Measures against pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in the Japanese workplace:Interview surveys in small and medium enterprises

Maruyama, Takashi

Friday, March 23, 2012

Ground Floor (Cancun Center)

Takashi Maruyama, Occupational Health Training Center, University Of Occupational Environmental And Health, Kitakyushu, Japan

Tomohiro Ishimaru, Occupational Health Training Center, University Of Occupational And Environmental Health, Kitakyusyu, Japan

Teppei Imai, Department of Environmental Epidemiology, University Of Occupational Environmental And Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan

Toshiaki Higashi, Department of Work Systems and Health, University of Occupational And Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan

Yoshitaka Miyamura, Department of Environmental Epidemiology, University of Occupational And Environmental Health, Kitakyusyu, Japan

Norihide Nishinoue, Department of Environmental Epidemiology, University of Occupational And Environmental Health, Kitakyusyu, Japan

Masamichi Uehara, Department of Work Systems and Health, University of Occupational And Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan

Koji Wada, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan

Keita Morikane, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Yamagata University Hospital, Yamagata, Japan

Ken Takahashi, Department of Environmental Epidemiology, University Of Occupational And Environmental Health, Kitakyusyu, Japan

Koji Mori, Occupational Health Training Center, University Of Occupational And Environmental Health, Kitakyusyu, Japan

Introduction
Through the experience of dealing with the worldwide outbreak of pandemic (H1N1) 2009, many problems surfaced among Japanese enterprises, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In our previous questionnaire survey, there were significant gaps in the preparedness levels for pandemic influenza between large enterprises and SMEs in Japan. The aim of this study is (1) to assess the Japanese SMEs’ preventive measures against pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and their problems and (2) to find better ways to prepare for a future pandemic.

Methods
We conducted interviews in 14 SMEs, of which the number of employees are 1,000 or less. These interviews were performed from September 2009 to January 2010. The survey contents included: (1) preventive measures against pandemic (H1N1) 2009, (2) perceived problems in the post-pandemic period, and (3) preparations for a future pandemic.

Results
Some SMEs, associated with large enterprises, prepared protocols and business continuity plans in the pre-pandemic period of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 with the support of large enterprises. Most SMEs didn’t prepare for the pandemic, however, and they could deal with the pandemic flexibly. Many SMEs acquired the information concerning countermeasures for pandemic from TVs and newspapers, however, they felt difficulties to assess their credibility and importance. Some SMEs stated the information from other companies in the same industry and local network were very effective.

Discussion
We found that SMEs could deal with the pandemic flexibly owing to he support from large enterprises and/or the information from other companies in the same industry and local network. We also found that most SMEs felt difficulties in acquiring and interpreting the credible information concerning pandemic. For promoting Japanese SMEs’ preparedness level for a next pandemic, wide-ranged supports from external organization are important.

A1452 Measures against pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in the Japanese workplace:Interview surveys in small and medium enterprises