J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs.  2020 Sep;31(3):322-336. 10.12799/jkachn.2020.31.3.322.

Trends and Level in Health Literacy Research on Immigrants in Korea: A Literature Review

• Kang SJ
• Hyung NK

• KMID: 2512084
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2020.31.3.322

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the current state and trends of health literacy research considering migrants living in South Korea.
Methods
A review of the literature was conducted using electronic data base and citation tracking. A total of 82 articles were identified, of which 16 articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected for review. Two authors reviewed the articles independently using a matrix table and then examined four aspects of the studies jointly: research method, immigrant characteristics, health literacy assessment, and main findings.
Results
Most of the articles (n=13) were descriptive studies and three were methodology studies for instrument development. Of the 13 studies, eight involved female immigrants, four of health literacy involved migrant workers, and four concerned North Korean Refugees. A total of eight types of health literacy assessment tools were used. Sufficient samples and sampling methods were lacking at the population level.
Conclusion
The results of the review generally showed that the health literacy of immigrants was lower than that of native South Koreans, and that there was a difference between nationality and gender among immigrants; however, further research is needed to review a larger sample with a validated instrument.

Keyword

Health literacy; Immigrants; Refugees; Workers; Review