Reduction Education Program Research Articles

Development of the Volcanic Disaster Risk Reduction Education Program Using the ICT Tool “YOU@RISK Volcanic Disaster Edition” —Practical Verification at a Junior High School in the Mt. Nasu Area—

This study developed a volcanic disaster risk reduction education program that aims to help junior high school students visually understand the risks of volcanic eruptions using map information and acquire independent assessments and actions to protect their own lives from eruption disasters. First, this program analyzed the present state, problems, and educational needs of volcanic disaster risk reduction education in Japan, and thereafter designed the learning content to fuse information and communication technology (ICT) education based on the Global and Innovation Gateway for All (GIGA) School Initiative promoted by Japan with disaster risk reduction education from a geographical viewpoint. We adopted the ADDIE model from instructional design theory to develop the program. An important feature of this program is the realization of geography learning using the “YOU@RISK Volcanic Disaster Edition,” a web-based GIS application developed by the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED), as an ICT tool. Learners use YOU@RISK on their tablets and perform operations such as visualizing the risk range in the event of a volcanic eruption and searching for appropriate evacuation sites and routes, while acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary for geographical literacy and emergency response actions. The program is able to realize interactive learning, which is a step ahead of education that relies on conventional paper-based hazard maps. Among active volcanoes nationwide, Mt. Nasu was selected as target volcano for this study. In addition, a junior high school located in the area surrounding Mt. Nasu, Nasu Junior High School in Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture, was selected as the target school. The program was implemented by teachers using tablets provided for each student at the school. We evaluated the effectiveness of the program by measuring and analyzing the effects of learning through the practice. Consequently, the effectiveness of the volcanic disaster risk reduction education program using ICT was confirmed.

나트륨 줄이기 교육에 대한 유아와 교사의 경험과 교육적 의미 탐색

This study is a qualitative study that explores children’s and teachers’ experiences and educational implications of a sodium reduction education program implemented in a daycare center. The subjects of the study were a teacher and twenty 4-year-old children at a public daycare center located in Gyeonggi Province. The study was analyzed by categorizing program plans activity data, children’s and teachers’ experiences, photographs, and interviews data. As a results, the sodium reduction education program using the play-based approach with the ‘Mainashu’ character to help children understand the importance of sodium intake and acquire healthy eating habits. Children gained knowledge about sodium through play and daily routines and became interested in healthy eating habits. Through the play and daily activities related to home (or home-based activities), children were able to accept sodium reduction as an enjoyable experience and apply it to their real life. Meanwhile, although the teacher used various educational materials and methods to effectively convey the concept of sodium and its eating habits to the children, they still experienced difficulties due to the lack of appropriate models or visual materials. In addition, the lack of cooperation from families and the community led to the limitations of sodium reduction education and its effectiveness. Since the eating habits of young children are shaped by their parents and families, it is essential to engage with families in eating-related activities, and it is necessary to increase the educational effectiveness through continuous interaction.

Development of a Community-Driven Waste Reduction Education and Action Program

Mismanaged and excessive waste has adverse effects on natural environments, economies, and human health. To address these waste issues, the Sustainability with Awareness and Prevention Solutions Program was developed and implemented in communities along the Mississippi Gulf Coast (USA) with the aim to provide the knowledge and actions needed to reduce or eliminate mismanaged and excessive waste. The program uses four educational modules focused on (1) microplastics in the watershed, (2) food waste, (3) single-use plastics, and (4) involvement in community prevention and removal programs. The program curriculum was written to meet education standards in Mississippi for 5th grade gifted, 6–8th grades, and 9–12th grades, and can be easily adapted to other states’ curriculums. The program provides material incentives to participants so knowledge learned can immediately be translated to behavior change. The program is continually being developed to find the best methods to implement behavior change at multiple scales.

