• 지역사회간호학회지
• /
• 제29권4호
• /
• pp.488-498
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the influence of trauma experiences and social adjustment on health-related quality of life in North Korean defectors. Methods: The subjects were 117 North Korean defectors living in B and Y city. The data were collected from September 1 to September 20, 2014, and analyzed by the SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. Results: Significant differences were found in the health-related quality of life with respect to the subjects' education, marriage status, types of dwelling, family types, duration of residence in South Korea, jobs in South Korea and in North Korea, families left in North Korea or other surrounding countries, and subjective health status. Health-related quality of life is negatively related to trauma experiences during escape from North Korea and during their life in South Korea. Health-related quality of life positively is related to social adjustment. The meaningful variables which influenced the subjects'health-related quality include social adjustment, job in South Korea, job in North Korea, current family structure, and trauma experiences in South Korea. Total explanatory power of these factors for health-related quality in North Korean Defectors is 43.0% and social adjustment is the most influential factor. Conclusion: Therefore, in order to enhance health-related quality of life in North Korean defectors, it is necessary for them to increase social adjustment and decrease trauma experiences. In addition, methods are needed to provide job opportunities, better education and family services for North Korean defectors.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• 제48권1호
• /
• pp.62-71
• /
• 2015

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate North Korean refugees' knowledge of mental illnesses and treatments and analyze the factors affecting this knowledge. Methods: Subjects were selected via a snowball sampling method, and the survey outcomes of 152 North Korean refugee participants were analyzed. The factors affecting knowledge of mental illnesses were analyzed via a regression analysis by constructing a multivariate model with mental illness knowledge score as the dependent variable. Results: The North Korean refugees' mental illness scores ranged from 3 to 24 points, with an average score of 13.0. Regarding the factors that influence mental illness knowledge, the subjects with South Korean spouses and those who had spent more time in South Korea had higher knowledge scores. Furthermore, the subjects who considered the mental health of North Korean refugees to be a serious issue revealed lower knowledge scores than those who did not believe it was a serious issue. The subjects who visit psychiatric clinics showed higher knowledge scores than those who do not. The South Korean subjects who had at least a college education exhibited higher scores than did those without advanced education. The subjects who are satisfied with life in South Korea manifested a higher mental illness knowledge score than those who are not. Conclusions: This study is significant as being the first study to ever measure and evaluate the level of North Korean refugees' knowledge of mental illnesses. In addition, the evaluations of North Korean refugees' mental illness knowledge and influencing factors while residing in South Korea created basic data that formed the foundation of an effort to enhance mental health literacy and provide proper mental health services. The results of this study can be utilized to solve mental health problems that might frequently occur during the unification process of North and South Korea in the future.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• 제14권2호
• /
• pp.134-142
• /
• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: North Korean refugees (NKRs) in South Korea are a unique population as they must adapt in a new country with similar cultural traits but different social, political, and economic systems, but little research has been conducted on diet and nutrition in this population. This study examined food security, dietary behaviors, and nutrient intakes among adult NKRs living in South Korea and compared them to those of South Koreans. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The subjects were 139 adult NKRs (25 men, 114 women) living in the Seoul metropolitan area, and 417 age- and sex- matched South Korean controls (SKCs; 75 men, 342 women) selected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Food security and dietary behaviors (meal skipping, eating-out, meals with family, nutrition education and counseling, and nutrition label knowledge and utilization) were obtained using self-administered questionnaires. Nutrient intakes were assessed by 24-hr recall. The statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS ver. 23.0. RESULTS: In South Korea, food security had improved over the previous 12 months, but remained significantly poorer for NKR women than SKC women. Meal skipping was three times more frequent than for SKCs and eating-out was rare. Average energy intake was 1,509 kcal for NKR men and 1,344 kcal for NKR women, which was lower than those of SKCs (2,412 kcal and 1,789 kcal, respectively). Significantly more NKRs (men 24.0%, women 21.9%) showed simultaneously deficient intake in energy, calcium, iron, vitamin A, and riboflavin than SKCs (men 2.7% (P = 0.003), women 7.0% (P < 0.001)). NKR women had a significantly higher index of nutrient quality (INQ) for some nutrients than SK women. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports significant differences in food security, dietary behaviors, and nutrient intakes between NKRs and SKCs. Generally, NKRs reported lower intakes despite improved food security, but relatively good INQs across nutrients. Further research is needed to understand processes of food choice and consumption among NKRs to provide appropriate support aimed at improving diets.

