Factors Related to Positive Changes in Perceived Health Status of Married Han Chinese and Korean-Chinese Women After Immigration to Korea

Abstract

This study aimed to compare factors related to changes in perceived health status of Han Chinese (traditional Chinese) and Korean-Chinese (Chinese nationals of Korean descent) women after immigration to Korea. During summer 2013, a survey was conducted with 151 Han and 158 Korean-Chinese women married to Korean men. Most of the respondents reported either no changes (82%) or positive changes (18%) in their perceived health status after immigration. The results of the multiple logistic regression analyses indicated healthy dietary behavior was related to positive changes in the perceived health status of both groups (odds ratio [OR] = 7.4 for Han Chinese; OR = 14.6 for Korean-Chinese). Among Han Chinese women, the length of residence in Korea and the change in perceived health status showed a negative relation (OR = 0.2). In contrast, their level of acculturation and health perception were positive (OR = 7.5). However, these results did not apply to the Korean-Chinese women. In conclusion, factors related to changes in perceived health status differed between the 2 groups although they shared healthy dietary behaviors as a common factor. Therefore, policies and programs aimed at promoting immigrant women's health should consider the differences between Han Chinese and Korean-Chinese.

Effects of Maternal Adjustment Enhancement Program Using Mobile-Based Education for Chinese Immigrant Women in Korea: A Quasi-Experimental Study

“…Therefore, it is critical to support Chinese immigrant primiparous women adapting to maternity, along with their new settlement and culture.Various studies on immigrant women have been conducted in Korea. They mostly focused on the acculturation and health status of immigrant women (Ahn et al, 2018;Asano et al, 2016;Cho et al, 2018;B. Kim & Son, 2020), and some of the studies have focused on immigrant mothers' pregnancy, childbirth, or childcare (Moon et al, 2019;Nam & Oh, 2013), and qualitative studies to understand the experiences of pregnancy, childbirth, or parenting (Chu et al, 2017;S.…”