Development of Tsunami Disaster Risk Reduction Education Program for Children with No Experience of Earthquake Disaster – Practice and Verification at Shichigahama Town, Miyagi Prefecture

In this study, we developed a tsunami disaster risk reduction (DRR) education program for children with little or no memory/experience of the Great East Japan Earthquake. The objective was to strengthen their disaster response capacity and enable them to think and act to protect their lives from tsunami disasters. The development of this program employed the ADDIE model of Instructional Design in learning theory. Based on the GIGA school concept promoted by Japan, information and communications technology (ICT)-based education and DRR education were integrated into the program from a geographical perspective. Using the ICT-based teaching materials, YOU@RISK Tsunami Disaster Edition, empirical learning was introduced. The town of Shichigahama in Miyagi Prefecture, which was devastated by the tsunami during the Great East Japan Earthquake, was selected as the study target. The study implemented and verified the program with local elementary school students to assess its effectiveness.

Special Issue on NIED Frontier Research on Science and Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience 2022

We are very pleased to publish this special issue, dedicated to NIED Frontier Research on Science and Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience 2022. There are four papers, two reviews, and one note in this issue. In the last year of the NIED’s fourth mid/long term plan period, which began in 2016, natural disasters have occurred every year, including earthquake disasters such as the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake (M7.3) and the 2018 Iburi, Hokkaido earthquake (M7.1). Rainfall disasters include the heavy rainfall in northern Kyushu in July 2017, southwestern Japan in July 2018, northern Kyushu in August 2019, Kanto and Tohoku in October 2019, and Kyushu in July 2020. In the summer of 2022, the heavy rainfall and extreme weather continued over Japan. The first three papers and one note contain hazard and risk information. Dohi et al. present the development of Japan Tsunami Hazard Information Station (J-THIS), Cui et al. present a study of the estimation of damage based on analysis of SNS Information, Nakamura provides avalanche risk information, and Ise et al. note information linkage by the Shared Information Platform for Disaster Management (SIP4D). Horiuchi et al. review the contribution of the E-Defence shaking table. This special issue also includes two social science works. Nagata et al. present tsunami disaster risk reduction education programs, and Yamazaki-Honda reviews promoting coherence among disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development for disaster resilience. In the first half of the 21st century, a mega disaster such as the Nankai Trough earthquake is expected to occur. Extreme climatic events are also becoming more frequent: typhoons, floods, heavy rains and snows, landslides, and heat waves. We hope this issue provides information useful to all readers who study natural disasters.

Sexual behaviors of women who have sex with women: A qualitative explorative study

Sexual transmitted infections (STIs), including the human papillomavirus, are transmissible by female-to-female sexual contact, even though a common misperception is that women who have sex with women (WSW) are at lower risk for STIs. This study sought to further understand current sexual behaviors and protective mechanisms utilized by WSW. Incorporating a grounded theory approach, nineteen (N = 19) semistructured telephone interviews were conducted among WSW from four regions of the United States. Findings indicate that WSW were engaging in risky sexual behaviors due to limitations in knowledge, aversion to dental dams, gender bias, and perceived emotional connection. Implications suggest comprehensive sexuality education and community-based risk reduction education programs.

Sustained reduction in discharge opioid volumes through provider education: Results of 1168 cancer surgery patients over 2 years.

An opioid reduction education program to decrease discharge opioid prescriptions was initiated in our Department of Surgical Oncology. The study's aim was to measure the results and sustainability of these interventions 1 year later. This prospective quality improvement project identified patients undergoing resection in five index tumor sites (peritoneal surface, sarcoma, stomach, pancreas, liver) at a high-volume cancer center. Patients were grouped into pre-education (PRE: July 2017-July 2018) and posteducation (POST: September 2018-July 2019) periods, before and after departmental education talks and videos in August 2018. Opioids were converted to oral morphine equivalents (OME) to compare the groups. Of 1168 evaluable patients (PRE 646, 55%; POST 522, 45%), the median last-24-hinpatient OME was 15 mg in PRE patients and 10 mg in POST patients (p < .001). Median discharge OME decreased from 200 mg in PRE to 100 mg in POST patients (p < .001). The frequency of patients with zero discharge opioids increased from 11% to 19% (p < .001). This discharge OME reduction amounted to 52,200 mg OME saved, or the equivalent of 6960 5-mg oxycodone pills not disseminated. A perioperative opioid reduction education program targeted to providers halved discharge OME, with sustained reductions 1 year later.

