) and estimated 24-hour potassium intake (mg/day) were calculated using Tanaka's formula, and the urinary Na/K ratio (mmol/mmol) was also determined. A total of 667 participants provided valid urine data at both baseline and 10 years later (mean age at baseline: 54.8±13.4 years; women: 59.1%). Participants were classified into four groups according to sex and age at baseline: men aged ＜60 years, men aged ≥60 years, women aged ＜60 years, and women aged ≥60 years. Regions were categorized into seven areas in Japan. Comparisons between baseline and 10 years later were performed using paired t-tests.Results　Differences in the estimated 24-hour salt intake were not statistically significant for all groups. The estimated 24-hour potassium intake was higher 10 years later in men aged ≥60 years and in women; men aged ＜60 years showed a trend toward higher values. The urinary Na/K ratio was significantly lower 10 years later in men aged ≥60 years (baseline: 4.14±2.57, 10 years later: 3.38±2.10, P = 0.002), women aged ＜60 years (baseline: 4.05±2.23, 10 years later: 3.44±1.91, P＜0.001), and women aged ≥60 years (baseline: 3.76±1.79, 10 years later: 3.03±1.78, P＜0.001). Further, the urinary Na/K ratio was significantly lower in the Tohoku, Kanto, and Kinki regions.Conclusion　Findings of the current study revealed that the estimated 24-hour potassium intake was significantly higher and urinary Na/K ratios were significantly lower 10 years after initial samples were taken at baseline, particularly in women and men aged ≥60 years, as well as in specific regions. These findings suggest the need to strengthen the measures for specific target groups and regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":72032,"journal":{"name":"[Nihon koshu eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":"139-146"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145304838","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":"[Considerations for the current situation and expected support systems for families of individuals with alcohol use disorders, substance use disorders, or behavioral addictions].","authors":"Yukari Senoo, Hideki Fujii, Hongja Kim, Yuki Kuwabara, Aya Kinjo, Yoneatsu Osaki","doi":"10.11236/jph.25-005","DOIUrl":"10.11236/jph.25-005","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":72032,"journal":{"name":"[Nihon koshu eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":"167-175"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145440171","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 on child-rearing expenditures for households in Japan: Web-based questionnaire conducted in 2024].","authors":"Nana Misawa, Kenji Takehara","doi":"10.11236/jph.25-023","DOIUrl":"10.11236/jph.25-023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Objectives　The financial burden of raising children is a societal concern in Japan. Since the 2009 Cabinet Office survey on child-rearing costs, which was conducted online, a few comprehensive assessments of the total cost of raising children in Japanese households have been subsequently conducted. This study aimed to estimate both annual and cumulative child-rearing costs from birth to age 18, categorizing expenses by preschool, elementary school, junior high school, and high school years, and examine changes in expenditure since 2009.Methods　A web-based survey on child-rearing expenses was conducted in November 2024, targeting mothers with children aged 0-18 years, who had their first child in Japan. Child-rearing costs were assessed across 13 expenditure categories, ensuring comparability with the Cabinet Office survey. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of annual costs were calculated for each category across schooling years, excluding extreme values exceeding three SDs. The total annual cost was derived by summing categorized expenditures. The results were compared with those of the 2009 Cabinet Office survey to evaluate cost trends over time.Results　In total, 6408 responses were collected, including 4166 valid responses. The total estimated expenditure for raising a child from birth through the third year of high school was approximately JPY 25,701,956. When excluding savings and insurance, the cost was approximately JPY 21,727,154. Annual child-rearing expenses tended to increase with the age of the child, with a pronounced increase observed in educational costs during the transitions to junior high and high schools. The cumulative cost from birth through the third year of junior high school was JPY 18,995,250 in the 2009 survey and JPY 19,530,626 in the present study.Conclusion　This study revealed that households with lower incomes tend to allocate a higher proportion of their income to living expenses and that the financial burden on these households is particularly high during the high school years and during transitions to new educational stages, such as entry into junior high or high schools. Developing economic support programs for households raising children should be guided by data, including the expenditure patterns identified in this study.