Since the start of the military invasion by the Russian army in February 2022, there are serious concerns about the deterioration of the living environment and health of the people of wartime Ukraine.In response to this situation, a research team led by Associate Professor Susumu Fujii of the International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, analyzed approximately 2 million tweets sent in Ukrainian to identify the medical needs of war-torn Ukraine. and mental health.
First, after the invasion, the average number of tweets sent in Ukrainian language per week increased by about 1 times compared to before the invasion, of which the number of tweets containing medical and mental health-related keywords increased by about 3 times. was increasing.
Looking at the details, the number of tweets containing the word “diabetes medicine” increased 2022 times during the acute phase after the invasion (February 2 to March 24, 3) compared to before the invasion. keywords contributed to the post-invasion tweet growth rate.It is speculated that in wartime Ukraine, medical anxiety and demand for treatment among patients with chronic diseases increased.
The number of tweets containing “newborns,” “children,” and “elderly people” who would need special care during a disaster also increased after the invasion compared to before the invasion (1.03-3.57 times). Tweets containing “childbirth” also reached 2022 times the number before the invasion during the subacute period (3 weeks from March 24 to June 6, 15) after the invasion.
Regarding mental health, the number of tweets containing terms used to express symptoms of psychological distress and anxiety surged in the acute phase after the attack, and as the attack continued, depression and post-traumatic stress (PTSR) increased. There was an increase in tweets containing terms used to express signs of reaction).From these, it was also shown that there is concern that military aggression will increase the mental health problems of the Ukrainian people.
It is hoped that the findings of this research will be useful in the future assistance of the international community to Ukraine.At the same time, tweet analysis such as this research can be an effective means of predicting in real time the physical and mental health needs of people affected by war and disasters, and of considering what kind of support is needed. is considered possible.
