The Japanese Association of School Health

Research Note

ISSN ONLINE : 1880-2400

[School Health Vol.18, 32-38, 2022]

The Coming-of-Age Ceremony in Corona Pandemic: Student Behavior and Measures to Prevent the Spread of SARS-CoV-2

Shinichiro Maeshima*, Ryuji Nomura*, Etsuko Nogami*, Junko Yamane* and Takuya Yamamoto*

  • *Kinjo Infection Control Team, Kinjo University
  • 1200 Kasama-machi, Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture 924-8511 Japan
  • shinichiromaeshima@gmail.com

[Received December l, 2021 ; Accepted April 13, 2022]

Keywords:
coming-of-age ceremony, student behavior, SARS-CoV-2

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Abstracts

Background: The coming-of-age ceremony is a social ceremony marking the day when a person is recognized as an adult. The ceremony, in which participants wear a furisode (long-sleeved kimono) and hakama (traditional Japanese dress), has attracted much attention from overseas.

Objective: This study investigates the behavior of university students on the day of the coming-of-age ceremony to consider preventive measures against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods: A total of 170 University students who attended coming-of-age ceremonies participated in this study. A questionnaire survey was conducted using Google Forms focusing on students’ behavior, specifically whether they wore masks and ate or drank in social settings after the ceremony.

Results: Of the 170 participants, 150 chatted with their friends, and 140 had their photo taken (mostly without masks). Seventy-eight students (45.9%) ate and drank with friends after the ceremony, but only a few always wore a mask.

Conclusions: Students should be educated on strict infection control measures to prevent outbreaks on campus, and classes should be conducted online after potential cluster events.

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