Experiences of perinatal women and public healthcare providers in a community affected by the great east Japan earthquake and tsunami: Concerns that must be considered for the mental healthcare of perinatal women in postdisaster settings

Abstract

Particular support needs of perinatal women in a disaster have been difficult to grasp through preexisting quantitative epidemiological studies. This study aimed to extract concerns that must be considered for perinatal women's mental healthcare in postdisaster settings based on lessons from the Great East Japan Earthquake. Narrative messages regarding protective and risk factors for mothers' mental health from a representative population of mothers who had given birth and all official maternal caregivers, in a coastal town devastated by the catastrophe were subjected to qualitative analyses. Eight concerns were extracted as specific support needs: (1) improve information pathways, (2) maintain access to medical services, (3) sufficiently equip necessary items for perinatal women and children, (4) implement hygienic facilities, (5) prevent mothers from feeling diffidence, (6) encourage mothers to focus on positive aspects of being pregnant or taking care of their babies, (7) provide dedicated paths for relief supply distribution and dedicated rooms for mothers and children in shelters, and (8) resume usual healthcare activities as soon as possible. The comprehensive survey of the affected community presented concerns that needed to be considered for perinatal women's mental health in postdisaster settings.