J Nurs Acad Soc.  1995 Dec;25(4):825-836.

An Ethnographic Study of Sanhubyung experienced by Women in Korean Postpartal Culture

• Yoo EK

Abstract

This ethnogrphic exploratory study sought to define the meaning of Sanhubyung, as consequence from the perspective of the women who experienced it. A convenience sample of 9 elderly women in San Francisco, and 20 postpartal women and their 20 non-professional helpers during postpartum in Seoul, Korea were observed and interviewed for 23 months from January 1991 to December 1992 at the Human Development Center in San Francisco and at the hospital and their homes in Seoul, Korea. Sanhubyung was regarded as the consequence of "Doing a Sanhujori Wrongly," as a group of symptoms or sequelae which have two types of characteristics of symptoms; chronic and acute. It can be called a culture bound syndrome in the cultural context related to childbearing phenomenon in Korea. If women violate the principles of Sanhujori, such symptoms can appear at various times: during the period of postpartum itself, at any time, periodically, especially at the anniversary of the child's birth, late forties, and in old age. Acute symptoms that can be classified into immediate and late types include painful and edematous gingiva, sensitive teeth, strange sensation and pain in the knees or backache. Besides, there is a localized sense of soreness and pain; sense of being in a draft and cold, stomach upset, GI irritation, chilling, shivering, and tiredness, pain and dazzling in the eyes. Chronic symptoms occur in the head, neck, teeth, back, hands, knees, hands and feet, arms and legs, eyes, sinews and joints, bones, and in the body or as a whole. Generally these symptoms are pain, often accompanying a feeling of being cold and in a draft, regardless of actual weather conditions. In conclusion, this findings reflect the Oriental way of thought of causal relationship of women's health and illness based on the wholistic paradigm of harmony and balance of two forces, Yin(cold) ?Yang(hot). It provides a challenge to the professional sector to rethink the effect of culture on health and illness. Finally, it suggests care providers use cultural assessment for the appropriateness of the intervention and quality of care for desirable health outcomes.

MeSH Terms

Aged
Anniversaries and Special Events
Arm
Back Pain
Female
Foot
Gingiva
Hand
Head
Human Development
Humans
Joints
Knee
Korea
Leg
Neck
Parturition
Postpartum Period
Sensation
Seoul
Shivering
Stomach
Tooth
Weather
Women's Health