A History of the Ministry of Information, 1939-46
VII
HEALTH AND WORK
New Series Regional G.2.
Interviewing was carried out during the period 9th-26th June
A general sample of 2022 representing all sections of the adult civilian population was interviewed. These were selected in representative proportions from different regions and occupation groups.
“Have you been ill or unable to work during the last four weeks?”
The question was put in this form so that it would apply to housewives and those not working as well as to those going out to work.
To cover those suffering from chronic illnesses and chronic minor complaints, replies were classified under three headings as follows:-
Analysis by sex showed that rather a higher proportion of women than of men had been ill during the four weeks considered.
| Men | Women | Total | |
| % | % | % | |
| Yes | 10.2 | 12.3 | 11.5 |
| Health always poor | 5.8 | 9.0 | 7.8 |
| No | 84.0 | 78.7 | 80.7 |
| * Sample | 869 | 1,142 | 2,022 |
The incidence of chronic illnesses and complaints is higher in the higher age groups. The proportions having occasional illnesses do not vary much in the different groups.
| Under 20 | 20 - 30 | 30 - 45 | 40 - 65 | Over 65 | Total | |
| Yes | 11.0 | 12.6 | 10.3 | 11.1 | 14.7 | 11.5 |
| Health always poor | 0.5 | 1.6 | 4.8 | 12.4 | 21. | 7.8 |
| No | 88.5 | 85.8 | 84.9 | 76.5 | 63.7 | 80.7 |
| Sample | 191 | 379 | 671 | 549 | 232 | 2,022 |
Breakdown by occupational groups gives the following results.
Results for the three groups of manual workers and for clerical and distributive workers show little difference from one another.
Housewives show a higher proportion having bad health, both of an occasional and chronic sort, than other groups, and the incidence of chronic illness in the retired and unoccupied group is relatively very high.
Breakdowns by urban and rural and by region do not show statistically significant differences.
Those who had been ill were asked “What was the matter with you?”. This information was obtained only from 312 of the 490 people who had been ill.
| Occasional Illness | Health always poor | Total | |
| % | % | % | |
| * “Nerves” and nervous diseases | 17.2 | 19.2 | 17.9 |
| Diseases of digestive system, “Gastric trouble”, “Bilious attack” etc. | 12.0 | 13.3 | 12.5 |
| Rheumatism | 9.4 | 16.7 | 12.2 |
| Colds, influenza and diseases of nose and throat | 17.2 | 1.7 | 11.2 |
| Diseases of circulatory system “Heart trouble”, etc. | 5.7 | 16.7 | 10.0 |
| Diseases of respiratory system, Bronchitis, asthma, etc. | 6.2 | 9.2 | 7.4 |
| Accidents | 8.9 | - | 5.8 |
| Diseases of skin | 3.1 | 0.8 | 2.2 |
| Diseases of kidneys and bladder | 1.6 | 2.5 | 1.9 |
| Miscellaneous and doubtful | 10.9 | 19.9 | 14.1 |
| Pregnancy | 7.8 | - | 4.8 |
| Sample | 192 | 120 | 312 |
It should be realised that these results are based on people’s own estimates of what was the matter with them and therefore not precise.
“Did you see a doctor?”
Information was obtained from 376 of those who had been ill.
A rather higher proportion of women than of men had gone to their doctors.
Analysis has been made by two age groups. The numbers concerned are not sufficient to give analysis by three or five groups.
THE SAMPLE
Adult Civilian Population
Total: 2,022