1
|
Lange MK, Just-Nørregaard V, Winding TN. How does subjective social status at school at the age of 15 affect the risk of depressive symptoms at the ages of 18, 21, and 28? A longitudinal study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0296349. [PMID: 38157358 PMCID: PMC10756531 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Young people's mental health is declining. Depression is a public disease which is increasing internationally, and in Denmark an increase is seen especially among young people. Objective social status is known to be associated with mental health and depression, but little is known about the association between adolescent subjective social status at school and depressive symptoms during young adulthood. The aim was to investigate the association between 15-year-old's subjective social status at school and the development of depressive symptoms at age 18, 21 and 28. METHODS The study is a longitudinal study using questionnaire data from The West Jutland Cohort Study Denmark. The study population consisted of adolescents who at baseline, at age 15 (2004), had answered questions about their subjective social status in school using the MacArthur scale-youth version. Answers were categorised into low, medium, and high subjective social status. Outcome data about depressive symptoms was collected at age 18 (2007), age 21 (2010) and age 28 (2017) using the CES-DC and CES-D scales, dichotomised into few or many depressive symptoms. The associations between subjective social status at school at age 15 and depressive symptoms at ages 18, 21 and 28 were analysed using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS Statistically significant associations were found between low subjective social status at school at age 15 and the odds of many depressive symptoms at all three age points in young adulthood. When adjusting for co-variates the odds ratio for many depressive symptoms at age 18 was OR 3.34 [1.84;6.08], at age 21 OR 3.31 [1.75;6.26] and at age 28 OR 2.12 [1.13;3.97]. CONCLUSIONS The subjective social status of 15-year-olds is associated with depressive symptoms at ages 18, 21 and 28, respectively. It seems that subjective social status at age 15 is of greatest importance for the occurrence of depressive symptoms in the short run, and that the impact attenuates over time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie Kjærgaard Lange
- Department of Occupational Medicine–University Research Clinic, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Goedstrup Hospital, Herning, Denmark
| | - Vivi Just-Nørregaard
- Department of Occupational Medicine–University Research Clinic, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Goedstrup Hospital, Herning, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Trine Nøhr Winding
- Department of Occupational Medicine–University Research Clinic, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Goedstrup Hospital, Herning, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li L, Fang YJ, Abulimiti A, Huang CY, Liu KY, Chen YM, Zhang CX. Educational level and colorectal cancer risk: the mediating roles of lifestyle and dietary factors. Eur J Cancer Prev 2022; 31:137-144. [PMID: 33990094 DOI: 10.1097/cej.0000000000000697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The association between the educational level and colorectal cancer risk was controversial in developed countries and evidence was limited in Chinese population. This study aimed to investigate the association between the educational level and colorectal cancer risk in Guangdong Province, China. METHODS From July 2010 to April 2019, 2502 newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients and 2538 sex- and age-matched controls were recruited in this case-control study. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association between the educational level and colorectal cancer risk. Path analysis was used to investigate whether behavioral risk factors potentially mediated the association between the educational level and colorectal cancer risk. RESULTS Educational level was inversely associated with the colorectal cancer risk. People who graduated from the college or above had a lower risk of colorectal cancer than those from the primary school or below, with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.42 [95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.34-0.52]. The total, direct and indirect effects of the educational level for the colorectal cancer risk were statistically significant in the path diagram. Path analysis showed that lower red and processed meat intake and higher tea and coffee drinking among high educational participants contributed to the inverse association between the educational level and colorectal cancer risk. CONCLUSION The findings suggested that the educational level was inversely associated with the colorectal cancer risk. The association might be mediated by red and processed meat intake, household and leisure-time activities, and tea and coffee drinking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University
| | - Yu-Jing Fang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Experimental Research, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Alinuer Abulimiti
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University
| | - Chu-Yi Huang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University
| | - Kai-Yan Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University
| | - Yu-Ming Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University
