Residents' awareness and behaviour regarding typhoon evacuation advice in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.
BACKGROUND
When residents are confronted with disaster, it is often difficult for them to realize the danger and take protective action. In 2004, an evacuation advisory alert was issued on the approach of the season's 23rd typhoon in Japan, but only 5.1% of the residents actually evacuated. Therefore, we felt it necessary to elucidate the awareness and behaviours of residents during the period.


OBJECTIVE
To clarify the awareness, behaviour and related factors of residents who were issued an evacuation advisory alert for the 2004 season's 23rd typhoon.


METHODS
One questionnaire per one household was distributed to 2818 households in the area where the evacuation advisory alert was issued.


RESULTS
A total of 481 responses were returned (a response rate of 17.1%). Residents who evacuated made their decision because they felt the situation was dangerous; they recognized the extent of the danger. There was a pattern of agreement that it had been wise to do so. For those who didn't evacuate, many cited as the reason for their behaviour that their houses didn't flood. Non-evacuees also felt it was all right to stay at home and valued the merits of staying home. Related factors were housing structures, routine disaster-preparedness, a sense of personal danger and the impact of mass media news.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the participation rate was only 17.1%, this study was successful in uncovering aspects of awareness and behaviour of residents in the designated area. It also provided insight into what is needed for future disaster-preparedness, equipment and education.
Nozawa
M
M
College of Nursing Art and Science, University of Hyogo, Hyogo, Japan. mieko_nozawa@cnas.u-hyogo.ac.jp
Watanabe
T
T
Katada
N
N
Minami
H
H
Yamamoto
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003657:Decision Making; D004189:Disaster Planning; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012309:Risk-Taking; D014887:Weather