Health Care and Health Status of Immigrant Women Married to Koreans in the Visiting Care Center

Abstract

Purpose: We analyzed the health care and health status of immigrant women married to Koreans in our community. Methods: We recruited 204 women who live in S Cityfrom 1st August to 30th September, 2008. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was done using a questionnaire through interviews and physical assessment by visiting nurses. Results: The average age of the subjects was 29.8 and most of them were housewives. Sixteen percent of them obese as measured by BMI. Moreover, most participants (86%) did not exercise at all. Over 13% complained of physical discomfort that was left untreated, and only 50% participated in cancer screening. Conclusions: Young, obese immigrant women require further health care monitoring. Caregivers also should ask about physical discomfort and cancer screenings. However, caregivers should do so in a culturally sensitive manner. In addition, the government should support cancer detection programs for immigrant women.