A study of mental health literacy among North Korean refugees in South Korea

Mental Health Literacy Among Urban and Rural Residents of Guangdong Province, China

Purpose

The study aims to understanding the mental health literacy level of urban and rural residents in Guangdong Province, the first major province in China, and its influencing factors is crucial.

Methods

A multi-stage stratified equal-volume random sampling method was adopted in October-December 2022 to select permanent residents aged 18 years and above in Guangdong Province for the questionnaire survey, which consisted of a general demographic information questionnaire and a national mental health literacy questionnaire. Rao-Scott χ²-test with correction based on sampling design, independent samples t-test and binary multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed.

Results

A total of 51744 individuals completed the questionnaire, including 31822 urban residents and 19200 rural residents. The rate of achievement of mental health literacy was 13.6% among urban residents, which was significantly higher compared to the rate of 8.6% among rural residents. Logistic regression analysis showed that female, higher education, being mental worker, being a retiree, having a higher monthly household income, maintaining a regular diet, and using electronic products for 2-6 hours per day were protective factors for mental health literacy attainment in urban residents, while having chronic diseases, being a smoker and having a history of drinking were identified as risk factors in urban residents. Among in rural residents, married, younger, higher education, being mental worker and using electronic products for 2-6 hours per day, maintaining a regular diet, and engaging in regular exercise were protective factors for achieving mental health literacy, while previous smoking was a risk factor.

Conclusion

The study revealed a low level of mental health literacy among urban and rural residents of Guangdong Province, with a significant disparity between the two areas. These findings highlight the need for continuing efforts to increase the dissemination of mental health knowledge in rural communities and improve levels of mental health literacy.

A Walk-In Clinic for Newly Arrived Mentally Burdened Refugees: The Patient Perspective

Providing refugees with psychosocial support is particularly important considering the high level of mental health problems prevalent in this population. A psychosocial walk-in clinic operating within a state reception and registration center in Germany has been supporting mentally burdened refugees since 2016. This study focused on patients' perspectives on their mental health burden, the psychosocial walk-in clinic, and future help seeking. We conducted interviews with n = 22 refugees attending the walk-in clinic from March to May 2019. Qualitative analysis focused on the following four topics: (1) mental burden from the patients' perspective, (2) access to the psychosocial walk-in clinic, (3) perception of counseling sessions, and (4) perception of follow-up treatment. The results show that the majority of interviewees were burdened by psychological and somatic complaints, mostly attributed to past experiences and post-migratory stress. Therapeutic counseling and psychiatric medication were found to be particularly helpful. Most of the participants felt motivated to seek further psychosocial support. Key barriers to seeking psychosocial help included shame, fear of stigma, and lack of information. Overall, the psychosocial walk-in clinic is a highly valued support service for newly arrived refugees with mental health issues.

Factors Related to the Attitude of North Korean Refugees Towards People with Mental Illness

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to explore the level of mental health knowledge among North Korean refugees residing in South Korea and to analyze the factors related to their attitude towards people with mental disorders.

METHODS

The survey was conducted on 150 people and the analysis included results from 138 participants in 2013. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to analyze the factors related to the attitude towards people with mental illness.

RESULTS

The education level attained in South Korea and the duration of stay in the South were effective factors associated with anti-authoritarianism. Age, marital status, education level in the North, and level of mental health knowledge were significant factors for benevolence. Time spent in South Korea and knowledge of mental health played a significant role in determining their attitude towards social restrictiveness (P=0.014).

CONCLUSION

The knowledge of mental illness in refugees was associated with their attitude towards people with mental illness. This study suggests the need to educate refugees on mental illness to enhance their attitudes.

Characteristics of Body Composition and Muscle Strength of North Korean Refugees during South Korean Stay

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of body composition and muscle strength of North Korean refugees (NKRs) according to their duration of stay in South Korea.

METHODS

NKRs who volunteered and were living in South Korea, aged 20 to 75 years were recruited. Body compositions were analyzed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Muscle strength was measured with the hand grip test. Demographic and migration information was obtained with a questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 158 volunteers were recruited at a mean age of 48.3±11.4 years. The mean time from when they escaped from North Korea and arrived in South Korea was 5.8±4.3 years. Height, weight, and body surface area were significantly smaller in all NKRs compared to South Korean controls, except for women aged over 50 years. In females of younger ages (<50 years), NKRs with more than a 4-year stay in South Korea had a higher weight and fat mass than that of those who had a shorter stay (less than 4 years) in South Korea. All NKRs had a weaker grip strength than that of the age-matched controls from South Korea.

CONCLUSION

The NKRs showed relatively smaller physiques and weaker muscle strength than that of the South Korean controls. In younger female NKRs, shorter South Korean stay group showed small body weight and fat mass than that of longer South Korean stay group. Specific health support programs might be needed.