1.Primary health care in a rural district, Akita prefecture.
Takeshi SUGAYA ; Masato HAYAHI ; Shunji OKUBO ; Kimio SAITO ; Kenichi HOSOYA ; Tomio MATSUOKA ; Akira KOTANAGI ; Takashi SATO ; Kenkichi TAKISAWA ; Seiko ISHINARI
Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 1987;36(2):79-84
Investigation was made into the health care conditions in a rural district in Akita Prefecture. Topographically, the district is divided into two parts-one characterized by mountain and the other by flat terrain.
1. In remote, depopulated villages, per capita cost of public health is on the increase.
2. The number of health personell, particularly public health nurses, is not enough to carry on various health programs.
3. With the prospect of greater numbers of the aged in society, there is an urgent need for increased medical services along with the consolidation of primary health care. In order to meet the need, it is necessary to establish a regional community health system comprised of a hospital as a nucleus and neighborhood medical instituions such as clinics and health centers.
2.Health problems of women in mixed-farm households.
Takeshi SUGAYA ; Masato HAYASHI ; Shunji OKUBO ; Kimio SAITO ; Tomio MATSUOKA ; Shunichi OKABE ; Kazuhiro WATABE ; Shiro SASAKI ; Akira KOTANAGI ; Takashi SATO ; Seiko ISHINARI
Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 1985;34(2):129-133
Investigations were made into the actual working and living conditions of adults, both men and women, in the families engaged in mixed farming.
The working conditions were analyzed according to the types of crops farmers are growing. The work study was necessary to probe into the causes of farmers' health disturbances.
A questionnaire revealed that farmers are short of sleep during the busiest season. Especially housewives are forced to cut down on their sleeping hours.
It also found that some farmers spray pesticides in quantity and expose themselves to the potentially health injurious chemicals with alarming frequency.
There was evidence to show that some ailments, notably low back pain, had been reduced due to imporovements on farmwork and working environment.
Health checkups showed that the incidences of hypercholesterolemia and obesity remain high. There was imbalance between carolic intake and consumption.