Cervical Cancer Screening and Its Associated Factors Among North Korean Defectors Living in South Korea

North Korean defectors (NKD) have many health problems related to insufficient nutrition, trauma from escaping, and being exposed to infectious diseases, but little research exists on their cancer screening. A total of 638 NKD participated in this cross-sectional survey. South Korean natives (SKN) who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V were selected using age matching to each NKD. Fisher’s exact tests and logistic regression were used for data analysis. The cervical cancer screening rate of NKD was significantly lower than for SKN (42 and 70?%, respectively; P?<?.001). The adjusted proportions of cervical cancer screening for NKD in all age groups under 60 years (P?<?.01) and having education beyond high school (P?<?.001) were significantly lower than that of SKN. NKD who had education under a high school level were more likely to have cervical cancer screening compared to NKD with education beyond a high school level (OR 1.81, 95?% CI 1.12–2.93). NKD were less likely to receive appropriate cervical cancer screening compared to SKN, especially those aged 30–39 years or married. Tailored interventions for NKD are needed to improve cervical cancer screening compliance.     

A Study of Mental Health Literacy Among North Korean Refugees in South Korea

Objectives:

This study aimed to investigate North Korean refugees’ knowledge of mental illnesses and treatments and analyze the factors affecting this knowledge.

Methods:

Subjects were selected via a snowball sampling method, and the survey outcomes of 152 North Korean refugee participants were analyzed. The factors affecting knowledge of mental illnesses were analyzed via a regression analysis by constructing a multivariate model with mental illness knowledge score as the dependent variable.

Results:

The North Korean refugees’ mental illness scores ranged from 3 to 24 points, with an average score of 13.0. Regarding the factors that influence mental illness knowledge, the subjects with South Korean spouses and those who had spent more time in South Korea had higher knowledge scores. Furthermore, the subjects who considered the mental health of North Korean refugees to be a serious issue revealed lower knowledge scores than those who did not believe it was a serious issue. The subjects who visit psychiatric clinics showed higher knowledge scores than those who do not. The South Korean subjects who had at least a college education exhibited higher scores than did those without advanced education. The subjects who are satisfied with life in South Korea manifested a higher mental illness knowledge score than those who are not.

Conclusions:

This study is significant as being the first study to ever measure and evaluate the level of North Korean refugees’ knowledge of mental illnesses. In addition, the evaluations of North Korean refugees’ mental illness knowledge and influencing factors while residing in South Korea created basic data that formed the foundation of an effort to enhance mental health literacy and provide proper mental health services. The results of this study can be utilized to solve mental health problems that might frequently occur during the unification process of North and South Korea in the future.     

Mental Health and PTSD in Female North Korean Refugees

This study was conducted to identify mental health status, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and psychophysiological change in female North Korean refugees. Data were collected using questionnaires and symptom checklists that measured PTSD and the psychosomatic state of the subjects. As many as 97 subjects, who had settled in and around Seoul, South Korea, were selected by snowball sampling. Mental health and PTSD levels of the participants were above a moderate level. We conclude that health care professionals need to provide female North Korean defectors with services to improve mental health and make the sociocultural transition successfully.     

A Study of Predictive Factors Affecting Health: Promoting Behaviors of North Korean Adolescent Refugees

Objectives:

The present study aimed to analyze the factors that could affect the health-promoting behaviors of North Korean adolescent refugees residing in South Korea.

Methods:

Questions about their sociodemographic variables, subjective health status, healthy living habits, and health-promoting behaviors were asked.

