Fears Related to COVID-19 among Rural Older People in Japan
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected people’s social lives by inhibiting their movement; this seriously impacts the lives of older people in particular. Rural older people may have been particularly affected because they live dispersedly and in isolation. This study explored rural older...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-04-01
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| Series: | Healthcare |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/5/524 |
| _version_ | 1797535764310917120 |
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| author | Ryuichi Ohta Yoshinori Ryu Chiaki Sano |
| author_facet | Ryuichi Ohta Yoshinori Ryu Chiaki Sano |
| author_sort | Ryuichi Ohta |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected people’s social lives by inhibiting their movement; this seriously impacts the lives of older people in particular. Rural older people may have been particularly affected because they live dispersedly and in isolation. This study explored rural older people’s perceptions of how COVID-19 has impacted their social lives. This qualitative study assessed participants who were 65 years and older and residing in rural Japanese communities. Five focus group discussions were conducted with 53 participants to explore their perceptions and challenges during COVID-19. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and four themes were developed: the beginning of suffering, social cognitive suppression, reflection on rural contexts, and critical approaches to the pandemic based on rural standards. The daily activities of rural older people were suppressed due to social norms and pandemic-related standard precautionary measures based on urban areas. Specific infection control standards for rural areas and the provision of direct information to individuals in the community to sustain social support are needed. To effectively maintain rural social support, as well as the trust and accountability of rural citizens, constant dialog among local governments and rural citizens is required. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:49:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2ac4ef8e78b74570acace8704e11a69e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9032 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:49:58Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Healthcare |
| spelling | doaj.art-2ac4ef8e78b74570acace8704e11a69e2023-11-21T17:46:40ZengMDPI AGHealthcare2227-90322021-04-019552410.3390/healthcare9050524Fears Related to COVID-19 among Rural Older People in JapanRyuichi Ohta0Yoshinori Ryu1Chiaki Sano2Community Care, Unnan City Hospital, 699-1221 96-1 Iida, Daito-cho, Unnan 699-1221, Shimane, JapanCommunity Care, Unnan City Hospital, 699-1221 96-1 Iida, Daito-cho, Unnan 699-1221, Shimane, JapanDepartment of Community Medicine Management, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, 89-1 Enya cho, Izumo 693-8501, Shimane, JapanCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected people’s social lives by inhibiting their movement; this seriously impacts the lives of older people in particular. Rural older people may have been particularly affected because they live dispersedly and in isolation. This study explored rural older people’s perceptions of how COVID-19 has impacted their social lives. This qualitative study assessed participants who were 65 years and older and residing in rural Japanese communities. Five focus group discussions were conducted with 53 participants to explore their perceptions and challenges during COVID-19. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and four themes were developed: the beginning of suffering, social cognitive suppression, reflection on rural contexts, and critical approaches to the pandemic based on rural standards. The daily activities of rural older people were suppressed due to social norms and pandemic-related standard precautionary measures based on urban areas. Specific infection control standards for rural areas and the provision of direct information to individuals in the community to sustain social support are needed. To effectively maintain rural social support, as well as the trust and accountability of rural citizens, constant dialog among local governments and rural citizens is required.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/5/524COVID-19social normsrural populationolder people |
| spellingShingle | Ryuichi Ohta Yoshinori Ryu Chiaki Sano Fears Related to COVID-19 among Rural Older People in Japan Healthcare COVID-19 social norms rural population older people |
| title | Fears Related to COVID-19 among Rural Older People in Japan |
| title_full | Fears Related to COVID-19 among Rural Older People in Japan |
| title_fullStr | Fears Related to COVID-19 among Rural Older People in Japan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fears Related to COVID-19 among Rural Older People in Japan |
| title_short | Fears Related to COVID-19 among Rural Older People in Japan |
| title_sort | fears related to covid 19 among rural older people in japan |
| topic | COVID-19 social norms rural population older people |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/5/524 |
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