Korean J Health Promot.  2017 Mar;17(1):20-30. 10.15384/kjhp.2017.17.1.20.

The Health Behavior and Status according to Household Income Level in Korean Women Aged 35 Years or Older: the 2013 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

• Oh MJ
• Kim YJ
• Lee JG
• Yi YH
• Tak YJ
• Hwang HR
• Lee SH

• KMID: 2378917
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15384/kjhp.2017.17.1.20

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Income is a major socioeconomic index, and low household income is known to negatively affect health. Nevertheless, there is a lack of research on the health status and health behavior of middle-aged and older women with low-income. This study aims to provide basic information on the health status and health behavior of low-income women, using data representative of South Koreans.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study used data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Among the total of 8,018 respondents, 2,713 women aged 35 years or older were enrolled in the study. The subjects were classified by income status based on standard household income quartiles.
RESULTS
The low-income group showed the lowest education levels and the highest unemployment rate (P<0.001). The percentage of smokers was the highest, while the frequency of exercise was the lowest in this group (P<0.001). The incidence of hyperlipidemia was highest (P=0.028), and they showed the highest body mass index, waist circumference (P<0.001), blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (P=0.018), and triglyceride level (P=0.03), as well as the lowest high density lipoprotein level (P=0.039), and the highest risk of cardiovascular diseases (P=0.002). Additionally, perceived health status was negative and quality of life was lowest among the groups (P<0.001). Although the enrollment rate for free health check-up services was highest (P=0.007), subscription to private health insurance, adult health check-ups, cancer screening rate were all lowest of the groups.
CONCLUSIONS
This study confirmed a health gap among middle-aged and elderly women of low income, compared to higher income groups.

Keyword

Income; Female; Health behavior; Health status

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Blood Glucose
Blood Pressure
Body Mass Index
Cardiovascular Diseases
Cross-Sectional Studies
Early Detection of Cancer
Education
Family Characteristics*
Fasting
Female
Health Behavior*
Humans
Hyperlipidemias
Incidence
Insurance, Health
Korea
Lipoproteins
Nutrition Surveys*
Quality of Life
Surveys and Questionnaires
Triglycerides
Unemployment
Waist Circumference
Blood Glucose
Lipoproteins

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