</p>","PeriodicalId":72032,"journal":{"name":"[Nihon koshu eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":"176-187"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145304831","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":"[Strategies to improve specific health checkup participation rates: An analysis using the \"Health Promotion Programs Chart\"].","authors":"Yoshino Yokoyama, Kyoko Nakao, Haruko Uemura, Hiroo Ide, Yuji Furui","doi":"10.11236/jph.25-052","DOIUrl":"10.11236/jph.25-052","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Objectives　To maximize the effectiveness of Specific Health Checkups (SHC), participation rates must be improved. Municipalities have implemented various strategies to achieve these goals. However, these strategies are often not explicitly documented and remain tacit knowledge, resulting in the fragmentation of such knowledge. This study aimed to document and clarify the strategies adopted by municipalities to improve SHC participation rates and to examine the implementation of these strategies in relation to the target population size and participation rates.Methods　Strategies to improve SHC participation rates were gathered from the National Health Insurance (NHI) records of all 35 municipalities using a standardized format, the \"Health Promotion Programs Chart,\" and through interviews with two municipalities in the Yamagata Prefecture. These strategies were classified into six categories by specialists in health promotion programs based on workflow processes. A questionnaire containing 47 items across these six categories was administered to all 35 municipalities. Differences between groups based on the target population size and participation rates regarding strategy implementation were statistically analyzed using Fisher's exact test.Results　The questionnaire had a 100% response rate. The most frequently reported strategies were those related to encouraging participation (19 items), followed by public awareness initiatives (10 items). Municipalities with larger populations were significantly more likely to \"hold regular meetings and discussions with medical associations on program progress and challenges\". In contrast, three strategies were significantly more prevalent in municipalities with lower participation rates: \"targeted encouragement for specific individuals,\" \"outsourcing of mailing encouragement activities,\" and \"sending participation reminders at least twice\" (P ＜ 0.05 for all). However, none of the strategies showed a significant positive correlation with participation rates.Conclusion　This study documented and clarified the strategies implemented by municipalities to improve SHC participation rates. This study also highlighted the differences in strategy implementation based on the target population size, providing valuable insights for municipalities to adapt their approaches accordingly. However, no specific strategies were more commonly adopted by municipalities with higher participation rates. As this study was limited to a single prefecture, further research incorporating data from other regions was required to accumulate knowledge and develop effective measures to enhance SHC participation.</p>","PeriodicalId":72032,"journal":{"name":"[Nihon koshu eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":"199-208"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145440146","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":"[Knowledge of menstrual health issues among male workers in relation to their age, job position, and marital status].","authors":"Hidehiko Yamada, Hajime Iwasa, Kayoko Ishii, Takayuki Idaka, Seiji Yasumura","doi":"10.11236/jph.25-010","DOIUrl":"10.11236/jph.25-010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Objectives　Female workers have various work-related challenges associated with menstrual health. A prior study has revealed that 50% of surveyed females reported a lack of understanding of menstrual health issues in their workplace. To date, only a few studies have evaluated menstrual health knowledge among male workers. This study aimed to examine the relationship between knowledge of menstrual health issues among male workers and their basic attributes (age, job position, and marital status), as well as implications for occupational health practice.Methods　A self-administered, anonymous survey was conducted between August 7 and August 28, 2023 among male workers in two manufacturing establishments in Fukushima Prefecture. The survey included demographic questions and assessed knowledge of menstruation-related topics, such as the presence of health issues before and during menstruation, menstrual abnormalities, and social trends. Participants were requested to select, \"know\" or \"don't know\", for each item. Participant demographics and knowledge of menstruation were evaluated using descriptive statistics, and the associations between knowledge of menstruation and basic attributes were analyzed using chi-square tests and residual analysis.Results　Of the 311 distributed questionnaires, 190 were returned (response rate: 61.1%), and 165 were included in the analysis. More than 70% of the respondents were familiar with health issues appearing before and during menstruation, and menstrual abnormalities, including \"becoming angry\", \"heavy bleeding\", and \"amenorrhea\". However, only 20% of the respondents were aware of menstrual health issues such as \"itching\", \"sweating\", and \"hot flashes\". Approximately 70% of the respondents did not identify \"prolonged menorrhea\" as a menstrual abnormality, and 90% were unaware of social trends related to menstruation. Age of the respondents was associated with the presence or absence of knowledge of menstrual health issues. Teen-aged respondents were aware of \"increased appetite\", and respondents in their 20s identified \"breast tenderness\", \"sleepiness\", and \"increased appetite\". Respondents in their 50s were less aware of menstrual health issues such as \"sleepiness\" or \"increased appetite\", and those in their 60s were not aware of \"breast tenderness\" or \"increased appetite\". Additionally, managers demonstrated knowledge about \"becoming angry\", \"heavy bleeding\", \"lower abdominal pain\", \"difficulty concentrating\", and \"sweating\". A significant association was observed only between knowledge of \"hot flashes\" and marital status.Conclusions　Most respondents were aware of the common health issues associated with menstruation. However, many were unaware of the less common menstrual health issues, menstrual abnormalities, and social trends associated with menstruation. Further studies are required to identify effective measures for improving menstrual knowledge among male workers.