| | - Cai-Xia Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kino S, Jang SN, Takahashi S, Ebner DK, Kawachi I. Socioeconomic disparities in self-rated health in two East Asian countries: Comparative study between Japan and Korea. Soc Sci Med 2020; 253:112945. [PMID: 32244152 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.112945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Although Japan and South Korea share a number of commonalities, social security systems are very different. We opt to compare socioeconomic disparities in self-rated health between these two countries. The analytic sample included those aged 20 years and older from the nationally representative surveys in Japan (Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions) and South Korea (Korean Community Health Survey). As socioeconomic status, we used income (quintiles of equivalized annual household income) and education (five categories). We measured socioeconomic inequalities using two indices; the Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and the Relative Index of Inequality (RII), in each age group for each country. In Japan, we found relatively little evidence of socioeconomic inequalities in self-rated health over the life course, on either the absolute or relative scale. In Korea, the absolute inequality assessed by SII of self-rated poor health was higher in middle and old age groups compared to other age groups, while relative inequality measured by RII was significantly higher in younger ages. In Japan with more generous welfare system to the older generations, health inequality was relatively lower compared to Korea. The gaps in health status for Korean people suggest where social policy might direct their efforts in the future - (a) reducing inequalities in working-age people by addressing the gap between standard workers & non-standard workers; and (b) improving the financial conditions of older people by shoring up the social security system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shiho Kino
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard. T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215, Massachusetts, USA.
| | - Soong-Nang Jang
- Red Cross College of Nursing, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06709, South Korea.
| | - Shuko Takahashi
- Takemi Program in International Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, Room 1210A, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; International Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan; Division of Medical Education, Iwate Medical University, 2-1-1, Nishitokuta, Yahaba-cho, Shiwa-gun, Iwate, 028-3694, Japan.
| | - Daniel K Ebner
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard. T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215, Massachusetts, USA.
| | - Ichiro Kawachi
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard. T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215, Massachusetts, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Place of death and associated gender difference in Korea 2006–2014: Evidence from exit interviews of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2018; 78:196-202. [DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2018.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
5
|
Min HS, Park J, Kim YA, Yang HK, Park K. Income Difference in Attitudes towards Cancer in General Population: Findings from a National Survey. J Korean Med Sci 2018; 33:e215. [PMID: 30093846 PMCID: PMC6082811 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To better understand cancer-related health behaviors, it is critical to know how general populations with different socioeconomic and demographic backgrounds perceive cancer. The current paper explored differences in general attitudes and beliefs towards cancer among Koreans. METHODS A cross-sectional national survey was conducted for 1,000 Korean participants who were not cancer patients and did not have immediate family members with cancer via proportional quota random sampling. General attitudes and beliefs about cancer were measured by face-to-face interview using the awareness and beliefs about cancer (ABC) measure. RESULTS Most respondents (84.8%-88.5%) had optimistic attitudes towards cancer. However, 35.6% to 87.7% agreed with negative cancer beliefs across all age groups simultaneously. Socioeconomic disparity of positive cancer beliefs was not evident. Unexpectedly, the highest income group agreed more strongly with the negatively framed statements that cancer treatment is worse than the cancer itself (odds ratio [OR], 2.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-5.53), that they would not want to know if they have cancer (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 0.94-2.75), and that a cancer diagnosis is a death sentence (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.34-4.01), than the lowest income group. CONCLUSION The present results imply a complicated context of cancer beliefs in Korea, unlike those shown in the studies of western populations. While the contradictory attitudes toward cancer can be attributable to the dual nature of information processing, social environment might have played a role. The association between socioeconomic status and negative attitudes toward cancer may vary depending on the diversity of the contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hye Sook Min
- Cancer Policy Branch, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Jinsil Park
- Cancer Policy Branch, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Young Ae Kim
- Cancer Policy Branch, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Hyung Kook Yang
- Cancer Policy Branch, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Keeho Park
- Cancer Policy Branch, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lee HA, Park H. The mediation effect of individual eating behaviours on the relationship between socioeconomic status and dietary quality in children: the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Eur J Nutr 2017; 56:1339-1346. [PMID: 26919991 PMCID: PMC5346410 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-016-1184-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although it has been suggested that socioeconomic status is associated with dietary quality, the possible mediation effects of eating behaviours on dietary quality are unclear. Thus, we investigated the causal chain by which socioeconomic status influences the quality of the diets consumed by children through their eating behaviours using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. METHODS The study focused on persons from 2 to 18 years of age who completed the 24-h dietary recall survey (n = 3158). Using causal mediation analysis, we assessed the relationship between socioeconomic status and poor dietary quality in children and examined the mediation effects of eating behaviours. Socioeconomic indicators included household income, parental education, and parental occupation. Dietary quality was defined by the number of key nutrients, protein, calcium, phosphorous, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, niacin, and vitamin C, consumed at insufficient levels. RESULTS In