Longitudinal Analysis of the Changes of the Health State of Farming Housewives during the Last 10 Years

Abstract

Overall mass health survey has been conducted on the I district of Shizuoka Prefecture (a mountain village). The results of gynecological and medical examinations in 91 housewives who never missed their yearly examinations during the past 10 years were analyzed individually and as a group to assess the level of health. The following results were obatained.
1) Results of examinations expressing the level of health of individuals during the past 10 years period were analyzed as to the average (mean±S.D.) and variationcoefficient. Abnormally high mean values and a high variation coefficient probably indicate unhealthy subjects.
2) During the past 10 year period, no abnormalities, especially chronic diseases, were noted in any of the subjects in the 40s. Thefe were 3 in the 50s with chronic disease and 2 in the 60s. As to internal diseases, 7 of the subjects in the 40s, 11 of those in the 50s and 4 of those in the 60s were free of the diseases. 5 of the subjects in the 40s, 13 of those in the 50s and 14 of those in the 60s were free of gynecological diseases.
3) In the gynecological survey, a distinct difference was noted betwwen subjects in their 40s and those in the 50s as to their physiological condition, pregnancy and delivery. In mountain villages where facilities for gynecological examinations are inadequate, many women had undergone sterilizing operations and one man also had such an operation.
4) Gynecological examinations revealed many patients with inflammation of the cervical canal. No uterine cancer was detected in this group.
5) Among the internal diseases, hypertension was found most frequently, followed by heart diseases. No gastric cancer was detected. Anemia was found to be intimately related to gynecological diseases.
6) Obesity was found in 18% of the housewives and transition to obesity was frequently found in the 40s.