Erickson Barbra E
Department of Anthropology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92834-6846, USA.
J Altern Complement Med. 2007 Apr;13(3):375-79. doi: 10.1089/acm.2006.6213.
The aim of this study was to examine the use of radioactive radon therapy among persons with arthritis, and to explore their perceptions of risk versus benefit in using this therapy.
This was a qualitative study based on loosely-structured and open-ended interviews, which were then analyzed for themes and patterns.
Participants in the study were recruited over a period of 5 years from clients of a radon health mine in southwestern Montana.
Sixty-two mine clients were interviewed, consisting of 36 women and 26 men, ranging in age from 60 to 92 years. Participants believed that radon therapy was an acceptable choice of treatment for arthritis. Perceived benefits of such therapy included more effective pain relief, avoidance of medication side-effects, lower cost, and increased quality of life. The possible future risk of lung cancer from radon exposure was seen as minimal when compared to the perceived benefits.
Fear about radon and its possible health risks seemed to have little influence on the decision-making process for the study subjects.
本研究旨在调查关节炎患者对放射性氡疗法的使用情况，并探讨他们对该疗法风险与益处的看法。
这是一项基于结构松散、开放式访谈的定性研究，随后对访谈内容进行主题和模式分析。
研究参与者在5年时间里从蒙大拿州西南部一家氡健康矿的客户中招募。
共采访了62名矿场客户，其中包括36名女性和26名男性，年龄在60至92岁之间。参与者认为氡疗法是治疗关节炎的可接受选择。这种疗法的感知益处包括更有效地缓解疼痛、避免药物副作用、成本更低以及生活质量提高。与感知到的益处相比，氡暴露导致肺癌的未来潜在风险被视为极小。
对氡及其可能的健康风险的担忧似乎对研究对象的决策过程影响很小。