Results:

Statistically significant differences were found in religion (t=2.30, p<0.05), having family members in South Korea (t=2.02, p<0.05), and subjective health status (t=4.96, p<0.01). Scores on health-responsible behaviors were higher with higher age (t=2.90, p<0.01) and for subjects without family or friends (t=2.43, p<0.05). Higher physical-activity behaviors were observed in males (t=3.32, p<0.01), in those with better subjective health status (t=3.46, p<0.05) and lower body mas index (t=3.48, p<0.05), and in smokers (t=3.17, p<0.01). Nutritional behaviors were higher in those who followed a religion (t=2.17, p<0.05). Spiritual growth behaviors were higher in those who followed a religion (t=4.21, p<0.001), had no family in South Korea (t=2.04, p<0.05), and had higher subjective health status (t=5.74, p<0.01). Scores on interpersonal relationships and stress-management behaviors were higher for those with higher subjective health status. A multiple regression analysis showed greater effects on health-promoting behaviors when subjective health status was better. Older people and non-smokers exhibited more health-responsible behaviors, while more physical-activity behaviors and spiritual growth activities were observed when subjective health status was better. Interpersonal relationship behaviors had positive effects on those with good subjective heath status and on non-smokers.

Conclusions:

Based on the results of the current study, an alternative was suggested for promoting health in North Korean adolescent refugees.     

豫北地区大学生吸烟行为现状

目的了解豫北地区大学生吸烟状况以及对禁烟的态度,为高校大学生控烟健康教育提供依据。方法根据不同学校类型在豫北地区随机选择4a制大学6所,3a制大学4所,采用分层整群抽样的方式抽取学生953名。对其吸烟相关行为、态度进行问卷调查。结果有24.66%的大学生喜欢吸烟;男生吸烟率为72.84%,女生吸烟率为17.60%,男生吸烟率显著高于女生。吸烟的首要原因为解闷、泄愤,其次为社交需要和提神、解乏。初次尝试吸烟的时间主要在初中和小学阶段;家长吸烟与大学生的吸烟行为密切相关;大学生缺乏禁烟教育。结论应采取积极有效的综合干预策略,控制大学生的吸烟行为。     

Social inclusion and length of stay as determinants of health among North Korean refugees in South Korea

Objectives:  Although the number of North Koreans seeking asylum in South Korea has increased notably in recent years, studies on the health of North Koreans residing in South Korea are rare. This study examined the roles of social inclusion and the length of stay on refugees’ self-rated health. Methods:  Employing a data set (n = 1,111) created by the South Korean government, we conduct multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results:  We found that degree of familiarity with South Koreans, employed as an indicator of social inclusion, was significantly associated with North Korean refugees’ self-rated health status. Further, self-rated health seemed to be poorest when the duration of stay in South Korea reached about 2–4 years. Self-rated health outcomes improved after this time period. Conclusions:  Social inclusion through close contacts with South Koreans and overcoming an arduous adaptation period, as well as addressing economic deprivation, are important in promoting the health of North Korean refugees in South Korea. These findings should be considered in crafting better resettlement and training programs for this population. Submitted: 08 April 2008; revised: 09 August 2008, 05 November 2008; accepted: 19 January 2009     

Health Status of North Korean Refugees in Toronto: A Community Based Participatory Research Study

Increasing numbers of North Koreans are fleeing their country due to economic insecurity and political persecution, with over 1000 North Koreans Refugee (NKR) claims in Canada in the past decade. There is little published on their health. Using a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) methodology, we investigated NKR health status through a retrospective chart review of 1022 patients rostered at a Toronto refugee clinic between December 2011 and June 2014. The health status of 117 NKRs was compared to that of 905 other refugees seen during the same period. There were lower rates of chronic diseases, including obesity and elevated blood pressure, among NKRs. Conversely, some infectious diseases were more prevalent, including hepatitis B and chlamydia. Female NKRs had higher rates of abnormal cervical cytology. This study uniquely uses CBPR methodology to examine the health of NKRs, and can help guide targeted interventions in this population.     

