[A questionnaire study on health administration in small enterprises in a rural region]

A questionnaire study on the health administration of industrial workers was performed on 230 enterprises in city A in a rural region. Responding subjects numbered 140 and the response rate was 60.9%. Subjects by scale were: 16% with more than 50 workers, 48% with from 10 to 49 workers and 36% with less than 10 workers, and the proportions by industry were: 32% manufacturing, 22% wholesale-retail trade and 14% construction. The subject proportions classified according to the health insurance scheme were: 59% government-managed health insurance, 15% national health insurance and 11% society-managed health insurance. The rate of periodic health examination was 100% in enterprises with more than 50 workers, 67.2% in those with from 10 to 49 workers and 51.0% in those with less than 10 workers. The main reasons why then did not receive health examinations were: 40% had no time available to conduct examinations, 21% believed such examinations were not necessary, and 19% did not know of such an examination system. They encountered some difficulties in promoting health; for example, the advanced age of workers, and no time or money to spare for health administration. They desired provision of facilities close at hand for health examination, health consultation and health information. The results of this study show the difficulty of promoting health administration in small scale enterprises and also that it is difficult to obtain accurate information on actUal conditions including health administration in small enterprises.