title: Willingness of international delegations to be deployed to areas with high risk of radiation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An earthquake of 9.0 magnitude, followed by a tsunami, hit Japan in 2011 causing widespread destruction. Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant had been damaged, causing a spread of radioactive materials.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess personal willingness to respond to a disaster as a part of an international delegation, to an area with unknown and unclear risk of radioactive materials. The Israeli delegation to the Japan 2011 earthquake had been chosen as a case study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The survey was conducted during the first two weeks after the tsunami in Japan. The population was selected randomly. After distributing the survey form, 94 anonymous answers were received, which give a 69% participation rate. The sample was divided into two groups (participated or didn't participate in an international delegation in the past).
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that as the situation on the ground became worse, the willingness to be deployed dropped dramatically, although no significant difference was found in willingness between the two study groups. When both groups were combined into one group, significant differences were found in their willingness to be deployed in a delegation between the three levels (no radioactive leak, possible radioactive leak, and uncontrolled leak).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The willingness to serve on a delegation that responds to a scene with a potential radioactive leak will be dramatically influenced by the risk at the site.
authors.affiliation: 1Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research,Center for Trauma & Emergency Medicine Research,Ramat Gan,Israel.
authors.forename: Gilead
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shenhar
authors.affiliation: 1Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research,Center for Trauma & Emergency Medicine Research,Ramat Gan,Israel.
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Radomislensky
authors.affiliation: 1Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research,Center for Trauma & Emergency Medicine Research,Ramat Gan,Israel.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosenfeld
authors.affiliation: 1Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research,Center for Trauma & Emergency Medicine Research,Ramat Gan,Israel.
authors.forename: Kobi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peleg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D055866:Earthquakes; D005260:Female; D062406:Fukushima Nuclear Accident; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007557:Israel; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008493:Medical Missions; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D024382:Professional Role; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D057192:Tsunamis