Health behaviors according to the characteristics and health literacy among married migrant women in Korea Yoon Sang Eun Advisor : Prof. Han Mi Ah, Ph.D Department of Health Science Graduate School of Chosun University Objective: Due to the increase i...
Health behaviors according to the characteristics and health literacy among married migrant women in Korea Yoon Sang Eun Advisor : Prof. Han Mi Ah, Ph.D Department of Health Science Graduate School of Chosun University Objective: Due to the increase in multicultural families and married immigrant women due to international marriage, social interest in married migrant women is increasing. This study investigated the health behavior of married migrant women according to general characteristics an health literacy index. Methods: The study population of this study were married migrant women from Vietnam, China, Cambodia, and the Philippines. Data were collected through self-report using a questionnaire translated into the language of each country. The general characteristics and health behaviors of married immigrant women were presented using descriptive statistics. Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between general characteristics, health literacy index, and health behaviors. Result: The health literacy index was insufficient 24.0%, intermediate 43.9%, and excellent 32.1%. The physical activity rate of married immigrant women was 33.1%, the current drinking rate was 47.6%, the high-risk drinking rate was 13.5, the current smoking rate was 5.7%, the influenza vaccination rate within 1 year was 57.1%, the health checkup rate within 2 years was 48.0%, and the cancer screening rate within 2 years was 31.8%. This study found that migration period, language ability, economic activity, and health education have a significant impact on the health behavior of married migrant women. The longer the migration period or the higher the TOPIK, the higher the rate of physical activity, vaccination, and health examination. In addition, health education, experience in economic activities, people who can receive help, and ability to understand health information had a positive effect on health behavior. Conclusion: The health behavior of married immigrant women was influenced by various factors, including characteristics of the study ppulation and health literacy index. Our study results can be used to improve the health behavior of married immigrant women.