the present study, more than half the children did not consume the recommended amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and calcium. Eating breakfast had a significant impact on poor dietary quality regardless of socioeconomic indicators. On the other hand, children from lower-middle-income households consumed insufficient amounts of more nutrients than their counterparts regardless of eating behaviours. Through the mediation model, we found that lower-middle household incomes were associated with poor dietary quality, but that dietary quality was significantly mediated by eating breakfast. CONCLUSION We found that poor dietary quality among children in lower-income households was partially explained by their being less likely to eat breakfast, but that eating breakfast did not entirely mediate these effects. Thus, to reduce differences in dietary quality among children, those who are economically vulnerable must be prioritized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hye Ah Lee
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, 1071, Anyangcheon-ro, Yangcheon-ku, Seoul, 158-710, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyesook Park
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, 1071, Anyangcheon-ro, Yangcheon-ku, Seoul, 158-710, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Russell DW, Kazman JB, Benedek DM, Ursano RJ, Russell CA. Domestic Civil Support Missions Can Aggravate Negative Mental Health Outcomes Among National Guardsmen: The Moderating Role of Economic Difficulties. J Trauma Stress 2017; 30:195-199. [PMID: 28141895 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Little research has addressed potentially negative health outcomes associated with domestic civil-oriented operations, but has focused instead on traditional military operations (e.g., combat). This study, conducted following a United States Defense Support to Civilian Authorities mission undertaken by National Guard forces (N = 330), showed that responding to such missions was linked to more negative mental health outcomes, including posttraumatic stress disorder (β = 0.23) and depression (β = 0.23), but only among those who reported difficulty meeting their basic socioeconomic needs and not among those who did not have difficulty meeting their basic needs. The study offers suggestions for identifying individuals who may be especially vulnerable to stressors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dale W Russell
- F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Josh B Kazman
- F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - David M Benedek
- F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert J Ursano
- F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yun WJ, Rhee JA, Kim SA, Kweon SS, Lee YH, Ryu SY, Park SW, Kim DH, Shin MH. Household and area income levels are associated with smoking status in the Korean adult population. BMC Public Health 2015; 15:39. [PMID: 25636365 PMCID: PMC4314795 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-1365-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Some previous studies have suggested that area-level characteristics have effects on smoking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between household income and area income on smoking in Korean adults. Methods This study was based on the Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) performed in South Korea, between September and November 2009. In total, 222,242 subjects (103,124 men and 119,118 women) were included in the analysis. Information on smoking status was collected using a standardized questionnaire. Income status was determined by monthly household income. Household income was categorized as: <1 million won; <2 million won; <3 million won; and ≥3 million won. Area-level income categorized as quartiles. Data were analyzed using multilevel regression models. The analysis was conducted separately urban and rural, by sex. Results The lowest household income group had a higher risk of smoking than the highest household income group in both urban and rural areas for both men and women after adjusting for individual characteristics (urban men: odds ration [OR], 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36–1.53; rural men: OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.25–1.42; urban women: OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 2.06–2.76; rural women: OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.25–1.83). In men, the lowest area-level income group had a higher risk for smoking than the highest area-level income group in urban areas after adjusting for individual characteristics and household income (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.02–1.33). In women, the lowest area-level income group had a lower risk for smoking than the highest area-level income group in rural areas after adjusting for individual characteristics and household income (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.39–0.70). However, no association was observed between area-level income and smoking in rural areas for men or in urban areas for women. Conclusions The results showed that smoking is strongly associated with household income status in both men and women, and area-level income is partly associated with smoking. Effects of area-level income on smoking differed by sex and region. These findings suggest that area characteristics have contextual effects on health related behavior independent of individual characteristics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Woo-Jun Yun
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hak-1-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 501-746, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jung-Ae Rhee
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hak-1-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 501-746, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sun A Kim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hak-1-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 501-746, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sun-Seog Kweon
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hak-1-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 501-746, Republic of Korea. .,Jeonnam Regional Cancer Center, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Jeollanamdo, 519-809, Republic of Korea.