学龄前儿童攻击性行为的影响因素分析

目的探讨学龄前儿童攻击性行为问题的发生情况及影响因素，为制定攻击性行为的预防策略提供依据。方法应用Achenbach《儿童行为量表》中的攻击性行为分量表和自制的攻击性行为影响因素调查表，对湖北省黄冈市487名学龄前儿童的攻击性行为发生情况进行调查，并对影响因素进行Logistic回归分析。结果学龄前儿童攻击性行为总检出率为8．83％，男女学前儿童攻击行为分别为10．32％和6．80％，不同性别、年龄学龄前儿童攻击性行为检出率差别无统计学意义，而不同年级攻击性行为检出率的差别有统计学意义，攻击行为的检出率随着年级的上升而下降。经多因素非条件Logistic回归分析，学龄前儿童攻击性行为问题的保护因素有玩具或图书数量多、睡前讲故事、单亲家庭，而喜欢玩仿制枪玩具、父母教育方法不一致、母子感情差、母亲孕期精神状态差等是攻击行为的危险因素。结论学龄前儿童攻击行为问题受家庭、社会等多方面因素影响，需采取综合性的干预措施。     

Family Affluence Scale,other socioeconomic position indicators,and self-rated health among South Korean adolescents: findings from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBWS)

Background  

Previous mixed findings regarding socioeconomic differentials among adolescents can be partly attributed to problems in measuring socioeconomic position (SEP) among adolescents. Accordingly, the Family Affluence Scale (FAS) was developed and used in European countries, where it yielded good predictions of socioeconomic differentials in health. However, no prior study has examined whether this new measure for SEP among adolescents is applicable outside Europe.     

青少年饮食行为及其心理影响因素

青少年时期是一个从不成熟逐步走向成熟的过渡阶段,这个时期的饮食行为对成年后的饮食习惯具有长期的、决定性的影响作用.描述了青少年的饮食行为特点,并对青少年饮食行为的心理影响因素进行了综述,其中特别介绍了国际上比较有名的3个有关情绪和饮食行为的理论,即肥胖受心理影响的理论、Schachter的内部/外部理论以及抑制理论.     

青年军人心理健康特点与影响因素

应对方式、个性、生活事件和社会支持都是影响青年军人心理健康的重要因素.积极的应对方式、稳定和外倾的个性特征、正性生活事件和高的社会支持及利用度都十分有利于青年军人的心理健康.反之,常采用消极的应对方式、个性内向和不稳定、负性生活事件以及低的社会支持和利用度则易对军人的心理健康造成损害,使青年军人产生心理问题.     

儿童行为问题的影响因素与干预对策

儿童行为问题是一个具有相当普遍性的重要问题。儿童行为问题的发生是生物学、心理学和环境等多方面因素综合作用的结果。在对儿童行为问题影响因素综合分析的基础上,探讨了儿童行为问题的干预对策。     

老年人日常生活活动能力评价及影响因素分析

以南京市城区６０岁以上老年人的健康状况与日常生活活动能力抽样调查资料为基础，综合分析评价老年人的日常生活活动能力及其影响因素。研究结果表明：老年人日常活动能力在不同年龄组间丧失率不同，男女性别的功能丧失率有显著性差异（Ｘ２＝７．７５，Ｐ＜Ｄ．０５）。非条件Ｌｏｇｉｓｔｉｃ回归分析显示：年龄、患慢性病种类、婚姻状况、体育锻炼，生活满意度为影响老年人日常生活活动能力的主要因素。     

