Childhood immunizations in China: disparities in health care access in children born to North Korean refugees

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Research Article

Julia L. Finkelstein¹  Hyun Jung Chung²  Seung Hyun Han³  Hyerang Kim⁴ 

[1] Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA;Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA;Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 YonseiRo SeodaemunGu, 120-752, Seoul, South Korea;Department of Environment and Health Science, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, South Korea;Department of Health Systems and Outcomes, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA;

关键词: Immunization;    Child health;    Health disparities;    North Korean refugees in China;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12914-016-0085-z

 received in 2015-02-13, accepted in 2016-03-02,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundChildhood immunization rates are at an all-time high globally, and national data for China suggests close to universal coverage. Refugees from North Korea and their children may have more limited health care access in China due to their legal status. However, there is no data on immunization rates or barriers to coverage in this population.MethodsThis study was conducted to determine the rates and correlates of immunizations in children (≥1 year) born to North Korean refugees in Yanbien, China. Child immunization data was obtained from vaccination cards and caregiver self-report for 7 vaccines and 1:3:3:3:1 series. Age-appropriate vaccination rates of refugee children were compared to Chinese and migrant children using a goodness-of-fit test. Logistic regression was used to determine correlates of immunization coverage for each vaccine and the 1:3:3:3:1 series.ResultsAge-appropriate immunization coverage rates were significantly lower in children born to North Korean refugees (12.1-97.8 %), compared to Chinese (99 %) and migrant (95 %) children. Increased father’s age and having a sibling predicted significantly lower vaccination rates.ConclusionsChildren born to North Korean refugees had significantly lower immunization rates, compared to Chinese or migrant children. Further research is needed to examine barriers of health care access in this high-risk population.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Chung et al. 2016