| | - Young-Hoon Lee
- Department of Preventive Medicine & Institute of Wonkwang Medical Science, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, 570-711, Republic of Korea.
| | - So-Yeon Ryu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Chosun University Medical School, Gwangju, 501-759, Republic of Korea.
| | - Soon-Woo Park
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, 705-718, Republic of Korea.
| | - Dong Hyun Kim
- Department of Social Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, 200-702, Republic of Korea.
| | - Min-Ho Shin
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hak-1-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 501-746, Republic of Korea. .,Center for Creative Biomedical Scientists, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 501-809, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kim DW, Park JC, Rim TT, Jung UW, Kim CS, Donos N, Cha IH, Choi SH. Socioeconomic disparities of periodontitis in Koreans based on the KNHANES IV. Oral Dis 2013; 20:551-9. [PMID: 24033864 DOI: 10.1111/odi.12168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2012] [Revised: 06/26/2013] [Accepted: 07/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to identify the socioeconomic factors associated with the prevalence of periodontitis in Koreans. METHODS Cross-sectional data from 12 763 subjects, 15 years old and above, who underwent periodontal examinations were obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV (2007-209). Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were applied to estimate the association between socioeconomic indicators and prevalence of periodontitis. RESULTS A significant association was found between increasing age and periodontitis. Participants with higher income were less likely to have periodontitis (aOR = 0.9 and 95% CI = 0.78-0.98, and aOR = 0.7 and 95% CI = 0.60-0.80 in the middle and highest quintiles of monthly household income, respectively). In addition, participants living in rural areas were less likely to have periodontitis (aOR = 0.9 and 95% CI = 0.81-0.99), and current smokers were more likely to have periodontitis (aOR = 1.7 and 95% CI = 1.49-1.89). The analysis of comorbidities revealed that individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) were significantly more likely to have periodontitis (aOR = 1.4 and 95% CI = 1.18-1.68). CONCLUSIONS In a rapidly increasing Korean population, the lower socioeconomic groups as well as individuals with DM were significantly more likely to present with periodontitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D W Kim
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ha M, Jeong WC, Lim M, Kwon H, Choi Y, Yoo SJ, Noh SR, Cheong HK. Children's Mental Health in the Area Affected by the Hebei Spirit Oil Spill Accident. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND TOXICOLOGY 2013; 28:e2013010. [PMID: 24010065 PMCID: PMC3761073 DOI: 10.5620/eht.2013.28.e2013010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Children are one of the most vulnerable populations to the impact of disasters. We aimed to examine children's mental health in the area affected by the Hebei Spirit oil spill accident on December 7, 2007. METHODS A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted using the Korean versions of the Children's Depression Inventory and State Anxiety Inventory for Children on 1,362 children attending elementary schools in the affected area. The information on distances between the nearest contaminated coastline to the child's residential house or attending school were obtained using a web-based map by inputting two address points. The symptom risks of depression and state anxiety were estimated by multiple logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, gender, and other covariates. RESULTS Children with the closest distance (in the fourth quartile) to the school from the contaminated coastline showed a significantly higher symptom risk of depression compared to those with the farthest distance (first quartile)(odds ratio, 2.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.40-5.33), while there was no significant association between anxiety symptoms and distance. CONCLUSIONS Children, a vulnerable population for mental health impact by the oil spill accident, should be included in mental health programs in the community along with their family as victims of the disaster.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mina Ha
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea
- Environmental Health Center, Dankook Medical Center, Cheonan, Korea
| | | | - Myungho Lim
- Environmental Health Center, Dankook Medical Center, Cheonan, Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Hojang Kwon
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea
- Environmental Health Center, Dankook Medical Center, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Yeyong Choi
- Asian Citizen's Center for Environment and Health, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung-Jin Yoo
- Environmental Health Center, Dankook Medical Center, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Su Ryun Noh
- Taean Environmental Health Center, Taean, Korea
| | - Hae-Kwan Cheong
