Measles susceptibility of marriage migrant women in Korea

Abstract

Measles elimination in South Korea was approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014.However, small sporadic outbreaks of measles continue to occur, mostly driven by imported cases [1].Measles introduced from abroad spreads to susceptible populations, such as infants or young adults who are insufficiently vaccinated or in cases where the vaccine effect has waned. The number of foreignborn individuals in South Korea has increased sharply (1,271,807 foreigners with long-term stay in 2019), of which approximately 10% are marriage migrants [2]. Marriage migration has increased rapidly since the mid-1990s as the government officially encouraged international marriages between foreign women and Korean men to resolve the rural bride shortage. Earlier, most foreign brides were Chosunjok (ethnic Koreans from China), but recently, their country of origin has diversified. As of January 2019, out of a total of 132,748 foreign-born women married to Korean men and living in South Korea, the most common country of origin was China (34.7%), followed by Vietnam (30.4%), Japan (9.4%), Philippines (8.6%), Cambodia (3.2%), Thailand (3.3%), and others (10.3%) [3]. Measles vaccination rates worldwide have increased over time, but are still lower in low-or middle-income countries than in developed countries. The estimated first-dose measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) coverage in Vietnam was 84.4% to 93.3% between 2000 and 2019, but the second-dose measlescontaining vaccine (MCV2) administration only started in 2007 [4,5]. The estimated MCV1 coverage in Cambodia was 63.7% to 91.1% between 200063.7% to 91.1% between and 201963.7% to 91.1% between , and MCV2 administration only started in 2012. These suboptimal measles vaccine coverage rates in the countries of origin of marriage migrant women suggest the possible influx of measles-susceptible populations into South Korea. Since marriage migrant women frequently become pregnant, give birth, take care of children, and travel overseas to their country of origin, immunity to measles becomes particularly important. However, thus far, there has been no information regarding measles immunity in marriage migrant women in South Korea.

Fracture Risk Among Stroke Survivors According to Poststroke Disability Status and Stroke Type

“…33 This may be because those with severe disability spend a significant amount of time lying down, 5 leading to reduced weight-bearing activity, which can contribute to greater hip BMD loss. 26 Meanwhile, those with mild disability are able to perform daily activities independently and may require only occasional assistance from others 23 ; hence, they have a relatively lower risk of falls and are likely to remain active, and thus are at higher risk of vertebral fractures, which are attributed more to osteoporosis compared with hip fractures. 31 In addition, vertebral fractures were identified through claims data in our study, requiring visit to a hospital.…”

Fracture risk among stroke survivors according to post-stroke disability status and stroke type

“…This may be because those with severe disability spend a significant amount of time lying down 5 , leading to reduced weight-bearing activity, which can contribute to greater hip BMD loss 26 . Meanwhile, those with mild disability are able to perform daily activities independently and may require only occasional assistance from others 23 ; hence, they have a relatively lower risk of falls and are likely to remain active, and thus are at higher risk of vertebral fractures, which are attributed more to osteoporosis compared to hip fractures 31 . In addition, vertebral fractures were identified through claims data in our study, requiring visit to a hospital.…”

“…Disability status and severity information from the KNDRS can be considered reliable and accurate. Grade 1 (most severe) disability from brain injury was defined by the requirement of total assistance from others, whereas grade 6 (least severe) disability was 6/R defined by the performance of ordinary activities independently according to predefined eligibility criteria (Table S3) 23 . For the analyses, we classified grades 1 to 3 as severe disability and grades 4 to 6 as mild disability.…”

Effects of long-term unmet needs and unmet rehabilitation needs on the quality of life in stroke survivors

“…In that study, which also used the LUNS questionnaire, "Information on stroke" was the most frequently mentioned unmet need followed by "Fear of falling" and "Help with concentration or memory" (15). In Korea, benefits for stroke survivors include the National Disability Registration System (NDRS) and long-term care (LTC) for the elderly (16,17). Stroke survivors are eligible for disability registration 6 months after the stroke (17).…”

“…In Korea, benefits for stroke survivors include the National Disability Registration System (NDRS) and long-term care (LTC) for the elderly (16,17). Stroke survivors are eligible for disability registration 6 months after the stroke (17). In 2008, Korea introduced LTC insurance to cover older adults in need of LTC.…”