The Effects of individual Characteristics and Health Beliefs on North Korean Refugees' Health Behavior

Jeung Hee Jeon; Youngsuk Park

doi:10.0000/jkachn.2012.23.1.82

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Original Article
The Effects of individual Characteristics and Health Beliefs on North Korean Refugees' Health Behavior: Jeung Hee Jeon, Youngsuk Park; Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing 2012;23(1):82-90.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.0000/jkachn.2012.23.1.82
Published online: March 31, 2012

¹Nurse, Settlement Support Office for Dislocation of North Koreans, Ministry of Unification, Anseong, Korea.

²Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Korea National Open University, Seoul, Korea.

• Received: November 26, 2011 • Revised: March 13, 2012 • Accepted: March 14, 2012

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Abstract

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to provide base data for preparing plans that North Korean (NK) Refugees can adjust themselves to our society with a healthy mind after they get over their health problems using the Health Belief Model, knowing the relationship between individual characteristics and health beliefs, and health behavior.
Methods
The subjects were 304 NK adult refugees in Hanawon. Data were collected by demographic questionnaire, health behavior scale, self-efficacy scale, perceived benefit scale, perceived barrier scale, perceived seriousness, perceived sensibility, and individual characteristics.
Results
The factors influencing the health behavior of NK refugees were perceived benefits, self-efficacy, the period in the third country and experience in being expelled to NK, and these variables were describing 31.4% of the health behaviors of refugees.
Conclusion
The perceived benefits and self-efficacy of health belief and specific experiences related to refugee affected NK refugees' health behavior.
Key Words: North Korea; Refugee; Health behavior

Figure 1

A conceptual framework.

Table 1

Individual Characteristics of North Korean Refugee (N=304)

Table 2

Health Belief of North Korean Refugee (N=304)

Table 3

Health Behavior of North Korean Refugee (N=304)

Table 4

The Effect of Health Belief and Individual Characteristics on Health Behavior (N=304)

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