• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.191-200
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• 2011

Objectives: The goal of this paper is to examine the social network effects on post-traumatic sdress disorder (PTSD) in female North Korean immigrants who entered South Korea in 2007. Specifically, it attempts to verify if the density and composition of networks make a difference after controlling for the network size. Methods: A multivariate logistic regression is used to probe the effects of social networks using the North Korean Immigrant Panel data set. Because the data set had only completed its initial survey when this paper was written, the analysis was cross-sectional. Results: The size of the support networks was systematically related to PTSD. Female North Korean immigrants with more supporting ties were less likely to develop PTSD, even after controlling for other risk factors (odds-ratio for one more tie was 0.8). However, once we control for the size of the network, neither the density nor the composition of the networks remains statistically significant. Conclusions: The prevalence of the PTSD among female North Korean immigrants is alarmingly high, and regardless of the characteristics of supporting network members, the size of the supporting networks provides substantial protection. This implies that a simple strategy that focuses on increasing the number of supporting ties will be effective among North Korean immigrants who entered South Korea in recent years.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.64-70
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify awareness and knowledge about hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among North Korean immigrants who had resided in South Korea. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, community based study. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 198 North Korean immigrants aged 18 years old through 65 years old among those who had attended community centers, local churches, and gathering places in four cities. The questionnaire included 15 items about participants' knowledge on HBV infection and its consequences, mode of transmission, and preventive measures. Results: The mean score of HBV knowledge was $6.3{\pm}3.8$ (range 0~15). The items that over 60% of the respondents checked correct answer regarding knowledge about HBV were 'There is blood screening for hepatitis B infection', 'Hepatitis B can be transmitted through sharing needles with infected person'. Multivariate analysis showed that received education for the prevention of HBV infection and disease morbidity were significantly associated with the knowledge of HBV infection. Overall, approximately 11% of total variability in the knowledge of HBV infection could be explained by the 2 variables in this model ($R^2=.109$, p<.001). Conclusion: The results showed that North Korean immigrants need more education on HBV infection and prevention to improve their knowledge about HBV.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.231-243
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships between health status including objective health status and subjective health perception and Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II in North Korean immigrants. Methods: During August 2011 to November 2011, a convenience sample of 96 subjects aged 19 to 65 years were recruited from two centers and one public health center in Gyeongnam. The subjects were interviewed face to face by trained people with a survey questionnaire. Results: Approximately 40% of North Korean immigrants rated their health status as 'poor', and the prevalence of health problems in them was 81.3%. The average level of health-promoting lifestyle profile II was $1.78{\pm}0.35$. Females with normal weight or overweight, and have stayed for over 1 year in South Korea were related to the lower score of health-promoting lifestyle profile II. Conclusion: Considering North Korean immigrants' health background and health behaviors, customized health care program focusing on musculoskeletal disorder and psychological problems are required, and at the same time health behavior change program to achieve lifetime wellness should be developed.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.245-269
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to current status of library services for immigrants in Korea, where the number of immigrants reaches one million. To do this, the cases of library services for immigrants in North America and Europe were investigated and persons in charge who work in 10 public libraries and 5 private libraries serving immigrants in Korea were interviewed. Also, research articles, newspapers and related websites are utilized. Current status and limitations of library services for immigrants were discussed and some suggestions were presented.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.221-232
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• 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.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.6 no.3 s.13
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• pp.61-76
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• 1997

A study on the traditional houses of North Korea(I) have been published in 1996. This paper is written to supplement the preceding paper. This paper aims at collecting new data of traditional house in North Korea. But still being prohibited for the researchers of South Korea to approach to the field, I had to depend on the memories and experiences of the immigrants from North Korea who are now living in Kangwon and Incheon Province. Through the questionnaire and drawings, they described vivid memory of their old houses. I was able to add new data of 70 cases, which are significant and valuable as much as those of the real field are. Those data, including the exisiting data, are enough for me to analize statstically the regional charateristics, the differnces among economical classes, and the periodical change. It opens the way for verfying the existing theory. Regional charateristics of house in North Korea can be described as followings: a. Hamkyong-do ; Concentrating spaces into one building, Double-fold type plan, Including 'cheongju-kan' space, Weak fences b. Pyongan-do ; Concentrating spaces into two buildings, 二 shape buildings , Single-fold type plan, Strong fence c. Pyongannam-do to Myolak mountains; Concentraing spaces into two buildings, ㄱ, ㄷ shape buildings, Single-fold type plan, Strong fence d. Southern area of Myolak mountains; Concentrating spaces into one building ㅁ shape building, Single-fold type plan with wooden floor space

