Citation

Haraoka T, Hayasaka S, Murata C, Yamaoka T, Ojima T. Disaster Med. Public Health Prep. 2012; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Departments of Regional Medical Management (Ms Haraoka and Mr Yamaoka) and Departments of Community Health and Preventive Medicine (Drs Hayasaka, Murata, and Ojima and Ms Haraoka), Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka; and Departments of Sports and Health Science, Daito Bunka University, Saitama (Dr Hayasaka); and Section of Social Participation and Support, Department of Social Science, Center for Gerontology and Social Science, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Aichi (Dr Murata), Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Publisher Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1001/dmp.2012.60

PMID

23250842

Abstract

Objective:  Fatalities and injuries during an earthquake can be reduced by taking preemptive measures beforehand, and furniture anchoring is an important safety measure for all residents. This study sought to clarify the factors associated with furniture anchoring within the home. Methods:  A self-administered mail survey was completed from July to August 2010 by 3500 men and women between the ages of 20 and 69 years who were chosen at random from an official government resident registry of 2 cities in Japan. Results:  Of the 1729 valid responses, 37.1% reported furniture anchoring. An association with furniture anchoring was observed for having viewed earthquake intensity maps or damage predictions (odds ratio [OR] 1.92, 95% CI 1.54-2.39), expressing concern about a future earthquake (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.36-3.15), feelings of urgency (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.47-2.45), accuracy of the government disaster preparedness information (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.17-2.42), knowledge of the meaning of emergency earthquake warnings (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.12-2.48), and participation in voluntary disaster preparedness activities (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.12-1.75). Conclusions:  Furniture anchoring was found to be associated with risk awareness, risk perception, disaster preparedness information provided by government to residents, knowledge of earthquakes, participation in voluntary disaster preparedness activities, nonwooden structures, and marital status. An increase in furniture anchoring is important and can be achieved through education and training in daily life.

Language: en