• 한국토양비료학회지
• /
• 제50권4호
• /
• pp.275-284
• /
• 2017

The food situation in North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK) has been in difficulty situation because of a shortage of energy, and of raw materials such as fertilizer and agricultural chemicals. The international agricultural aid programs can alleviate some difficulties in the agricultural areas, but the policies and measures in North Korea can not help difficulties in the agriculture due to the institutional obstacles enforced by DPRK. The arable area of DPRK is approximately $20,000km^2$, of which $14,000km^2$ is well for cereal cultivation. Fertilizer supplies in recent years between 700,000 and 750,000 tons annually were less than 50% of the normal requirement. Also, North Korea strongly needed to inject phosphorus fertilizer and lime to increase the fertility. Soil degradation in DPRK was characterized by physical and chemical changes caused by rapid loss of clay particles and organic matter. Intensive ploughing and tilling to grow crops may lead to massive soil degradation and declining yields. Although farmers in the DPRK have faced numerous challenges, not least of which are soil erosion, scarce inputs and extreme weather like drought, flooding and cold spells. Therefore farmers should be encouraged to adopt more environmentally sound cropping practices, to access quality seeds and planting materials and to reduce losses after the harvest.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제83권3호
• /
• pp.201-210
• /
• 2020

Background: North Korea is one of the 30 countries with the highest tuberculosis (TB) and drug-resistant TB burdened. To understand the medical issues and research trends associated with TB in North Korea, we performed a comprehensive review of articles related to clinical and laboratory research on TB published in North Korean medical journals. Methods: We reviewed all types of TB-related articles published in nine North Korean medical journals (Yebang ŭihak: Preventive medicine; Koryo ŭihak: Korea Medicine; Chosŏn ŭihak: Chosun Medicine; Naekwa: Internal Medicine; Soa, sanbuinkwa: Pediatrics, Obstetrics, and Gynecology, Surgery; Ŭihak: Medicine; Kich'o ŭihak: Basic Medicine; and Chosŏn yakhak: Chosun Pharmacy). We classified the articles according to the type and field of study and analyzed the data qualitatively to gain insights. Results: We reviewed 106 articles (one- or two-page length) written in Korean, including reviews (n=43), original articles (n=52), and case reports (n=8). They were classified as follows: articles on diagnosis (n=52, 49%) and treatment (n=39, 37%). None of the studies investigated the commercialized molecular diagnosis systems such as Xpert MTB/RIF. Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course was reported as the basic treatment approach. Furthermore, six studies used Korean traditional medicines for treating TB, with one of them containing snake venom. Conclusion: The articles were not sufficiently detailed. Original articles on the treatment of multi-drug resistant TB were not found, and those on latent tuberculosis infection and nontuberculous mycobacteria were limited. To understand the current medical issues associated with TB in North Korea, articles from these nine journals were not sufficient.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• 제11권4호
• /
• pp.307-318
• /
• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Relocation to new environments can have a negative impact on health by altering body weight and dietary patterns. This study attempted to elucidate changes in body weight, food security, and their current food and nutrient consumption in adult North Korean refugees (NKR) living in South Korea (SK). SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study analyzed data on 149 adult NKR from a North Korean refugee health in SK cohort at four time points (leaving North Korea, entering SK, first examination, and second examination). Body weight was self-reported at the two earlier time points and directly measured at the two later time points. Food security, diet-related behaviors (dietary habits and food consumption), and sociodemographic information were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Nutrient intake information was obtained by one-day 24-hour recall. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS ver 23.0. RESULTS: Body weight increased during relocation by an average of 4 kg, although diversified patterns were observed during the settlement period in SK. Approximately 39.6% of subjects maintained their body weight between the first and second examinations, whereas 38.6% gained and 22.1% lost at least 3% of their body weight at the first examination by the second examination. Food security status improved from 12.1% food secure proportion to 61.7%. NKR showed generally good food and nutrient consumption (index of nutrient quality: 0.77-1.93). The body weight loss group showed the most irregular meal consumption pattern (P < 0.05), and eating-out was infrequent in all three groups. Consumption frequencies of food groups did not differ by group, except in the fish group (P = 0.036). CONCLUSION: This study observed considerable body weight adjustment during the settlement period in SK after initial weight gain, whereas food security consistently improved. More detailed understanding of this process is needed to assist healthy settlement for NKR in SK.

