[Attitude of rural populations to health]

In the course of standard epidemiological survey conducted in rural medical district attitude to health and willingness of population to participate in the preventive activities is studied. Rural population manifests great interest in popular medical knowledge and health, quite rightly considering it to be the most precious property in life and the overwhelming majority of population express willingness to spend efforts and time to preserve it and give up such bad habits as overeating, use of alcohol, smoking etc. However, the verbal behaviour of rural population does not correspond to their actual mode of life and the latter is not always adequate. The organization of health education is of major importance for the formation of proper behaviour. Health education activities in rural areas have some peculiarities. The role of feldshers in organizing health education is increasing. The establishment of sports and health promoting units in rural areas is also of importance.