J Korean Med Sci.  2015 Sep;30(9):1226-1231. 10.3346/jkms.2015.30.9.1226.

Influenza Vaccination Coverage and Its Associated Factors among North Korean Defectors Living in the Republic of Korea

• Song IG
• Lee H
• Yi J
• Kim MS
• Park SM

• KMID: 2344145
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2015.30.9.1226

Abstract

This study aimed to examine influenza vaccination coverage of North Korean defectors (NKD) in the Republic of Korea (Korea) and explore the factors affected the vaccination coverage. Total 378 NKD were analyzed. Four Korean control subjects were randomly matched by age and gender from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V (n = 1,500). The adjusted vaccination coverage revealed no statistical difference between the defectors group and indigenous group (29.1% vs. 29.5%, P = 0.915). In the aged under 50 group, the vaccination coverage of NKD was higher than that of Korean natives (37.8% vs. 25.8%, P = 0.016). However in the aged 50 yr and over group, the vaccination coverage of North Korean defectors was lower than that of the natives (28.0% vs. 37.6%, P = 0.189). Even the gap was wider in the aged 65 yr and over group (36.4% vs. 77.8%, P = 0.007). Gender and medical check-up experience within 2 yr showed association with the vaccination coverage of NKD. Influenza vaccination coverage of aged defectors' group (aged 50 yr and over) was lower than indigenous people though overall vaccination coverage was similar. Further efforts to increase influenza vaccination coverage of this group are needed.

Keyword

Refugees; Influenza, Human; Vaccination; Korea; Healthcare Disparities

MeSH Terms

Adult
Age Distribution
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Democratic People's Republic of Korea/epidemiology
Female
Humans
Influenza Vaccines/*therapeutic use
Influenza, Human/*epidemiology/*prevention & control
Male
Middle Aged
Refugees/*statistics & numerical data
Republic of Korea/epidemiology
Sex Distribution
Vaccination/*utilization
Young Adult
Influenza Vaccines

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Adjusted proportion for influenza vaccination of NKD in the Republic of Korea and age, sex matched KN. The vaccination coverage of aged group 19 to 49 yr is higher in NKD, however in the older group, NKD shows lower vaccination coverage. *P < 0.001. NKD, North Korean defectors; KN, Korean natives.

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