Emergency Medicine Intern Education for Best Practices in Opioid Prescribing

IntroductionOpioid exposure has been identified as a contributing factor to the opioid epidemic. Reducing patient exposure, by altering heavy opioid prescribing patterns but appropriately addressing patient pain, may represent one approach to combat this public health issue. Our goal was to create and implement an opioid education program for emergency medicine (EM) interns as a means of establishing foundational best practices for safer and more thoughtful prescribing.MethodsThis was a retrospective study at an academic, urban emergency department (ED) comparing ED and discharge opioid prescribing practices over a 12-week time period for two 14-intern EM classes (2016 and 2018) to evaluate an early opioid reduction education program. The education program included opioid prescribing guidelines for common ED disease states associated with moderate pain, clinician talking points, and electronic education modules, and was completed by EM interns in July/August 2018. Opioid prescription rates per shift were calculated and opioid prescribing best practices described. We used chi-squared analysis for comparisons between the 2016 and 2018 classes.ResultsOverall, ED and discharge opioid orders prescribed by EM interns were fewer in the 2018 class that received education compared with the 2016 class. ED opioid orders were reduced by 64% (800 vs 291 orders, rate per shift 1.8 vs 0.7 orders) and opioid discharge prescriptions by 75% (279 vs 70 prescriptions, rate per shift 0.7 vs 0.2 prescriptions). The rate of prescribing combination opioid products compared to opioids alone was decreased for ED orders (32% vs 16%, P < 0.01) and discharge prescriptions (91% vs 74%, P < 0.01) between the groups. Also, the median tablets per discharge prescription (14.5 vs 10) and total tablets prescribed (4305 vs 749) were reduced, P < 0.01. There were no differences in selection of opioid product or total morphine milligram equivalents prescribed when an opioid was used.ConclusionAn opioid reduction education program targeting EM interns was associated with a reduction in opioid prescribing in the ED and at discharge. This may be an effective way to influence early prescribing patterns and best practices of EM interns.

A qualitative investigation of school age children, their parents and school staff on their participation in the Digital Education to LImit Salt in the Home (DELISH) program.

This study explored the views of participants who completed a 5-week, online, interactive, family-based, salt reduction education program (Digital Education to LImit Salt in the Home). A secondary aim was to explore the views of school staff on the delivery of food and nutrition education in schools. Children aged 7-10 years, their parents and principals/teachers from participating schools located in Victoria, Australia, completed a semi-structured evaluation interview. Audio-recordings of interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using NVivo. Twenty-eight interviews (13 children; 11 parents; 4 school staff) were included. Thematic analysis revealed that the program was well received by all groups. Children reported that the interactivity of the education sessions helped them to learn. Parents thought the program was interesting and important, and reported learning skills to reduce salt in the family diet. School staff supported the delivery of nutrition education in schools but indicated difficulties in sourcing well-packed nutrition resources aligned with the curriculum. It appears that there is support from parents and teachers in the delivery of innovative, engaging, nutrition education in schools, however such programs need to be of high quality, aligned with the school curriculum and readily available for incorporation within the school's teaching program.

Educating surgical oncology providers on perioperative opioid use: A departmental survey 1 year after the intervention.

A department-wide opioid reduction education program resulted in a 1-month change in perceptions of opioid needs and prescribing recommendations for surgical oncology patients. This study's aim was to re-evaluate if early trends were retained 1 year later. Surgical Oncology attendings, fellows, and advanced practice providers at a Comprehensive Cancer Center were surveyed 1-year after an August 2018 opioid reduction education program, to compare departmental and individual opioid prescribing habits. The September 2019 response rate was 54/93 (58%), with 41 completing both the post-education and 1-year follow-up surveys. The departmental and matched cohort continued to recommend a lower quantity of discharge opioids for all five index operations (by >50%) and expected less postoperative days to zero opioid needs, when compared to pre-education perceptions. Providers continued to agree that discharge opioid prescriptions should be based on a patient's last 24 hours of inpatient opioid use. There was universal agreement that each respondent's opioid administration had decreased in the past year. The initial 1-month improvements in perioperative opioid prescribing perceptions were retained 1 year later by Surgical Oncology providers who recommended fewer discharge opioids, faster weaning to zero opioids, and standardized patient-specific discharge opioid volume calculations.

