• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.603-615
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• 2022

Assessing the health of international migrants is crucial in the Republic of Korea, Asia, and even worldwide. We compared the risk factors for non-communicable diseases among Asian migrants in Korea and the Korean population. This cross-sectional (2015) and longitudinal (2009-2015) observational study comprised a population-wide analysis spanning 2009 to 2015. Asian migrants (n=987,214) in Korea and Korean nationals (n=1,693,281) aged ≥20 were included. The Asian migrants were classified as Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, and other. The prevalence of risk factors for non-communicable diseases (current smoking, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension) were analyzed. Regarding the age-adjusted prevalence, direct age standardization was conducted separately by sex using 10-year age bands; the World Standard Population was used as the standard population. Among the participants aged ≥20, the age-adjusted prevalence of current smoking was higher among Chinese and other Asian migrant men than among Korean men and women (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). The age-adjusted prevalence of obesity was higher among Chinese, Filipino, and other Asian migrant women than in Korean women (p<0.001, p=0.002, and p<0.001, respectively). Among the participants aged 20-49, the age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension was higher in Filipino migrant women than in Korean women (p=0.009 and p<0.001, respectively). Current rates of smoking and obesity were worse among Asian migrants of specific nationalities than among native Koreans. The health inequalities among Filipino migrant women in Korea, especially those aged 20-49, should be addressed.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.519-535
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to understand a migrant women's married life. The study examined migrant Filipino women's married lives, motives for marriage and migration to Korea, and their married life experiences. The results showed that these women get married to Korean men in pursuit of an economically better life to support their family in the Philippines through marriage migration. As for Filipino women's perceived difficulties in married life, they indicated hardships with redrawing the boundaries of nationality, as well as their husbands' faults or bad habits which are different from what they expected before marriage. Other difficulties mentioned were the peculiar culture of living with parents-in-law, and general difficulties in married life. This study showed that marriage migration results not from external pressure or motives but ultimately from their own decision in a social and cultural context. It was also implicated that Korea's superior position to the Philippines in international economic power has an effect on family relations. The boundaries of nationality are redrawn according to their married life. In addition, it was revealed that the Korean born children of migrant mothers who divorce because of difficulties in married life are in a very poor situation as their national identity depends on their mother's future marriage relations.

• Journal of Contemporary Eastern Asia
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.40-60
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• 2020

Among Filipino entertainers in Japan, trans women (transgender women) or transpinay (Filipino trans woman) entertainers remain understudied compared to cisgender women. Though the number of entertainers has declined, transpinay entertainers remain relevant as transgender issues continue to be salient globally. This study explains the gendered experiences of the transpinay migrants, particularly in entertainment work and their relationships, which are different from cisgender Filipino women entertainers' experiences. Using grounded theory and drawing on concepts of performativity in interactions to analyze the narratives of transpinay entertainers, I delve into how transpinay entertainers negotiate their gender and migrant identities as they establish professional and personal relationships. Moreover, the transpinays' entertainment work is a significant contributing factor to their sense of belonging in Japan, as they form relationships with colleagues, clients, and partners who support them and, thereby, sustain their lifestyles as trans women. The transpinay entertainers' flows of migration between Japan and the Philippines reveal that they embrace various aspects of social remittances and use them to their advantage to create and enhance their transpinay identity in Japan. By examining the transpinays' migrant experiences, this study aims to elucidate the gendered experiences of transpinay entertainers, which involve significant negotiations in their migration pathways notably different from cisgender Filipino women entertainers, reveal resilience.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.183-193
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• 2011

Objectives: A rapid increase in the population of migrant workers in Korea has brought new challenges regarding the possible effects of acculturation on health. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of acculturation- and work-related psychosocial factors on work-related musculoskeletal disorders among migrant female workers living in Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used. A translated, structured questionnaire was administrated to 156 southeastern Asian female full-time workers living in Korea. Results: About 35% of the participants experienced some type(s) of work-related musculoskeletal disorder(s), which were more prevalent in Vietnamese women than in Thai and Filipino women. Women who preferred to maintain their own heritage and to reject the host country heritage were at risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Conclusion: Acculturation strategy and nationality were found to be significant factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Health professionals need to accommodate acculturation contexts into risk assessment and intervention development for work-related musculoskeletal disorders separately for different nationalities.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.5509-5517
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of the study was to identify the health status and social support of international married women according to acculturative stress. Methods : Filipino marriage-migrant 110 women participated in the study, lived D city and C city from December 2009 to June 2010. Results: The average score of health status was 83.47. The average score of social support was 3.48. The average score of acculturative stress was 2.37. Health status were significantly associated with age, years living in Korea, way of marriage and Korean friends. Social support was associated with age, way of marriage and Korean friends. Acculturative stress were associated with age, years living in Korea and way of marriage. According to acculturative stress level, acculturative stress had a significant impact on health status and social support. Conclusion: These results may contribute to a better understanding of health status, social support and acculturative stress of international married women. These findings are basis to development of health management intervention program for international married women.