Japanese public health nurses’ culturally sensitive disaster nursing for small island communities

Abstract

Objective: To clarify the tacit knowledge of Japanese public-health nurses who administer culturally sensitive disaster nursing for small island communities. Design: Qualitative and inductive study. Sample: Eleven public-health nurses who provided disaster aid on one of six affected islands. Measurements: Semi-structured interviews, with qualitative analysis of data. Nursing actions that were based on consideration for islanders’ culture were categorized in terms of similarity. Results: Categories of culturally sensitive disaster nursing were identified for each disaster phase of the recovery process. These included confirming islanders’ safety and using existing interpersonal bonds to notify others (acute phase); assisting shelter management by facilitating the application of local rules and bonds (semi-acute phase); compensating for weakened neighbour-based relationships through public services (mid-term phase); and supporting the completion of necessary procedures by utilizing/adjusting islanders’ existing relationships with local government personnel (long-term phase). Cultural elements included interpersonal bonds and relationship, which emerged across phases. Conclusion: Public-health nurses should utilize culture not only to comfort islanders, but also to strengthen their sense of coherence and resilience as islander. They should also remember the nursing principle of compensating for a lack of self-care. To provide effective aid, the changes in cultural influences with recovery phases should be considered.

Culturally sensitive disaster nursing by Public health nurses in Japan

“…People who live on islands, including the Japanese archipelago, are particularly vulnerable to hazardous natural phenomena such as tropical cyclones and earthquakes (Kelman, 2018;United Nations, 2010). Marutani et al (2020) conducted a study regarding culturally sensitive disaster nursing in island communities. They noted that victims were comforted and could strengthen their resilience and sense of coherence (Antonovsky, 1987), when PHNs showed sensitivity to the local culture (Deeny et al, 2010).…”

“…Cultural knowledge is vital for enhancing community resilience (Bergeron, 2015;Deitrich, 2016;International Federation of the Red Cross, 2013 ). Existing studies of culturally sensitive disaster nursing have investigated mainly linguistic issues faced by immigrants (Bergeron, 2015;Danna & Bennett, 2013;Varghese, 2010 ); in contrast, Marutani et al (2020) explored particular aspects of local culture, common behaviors, and thoughts based on the values, norms and beliefs that form local knowledge because a wide range of cultures should be taken into account in planning disaster-risk reduction and postdisaster recovery (Kulatunga, 2010;Oliver-Smith, 1996). Marutani et al (2020) found that PHNs could comfort victims; however, the sample was limited to victims on small islands and no evaluations of victims were conducted.…”

“…Marutani et al. (2020) conducted a study regarding culturally sensitive disaster nursing in island communities. They noted that victims were comforted and could strengthen their resilience and sense of coherence (Antonovsky, 1987), when PHNs showed sensitivity to the local culture (Deeny et al, 2010).…”

“…They noted that victims were comforted and could strengthen their resilience and sense of coherence (Antonovsky, 1987), when PHNs showed sensitivity to the local culture (Deeny et al, 2010). Marutani et al (2020) focused on cultural sensitivity in disaster public health nursing because PHNs already possess deep cultural knowledge of their territories (Murashima et al, 1999). Cultural knowledge is vital for enhancing community resilience (Bergeron, 2015; Deitrich, 2016; International Federation of the Red Cross, 2013 ).…”

“…In addition, 80% of people affected by these phenomena worldwide live on the Pacific Rim, where at least 46% of damage worldwide occurs (Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism, 2016). Marutani et al (2020) clarified aspects of tacit knowledge in culturally sensitive disaster nursing provided for people affected by disasters (hereafter, affected people) living on small Japanese islands. To investigate how public health nursing can best provide comfort to affected people in larger municipalities of the Japanese archipelago, it is necessary to expand on that study.…”