Studies of the Morbidity in the Rural District(Nanakai Village, Ibaraki Prefecture)

Abstract

In order to evaluate the health state of inhabitants of a rural district, the patterns of medical consultation using national health insurance were analyzed to research the diseases among inhabitants in one agricultural village. The following results were obtained. 1. In view of the geographical and climatic conditions, the NANAKAI Village selected for survey had the characteristics of a rural district. The financial situation of the village is poor. Health and hygienic expenses occupy only about 3% of the total budget. The agricultural industry consists mainly of forestry and farm work with little progress in mechanization. In the farm work animal power is almost utilized. The farm is utilized to a very high degree and the amount of agricultural labor is hard in view of the rural life. 2. The progressive decrease in populaticn of this village has been pronounced, causing the low density phenomenon of population, because of a low natural increase in the population and a high rural exodus. The aged population is thus increasing. The decrease in live birth rate, the increase in death rate and infant mortality rate represent one of the typical characteristics of a remote mountain village. 3. The morbidity in this agricultural village, based on the detailed analysis of the national health insurance receipt for medical treatment was as follows. i) In order to ascertain the population in agricultural labor, the possibility of an approach through analysis of subscriptions to national health insurance was demonstrated. ii) The rate of medical consultation was the highest in April, with a peak utilization in August. The rate decreased in the farmer's busy season. iii) The rate of medical consultation in each disease was high for respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disease, and neuralgia. iv) The rate of medical consultation under 4 years was the highest of all age structure. v) The rate of medical consultation by income structure was lower in the low income group. vi) The rate of medical consultation by medical institutions in each area was somewhat higher in medical institutions outside the village than in those within the village.