Abstract
It can be surmised that housewives' awareness of the need of health care and personal behavior patterns differ according to different factors of the environment in which they live.
A questionnaire on health and living conditions sent by us to housewives in three different villages has produced the following information.
1. In a doctorless village, the number of days spent in a sick-bed a year is on the increase.
2. Irrespective of differences in environmental factors, most housewives are mindful of their health.
3. They are careful about what they eat and trying to have a good sleep for the sake of health.
4. They often eat vegetables frizzled in oil, and less consume milk and protein-rich food in their diets.
5. Most houses lack adequate sewage facilities. The diffusion ratio of flush toilets is extremely low.
These findings seem to indicate that in the community which lacks access to medical service and groceries, such environmental factors adversely affect the delivery of medical care to the aged and the supply of varieties of meat and fresh vegetables.
The low diffusion ratio of flush toilets is due conceivably to the fact that priority is placed on domestic economy at the sacrifice of community hygiene and sanitation.
The survey results also demonstrate clearly that house-wives' awareness of health preservation does not agree with their behavior. This discrepancy is attributable to the socio-economic conditions of the community to which they belong.
From the above, it is deemed necessary to take measures to remedy the doctorless situation and poor sanitary conditions. At the same time, proper health guidance should be given to villagers to improve the dietary life, while encouraging them to practice physical exercises before and after farmwork.