• 한국보건간호학회지
• /
• 제25권2호
• /
• pp.221-232
• /
• 2011

Purpose: The study sought to provide basic information for North Korean defectors (Sae-Tu-Min) by studying the quality of life(QoL) based on their general characteristics and health problems. Methods: The targeted subjects were 1400 North Korean settlers who were receiving settlement service by Korean National Red Cross after finishing their training at Hanawon in 2005. The data was collected from August to October in 2007. The QoL was assessed by Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36. Collected data were analyzed by ANOVA and t-test with SPSS win 15.0 program. Result: The majority of the 466 subjects were female(77.9%). The average age was 36.8 years, 52.8% lived alone, and 64.0% were unemployed. The average QoL score of the group was $62.4{\pm}18.4$, which was markedly lower in terms of social, physical and mental health compared to the scores of immigrants to South Korea from other countries. The score was the highest for physical ability and the lowest for general health. Influential socio-demographic factors to QoL were gender, age, education, religion, annual salary, occupation, and life insurance. Employed in the subject group showed higher level of QoL on eight categories than unemployed. Concerning health problems that detracted from QoL, 18.5% of the subjects were aware they suffered from anemia and 8.8% of them recognized they suffered from attention deficits. Conclusion: The health conditions of the North Korean settlers had improved since they settled in South Korea, but their QoL was lower than other immigrants. Various programs to maintain and promote the health of North Korean settlers would be useful.

• 대한간호학회지
• /
• 제42권5호
• /
• pp.622-631
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify health knowledge, health promoting behavior and factors influencing health promoting behavior of North Korean defectors in South Korea. Methods: Participants in this study were 410 North Korean defectors, over 20 years of age residing in Seoul. They were recruited by snowball sampling. Data were collected from April to June, 2010. Health knowledge, health promoting behavior, self-efficacy, perceived barriers to health promoting behavior and social support were measured by structured questionnaires, and perceived physical and mental health status were measured by one item with 10-point numeric rating scale. The data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression. Results: Health knowledge, health promoting behavior, and perceived barriers to health promoting behavior were moderate while self-efficacy and social support were high. Factors influencing health promoting behavior of the participants were found to be self-efficacy, social support and perceived barrier to health promoting behavior. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that nursing intervention programs enhancing self-efficacy, social support and reducing perceived barriers to health promoting behavior need to be developed for North Korean defectors in South Korea.

• 한국도서관정보학회지
• /
• 제43권3호
• /
• pp.121-141
• /
• 2012

이 연구는 일본의 NDLSH 2008년판과 중국의 CCT 제2판에 수록된 한국 관련 주제명의 수와 특성을 비교 분석하였다. 분석 결과 NDLSH와 CCT에 수록된 주제명은 258개와 137개로, NDLSH에 수록된 주제명이 2배 정도 많은 수준이다. 하지만 참조어수를 제외한 순수 주제명은 CCT가 더 많고 인명, 단체명, 세목 결합 주제명을 포함시킨다면 NDLSH가 압도적으로 많은 편이다. 한편 CCT는 사회주의적, 친북한적인 성격을 띠고 있는데, 정치, 외교, 군사 분야의 주제명이 상대적으로 많으며 북한의 시각을 담은 주제명도 상당수 수록되어 있다. 국가명칭으로 NDLSH는 최근에서야 '대한민국'과 '조선민주주의인민공화국'으로 변경하였으며, CCT는 '한국' 보다는 '조선'이라는 명칭을 훨씬 더 많이 사용하고 있고 '조선'과 '한국'의 구분도 모호하다. 국가간 논쟁이 되고 있는 '독도', '동해', '두만강', '압록강', '백두산' 등에 대해서는 철저하게 개발 당사국의 입장을 반영하고 있으며, 발해는 양 표목표 모두 중국 역사의 일부로 설정하고 있어 한국 입장에서는 불합리한 배정이라 할 수 있다.

• 한국토양비료학회지
• /
• 제48권5호
• /
• pp.361-371
• /
• 2015

To understand the impact of 2015 spring drought on crop production of DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), we analyzed satellite and weather data to produce 2015 spring outlook of rice paddy field and rice growth in relation to weather anomaly. We defined anomaly of 2015 for weather and NDVI in comparison to past 5 year-average data. Weather anomaly layers for rainfall and mean temperature were calculated based on 27 weather station data. Rainfall in late April, early May, and late May in 2015 was much lower than those in average years. NDVI values as an indicator of rice growth in early June of 2015 was much lower than in 2014 and the average years. RapidEye and Radarsat-2 images were used to monitor status of rice paddy irrigation and transplanting. Due to rainfall shortage from late April to May, rice paddy irrigation was not favorable and rice planting was not progressed in large portion of paddy fields until early June near Pyongyang. Satellite images taken in late June showed rice paddy fields which were not irrigated until early June were flooded, assuming that rice was transplanted after rainfall in June. Weather and NDVI anomaly data in regular basis and timely acquired satellite data can be useful for grasping the crop and land status of DPRK, which is in high demand.