妊婦における災害への備えの認識と行動

Awareness and Action for Disaster Preparedness among Pregnant Women

要約

【目的】妊婦における災害の備えを促進する方略への示唆を得るために、災害の備えに対する認識と行動を明らかにすることであった。

【方法】承諾の得られた妊娠中期の妊婦12名に半構成的面接を実施した。

【結果】妊婦の災害への気がかりは、身動きの取りにくさ、自分や子どもへの影響、一人でいる時の対応であった。しかし、これらへの対策は不足しており、備えに関する知識不足、低い対応効力、備える煩わしさなどが妨げになっていた。一部の妊婦は、災害を自分事として捉えていなかった。また、妊娠それ自体は備えるきっかけになりにくく、妊娠後に新たな備えに取り組んでいた妊婦はごく僅かであった。備えの重要性に気づいている妊婦は、備えの知識やスキルを必要としていた。

【結論】災害への備えを促進するには、妊娠期に何を備えるかに関する知識を提供することに加え、自らに必要な備えを考え、家族と一緒に取り組めるよう支援する必要性が示唆された。

Purposes: The purposes of this study were to clarify awareness and action for disaster preparedness among pregnant women and to examine strategies for the promotion of such action.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 consenting pregnant women in their second trimester.

Results: The women reported anxiety regarding restricted mobility, the impact of disasters on them and their children, and how to respond appropriately if they were alone. However, measures to prepare for related eventualities were insufficient. A lack of basic knowledge, low coping efficacy and the inconvenience of buying and maintaining necessary items were found to have interfered with preparation. Some of the subjects had never even considered the possibility of a disaster. It was found that the onset of pregnancy does not necessarily motivate action for disaster preparedness; only a few of the subjects had taken extra measures since becoming pregnant. Even those who realized the importance of disaster preparedness lacked related awareness and skills.

Conclusion: To promote disaster preparedness during pregnancy, there is a need to raise awareness of related activities, further encourage pregnant women and their families to take action, highlight possible hazards and take action based on discussion and practice.