Abstract
ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the differences in the utilisation of preventive health services among standard, nonstandard workers, the self-employed, and unpaid family workers.MethodsWe used the 4th and 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationwide survey conducted from the year 2007 to 2012. Economically active workers between the ages of 25 and 64 were grouped into standard, nonstandard, the self-employed, and the unpaid family workers (N = 16,964). Outcome variables are the uptake of preventive health services including influenza vaccination, regular medical check-up, and four types of cancer screenings. We used multivariate logistic models.ResultsOverall, non-standard workers, the self-employed, and unpaid family workers were less likely to use the preventive health care compared to the standard workers. In particular, the self-employed were less likely to use all the six services compared to the standard workers and showed the lowest level of uptakes among the four working groups. Moreover, the service uptake of the non-standard workers was lower than that of standard workers in all services; except the colon cancer screening. On the other hand, unpaid family workers showed mixed results. While the uptake of influenza vaccination and regular health screening were lower, participation to the cancer screening was not lower compared to that of standard workers.ConclusionThere were gaps in the utilisation of preventive services among workers depending on their employment types. Access to preventive health care services of nonstandard workers, the self-employed, and unpaid family workers should be prioritised.
Highlights
Labour conditions are essential social determinants to health [1,2,3,4]
This study aims to investigate the differences in the utilisation of preventive health services among standard, nonstandard workers, the self-employed, and unpaid family workers
This is owed to the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) vaccination program and cancer screening program in South Korea which have contributed to improving the outcomes throughout the years
Summary
Labour conditions are essential social determinants to health [1,2,3,4]. It is a well-known fact that unemployment and the change of employment status matter to the mental health of the workers [5,6,7] and to the conditions such as; cardiovascular disease [8] and even mortality [9]. Governments could provide good access to preventive health services for workers in various ways [14]. All employees are supposed to receive the ‘NHIS-type’ medical check-up. It provides basic health check-ups that include; general consultation, blood pressure, lab test, eye and oral examination, and chest x-ray. The other type is the ‘NHIS-type for local subscriber’ People in this group receive an invitation letter from the NHIS to receive a medical check-up, which is not mandatory. Some people opt for ‘voluntary medical check-up’ by paying the full cost of exams out of their own pockets
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