</p>","PeriodicalId":72032,"journal":{"name":"[Nihon koshu eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":"188-198"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145304829","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":"[Perceptions of community-based connectedness with people among older individuals and related factors].","authors":"Asuka Yoshida, Michiyo Hirano","doi":"10.11236/jph.25-014","DOIUrl":"10.11236/jph.25-014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Objectives　Social isolation among older individuals whose living environment is changing is an issue that should be addressed. Retirement, social inclusion (SI), and building connections with community-dwelling individuals are important for preventing social isolation. Particularly in the case of older adults, it is important to clarify their subjective connections with community-dwelling individuals to build connections with them. The aim of this study was to clarify older adults' perceptions of community-based connectedness and related factors.Methods　The participants, 800 men and women in their 70s and 80s living in urban areas, were surveyed in February 2024 using a self-administered, anonymous postal questionnaire. The survey items included attributes, perceptions of community-based connectedness, social networks (SN), SI, and community relationships. Multiple regression analysis using the forced entry method was conducted, with perceptions of community-based connectedness with people as the dependent variable; SN, SI, and community relationships as independent variables; and attributes as covariates.Results　We collected 338 questionnaires and 316 valid responses (valid response rate: 39.5%). The participants' mean age was 79.0 ± 5.4 years, and 172 (54.4%) were men. The mean score for perceptions of community-based connectedness with people was 83.4 ± 17.6, with minimum and maximum scores of 36 and 131, respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that SN (standardized partial regression coefficient (β) = 0.124, P = 0.012) and SI \"connectedness\" (β = 0.132, P = 0.023), SI \"participation\" (β = 0.100, P = 0.047), and community relationships (β = 0.469, P < 0.001) were significantly asso-ciated with perceptions of community-based connectedness with people.Conclusion　The subjective connectedness of older adults was related to the objective connectedness of SN and SI in terms of \"connectedness\" and \"participation.\" The results suggested that the perception of the community as a whole as connected is related to older adults' perceptions of community-based connectedness with people. We concluded that the spread of individual behaviors within the community and improvements in overall community quality are linked to perceptions of community-based connectedness.</p>","PeriodicalId":72032,"journal":{"name":"[Nihon koshu eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":"147-155"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145304860","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":"[Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer incidence in Japan].","authors":"Rina Tanaka, Masashi Matsuzaka","doi":"10.11236/jph.25-114","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.11236/jph.25-114","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Objectives　The first case of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was confirmed in China in December 2019, rapidly escalating into a global pandemic. The first case in Japan was detected in January 2020 and a state of emergency was declared in April. Citizens were urged to stay at home, and healthcare facilities limited their services. Patients with cancer were compelled to postpone or alter their medical visits, either voluntarily or at the request of the institutions. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of cancer diagnosis in Japan.Methods　A summary of the population-based cancer registry data in Japan from 2016 to 2021 from e-Stat was evaluated. The average annual number of cancer cases diagnosed from 2017 to 2019 was then calculated and analyzed compared to the 2020 and 2021 statistics according to age group, cancer site, method of cancer detection, and stage at diagnosis.Results　Between 2019 and 2020, the number of cases decreased by 67,305. Case counts decreased across nearly all cancer sites, except for pancreatic cancer and malignant lymphoma. The most substantial decrease was observed in patients with stomach cancer. Notably, cancers detected through screenings, health checkups, and comprehensive medical exams showed significant decreases, including a 24.0% decrease (5,806 fewer cases) in cases of stomach cancer diagnosis. Declines were observed in the carcinoma in situ, localized, and lymph node metastasis stages for most cancer types. Specifically, for stomach cancer, the number of localized cases decreased by 15.8% (11,596 cases), whereas the number of cases involving lymph node metastasis decreased by 12.7% (1,570 cases). In contrast, from 2020 to 2021, the number of cancer cases increased by approximately 50,000, with growth observed across most sites. Detection through screening and of all stages of cancer, except for those with unknown status, also increased.Conclusion　The number of cancer diagnoses decreased in 2020, particularly cases of early