Meal services after the Great East Japan Earthquake at nursery schools in a tsunami-affected town: focus group observations

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Author : Yukiko Amitani, Noriko Sudo, Nobuyo Tsuboyama-Kasaoka, Fumiko Ishikawa, Kazuko Sako
Keyword : The Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami-affected town, nursery school, feeding manual in disaster, The Japan Dietetic Association
DOI : 10.6133/apjcn.012016.05
Issue : Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2017;26(2):308-312
PDF : Download

Abstract

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to collect information on experiences in the Great East Japan Earthquake (hereafter, 3.11), current preparedness, and barriers to building up stockpiles in nursery schools in af- fected areas. Based on the needs heard from the staff, we decided what contents should be included in our manual developed with the Japan Dietetic Association. Methods and Study Design: A group interview was held in Sep- tember 2012. We interviewed a principal, nurses, and registered dietitians working for a public and a private nursery school in Town A. We also invited an administrative dietitian who was an employee of Town A. Results: One of the barriers to building up stockpiles was that they did not have any idea of what and how many items they should store. To deal with this situation, we developed a formula that could be used to calculate the quantity of stockpiles for their facilities in a newly developed feeding manual. In terms of current preparedness, the regis- tered dietitians were not prepared for alternative menus in emergencies or how to manage garbage when the gar- bage collection was disrupted by disasters. The manual recommends to obtain the services of at least two food service personnel and spare space for storing filled garbage bags until garbage collection resumes. Conclusion: Some improvements in stocks were found in both of the public and private nursery schools. To improve the situa- tion further, more financial support and detailed guidelines should be provided by the local government and au- thoritative organizations. Our manual should be a great asset for all nursery schools to improve their stockpiles.

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