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Choi WJ, Um IY, Hong S, Yum HY, Kim H, Kwon H. Association between Household Income and Asthma Symptoms among Elementary School Children in Seoul. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND TOXICOLOGY 2012; 27:e2012020. [PMID: 23256089 PMCID: PMC3524452 DOI: 10.5620/eht.2012.27.e2012020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2012] [Accepted: 10/30/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study examined the association between socioeconomic factors and asthma symptoms. METHODS A total of 6,919 elementary school children in Seoul were enrolled in the study. Data were obtained from a web-based questionnaire survey. The questionnaire was based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood core module. The prevalence of wheeze in the past 12 months and severe asthma symptoms were obtained. The potential risk factors for asthma symptoms included household income and the number of siblings. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the risk factors of asthma symptoms. RESULTS The prevalence of current wheeze (wheeze in the past 12 months) was 5.2%. Household income and asthma symptoms were inversely associated after adjusting for other potential risk factors (p for trend=0.03). This association was modified by the number of siblings. With two or more siblings, the effect of household income on asthma symptoms was not significant. However, low household income was still a significant variable for patients with fewer than two siblings (OR 1.41; 95% CI, 1.09-1.81). CONCLUSIONS It appears that childhood asthma disparity is dependent on household income. Therefore, policies to improve childhood health inequities should be emphasized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Won-Jun Choi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea
| | - In-Yong Um
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea
| | - Soyoung Hong
- Atopy Research Institute, Seoul Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye Yung Yum
- Atopy Asthma Center, Seoul Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyunjung Kim
- Atopy Research Institute, Seoul Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
- Atopy Asthma Center, Seoul Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hojang Kwon
- Atopy Research Institute, Seoul Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kim YN, Cho YG, Kim CH, Kang JH, Park HA, Kim KW, Hur YI, Lee SH, Na YM, Park NY. Socioeconomic Indicators Associated with Initiation and Cessation of Smoking among Women in Seoul. Korean J Fam Med 2012; 33:1-8. [PMID: 22745882 PMCID: PMC3383246 DOI: 10.4082/kjfm.2012.33.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2010] [Accepted: 01/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background While smoking prevalence in Korean men has been decreasing, it is increasing in Korean women. Little is known about women's smoking inequalities in Korea. This study was conducted to investigate the association of socioeconomic indicators with the initiation and cessation of smoking among Korean women. Methods This was a cross-sectional study on 9,089 women aged 25-64 years from the 2008 Seoul Community Health Survey. The data on smoking and socioeconomic status were obtained through face-to-face interviews. Smoking initiation rate was defined as the proportion of the individuals who had started smoking at least one cigarette among all subjects. Smoking cessation rate was calculated by dividing the number of individuals who had quit smoking by the number of ever smokers. Education level, total family income and occupation were investigated as socioeconomic indicators. Results Education level was significantly associated with both initiation and cessation of smoking. Lower educated women had a higher likelihood of smoking initiation (odds ratio [OR], 1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17 to 2.51) but lower likelihood of smoking cessation (OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.22 to 0.66) than higher educated women. Smoking initiation rate was higher in manual workers (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.20 to 2.27) than in non-manual workers. However, there were no significant differences of both initiation and cessation of smoking according to total household income. Conclusion This study shows that there are smoking inequalities among Korean women. It is thought that education level and occupation are important determinants of women's smoking status.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Na Kim
