대한민국

MAJOR HEALTH CONCEPTS

• Illness is in one's fate
• Average age is 65
• Use a lot of acupuncture and herbal medicines
• Organ transplantation and diffusion are disturbance of body
• Extending life is unacceptable (DNR orders common)

BELIEFS IN CAUSES OF ILLNESS

• Illness is sometimes caused by disharmony in Yin and Yang
• Yin gives away to illnesses such as depression, hypo activity etc.
• Yang gives away to hyper activity, stroke, seizures
• Karma (pay back)

TYPES OF TRADITIONAL HEALERS UTILIZED

• Treatments of hot/cold illnesses is through use of opposite force
• Treatment of common cold is with hot soup
• Herbalists
• Acupuncturists

METHODS OF TREATMENT

• Acupuncture
• For digestion, prick area near fingernail and let blood flow
• Herbalists and herbal medicines
• Hot soups for colds

RESPONSE TO PAIN

• May not report pain
• May request less medication for fear of side effects
• May report pain to family member or doctor, not nurse

BELIEFS AND PRACTICES SURROUNDING BIRTHS

• When the woman finds out she is pregnant, she must tell the:
• First, Mother-in-law
• Second, Husband
• Third, her own mother

CONTINUED

• Crabs, squids, eggs and peaches are thought to make childbirth harder
• Mom avoids smoking
• Mom can only look at good things because everything affects baby
• Birth given like in Western methods
• Women are not allowed to make noises during birth

BELIEFS AND PRACTICES SURROUNDING DEATHS

• If person has died in hospital it is misfortune to bring her home
• Death at home includes body at home for a few hours for viewing
• Eldest son must stay by deceased
• Reserve a place in the home with pictures of deceased for viewing
• Respect for dead shown by outward grief

HEALTHCARE BELIEFS

• Illnesses disturbance of Yin and Yang
• Hospitalization means impending death

SPECIAL SYMBOLS, BOOKS, AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICES

• Yin and Yang

DIETARY CUSTOMS

• Mostly vegetables
• Rice
• Little amounts of meat
• Breakfast most important

HEALTH RISKS

• Anemia
• Osteoporosis
• Liver cancer
• Hypertension
• Gum and oral disease

RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

• Mostly Christians and Buddhists

FAMILY AND SOCIAL ROLES

• Treating elders with respect very important
• Education very important
• People call each other by their last names or with Mr./Ms.
• Call people older than them older brother/sister even if not related
• Men and women have equal roles now; women use to have to keep harmony