Factors related with Health Literacy in Asian Immigrant Women in Korea

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify health literacy levels of Asian immigrant women in Korea and factors related with health literacy in them among other sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS: Data were drawn from 671 immigrant women who came from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and other Asian countries (M age=28.1+/-5.89) using REALM-R, which consisted of 8 medical words and was translated into Korean (score range 0~8). Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 20.0 program for descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test and multiple regression. RESULTS: The average score of health literacy was 5.0+/-2.61. Time since immigration, country of origin, education level, and Korean language proficiency significantly predicted levels of health literacy in Asian immigrant women (adjusted R square=.200, p<.001). CONCLUSION: When health care professionals provide health care services and health education, they should consider levels of health literacy and factors related with health literacy in Asian immigrant women.