• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.199-214
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• 2004

This study was aimed to assess the social functions of rural residents and to identify factors related with social function. This study conducted a survey using interview-type questionnaires with the Rand social health battery, and measured social function and the related factors between August 21th and August 23th, at 2001. The study subjects were 546 people (158 males, 388 females) living in Chungju-City. The social functions of the subjects were very weak. 20.7 % of respondents said they had no family in their neighbors and they were not well enough acquainted with neighborhood to visit each other. The 24.2 % of respondents said they had no mend that they felt at ease with and could talk frankly. Social function scores were significantly associated with economic status (p＝0.0494), having a vehicle (p＝0.0019), daily living activity (p＝0.0092) in multiple analysis. However, there was no association with age, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, and chronic disease. Our finding showed that social function was not associated with health behaviors definitely. However, It may be important to change existing social network and social function in order to change health behaviors.