Health status and behavior of homeless in Seoul

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Since recent economic crisis(IMF) in Korea, the number of new homeless is increasing(that is, 'IMF style homeless'). There are only few studies on the health problem of this uniquely formed population. We have attempted to estimate the problem of health behavior and health status of this population. METHODS: Some homeless who agreed to enter the asylum during the winter were taken for medical check-up in Sungbuk Community Health Center from November to December, 1998. The participants filled up a self-reported questionnaire and physical examination, laboratory test, and chest x-ray were performed. RESULTS: Among 'IMF style homeless', the prevalence of hypertension(30.9% in primary screening, 7.3% in secondary screening), diabetes mellitus(9.4% in primary screening, 3.5% in secondary screening), syphilis(7.3%), and hepatitis B antigen carrier(5.3%) was higher than among the general population. But we could not find statistical difference according to the duration of homelessness. We found higher smoking rate and higher alcohol drinking amount per week in homeless than in the general population. The amount of alcohol drinking per week was larger among those who had been homeless for more than 3 months(p< 0.01). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of chronic diseases in homeless was higher than in the general population, but statistical difference according to the duration of homelessness could not be found. The longer the duration of homelessness, the larger the amount of alcohol drinkin was seeng.