Characteristics of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Behavior of Pilgrims to Shikoku Against Earthquake and Tsunami

• Published in: The Journal of Cultural Nursing Studies Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. 1_22 - 1_30
• Main Author: Hanai, Eiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Society of Cultural Nursing Studies 31.05.2023; 文化看護学会
• Subjects: Disaster prevention and mitigation actions; Earthquake; Living Disaster Prevention; Shikoku Pilgrimage; Tsunami; 四国巡礼; 地震; 津波; 生活防災; 防災減災行動
• ISSN: 1883-8774; 2433-4308
• DOI: 10.24658/bunkakango.15.1_1_22

Objective This study clarifies the characteristics of disaster prevention and mitigation behaviors of Shikoku pilgrims against earthquakes and tsunamis, and suggests how they can take actions to protect their lives from such disasters. Methods A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted at Iwamoto Temple, in March and April 2021 on crisis awareness, earthquake and tsunami awareness, and anxiety among those who made the Shikoku pilgrimage in a non-tour bus. Quantitative data were tabulated simply and cross-tabulated for each item. χ-square test or Fisher's exact probability tested the relationship between variables using Windows spss ver. 25 (P‹0.05%). Qualitative data were characterized by categorizing similar opinions. Results The 120 participants were male, 40-69 years old, car users, and more than half were first-time pilgrims. Crisis awareness was 56.7%, hazard knowledge 69.2%, and information interpretation 91.7%, while evacuation knowledge was 49.2% and understanding of this was 45.8%. Crisis awareness and hazard knowledge exhibited a significant relationship. Anxiety during the pilgrimage was 15 codes and three categories. Preparedness was practiced by 51.7%, with checking hazard signs along the pilgrimage route the most common (29.6%). Considerations Shikoku pilgrims' disaster prevention and mitigation actions against earthquakes and tsunamis are characterized by lack of knowledge and understanding of earthquake and tsunami evacuation to lead to evacuation actions, although they can interpret the information on the evacuation signs along the route. Therefore, it would be useful to supplement such knowledge and understanding by devising the display of evacuation signs that will surely lead to evacuation actions.