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

Jihyun Lee,Jay J Shen,Ji Won Yoo,Yui Park,Pearl Kim,Dong-Hun Han,Wenlian Zhou

doi:10.1186/s12889-021-10770-4

Abstract

BackgroundThe 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.MethodsThis 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.ResultsNKDs 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.ConclusionsParticipation 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.

Highlights

The number of North Korean defectors (NKDs) escaping to South Korea has increased
The range of the residence period in South Korea was 1 to 213 months, and two thirds of the participants lived in South Korea for 1 ~ 5 years (37.3% for 12 ~ months and 31.7% for ~ 119 months)
Our findings indicate that receiving education in South Korea is positively associated with self-rated health status, even when potential confounding factors are taken into consideration

Summary

Introduction

The number of North Korean defectors (NKDs) escaping to South Korea has increased. 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. North Korea’s economic difficulties after the fall and dissolution of communism in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union and a great flood in 1995 that caused the Great Famine led to the deaths of millions of North. Many North Korean defectors (NKDs) have escaped to South Korea. Despite the financial and medical support by Korean Government, NKDs have experienced various difficulties in settling into South Korean society and managing their health conditions [4]. A notable part was that the “physical/mental illness and disability” was the second highest cause of suicidal ideation (23.3%) [5]

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