Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics

The Korean Pediatric Society (대한소아청소년과학회)
권호 표지

A study of elementary school pupils using traditional herbal medicines

초등학생에서 한약 이용 실태에 관한 연구

  • Ahn, Young Joon (Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Seonam University)
  • 안영준 (서남대학교 의과대학 소아과학교실)
  • Received : 2006.09.04
  • Accepted : 2006.10.27
  • Published : 2007.04.15
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Abstract

Purpose : Traditional herbal medicines may be overused in Korea. Expenditures and inaccuracies of hospital prescription are increasing gradually. So we investigated the frequency and nature of herbal medicine use among elementary school pupils. Methods : We interviewed students of three elementary schools located in Gwangju with survey papers. We analyzed 905 returned surveys. Results : They consisted of 421 males and 484 females. Five hundred ninety (65.2 percent) of pupils who have taken herbal medicines since birth. First grade made up 74.1 percent, 2nd grade 63.0 percent, 3rd grade 64.8 percent, 4th grade 63.3 percent, 5th grade 65.5 percent, and sixth grade 61.9 percent, respectively. The mean frequency of herbal medicine use was 3.2 times. 6th grade was 3.3 times, 5th grade 3.9 times, 4th grade 3.7 times, 3rd grade 2.7 times, 2nd grade 2.7 times, and 1st grade 2.6 times, respectively. The mean cost of herbal medicine use was from 50,00-100,000 won. The mean age of pupils who took their 1st herbal medicine was 55 months, 6th grade 67 months, 5th grade 58 months, 4th grade 54 months, 3rd grade 55 months, 2nd grade 51 months, and 1st grade 47 months. The most common reason of herbal medicine use was "looking weak, without disease." The rate of elementary pupils who had good effects was 63.7 percent; the rate of side effects was 4.5 percent. Conclusions : The rate of elementary pupils who took herbal medicines was high and gradually higher in lower grades. So, clinicians have to cope directly with this situation and to educate parents about herbal medicines.

목 적 : 우리나라에는 전통적으로 내려오는 한약에 대한 선호도가 매우 강하여 남용의 우려가 있다. 이로 인한 의료비 지출 증가 우려와 의료질서의 왜곡현상 마저 생기고 있으나 이에 대한 자료가 부족하여 저자는 초등학교 학생들의 한약 이용 실태에 대한 연구를 실시하였다. 방 법 : 광주 소재 3개의 초등학교 1,508명의 학생들을 대상으로 설문조사를 시행하였다. 설문지가 회수된 905명의 학생들을 대상으로 분석하였다. 결 과 : 남아는 421명, 여아는 484명이었고 출생 후 자녀에게 한약을 먹여본 경우는 590명(65.2%)이었으며, 학년별로는 1학년 74.1%, 2학년 63.0%, 3학년 64.8%, 4학년 63.3%, 5학년 65.5%, 6학년 61.9%였다. 한약의 평균 복용 횟수는 3.2회였으며 6학년은 3.3회, 5학년은 3.9회, 4학년은 3.7회, 3학년은 2.7회, 2학년은 2.7회, 1학년은 2.6회였다. 한약 1회 복용시 평균 비용은 5-10만원이었다. 처음 한약 복용 평균 연령은 55개월이었으며, 6학년은 67개월, 5학년은 58개월, 4학년은 54개월, 3학년은 55개월, 2학년은 51개월, 1학년은 47개월이었다. 한약 복용 이유의 가장 흔한 것은 '병이 없지만 몸이 허약해 보여서'였다. 한약 복용 후 효과를 보았다고 생각한 경우는 63.7%였고, 부작용이 발생한 경우는 4.5%였다. 결 론 : 초등학교 학생들의 한약 복용 비율이 높았으며, 저학년으로 갈수록 한약 복용 비율이 증가하고, 초회 복용 연령도 훨씬 낮아지고 있다. 따라서 임상 의사들이 한약복용에 대해 더 많은 관심을 가지고 연구되어야 할 것으로 생각된다.

Keywords

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