Studies on Tuberculosis Control Program in Gunma Prefecture, Japan

Part 1. Relation Between Inhabitant's Beliefs on Tuberculosis and Respondent to its Examination

Abstract

In an agrarian area of Gunma Prefecture, survey was carried out on the actuality of tuberculocsis examination and on inhabitant's beliefs on this disease in order to seek relation of the beliefs to the receiving or non-receiving or number of the exzamination. The findings are outlined below. 1) As for the reason of receiving the examination, the majority gave a reasonable response that they wanted the early detection of tuberculosis because ti would make trouble if they had this disease. A few (6 .2%), however mentioned a reason which suggested the conservative characteristic of agrarian people, being meticulous over reputation or prestige. 2) As for the motive of receiving the examination, it was noteworthy that they gave the possible curability of tuberculosis . But the respondent did not show any clear relation with the past number of the examination they received. 3) The frequency of the view which regards tuberculosis as incurable and terrible disease did not show any relation with the respondent rate, and can not therefore be considered the critical factor determining the respondency to the examination. 4) On the other hand, the view that the disease takes long time for healing was dominant among those refusing the examination, and can be considered the determinant motive for not receiving the examination. From the above mentioned it can be assumed that lack of correct scientific informations on tuberculosis or lack of the personal and cultural background for such informations may underlie the deep-rooted prejudice against tuberculosis and refusal of examination for this disease. Therefore we want to stress the improvement of health education and orientation of examiness as an imnnrtant rniintPrmaacnre against tuberculosis.