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Abstract Background Japan is one of the countries experiencing a “super-aged society.” The government has looked to Southeast Asia for recruiting workers to fill the demand for long-term care (LTC) workers. However, migrant LTC workers have faced many job-related stressors. This study aimed to examine the factors associated with job satisfaction and subjective well-being among Filipino, Indonesian, and Vietnamese LTC workers in Japan and explore the specific factors behind what makes them satisfied in their jobs. Methods A convergent mixed methods study was conducted. The workers were recruited through snowball and convenience sampling and completed a self-administered questionnaire for the quantitative part. The association of the work environment with the workers’ job satisfaction and subjective well-being were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis. An interpretive phenomenological approach was used to conduct in-depth interviews of the workers, which were analyzed using a deductive and inductive approach for the qualitative part. Quantitative and qualitative results were integrated and interpreted to expand on the findings with new insights. Results In the final analysis, 122 workers were included (20 Filipino, 43 Indonesian, and 59 Vietnamese). In the quantitative part, having the necessary tools/equipment (Unstandardized Coefficient [B] = 16.1, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 6.8, 25.3) and support from work (B = 18.1, 95% CI = 8.6, 27.6) were associated with a higher level of job satisfaction. Having experienced harassment on the job was associated with a lower level of job satisfaction (B = -18.2, p = 0.007, 95% CI = -28.5, -7.8). There is no strong evidence for the association with subjective well-being. In the qualitative part, prominent themes emerged related to cultural sensitivity and an inadequate knowledge of caring for older adults living with dementia. The integrated findings suggested inadequate and unequal Japanese language training across the facilities. Moreover, the importance of human relations in the workplace emerged, with some workers desiring a deeper connection with their Japanese coworkers. Conclusions A supportive and culturally sensitive work environment may bring about more motivated employees and increase employee retention from migrant LTC workers. Government and facilities should consider policies supporting a culturally sensitive work environment and more equitable Japanese language training across all facilities.

Abstract Introduction Respectful maternity care is an approach that involves respecting women’s belief, choices, emotions, and dignity during the childbirth process. As the workload among maternity care workforce affects intrapartum quality care, respectful maternity care might have also been affected, particularly during the pandemic. Thus, this study was conducted to examine the association between workload among healthcare providers and their practice of respectful maternity care, before and during the early phase of pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in South Western Nepal. A total of 267 healthcare providers from 78 birthing centers were included. Data collection was done through telephone interviews. The exposure variable was workload among the healthcare providers, and the outcome variable was respectful maternity care practice before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multilevel mixed-effect linear regression was used to examine the association. Results The median client-provider ratio before and during the pandemic was 21.7 and 13.0, respectively. The mean score of respectful maternity care practice was 44.5 (SD 3.8) before the pandemic, which was decreased to 43.6 (SD 4.5) during the pandemic. Client-provider ratio was negatively associated with respectful maternity care practice for both times; before (Coef. -5.16; 95% CI -8.41 to -1.91) and during (Coef. -7.47; 95% CI -12.72 to -2.23) the pandemic. Conclusions While a higher client-provider was associated with a lower respectful maternity care practice score both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the coefficient was larger during the pandemic. Therefore, workload among the healthcare providers should be considered before the implementation of respectful maternity care, and more attention should be given during the pandemic.

Abstract Background Over 24 million international visitors came to Japan in 2016 and the number is expected to increase. Visitors could be at a risk of illness or injury that may result in hospitalization in Japan. We assessed the effects of a four-minute digital animation titled Mari Info Japan on the level of anxiety experienced by international visitors to Japan. Methods We conducted a non-randomized, controlled study at Narita International Airport outside Tokyo in December 2014. On the first day, we recruited international visitors for the intervention group at predetermined departure gates and, the following day, we sampled visitors for the control group at the same gates. We repeated this procedure twice over 4 days. The intervention group watched the digital animation and the control group read a standard travel guidebook in English. After receiving either intervention, they completed a questionnaire on their level of anxiety. The outcome was assessed using the Mari Meter-X, The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y (STAI-Y), and a face scale, before and immediately after the intervention. We analyzed data with Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Results We recruited 265 international visitors (134 in the intervention group, 131 in the control group), 241 (91%) of whom completed the questionnaire. Most of them had no previous Japanese health information before arrival in Japan. The level of anxiety about health services in Japan was significantly reduced in the intervention group (Mari Meter-X median: − 5 and 0, p

Background: Despite global efforts, HIV-related stigma continues to negatively impact the health and well-being of people living with HIV/AIDS. Even in healthcare settings, people with HIV/AIDS experience discrimination. Anecdotal evidence suggests that healthcare professionals in the Lao People's Democratic Republic, a lower-middle income country situated in Southeast Asia, stigmatize HIV/AID patients. The purpose of this study was to assess HIV stigmatizing attitudes within Laotian healthcare service providers and examine some of the factors associated with HIV/AIDS-related stigma among doctors and nurses.Methods: A structured questionnaire, which included a HIV-related stigma scale consisting of 17 items, was self-completed by 558 healthcare workers from 12 of the 17 hospitals in Vientiane. Five hospitals were excluded because they had less than 10 staff and these staff were not always present. The questionnaire was pre-tested with 40 healthcare workers. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed and comparisons between groups undertaken using chi-square test and t-test. Bivariate and multiple linear regression analyses were carried out to examine the associations between stigmatizing attitudes and independent variables.Results: Out of the 558 participating healthcare workers, 277 (49.7%) were doctors and 281 (50.3%) were nurses. Nearly 50% of doctors and nurses included in the study had high levels of stigmatizing attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS. Across the different health professionals included in this study, lower levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge were associated with higher levels of stigmatizing attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS. Stigmatizing attitudes, including discrimination at work, fear of AIDS, and prejudice, were lower in healthcare workers with more experience in treating HIV/AIDS patients.Conclusions: This study is the first to report on HIV/AIDS-related stigmatization among healthcare workers in Lao PDR. Stigmatizing attitudes contribute to missed opportunities for prevention, education and treatment, undermining efforts to manage and prevent HIV. Reversing stigmatizing attitudes and practices requires interventions that address affective, cognitive and behavioral aspects of stigma. Alongside this, health professionals need to be enabled to enact universal precautions and prevent occupational transmission of HIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]