The Influence of Mothers' Native Country on Multicultural Adolescents' Seasonal Influenza Vaccinations in Multicultural Adolescents Using Data from the 13th (2017) Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the mothers' native country on influenza vaccinations in adolescents in multicultural families. METHODS: Data were gathered from the 13th (2017) Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey. Logistic regression analyses were conducted using a complex sample data analysis method. The participants in this study had a father who was born in Korea and a mother born outside of Korea. The sample included 481 adolescents. RESULTS: The analysis of non-adjusted confounding variables showed that influenza vaccination was higher in multicultural adolescents whose mother's native country had an annual minimum temperature less than 21℃ (odds ratio [OR]: 1.81, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20~2.74). Furthermore, when the analysis was adjusted for confounding variables, an annual minimum temperature less than 21℃ in the mother's native country had a statistically significant association with influenza vaccination (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.36~3.29). CONCLUSION: Multicultural adolescents belong to a socioeconomically vulnerable class, and their health promotion behaviors are influenced by their mothers' culture. Thus, healthcare providers and school nurses should provide adolescents with appropriate information related to influenza vaccination depending on their mothers' culture and their family's cultural background.

Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Sexually Transmitted Infections among Korean Adolescents under Probation

There is limited research on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescents in Korea. The objective of this study was to explore the prevalence of and risk factors for STIs among Korean adolescents under probation. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted in one juvenile-delinquent center and five probation offices in Korea to determine the prevalence of STIs caused by the following pathogens: Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, herpes simplex virus (HSV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Treponema pallidum, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Ureaplasma parvum. Of the 237 (208 male and 29 female) participating adolescents, 152 (64.1%) had a history of coitus. Overall, 133 (56.1%) subjects tested positive for at least one microorganism in their genitourinary tract. The most prevalent pathogen was U. urealyticum (24.7%, n = 65), followed by U. parvum (24.1%, n = 57), M. hominis (17.3%, n = 41), C. trachomatis (13.9%, n = 33), N. gonorrhoeae (1.7%, n = 4), T. vaginalis (0.8%, n = 2), and HSV (0.8%, n = 2). The prevalence of syphilis was 0.8% (n = 2). There were no reported cases of HIV infection. Fifty-four participants (35.5%) were positive with more than two pathogens. We did not find any significant difference between STIs and socioeconomic factors, behavioral factors or sexual practices. In conclusion, the prevalence of STIs among adolescents under probation was high. Systematic screening programs, more practical sexual education, and adequate provision of treatment are essential for the prevention and management of STIs among adolescents, especially those under probation.