The purpose of this study was to explore the health and illness concepts of hospitalized children. The subjects were 129 hospitalized children from 3 to 12 years old in one general hospital. Data were collected through semistructured interviews by authors. This study was conducted from Jun. 1, 2000 to Dec. 31, 2000. Data were coded and categorized by content analysis. The results were as follows: 1.Perceived health concept were physical well- being, food, exercise, powerfulness, emotional stability, obeidence, cleanliness, sleep and ability of social adaptation. 2. Perceived health behavior to maintain health were food, treatment, exercise, cleanliness, obeidence, sleep, emotional stability, powerfulness and psychological stability, physical well-being. 3.Perceived prevention of illness were food, cleanliness, treatment, exercise, obedience, sleep, powerfulness, psychological stability, emotional stability, recreation and ability of social adaptation. 4.Perceived causes of illness were illness, trauma and food. 5.Perceived treatment of illness were treatment, sleep, rest, food, obedience, emotional stability, psychological stability, cleanliness, exercise and powerfulness.