stage cancers. This finding suggests that restrictions related to the pandemic may have limited access to screening and medical visits. The 2021 rebound may reflect the resumption of routine medical services. These findings underscore the importance of assessing the effect of delayed diagnosis during a pandemic on subsequent cancer progression and outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":72032,"journal":{"name":"[Nihon koshu eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147357723","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":"[Definition, concept, and practical example of information bias].","authors":"Sadao Suzuki","doi":"10.11236/jph.25-088","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.11236/jph.25-088","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Objectives　This paper aims to elucidate the fundamental concept of \"information bias\" in analytical epidemiological studies. Specifically, it focuses on bias arising from covariates, an area for which educational case examples are scarce, and explains how and why such bias distorts research results. Using a real-world example, the paper examines the underlying mechanism and emphasizes the importance of precise covariate definition in study design.Methods　Information bias is defined as \"a flaw in measuring exposure, covariate, or outcome variables that results in different quality (accuracy) of information between comparison groups.\" Based on this definition, we explain how distorted results arise and analyze information bias associated with the covariate \"Study Period (SP)\" in an epidemiological study using human papillomavirus vaccination data from Nagoya City. The starting point of SP differed between comparison groups, with the vaccinated group having a shorter period defined from age 12 years to the first vaccination date. Using the Nagoya data, we evaluated the impact of adjusting for SP, a covariate that meets the definition of information bias, on the study results.Results　Simulation analyses showed that bias emerged when SP was used as a covariate instead of age, which should have been adjusted for. Adjustment for SP introduced differential misclassification because the average observation period was shorter in the vaccinated group than in the non-vaccinated group, leading to distortion in the study results. Consequently, the reported odds ratios were distorted due to information bias originating from the covariate SP.Conclusion　This study demonstrates through simulation that information bias arises when covariate definitions differ between comparison groups in analytical epidemiological studies, leading to distorted results. Compared with bias related to exposure or outcome variables, information bias originating from covariates is rarely addressed in educational materials, and its mechanisms are more complex, making it less likely to be recognized. Ensuring uniform covariate definitions is crucial for valid analytical epidemiological research and warrants greater emphasis in future research and education.</p>","PeriodicalId":72032,"journal":{"name":"[Nihon koshu eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147357735","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":"[Training needs of community comprehensive support center staff to strengthen community-based integrated care].","authors":"Fuwa Nogawa, Chiyori Haga, Kaori Kojima, Toshiyuki Ojima","doi":"10.11236/jph.25-059","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.11236/jph.25-059","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Objectives　Extending healthy life expectancy represents a critical public health priority in Japan. Achieving this goal requires Community Comprehensive Support Center (CCSC) staff to develop competencies in building and managing community-based integrated care systems that promote mutual resident support. This study aimed to identify training challenges and future needs related to community development among CCSC staff nationwide.Methods　Focus group interviews (FGIs) were conducted with CCSC staff. Verbatim transcripts underwent thematic analysis to extract and categorize staff-identified training needs.Results　Twenty-four staff members (mean age: 44.6 years; seven public health nurses, eight care managers, six social workers, one occupational therapist, one physical therapist, one nurse) from five CCSCs (two directly managed, three commissioned) participated in the study. Analysis of the FGI transcripts yielded 132 codes organized into five categories: (1) fostering resident independence, mutual support relationships, and community acceptance to establish integrated care systems; (2) advancing community activities using the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle; (3) developing skills to secure community resources and engage in continuous self-improvement; (4) enhancing skills to support individuals with complex, challenging problems; and (5) promoting inclusive society by addressing regional disparities.Conclusion　CCSC staff require enhanced skills in fostering resident independence and mutual support to reduce regional disparities and promote social inclusion. Findings emphasize the need for practical, on-the-job training methods, including case studies, to strengthen data-driven PDCA implementation and improve ethical decision-making in complex cases. Developing and implementing targeted training programs is essential to address identified needs and effectively advance community-based integrated care systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":72032,"journal":{"name":"[Nihon koshu eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147357792","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}