HIV stigma reduction and health literacy education program with a cross-generational populaton in an African American faith-based church

The aim of this study was to implement a HIV stigma reduction/health literacy educational program to investigate HIV stigma reduction and HIV knowledge and health literacy expansion within a cross-generational African American faith center on the west side of Chicago. The study included a community-based mixed method design, enveloped with elements of “stigma reduction, intergroup contact and religious social capital” theories, analyzed a sample size of fourteen (N = 14) faith center participants’ pre- and post-assessment scores and their direct quotes gathered from focused observations. The study presented significant difference found in HIV knowledge (p = .007), and (HIV) health literacy (p = .041). Additionally, significant difference was found in four out of fifteen HIV stereotypes subscales scores on the Stereotype About AIDS Questionnaire. The study suggests that HIV stigma has potentiality to reduce within the African American faith center population contrary to previous studies where HIV stigma reduction was not evident. The intervention model provided a protocol for partnership development between this faith center and the local community hospital infectious disease program to address HIV stigma, HIV knowledge and health literacy (HIV health literacy).

Effectiveness of Children’s Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Program on Earthquake Preparedness in Jordan

Introduction:Children represent a particularly vulnerable population in disasters. Disaster Risk Reduction refers to a systematic approach to identifying, assessing, and reducing risks of disaster through sets of interventions towards disaster causes and population vulnerabilities. Disaster Risk Reduction through the education of the population, and especially children, is an emerging field requiring further study.Aim:To test the hypothesis that an educational program on Disaster Risk Reduction can induce a sustained improvement in knowledge, risk perception, awareness, and attitudes toward preparedness behavior of children.Methods:A Disaster Risk Reduction educational program for students aged 10-12 was completed in an earthquake-prone region of Jordan (Madaba). Subject students (A) and control groups of similarly aged untrained children in public (B) and private (C) schools were surveyed one year after the program. Surveys focused on disaster knowledge, risk perception, awareness, and preparedness behavior. Likert scales were used for some questions and binary yes/no for others. Results were collated and total scores averaged for each section. Average scores were compared between groups and analyzed using SPSS.Results:Students who had completed the Disaster Risk Reduction program were found through Levene’s test to have statistically significant improvement in earthquake knowledge (5.921 vs. 4.55 vs. 5.125), enhanced risk perception (3.966 vs. 3.580 vs. 3.789), and improved awareness of earthquakes (4.652 vs. 3.293 vs. 4.060) with heightened attitudes toward preparedness behavior (8.008 vs. 6.517 vs. 7.597) when compared to untrained public and private school control groups, respectively.Discussion:Disaster Risk Reduction education programs can have lasting impacts when applied to children. They can improve students’ knowledge, risk perception, awareness, and attitudes towards preparedness. Further work is required to determine the frequency of re-education required and appropriate age groups for educational interventions.

Recommendations from American Indian and Alaska Native Adolescent Girls for a Community-Based Gestational Diabetes Risk Reduction and Reproductive Health Education Program

Abstract Background: American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) women have twice the risk compared to the general US population of adolescent obesity, pregnancy, and gestational diabetes. The purpose of this study was to

The Impact of Innovative Smoking Reduction Education at Hospital Entrances: A Prospective Pre- and Post-Test Study Design.

Background: Nurses are expected to play an important role in smoking reduction education. Although the smoking ban was enacted in Taiwan in 1997, which included the introduction of smoking-free areas around the entrances of hospitals, many smokers are still found near hospitals. Few smoking reduction programs have been initiated around hospital entrances. The aim of this study was to examine the impacts of an innovative smoking reduction education program, which was conducted by nursing students around the entrances of a teaching hospital. Methods: A prospective pre- and post-test study design was used. The smoking reduction education program consisted of posters, audio broadcasts, and dramatic performances that provided information and resources related to smoking reduction. Outcome variables included the number of smokers, number of cigarette butts on the ground, and the experiences from nursing students after conducting the program. Results: After adjusting for weather and temperature, the number of smokers decreased significantly in the afternoon and during the whole day after the implementation of the program. The number of cigarette butts significantly decreased during the implementation of the program. Conclusion: The findings reveal that alternative smoking reduction programs initiated around hospital entrances significantly reduced both the number of smokers and cigarette butts on the ground. Nursing students shared their positive experiences in conducting this study.

