The health behaviours of Chinese people with chronic illness

This study was undertaken to elucidate the type and range of health-promoti ng behaviours that Chinese people with chronic illness perform to enhance t heir health. Eight people with a diagnosed chronic illness were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule, From the perspectives of these subjects, health behaviour comprises three dimensions: physical, psychosoc ial and spiritual. The results of this study clarify health behaviours amon gst Chinese people with a chronic illness and illustrate the important infl uence that culture has upon such activity. Additionally, exploring the heal th behaviours of these Chinese people can be used to inform and enable nurs es to adjust their practices to relate more appropriately to patients' pers pectives. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.