Journal of the Korean Society of School Health (한국학교보건학회지)

The Korean Society of School Health (한국학교보건학회)
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Health Problems and Related Factors of Socially Vulnerable School-age Children in Seoul

서울지역 학령기 취약계층 아동의 건강문제와 관련 요인

  • Kang, Kyungim (College of Nursing, Seoul National University) ;
  • Kim, Sungjae (College of Nursing.The Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University)
  • 강경림 (서울대학교 간호대학) ;
  • 김성재 (서울대학교 간호대학.간호과학연구소)
  • Received : 2017.07.17
  • Accepted : 2017.08.16
  • Published : 2017.12.31
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Abstract

Purpose: This is a qualitative descriptive study with the purpose of identifyng the health problems and related factors of socially vulnerable school-age children in Seoul, South Korea. Methods: Two focus group interviews and two individual interviews were conducted with eleven participants. They were two class teachers, three school nurses and two daycare teachers working at elementary schools and three social workers and a welfare worker working at community childcare centers. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The identified psychosocial problems were 'distracting and excessive behavior', 'depression and helplessness,' 'aggression and violent behaviors', and 'internet overdependence'. The revealed physical health problems were 'poor hygiene', 'obesity', and 'gastrointestinal problems'. In addition, the fact that physical and psychosocial problems are closely inter-linked was reaffirmed through practical examples. Meanwhile, socioeconomic, family environmental, social experiential and individual factors were found to affect children's health. Relationships within a family or a peer group and healthy lifestyle were considered critical issues to deal with in order to improve the childrens' health status. Conclusion: It was proved that socially vulnerable school-age children have various physical and mental health problems due to multiple factors. Therefore, it is required to design nursing approaches that help them achieve optimal health status.

Keywords

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