Culturally Tailoring a Gestational Diabetes Risk Reduction Education Program for American Indian and Alaska Native Girls: Perspectives From Mothers and Daughters

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) adolescent women have greater risk of poor reproductive health outcomes, including unintended pregnancies and gestational diabetes (GDM), than adolescents in the general U.S. population. Raising awareness among youth about preventing unplanned pregnancies and GDM risk reduction principles is imperative, but there is little information to guide cultural tailoring of reproductive health interventions for this population.

Nurse Practitioner-Led Breast Reduction Education Program Improves the Plastic Surgery Resident Ambulatory Care Experience

Nurse Practitioner-Led Breast Reduction Education Program Improves the Plastic Surgery Resident Ambulatory Care Experience

Prevention knowledge, risk behaviours and seroprevalence among nonurban injectors of southwest Connecticut.

Little is known about injection-associated risk behaviours, knowledge and seroprevalence of viral infections among people who inject drugs (PWID) in nonurban locales in the US. Harm reduction services are more available in urban locales. The present study examined a cohort of active PWID residing in non urban areas of Connecticut to investigate how primarily injecting in urban or non urban areas was associated with injection-associated risk behaviours, knowledge and prevalence of blood-borne viruses. We described the sample and performed bivariate and multivariable analyses on injection-associated risk behaviours, HIV/hepatitis/overdose knowledge and baseline serological data to identify differences between individuals who injected primarily in nonurban locales and those who did not. Harm reduction knowledge and use of harm reduction services were poor in both groups. Those injecting most often in urban settings were 1.88 (1.19, 2.98 95% confidence interval) times more likely to engage in at least one injection-associated risk behaviour than their nonurban counterpart. Seroprevalence rates (23.6% for hepatitis B virus, 39.2% for hepatitis C virus, and 1.1% for HIV) were no different between the two groups. The data provided little evidence that the benefits of urban harm reduction programs, such as syringe exchange, risk reduction interventions and education programs have penetrated into this nonurban population, even among those who injected in urban locales where such programs exist. Harm reduction interventions for nonurban communities of PWID are needed to reduce HIV and hepatitis B and C transmission. [Grau LB, Zhan W, Heimer R. Prevention knowledge, risk behaviours and seroprevalence among nonurban injectors of southwest Connecticut. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:628-636].

Effects of Lifestyle Modification on Telomerase Gene Expression in Hypertensive Patients: A Pilot Trial of Stress Reduction and Health Education Programs in African Americans.

BackgroundAfrican Americans suffer from disproportionately high rates of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Psychosocial stress, lifestyle and telomere dysfunction contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. This study evaluated effects of stress reduction and lifestyle modification on blood pressure, telomerase gene expression and lifestyle factors in African Americans.MethodsForty-eight African American men and women with stage I hypertension who participated in a larger randomized controlled trial volunteered for this substudy. These subjects participated in either stress reduction with the Transcendental Meditation technique and a basic health education course (SR) or an extensive health education program (EHE) for 16 weeks. Primary outcomes were telomerase gene expression (hTERT and hTR) and clinic blood pressure. Secondary outcomes included lifestyle-related factors. Data were analyzed for within-group and between-group changes.ResultsBoth groups showed increases in the two measures of telomerase gene expression, hTR mRNA levels (SR: p< 0.001; EHE: p< 0.001) and hTERT mRNA levels (SR: p = 0.055; EHE: p< 0.002). However, no statistically significant between-group changes were observed. Both groups showed reductions in systolic BP. Adjusted changes were SR = -5.7 mm Hg, p< 0.01; EHE = -9.0 mm Hg, p < 0.001 with no statistically significant difference between group difference. There was a significant reduction in diastolic BP in the EHE group (-5.3 mm Hg, p< 0.001) but not in SR (-1.2 mm Hg, p = 0.42); the between-group difference was significant (p = 0.04). The EHE group showed a greater number of changes in lifestyle behaviors.ConclusionIn this pilot trial, both stress reduction (Transcendental Meditation technique plus health education) and extensive health education groups demonstrated increased telomerase gene expression and reduced BP. The association between increased telomerase gene expression and reduced BP observed in this high-risk population suggest hypotheses that telomerase gene expression may either be a biomarker for reduced BP or a mechanism by which stress reduction and lifestyle modification reduces BP.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT00681200