Farm Work–Related Injuries and Risk Factors in South Korean Agriculture

Agriculture is known to be a risk-filled industry in South Korea, as it is worldwide. The aims of this study were to identify the magnitude of farm work–related injuries and evaluate the association between injury and possible risk factors. Farmers, including farm members (N = 16,160), were surveyed. After excluding 7 subjects with missing data in questions about injury, 16,153 farmer responses were used for the analysis. Of the 16,153 farmers, 3.6% answered having at least one farm work–related injury requiring outpatient treatment or hospitalization during 2012. The proportion of injured men (4.3%) was 1.5 times higher than women (2.9%). From an age perspective, the proportion was 1.3% of those aged 49 or below, 2.7% of those aged 50–59, 4.2% of those aged 60–69, 4.2% of those aged 70–79, and 3.1% of those aged 80 or above. We used a multivariate logistic regression analysis with a stepwise model (forward) for risk factors (gender, age, farm ownership, farm type, work years in agriculture, work months during 2012, night work experience, and work experience under the influence of alcohol). The increased risk of farm work–related injuries significantly remained associated with age, farm ownership, and experience of night work. Further studies should be conducted to consistently identify injury characteristics, especially for old farmers, considering the crop cultivation in Asian countries.     

高校民族预科生行为问题现状及其影响因素研究

目的 探讨高校民族预科生行为问题现状及其影响因素。方法 采用自编一般情况问卷、大学生行为问题量表对347位高校民族预科生行为问题进行问卷调查。结果 高校民族预科生总行为问题得分为（142.22±55.16）分。行为正常者为67.7%,轻度、中度、重度行为问题者分别为15.0%、9.8%、7.5%。性别、教师满意度、办事拖延均进入行为问题各子项目回归方程,能分别解释学习问题、社会适应、健康情绪、恋爱与性问题变异的52.8 %、41.4%、42.8%、44.4%。结论 部分高校民族预科生行为问题突出,男性、对教师满意度低、办事拖延者行为问题更严重。     

初中生早期问题行为现状及其相关因素分析

目的 探讨初中生问题行为现状及其相关因素,为开展早期健康教育提供理论依据.方法 采用<问题行为早期发现测验>(PPCT)、家庭环境量表中文版(FES-CV)、简易应对方式量表(SCSQ)、一般自我效能感量表(GSES)和学校归属感量表(PSSM),对分层整群抽取的2 014名初中生进行问卷调查.结果 初中生人际关系不适应、情绪不稳定和学习不适应分量表问题行为的检出率依次为7.0%,7.2%和13.7%,全量表问题行为检出率为4.1%.初中生问题行为影响因素的Logistic回归分析结果显示,进入回归方程的变量有与母亲关系、家庭环境、同学关系、学校归属感和应对方式.结论 初中生问题行为的发生可能与家庭环境、学校归属感等多种因素有关.应联合家庭和学校加强学生的心理健康教育,减少问题行为的发生.     

BMI and metabolic disorders in South Korean adults: 1998 Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of overweight, obesity, and metabolic disorders and their relationship with BMI were studied in South Korean adults. The appropriate BMI categories for overweight and obesity for Koreans were evaluated. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: The 1998 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was the first such survey, to our knowledge, conducted on a cross-sectional and nationally representative population. The survey provided data on body weight; height; fasting serum glucose; triacylglycerol; total, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; blood pressure; and various other questions that were incorporated into this study. A total of 39,060 persons over the age of 1 year from 12,283 households participated in the Health and Nutrition Interview Survey. Of these, 10,876 people over the age of 10 years old participated in the Health Examination. We analyzed data from 7962 adults over the age of 20 years old. RESULTS: The overweight (BMI, >/=25.0 to <30.0) and obesity (BMI, >/=30) rates were low among Korean adults: 23.4% and 1.7% in men and 24.9% and 3.2% in women, respectively. However, the prevalences of diabetes, hypertension, and abnormal concentrations of serum triacylglycerol and total, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were high at 10.5%, 27.1%, 29.0%, 34.5%, 28.4%, and 37.4%, respectively. These disorders were age dependent, and, in general, there was a strong linear relationship between BMI and the disorders. The relative risk of disorders doubled at a BMI of 23.0 to 24.0 and tripled at a BMI of 26.0, compared with a baseline BMI of 18.5 to 22.0. DISCUSSION: High rates of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were noted in middle-aged and elderly Koreans even at relatively low BMI. It might be appropriate to lower the BMI classification from the current >/=25.0 for overweight and >/=30.0 for obesity for this group of Koreans.