Evacuation Behavior During Tsunami Warnings Among Patients with Chronic Respiratory Disease in the Tsunami Inundation Zone in Okinawa Prefecture

This study examined the evacuation behavior of patients with chronic respiratory disease residing in the tsunami inundation zone in Okinawa Prefecture during the Hualien earthquake of April 3, 2024, and discussed the necessary support for encouraging evacuation behavior in accordance with evacuation plans. Participants who confirmed evacuation sites as advised displayed better evacuation behavior than those who did not. The results suggest that (1) individual evacuation plans should set a grace period between the time an earthquake occurs and the start of evacuation, (2) individual evacuation plans should help residents confirm evacuation sites, (3) transportation modes in individual evacuation plans should be assessed based on the situation and the target population's background, (4) regular group evacuation drills should be conducted in accordance with individual evacuation plans, and (5) medical personnel should participate in the formulation of individual evacuation plans.