A Comparison of Salty Taste Assessment, Dietary Attitude and Dietary Behavior among Adult and Senior Women by Region and by Age in Korea

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the results of salty taste assessment, dietary attitudes, and dietary behaviors among adult and senior women by region and by age. The results generated from this was expected to provide fundamental data for implementing a nationwide salt reduction education program. Methods: The salty taste assessment tool was applied to 4,064 subjects from 15 areas in Korea. Also, a survey of dietary attitude and dietary behavior related to salt intake was conducted for all subjects participated in this study. Results: The salty taste assessment scores by region and by age were the lowest in capital (p < 0.01) and was highest among the 70+ year age group (p < 0.01). The dietary attitude scores and dietary behavior scores showed that Gyeongsang was the highest (p < 0.001) and the capital was the lowest. The dietary attitude scores were highest at 20&30's followed by 40's and 70's group (p < 0.001). Dietary behavior scores showed that 20's~30's and 40's groups were higher than the other age groups (p < 0.001). The score of 'I like kimchi' was 3.46 ± 0.88, which was the highest among 10 dietary behavior questions. The score of 'I eat a lot of kimchi' was 3.30 ± 0.90, which was the highest among 10 dietary behavior questions related to salt intake. The scores of salty taste assessment had significant positive correlations between the scores of dietary attitude (p < 0.001), dietary behavior (p < 0.001) and self-awareness (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Based on the results of salty taste assessment, we observed a tendency that older people and regions except the capital had higher preference for salty taste. Our results suggested the necessity for a nationwide salty reduction education program tailored for regions and for different age groups. Korean J Community Nutr 20(2): 109~119, 2015

CONNECT for Better Fall Prevention in Nursing Homes: Results from a Pilot Intervention Study

To determine whether an intervention that improves nursing home (NH) staff connections, communication, and problem solving (CONNECT) would improve implementation of a falls reduction education program (FALLS). Cluster randomized trial. Community (n=4) and Veterans Affairs (VA) NHs (n=4). Staff in any role with resident contact (n=497). NHs received FALLS alone (control) or CONNECT followed by FALLS (intervention), each delivered over 3 months. CONNECT used storytelling, relationship mapping, mentoring, self-monitoring, and feedback to help staff identify communication gaps and practice interaction strategies. FALLS included group training, modules, teleconferences, academic detailing, and audit and feedback. NH staff completed surveys about interactions at baseline, 3 months (immediately after CONNECT or control period), and 6 months (immediately after FALLS). A random sample of resident charts was abstracted for fall risk reduction documentation (n=651). Change in facility fall rates was an exploratory outcome. Focus groups were conducted to explore changes in organizational learning. Significant improvements in staff perceptions of communication quality, participation in decision-making, safety climate, caregiving quality, and use of local interaction strategies were observed in intervention community NHs (treatment-by-time effect P=.01) but not in VA NHs, where a ceiling effect was observed. Fall risk reduction documentation did not change significantly, and the direction of change in individual facilities did not relate to observed direction of change in fall rates. Fall rates did not change in control facilities (falls/bed per year: baseline, 2.61; after intervention, 2.64) but decreased by 12% in intervention facilities (falls/bed per year: baseline, 2.34; after intervention, 2.06); the effect of treatment on rate of change was 0.81 (95% confidence interval=0.55-1.20). CONNECT has the potential to improve care delivery in NHs, but the trend toward improving fall rates requires confirmation in a larger ongoing study.