Characteristics of Health Behavior and the Medical Utilization of Female Marriage Immigrants in a Rural Area of South Korea

Purposes&Methods:In April 2008, to examine health behaviors, medical service utilization of female marriage immigrants in a rural area of Korea, a self- administered questionnaire and an interview were conducted to 75 marriage immigrants married Korean men. Results:Among 75 subjects, 60.0% came from Vietnam, 1.3% were 20-24 age group,78.8% graduated from middle school or above. Fifty-five percent of subjects have been staying in Korea for 1-2 years, 42.7% had an intermediate level of competence in Korean. Smoking rate of subjects was 1.3%, drinking rate was 13.3%,20% were overweight,38.7% regularly exercised, 32.0% undergone health screening within recent 2 years. Thirty-six percent of subjects suffered from a disease such as musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, respiratory disease after marriage. Thirty-seven percent of subjects tolerated when they were sick. The shorter they've stayed in Korea and the poorer proficiency in Korean they have, the more frequently they tended to endure the pain(p<0.01).Seventy-two percent of subjects had an experience to use medical institution and hospital accounted for 50.0% of them. The most important reason for the choice of medical institutions was close distance. Causes of inconvenience were related to long distance(40.7%),difficulties in communication(25.9%),traffic problems(25.9%).Conclusions:This study suggests that for female marriage immigrants in a rural area, various medical services and social supports suitable for their age should be provided, and many programs which can strengthen their family relation should be developed. The role of health care workers should be expanded to provide relevant and easily accessible medical service. In addition, supports and activating of self-help groups should be encouraged.