Health problems of women in rural communities and health promotion measures: Surveys in a snow country, Niigata prefecture.
10.2185/jjrm.34.141
- VernacularTitle:新潟県における農村婦人の健康障害とその対策 積雪寒冷地における積雪期と非積雪期について
- Author:
Kazunori SUGIYAMA
;
Kohei KAMEYAMA
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine
1985;34(2):141-153
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
In step with the drift of the condition of public life, farmers' working conditions and lifestyle have undergone a phenomenal transformation. In Niigata Prefecture, too, drastic changes have taken place, particularly in the living of farmers who are engaged in mixed farming in the flat land areas.
Inhabitants in remote, mountainous districts, where snow falls heavily, lead frugal lives. In these districts, housewives play leading roles in farming work.
In previous surveys, it was found that the health status of these women was comparable favorably with that of women living the flat land areas.
Recently, we have conducted surveys of health and living conditions of adult female members of the community in an area of heavy snowfall. The surveys were carried out during the snowy season and the warm season. The results were examined carefully, taking acount of seasonal factors.
The health survey conducted during the snowy season revealed that obesity and hypertension rates are high and lumbago and anemia are not remarkable.
The surveys of living conditions did not reveal any significant seasonal difference.
Of special note is the finding that the women frequently eat sweet stuff between meals. The consumption of cow milk is low. They have not taken physical examinations of their own volition, and work hard even if they do not feel well.
With these findings in mind, we have held lecture meetings on health and cooking classes many times during the past three years. As a result, 90.4% of the attendants have become conscious of their mode of living, and 56.2% have come to take care not to overwork themselves.
The incidences of hypertension and farmer's syndrome have declined sharply. However, the obesity rate has not fallen.
In the districts, snowbound for as many as 150 days a year, the housewives have to remove snow from the roof of their houses 154 times on the annual average. However, they take it in their stride. Excepting snow raking, there is no physical labor during the winter months, so that they can rest well.
