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Factor Analysis of Disaster and Evacuation Awareness in Japan: Understanding Social Vulnerabilities through Multiple Statistical Approaches

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 September 2025

Akemi Hara ,
Hirotomo Miyatake Open the ORCID record for Hirotomo Miyatake [Opens in a new window] ,
Akihiko Ozaki Open the ORCID record for Akihiko Ozaki [Opens in a new window] ,
Michio Murakami ,
Yoshitake Takebayashi Open the ORCID record for Yoshitake Takebayashi [Opens in a new window] ,
Daisuke Hori ,
Naomi Komori ,
Yudai Kaneda Open the ORCID record for Yudai Kaneda [Opens in a new window] ,
Hiroaki Saito  and
Masaharu Tsubokura
...Show all authors
Akemi Hara
Affiliation:
Department of Research, Medical Governance Research Institute, Minato, Tokyo, Japan
Hirotomo Miyatake
Affiliation:
Yushoukai Medical Corporation Nobishiroclinic Fujisawa, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan
Akihiko Ozaki*
Affiliation:
Department of Research, Medical Governance Research Institute, Minato, Tokyo, Japan Breast and Thyroid Center, Jyoban Hospital of Tokiwa Foundation , Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan
Michio Murakami
Affiliation:
Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, The University of Osaka , Suita, Osaka, Japan
Yoshitake Takebayashi
Affiliation:
Department of Health Risk Communication, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine , Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan
Daisuke Hori
Affiliation:
Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba , Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Naomi Komori
Affiliation:
Shonan Kamakura University of Medical Sciences , Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
Yudai Kaneda
Affiliation:
Clinical Training Center, Jyoban Hospital of Tokiwa Foundation, Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan
Hiroaki Saito
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, Soma Central Hospital, Soma, Fukushima, Japan Department of Radiation Health Management, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan
Masaharu Tsubokura
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Health Management, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan
Takahiro Tabuchi
Affiliation:
Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
*
Corresponding author: Akihiko Ozaki; Email: ozakiakihiko@gmail.com
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Abstract

Objective

This study examined how social vulnerability factors—such as caregiving, economic instability, and nonregular employment—affect disaster preparedness and awareness, with a focus on nonlinear associations with evacuation and disaster awareness.

Study Design

Cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative survey

Methods

Data came from the 2023 Japan COVID-19 and Society Internet Survey (JACSIS), including 28,481 participants. Factor analysis identified two preparedness domains: evacuation awareness and disaster preparedness awareness. Generalized linear models (GLM) assessed associations between awareness scores and sociodemographic and health factors. Sensitivity analysis used a random forest model, and logistic regression examined predictors of low awareness.

Results

Two factors explained 76% of variance in preparedness behaviors. GLM showed that older age (Estimate = 10.99, P < .001), larger household size (Estimate = 4.34, P < .001), high income (Estimate = 0.08, P < .001), and community attachment (Estimate = 0.09, P < .001) were positively related to evacuation awareness, while nonregular employment (Estimate = -0.03, P = .01) and public assistance (Estimate = -0.05, P < .001) were negatively associated. Logistic regression confirmed that reliance on public assistance (OR = 1.54, 95% CI [1.26, 1.87]) and nonregular employment increased odds of low preparedness.

Conclusions

Social vulnerability factors are linked to lower disaster awareness, identifying a subgroup at higher risk. Preparedness policies should account for demographic and economic disparities, emphasizing tailored, community-based strategies to improve resilience among vulnerable populations.

Keywords

Disaster planningsocial vulnerabilityrisk assessmentpopulation surveillancehealth services needs and demand

Information

Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 19 , 2025 , e279
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc

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