Sook Ja Yang

Prevalence and Correlates of Obesity and Overweight Among Asian Immigrant Women in Korea

This study examines the prevalence of obesity and overweight as well as associations between obesity and overweight and demographic, sociocultural, and lifestyle factors among Asian immigrant women in Korea. Data were collected from physical measurements and standardized questionnaires from 287 adult women from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and other Asian countries. The mean BMI (body mass index) was 22.0 kg/m2; 15.0% of the sample were obese (BMI ≥ 25.0), and 17.1% were overweight (23.0 ≤ BMI < 25.0). The highest obesity proportion was found in Filipino (22.0%) and the lowest in Vietnamese women (7.8%). Adjusted for demographic, sociocultural, and lifestyle variables, individuals with greater length of residence (5+ years; odds ratio = 3.22, P = .010) were more likely to be obese or overweight. For prevention of excess body weight, public health efforts need to be targeted to immigrants starting at arrival in Korea.

Lifestyle Factors Associated With Blood Pressure Control Among Those Taking Antihypertensive Medication

The purpose of this study was to explore the relations between lifestyle factors and blood pressure (BP) control among patients with hypertension who were regularly taking antihypertensive medication as prescribed. From the 2005 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, the 690 individuals diagnosed with hypertension who were regularly taking antihypertensive medication were identified. Slightly more than half of the patients (54.3%) had their BP under control. Younger patients, those having one or more comorbidities and those performing physical activity at least 4 days a week were more likely to have their BP under control, while overweight patients, heavy alcohol drinkers, and those with mild to very severe stress had lower rates of BP control. The study results suggested that to reduce uncontrolled BP, public health efforts should target old and overweight patients and those with unhealthy lifestyles including heavy alcohol drinking, stress, and lack of physical activity.

Metabolic syndrome and its related factors among Asian immigrant women in Korea

In this study, we examined the prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome among Asian immigrant women in Korea based on sociodemographics and health behavior-related characteristics. The sample included 271 women from the Philippines, China, Vietnam, and other Asian countries through marriage. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and health examination. Among 67 immigrants who had complete data for determination of metabolic syndrome, 1.5% reported having metabolic syndrome, and 44.4% of the entire sample had reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which is four times higher than their Korean-born counterparts. After controlling for age, there were significant differences in body mass index, depending on the country of origin, and weight change since immigration. Immigrants who had gained weight since immigration also had higher systolic blood pressure and triglycerides. As well as weight change, immigrants who always consumed high-fat diets were at risk of higher triglycerides. Immigrants living in urban areas had lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In order to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, interventions should be directed toward the prevention of weight gain and lower fat intake after immigrating to Korea.

Development and psychometric testing of the Health Literacy Index for Female Marriage Immigrants (HLI-FMI) in Korea.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to develop and examine the psychometric properties of the Health Literacy Index for Female Marriage Immigrants (HLI-FMI). Study participants were 282 women who migrated to Korea from Asian countries to marry and had a mean age of 33.24 years and had immigrated a mean of 5.58 years ago. Data were collected between March 2013 and May 2013. An initial 31 preliminary items were developed based on literature reviews and focus group interviews, including three constructs of health literacy: skills (print, numeracy), tasks (access, understand, appraise, apply), and health contexts (health promotion and disease prevention, health care maintenance and treatment, health system navigation). Exploratory factor analyses of the HLI-FMI yielded 12 items in two factors: Access-Understand Health Literacy (seven items) and Appraise-Apply Health Literacy (five items; Cronbach’s alpha = 0.74). Criterion validity was supported through a significant correlation with the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine-Short Form. Guided by a classical test theory and item response theory, item difficulty and discrimination were within acceptable ranges. HLI-FMI scores were positively associated with participant education and Korean proficiency. The HLI-FMI appears to be the first valid and reliable comprehensive health literacy measure for evaluating health literacy in Korean female marriage immigrants.

Preferences of older inpatients and their family caregivers for life-sustaining treatments in South Korea

ABSTRACT This descriptive cross‐sectional survey aimed to investigate the preferences of older inpatients and their family caregivers for life‐sustaining treatments (LSTs) and their influential factors. Inpatients aged 60 and older and their family caregivers in three acute hospitals in Seoul, South Korea, were invited to participate in the study. A total of 180 surveys were returned from 90 pairs of patients and family caregivers with a response rate of 95%. Older inpatients expressed a significantly high desire for “not wanting to have cardiopulmonary resuscitation” (χ2 = 10.07, p = 0.007) and “mechanical ventilator” (χ2 = 10.35, p = 0.006) compared to their caregivers. Given that experiences of conversations about LSTs was a common factor in both groups and may prevent futile LSTs, it is important for nurses to initiate and support patients and family caregivers, helping them engage in formal and informal conversations about future healthcare preferences.

The revised Stress Measurement of Female Marriage Immigrants in Korea: Evaluation of the psychometric properties.

ABSTRACT The twenty-one item Stress Measurement of Female Marriage Immigrants (SMFMI) was developed to assess stress of female marriage immigrants in Korea. This study reports the psychometric properties of a revised SMFMI (SMFMI-R) for application with female marriage immigrants to Korea who were raising children. Participants were 190 female marriage immigrants from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and other Asian countries, who were recruited using convenience sampling between November 2013 and December 2013. Survey questionnaires were translated into study participants’ native languages (Chinese, Vietnamese, and English). Principal component analysis yielded nineteen items in four factors (family, parenting, cultural, and economic stress), explaining 63.5% of the variance, which was slightly better than the original scale. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated adequate fit for the four-factor model. Based on classic test theory and item response theory, strong support was provided for item discrimination, item difficulty, and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.923). SMFMI-R scores were negatively associated with Korean proficiency and subjective economic status. The SMFMI-R is a valid, reliable, and comprehensive measure of stress for female marriage immigrants and can provide useful information to develop intervention programs for those who may be at risk for emotional stress.

Analysis of Validity and Reliability of the Health Literacy Index for Female Marriage Immigrants (HLI-FMI).

The purpose of this study was to obtain an independent evaluation of the factor structure of the 12-item Health Literacy Index for Female Marriage Immigrants (HLI-FMI), the first measure for assessing health literacy for FMIs in Korea. Participants were 250 Asian women who migrated from China, Vietnam, and the Philippines to marry. The HLI-FMI was originally developed and administered in Korean, and other questionnaires were translated into participants’ native languages. The HLI-FMI consisted of 2 factors: (1) Access-Understand Health Literacy (7 items) and (2) Appraise-Apply Health Literacy (5 items); Cronbach’s α = .73. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated adequate fit for the 2-factor model. HLI-FMI scores were positively associated with time since immigration and Korean proficiency. Based on classical test theory and item response theory, strong support was provided for item discrimination and item difficulty. Findings suggested that the HLI-FMI is an easily administered, reliable, and valid scale.