Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health

The Korean Society for Preventive Medicine (대한예방의학회)
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Differences in Health Behaviors among the Social Strata in Korea

우리나라의 사회계층별 건강행태의 차이

  • Moon, Ok-Ryun (School of Public Health, Seoul National University) ;
  • Lee, Sang-Yi (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Cheju National University) ;
  • Jeong, Baek-Geun (School of Public Health, Seoul National University) ;
  • Lee, Sin-Jae (School of Public Health, Seoul National University) ;
  • Kim, Nam-Sun (School of Public Health, Seoul National University) ;
  • Jhang, Won-Ki (Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs) ;
  • Yoon, Tae-Ho (School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
  • 문옥륜 (서울대학교 보건대학원) ;
  • 이상이 (제주대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 정백근 (서울대학교 보건대학원) ;
  • 이신재 (서울대학교 보건대학원) ;
  • 김남순 (서울대학교 보건대학원) ;
  • 장원기 (한국보건사회연구원) ;
  • 윤태호 (서울대학교 보건대학원)
  • Published : 2000.12.01
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Abstract

Objectives : To analyze differences in health behaviors among the social strata in Korea by using the 1995 National Health and Health Behavior Survey Data. Methods : Study Participants numbered 2,352 men and 1,016 women aged between 15-64 years old, with housewives, students and non-waged family workers excluded. Health behaviors in this study were defined according to the recommendations of the Alameda 7 study. The measure of health behaviors was based on the Health Practices Index(HPI; 0-5 range, with the exclusion of snacking between meals and regularly eating breakfast) developed by the Alameda County research. The significance of the relationship between social strata and HPI was assessed by considering the adjusted means from the multi-variate model. Results : For men, incidence rates of never having smoked, no/moderate use of alcohol, regular exercise, and regular 7-8 hours sleep per night were higher in the upper social strate. Meanwhile, for women, incidence rates of never having smoked, no/moderate use of alcohol, appropriate weight, regular exercise, and regular 7-8 hours sleep per night were higher in the upper strata. HPI varied significantly among social strata in both sexes (p<0.001), a result which held true when adjusted for age, education, income, social insurance type, marital status and region. Conclusions : Health behaviors assessed by Health Practices Index(HPI) varied significantly among social strata for both sexes. Therefore, the existing gap in health behaviors among social strata can be corrected more effectively by target oriented health promotional activities.

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