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Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 1/2018

01-02-2018 | Original Paper

Cervical Cancer Screening and Its Associated Factors Among North Korean Defectors Living in South Korea

Authors: Jeongok Park, HeesSook Kim, Wonhee Yang, HaeWon Lee, Sang Min Park

Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

North Korean defectors (NKD) have many health problems related to insufficient nutrition, trauma from escaping, and being exposed to infectious diseases, but little research exists on their cancer screening. A total of 638 NKD participated in this cross-sectional survey. South Korean natives (SKN) who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V were selected using age matching to each NKD. Fisher’s exact tests and logistic regression were used for data analysis. The cervical cancer screening rate of NKD was significantly lower than for SKN (42 and 70 %, respectively; P < .001). The adjusted proportions of cervical cancer screening for NKD in all age groups under 60 years (P < .01) and having education beyond high school (P < .001) were significantly lower than that of SKN. NKD who had education under a high school level were more likely to have cervical cancer screening compared to NKD with education beyond a high school level (OR 1.81, 95 % CI 1.12–2.93). NKD were less likely to receive appropriate cervical cancer screening compared to SKN, especially those aged 30–39 years or married. Tailored interventions for NKD are needed to improve cervical cancer screening compliance.
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Metadata
Title
Cervical Cancer Screening and Its Associated Factors Among North Korean Defectors Living in South Korea
Authors
Jeongok Park
HeesSook Kim
Wonhee Yang
HaeWon Lee
Sang Min Park
Publication date
01-02-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health / Issue 1/2018
Print ISSN: 1557-1912
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1920
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-016-0510-3

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