- Department of Family Medicine, Seoul Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Lee K, Lim HT, Hwang SS, Chae DW, Park SM. Socio-economic disparities in behavioural risk factors for cancer and use of cancer screening services in Korean adults aged 30 years and older: the Third Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005 (KNHANES III). Public Health 2011; 124:698-704. [PMID: 20888016 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2010.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2009] [Revised: 03/20/2010] [Accepted: 07/06/2010] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To estimate the current status of cancer-related health disparities in cancer risk factors and the use of cancer screening services by Korean adults. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional survey study. METHODS The disparities of behavioural cancer risk factors and use of cancer screening services according to equivalent monthly household income were evaluated, using multivariate logistic regression analysis, among 6466 subjects aged ≥30 years and who completed the health promotion knowledge, attitude and practice survey, which is part of the Third Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. RESULTS In men, smoking (P for trend = 0.05) and physical inactivity (P for trend = 0.05) were more common in the lower-income group, while high-risk drinking (P for trend <0.01) was more common in the higher-income group. In women, physical inactivity (P for trend <0.01) was more common in the lower-income group, while smoking and high-risk drinking showed no income disparities. Income disparities were also found in the degree of participation in cancer screening programmes. Men in the highest income quintile underwent more screening for both colorectal and gastric cancer than men in the lowest income quintile and men in the second to fourth income quintiles (P for trend <0.01 for both). Women in the highest income quintile underwent more screening for cervical (P for trend <0.01) and gastric (P for trend = 0.04) cancer, while income disparities were not seen for participation in colorectal or breast cancer screening. CONCLUSIONS In order to decrease behavioural risk factors and promote participation in cancer screening programmes, more targeted efforts are needed for cancer prevention among lower-income Koreans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K Lee
- Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Korea
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kim M, Chung W, Lim S, Yoon S, Lee J, Kim E, Ko L. [Socioeconomic inequity in self-rated health status and contribution of health behavioral factors in Korea]. J Prev Med Public Health 2010; 43:50-61. [PMID: 20185983 DOI: 10.3961/jpmph.2010.43.1.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The study is investigated socioeconomic variations in self-rated health status and contribution of health behavioral factors in Korea. METHODS A nationally representative sample (2,800 men and 3,230 women aged 20-64 years) from the 2005 Korea National Health and Nutrition Surveys was analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS Self-rated health was lower among lower socioeconomic groups compared with higher socioeconomic groups, with gender being irrelevant. This association was attenuated when health behavioral and socio-demographic factors were adjusted. When each health behavioral factor was considered separately, mediators such as smoking in men, and stress or exercise in women explained a large part of the decreased socioeconomic health inequalities. CONCLUSIONS In Korea, subjective health inequalities arise from different socioeconomic status, but this difference is decreased by health behavioral factors. Therefore, socioeconomic inequity in self-rated health status can be corrected more effectively by promotional health behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minkyung Kim
- Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Park BH, Jung M, Lee TJ. Associations of income and wealth with health status in the Korean elderly. J Prev Med Public Health 2009; 42:275-82. [PMID: 19805999 DOI: 10.3961/jpmph.2009.42.5.275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to verify the association between wealth or income level and health status after adjusting for other socio-economic position (SEP) indicators among Korean adults aged 45 and over. METHODS Data were obtained from the 1st wave of Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (households: 6,171, persons: 10,254). We used self-rated health status and activities of daily living (ADLs) as dependent variables. Explanatory variables included both net wealth measured by savings, immovables, the other valuated assets and total income including pay, transfer, property and so on. Binary logistic regression was conducted to examine the relationships. Also, in order to determine the relative health inequality across economic groups, we estimated the relative index of inequality (RII). RESULTS The inequality of health status was evident among various wealth and income groups. The wealthiest group (5th quintile) was much healthier than the poorest group, and this differential increased with age. Likewise, higher income was associated with better health status among the elderly. However, these effects, as measured by the odds ratio and RII, showed that wealth was more important in determining health status of elderly people. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that economic capability plays a significant role in determining the health status and other health-related problems among the elderly. Particularly, our results show that health status of the aged is related more closely to the individual's wealth than income.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Hyun Park
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Seoul National University School of Public Health, Seoul, Korea
| | | | | |
Collapse
|