• Korea and Global Affairs
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.85-108
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• 2017

This study speculated on a continuous issue of North Korean defectors and strategies to improve North Korean human rights. North Korean defectors have immigrated to South Korea continuously since the late 1990s. Their immigration was motivated by low financial status in the harsh marching period of North Korea until the mid-1990s. However, the defection motives changed like this: planned defection, family-based group defection and future-oriented defection. The North Korean defectors had had severe human rights abuses as illegal immigrants in the blind spots of human rights of China and the third nations until they were admitted to South Korea after defection. Although South Korea tried to help them consistently both in public and private ways, it was not satisfactory. Therefore, the government and private sectors should pay more consistent attention to the human rights issue. As the National Assembly passed the North Korean Human Rights Act on March 2016, the government should recognize the issue of North Korean defectors as that of universal value and a national issue, and cooperate each other nationally and internationally in diverse ways.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.322-336
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the current state and trends of health literacy research considering migrants living in South Korea. Methods: A review of the literature was conducted using electronic data base and citation tracking. A total of 82 articles were identified, of which 16 articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected for review. Two authors reviewed the articles independently using a matrix table and then examined four aspects of the studies jointly: research method, immigrant characteristics, health literacy assessment, and main findings. Results: Most of the articles (n=13) were descriptive studies and three were methodology studies for instrument development. Of the 13 studies, eight involved female immigrants, four of health literacy involved migrant workers, and four concerned North Korean Refugees. A total of eight types of health literacy assessment tools were used. Sufficient samples and sampling methods were lacking at the population level. Conclusion: The results of the review generally showed that the health literacy of immigrants was lower than that of native South Koreans, and that there was a difference between nationality and gender among immigrants; however, further research is needed to review a larger sample with a validated instrument.

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.119-139
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• 1999

While many factors could be mentioned to the rapid development of Israel for the last 50 years, it could not be overemphasized the critical role of large scale influx of Jewish immigrants not only in the process of achieving national independence but to the development of modernization. It is well known that mass influx of people in a relatively short period of time may cause serious social problems in various areas such as housing shortage, increasing crime rate, etc. Nontheless, Israel is avidly recognized as a country that successfully overcome such problems by means of creating systematic social integration systems and practicing various adaptation assistance programs for new immigrants. This study was concerned with such a successful social adaptation-assistance programs of Israel for large scale immigrants those who came from all over the world with different socio-economic background. In order to answer the research questions, following two areas of topics were researcher`s main concern. First, organizational structure and functions of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption of Israel and Jewish Agency that are primarily responsible for the economic, occupational, social, and cultural integration of immigrants during their first three years (five years for housing-aid) in Israel. Second practical adaptation assistance programs such as direct absorption basket, Ulpan, Aliyah 2000, special projects of Keren Hayesod and two of Aliyah Absorption Centers are examined. And lastly some of implications and suggestions are provided in the conclusion section in relation with social adaptation-assistance and integration of reunified Korea, especially from the point of North Koreans.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.52-61
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• 2006

From the mid-nineteenth century, Korean have emigrated to Tumen riverside. Their communities have different characters in accordance with the time, intention, and birthplace of emigrants who inclined to keep their fradifin and culture. There are many causes about the formation of communities influenced by Dynasty's Policy in 1885, one of the reasons is to approve Han Min Zhuan Ken Di Qu(legal land development right for Korean immigrants), and provide land development district for Korean immigrants in the north region of Tumen river from 1885. In Tumen riverside, 69 Ferry and wade viuaces have existed for more than 90 years By and large, 21 communities and distributed in He-Long city, 28 communities in Long-Jing city, and 10 communities in tu-men city, and 10 communities in Hun-Chun city.