Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing (한국보건간호학회지)

Korean Society of public Health Nursing (한국보건간호학회)
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Health Status, Health Care Utilization and Related Factors among Asian Immigrant Women in Korea

한국 거주 여성결혼이민자의 건강상태, 보건의료이용과 관련요인에 관한 연구

  • Yang, Sook-Ja (Division of Nursing Science, College of Health Sciences, Ewha Woman University)
  • 양숙자 (이화여자대학교 간호과학부)
  • Received : 2010.07.29
  • Accepted : 2010.09.08
  • Published : 2010.09.30
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Abstract

Purpose: This study identified sociodemographic characteristics, health status, health care utilization and related factors of Asian immigrant women in Korea. Methods: Data were collected from 465 immigrant women from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and other Asian countries using standardized questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and $X^2$-test were performed utilizing SPSS version 17. A p-value <.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Subjects had relatively good subjective health. The most prevalent conditions were, in order, anemia, gastrointestinal diseases, gynecological diseases, and depression. Subjects utilized mostly hospitals or clinics when sick. There were significant relationships between health care utilization and factors including residence, time since immigration and economic status. The rate of non-treatment in hospitals or clinics was 30.1% during the previous year, with significant relationships between non-treatment and factors including time since immigration and economic status. The major reasons for non-treatment were the burden of hospital expenses followed by communication difficulty. Conclusion: Public health efforts should be targeted to Asian immigrant women to improve their health status and support health care utilization.

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References

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