Lay People's Perception toward Illness Behavior and Factor

Kim, Sung Hwa; Song, Sang Hyo; Lee, Yong Kyoon; Jung, Jong Seung

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Illness behavior influence on diagnosis and treatment and prognosis of disease. Therefore, author attempted to identify lay people's perception toward illness behaviorfor the purpose of providing available materials for understanding the patient's medical behavior and planning the effective health care system.
METHODS
Authors collected 600 cases at health examination center, Kwandju Christian Hospital from March to May, 1997. Authors gave the questionnaire with 30 items and appropriate respondent ws 512 cases. The questionnaire consisted of the patient's general characteristics, options and attitudes toward the concept of disease, belief in modern medicine, helath care system, the view of religion, alternative medicine (Herb medicine, pharmacy medication, Folk therapy). 512 questionnire were analyzed using SPSS/PC
RESULTS
Of the total of 512 cases, 210 cases (40.9%) were males and 302 cases (59.2%) females. Age distribution was from 20 to 65. 358 cases (69.8%) were married and 154 cases (30.2%) single. 385 cases (57.0%) were nuclear family system and 94 cases (18.3%) large family system. The importance of resting and discipline was agreed (78.5%). Primitive and superstitional concept of disease was antagonized (81%). The subjects had affirmative opinion about phamacy medication and herb medicine but not Folk therapy. Unitary health care and religion had sexual difference ; p<0.05). Family structure did'nt influence o illness behavior.
CONCLUSIONS
In this study, most of cases agreed the importance of resting and discipline for health and had confidence on the modern medicine, at the same time, had a preference for the alternative medicine (herb medicine, phamarcy medication). They did'nt agree unitary health care system in our society.