Osong Public Health Res Perspect.  2018 Aug;9(4):175-184. 10.24171/j.phrp.2018.9.4.06.

Regional Differences of Mental Health Status and Associated Factors: Based on the Community Health Survey

• Lim JH

• KMID: 2419651
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2018.9.4.06

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to determine whether there were differences in mental health specific to regions in Korea, and the factors that affected mental health status.
METHODS
Data from the 2016 Community Health Survey in Korea were used; 224,421 health survey participants provided responses on mental health issues, demographics, and health behavior, and were included in the study.
RESULTS
A statistically significant difference was observed in the incidence of mental health status between different regions of Korea. Independent variables that affected mental health were sex, age, marital status, household income, economic activity, whether living with dementia patients, self-reported health status, smoking, alcohol drinking, sleep time, and chronic diseases. Risk factors associated with symptoms of depression were gender (female), bereavement or being divorced, low household income, family member with dementia, poor self-reported health status, currently smoking, level of physical activity, insufficient hours of sleep and suffering from chronic diseases.
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that a standardized healthcare policy is needed to reduce regional variation in mental health. In the future, similar studies that include medical expenses for mental healthcare and relevant variables according to regions of Korea should be conducted.

Keyword

community; depression; health survey; mental health; region

MeSH Terms

Alcohol Drinking
Bereavement
Chronic Disease
Delivery of Health Care
Dementia
Demography
Depression
Divorce
Family Characteristics
Health Behavior
Health Surveys*
Humans
Incidence
Korea
Marital Status
Mental Health*
Motor Activity
Risk Factors
Smoke
Smoking
Smoke