Women's medical knowledge and health care practices concerning the most common respiratory illnesses. A case study of a rural community in northern Germany

Abstract

In order to stop rising health care expenditures, 81 villagers and their health professionals were interviewed about their medical knowledge (aeteology, symptoms, treatment, illness length, necessity to consult a doctor, etc.) and health care practices concerning common respiratory illnesses. According to informants, sniffles, cough, flu, common cold, sore throat/tonsillitis, bronchitis and sinusitis are the most common respiratory illnesses. All of them are regarded to be caused by several mechanisms of getting cold and/or wet. Despite the general disbelief in the germ theory and the prevention of contagion among household members, informants have an extensive knowledge about effective treatments and consult health professionals when home-remedies fail or a doctor's excuse is needed. Due to the effectiveness of home-treatments and self-containment of most common respiratory infections, this study concludes that health insurance companies should restrict the reimbursement of prescriptions for Bagatellmedizin, inhalation apparatus and home-remedies.