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Abstract
Background
Income is a major socioeconomic index, and low household income is known to negatively affect health. Nevertheless, there is a lack of research on the health status and health behavior of middle-aged and older women with low-income. This study aims to provide basic information on the health status and health behavior of low-income women, using data representative of South Koreans.
Methods
This cross-sectional study used data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Among the total of 8,018 respondents, 2,713 women aged 35 years or older were enrolled in the study. The subjects were classified by income status based on standard household income quartiles.
Results
The low-income group showed the lowest education levels and the highest unemployment rate (P<0.001). The percentage of smokers was the highest, while the frequency of exercise was the lowest in this group (P<0.001). The incidence of hyperlipidemia was highest (P=0.028), and they showed the highest body mass index, waist circumference (P<0.001), blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (P=0.018), and triglyceride level (P=0.03), as well as the lowest high density lipoprotein level (P=0.039), and the highest risk of cardiovascular diseases (P=0.002). Additionally, perceived health status was negative and quality of life was lowest among the groups (P<0.001). Although the enrollment rate for free health check-up services was highest (P=0.007), subscription to private health insurance, adult health check-ups, cancer screening rate were all lowest of the groups.
Figures and Tables
Table 1
General characteristics and health behaviors according to house hold income groups aged over 35 years women.
Values are presented as unweighted number.
Continuous variables: estimated mean±SE, Categorical variables: % (SE).
P values are obtained by cross tabulation analysis (Rao-Scott chi-square test) in complex sample design.
aP values are obtained by general linear regression model in complex sample design.
bHigh risk drinking for women is defined as more than twice a week.
cExercise is defined as high intensity exercise 20 minutes more than 3 times per week or moderate intensity exercise 30 minutes more than 5 times per week or walking 30 minutes more than 5 times per week.
Table 2
Morbidity, health status, health care utilization according to house hold income groups aged over 35 years women.
Table 3
Anthropometric measurement and biochemical factors according to house hold income groups aged over 35 years women.
Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; SBP, systolic blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; GOT, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase; GTP, glutamic pyruvate transaminase; BUN, blood urea nitrogen; LDL-chol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-chol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol; FBS, fasting blood sugar.
Values are presented as unweighted number (estimated mean±SE).
P values are obtained by general linear regression model in complex sample design.
aAssessed by logistic regression analysis.
Table 4
Number of cardiovascular disease risk according to house hold income groups aged over 35 years women.
Abbreviation: HTN, hypertension; BMI, body mass index; HDL-chol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Values are presented as unweighted number.
Continuous variables: estimated mean±SE, Categorical variables: % (SE).
P values are obtained by cross tabulation analysis (Rao-Scott chi-square test) in complex sample design.
aAssessed by logistic regression analysis
bP values are obtained by general linear regression model in complex sample design.
cLack of exercise is defined as not doing high intensity exercise 20 minutes more than 3 times per week or moderate intensity exercise 30 minutes more than 5 times per week or walking 30 minutes more than 5 times per week.
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