218 S . Ito and A . Goto : Radioprotection 2024 , 59 ( 3 ), 211 – 219
studies on pregnancy intention , were not surveyed . The influence of these factors should be examined in future research . Third , selection bias was observed , so caution should be exercised in generalizing the survey results . For example , because this survey was conducted using an Internet research company , it is assumed that many of the respondents were interested in the survey topic . In addition , this survey was conducted among those who did not currently have children , and while the survey asked about their confidence in future childbearing and child-rearing , those who were confident about childbearing and child-rearing were the most likely to have already given birth . Therefore , it is possible that a large proportion of the participants in this survey had low confidence in childbearing and child-rearing . Fourth , although this survey was categorized as being associated with Fukushima Prefecture , prefectures near Fukushima , and other prefectures , some areas within Fukushima Prefecture are much closer to the nuclear accident site . Among the prefectures close to Fukushima , Ibaraki Prefecture is closer to the nuclear accident site than are Tochigi and Miyagi Prefectures . Therefore , caution is needed in generalizing the results among the three groups . Finally , the survey did not estimate respondents ’ radiation doses , and living in Fukushima Prefecture does not necessarily mean that they were exposed to radiation at the time of the disaster . Therefore , the results of this survey can be considered a factor related to the presence or absence of radiation-related support associated with the area of residence at the time of the nuclear accident , and it is difficult to interpret the results as a factor related to the experience of radiation exposure . The study by Bromet et al . ( Bromet , 2012 ; Bromet et al ., 2011 ) points out the possibility that not only the experience of exposure , but also the perception of having been exposed to radiation may influence the results , as well as sample selection and educational experience , and thus we need to be cautious in judging whether the results are due to the experience of radiation exposure .
5 Conclusion
The results of this survey revealed that , even at 11 years after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident , anxiety about future childbirth and child-rearing differ by prefecture ( Fukushima , neighboring prefectures , and other prefectures ) and gender , suggesting a need for group-specific response . In general , however , the proportion of women who were confident about future childbearing was lowest in Fukushima and the confidence was associated with radiationrelated risk perceptions in both within and outside Fukushima , suggesting information on radiation-related future childbirth and childcare is also needed outside of Fukushima Prefecture . In addition , the more people want to have children in the future , the more likely they will be able to discuss radiation , and the less likely they will be to believe that radiation has a low impact on their partners ; therefore , it is necessary to create an environment where people can openly discuss radiation .
Acknowledgements
The authors disclose receipt of the following financial support for the research , authorship , and / or publication of this article . This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists from the Japan Society of Private Colleges and Universities of Nursing .
Funding
This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists from the Japan Society of Private Colleges and Universities of Nursing .
Conflicts of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest . Data availability statement
The datasets generated and / or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request .
Author contribution statement
S . Ito : Conceptualization , Methodology , Writing original draft , Investigation .
A . Goto : Supervision , Conceptualization , Editing .
Ethics approval
This study was approved by the Kitasato University School of Nursing Ethics Committee ( No . 2021-9-2 ).
Informed consent
Written informed consent was obtained from all patients and / or families .
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