[The perception of the radiation situation and assessment of their own health status by the population living in an area under strict radiation control].

Studies of subjective perception of the radiation situation, self-estimation of the health status by the population, the attitude of the population to the formal information available were carried out in the strong radiation control areas and in the regions not polluted by radioactive fallout. Before the accident 71.6% of the population were not aware of real danger of radiation for health. During the accident and after it, mass media were the main source of information on the consequences of the accident and the effect of radiation (71.1%). 38% of the information was provided by scientists and specialists. 89.6% of the persons interviewed experience anxiety whatever the intelligence available. Only 13.4% of those who live in the areas polluted by radionuclides feel well. The low self-estimation of the health status, the high level of anxiety together with the deficiency of radiation and hygienic intelligence favour the forcing of the social and psychological tension and reduce the effectiveness of the whole complex of measures carried out in the areas polluted with radionuclides.