Korean J Prev Med.  2002 Feb;35(1):57-64.

The Relationship of Social Class and Health Behaviors with Morbidity in Korea

• Son M

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationship of social class and health behaviors with self-reported morbidity.
METHODS
The 1995 General Household Survey in Korea was used to investigate self-reported morbidity. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship of social class and health behaviors with self-reported chronic disease and perceived general health.
RESULTS
For chronic disease and general perceived health, age adjusted odds ratios were higher for manual workers, lower-educated group as well as those in the lower income group; this held true for both men and women. Health behaviours had little effect on the relationship between social class and morbidity. The relationship between health behaviors and morbidity was very weak. The lower social class expressed higher levels of negative health behaviors, although this relationship appeared to be very weak in Korea.
CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that an understanding of health differentials that addresses the issue of social inequalities in Korea is required.

Keyword

Social class; Health behaviors; Morbidity

MeSH Terms

Chronic Disease
Family Characteristics
Female
Health Behavior*
Humans
Korea*
Logistic Models
Male
Odds Ratio
Social Class*
Socioeconomic Factors