The Association of Education in a New Society and Social Support From the Education With the Health of North Korean Defectors: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

Jihyun Lee, Seoul National University
Yui Park, Seoul National University
Dong Hun Han, Seoul National University
Ji Won Yoo, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Wenlian Zhou, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Pearl Kim, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Jay J. Shen, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-21-2021

Publication Title

BMC Public Health

Volume

21

Issue

1

First page number:

1

Last page number:

8

Abstract

Background: The number of North Korean defectors (NKDs) escaping to South Korea has increased. The health status of NKDs is an essential factor for a successful settlement into South Korean society. However, no studies have been conducted on the health status of NKDs in terms of education and social support. The aim of this study was to determine the associations of education and social support with the self-rated health status among NKDs. Methods: This study utilized data gained from face-to-face interviews with 126 NKDs. A multivariable logistic regression and path analysis were performed to assess the effects of education in South Korea and social support on their self-rated health status and to explore the complex relationships between direct and indirect effects of the variables. Results: NKDs who did not experience regular education in South Korea responded that they were in poor health compared to their counterpart (OR = 5.78). Although a direct association between education in South Korea and self-rated health was not shown, there was an indirect path from education in South Korea to self-rated health through social support. Conclusions: Participation in regular education in South Korea is important for the health status of NKDs. Moreover, social support has an important role in the association between education and self-rated health. Social policies and NKD assistance programs should consider and reflect the combination of education and social support interventions relevant to the health status of NKDs.

Keywords

Education; North Korean defectors; Self-rated health; Social support

Disciplines

Public Health Education and Promotion

File Format

pdf

File Size

626 KB

Language

English

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Repository Citation

Lee, J., Park, Y., Han, D., Yoo, J., Zhou, W., Kim, P., Shen, J. (2021). The Association of Education in a New Society and Social Support From the Education With the Health of North Korean Defectors: A Cross-Sectional Study. BMC Public Health, 21(1), 1-8.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10770-4