2/2007Health in opinions of investigated families

MAŁGORZATA MALIK (Studentka Studiów Doktoranckich, Katedra Rozwoju Pielęgniarstwa, Wydział Pielęgniarstwa i Nauk o Zdrowiu Akademii Medycznej w Lublinie; Opiekun: prof. dr hab. Sylwia Fidecka)

Background
The concept of health is difficult to define unequivocally, although it is used everyday in common and medical parlance. Currently, the theoreticians aim at such a concept of health, which would cover it in a holistic and interdisciplinary way, considering the multiplicity of its aspects. Such an understanding of health is not always consistent with the image of health functioning in the common awareness. This image, however, is invaluable, as it reflects the actual level of understanding health by society, and presents criteria applied by those self-reporting.

Material and methods
The data obtained showed that according to respondents, the statement which best reflects health is the sentence: ‘health is a general physical and mental well-being, even if a person is disabled’ (n = 69; 29.49%). In respondents’ opinions health is of high value (n = 57; 24.36%). The primary determinants of the state of health mentioned by the respondents were: nutrition (n = 107; 22.53%); environment of life (n = 76; 16.00%); physical activity (n = 66; 13.89%); and genetic agents (n = 61; 12.84%). The relationship between the state of health and behaviours undertaken was perceived by almost 40% of respondents (n = 49; 39.20%).

Results
Analysis of the results permitted the following conclusions to be drawn: 1. Health was understood by respondents mainly as well-being from physical and mental aspects, and more rarely from the social aspect. 2. The respondents perceived health as being of high value and the greatest good. 3. In respondents’ opinions the main determinants of health were: life style, genetic conditioning and life environment. 4. The respondents were convinced that health depends primarily on themselves.

Key words: health, conditioning of health status