Reducing falls among visually impaired individuals on railway platforms: Field research on environmental challenges and solutions.

The aim of this study is to assess the extent to which visually impaired people are at risk of falling from railway station platforms and to identify opportunities for improvement. A barrier-finding fieldwork approach was used to conduct this study. A total of 412 stations' platforms were examined to provide recommendations for enhancing platform safety. The study found that four major factors contribute to accidents in which visually impaired individuals may fall from railway station platforms. These factors include "the spatial layout of the platform", "the warning tactile pavers", "the Fall Prevention Hoods", and "the fall prevention fences and platform screen doors ". Based on the findings of the study, several measures are recommended to enhance the safety and accessibility of railway station platforms for visually impaired individuals. These measures include closing the gap between the platform and the train, installing Fall Prevention Hoods at lower heights near the feet so that they can be detected using a guide cane, and avoid the placement of directional tactile pavers close to the front end of the train cars or at the platform edge facing train car couplings, etc.

[Burden of primary caregivers of young patients with brain damage].

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to shed light on (1) the extent to which primary caregivers of patients with brain damage feel nursing-care burden, and (2) the relationship between such burden and other attributes in a cross-sectional manner. METHODS: We conducted an anonymous questionnaire survey of primary caregivers of young patients with brain damage. The survey was conducted between November 2008 and March 2009. The number of valid responses was 53 (response rate 56%). To assess burden of caregivers, we used the Short Version of the Japanese Version of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (J-ZBI_8). RESULTS: With regard to burden felt by primary caregivers "concerns about excretion" and "problematic behavior" were stressed. Individuals who were less than 50 in age most strongly felt burden. Moreover, burden was greater for spouses than for guardians. CONCLUSION: In order to reduce the burden of caregivers in case of primary caregivers, rehabilitation concerning young patients with brain damage and efforts to enhance their capabilities are important. In addition, it is also necessary to provide social resources so that primary caregivers can rely on other persons without worry.

Perceptions of body image among Japanese and Croatian children of preschool age.

This study examined the differences in current and ideal body size among 108 Japanese and 129 Croatian preschool children (M=4.9 yr.). Boys and girls in both samples showed similarities by selecting the figure representing their current body size. Significant sex differences were found in selection of an ideal figure in the Japanese sample but not in the Croatian group. Japanese girls showed greater preference for a thinner figure than boys. In selection of an ideal body size significant cultural differences were found only for boys: Japanese boys preferred thinner figures. Results relating to body discrepancy (Current minus Ideal figures) indicated that there were fewer satisfied Japanese girls than Croatian girls whereas for the boys, a significantly larger number of Japanese than Croatian boys wished to be heavier.