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3 "Socioeconomic disparities in health"
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Original Articles
Inequality in dental flossing behavior among Korean adults based on household income levels
Zi-Lan Wang, Eun-Jae Choi, Seung-Hee Ryu, Seon-Jip Kim, Hyun-Jae Cho
Epidemiol Health. 2024;46:e2024052.   Published online May 24, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2024052
  • 1,720 View
  • 86 Download
AbstractAbstract AbstractSummary PDF
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to estimate the association between household income and dental flossing.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study investigated the impact of household income on flossing among 9,391 adults aged 30+ with ≥20 natural teeth, utilizing data from the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018). Outcome measures included flossing (yes/no), with income categorized into 4 levels: lowest, medium to low, medium to high, and highest. Logistic regression, adjusted for age, gender, brushing frequency, recent dental exams, periodontitis, smoking, and alcohol use, was employed to evaluate the influence of socioeconomic status on oral hygiene practices.
RESULTS
In the highest income group, flossing was 62.6% more prevalent than in the lowest income group (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.63; 95% CI, 1.27 to 2.08). The strongest association between income levels and flossing was observed in individuals aged ≥70 years (aOR, 3.64; 95% CI, 1.86 to 7.11), with a decreasing strength of association in the 60s (aOR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.05 to 2.84) and 50s age groups (aOR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.07 to 2.68). Higher-income women demonstrated a higher frequency of flossing than their lower-income counterparts (aOR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.24 to 2.23). Higher-income individuals without periodontitis were more likely to floss (aOR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.23 to 2.18), and among those with periodontitis, flossing was significantly associated only with the highest income category (aOR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.10 to 2.44).
CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study indicate a significant correlation between higher household income levels and an increased prevalence of flossing.
Summary
Korean summary
이 연구는 치실 사용이 개인의 건강행동 습관뿐만 아니라 사회경제적 지위에 의해 크게 영향을 받는다는 점을 강조합니다. 높은 소득층이 치실을 더 자주 사용하는 경향이 있으며, 이는 교육 수준과 건강 문해력, 경제적 여유와 관련이 있습니다. 공중보건 계획에서 경제적 요인을 고려하고, 치과 위생 교육과 제품 접근성을 개선해야 합니다.
Key Message
This study highlights that the use of dental floss is significantly influenced not only by personal health behavior habits but also by socioeconomic status. Individuals in higher income classes tend to use dental floss more frequently, which is associated with higher levels of education, health literacy, and economic resources. Public health planning should take economic factors into account and focus on improving dental hygiene education and access to dental care products.
Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in obesity among Korean adolescents: the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBS) 2006 to 2020
Eunji Kim, Ga Bin Lee, Dong Keon Yon, Hyeon Chang Kim
Epidemiol Health. 2023;45:e2023033.   Published online March 7, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2023033
  • 7,529 View
  • 263 Download
  • 4 Web of Science
  • 4 Crossref
AbstractAbstract AbstractSummary PDFSupplementary Material
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
This study investigated recent trends in the prevalence of obesity among Korean adolescents and explored socioeconomic disparities in obesity.
METHODS
This study used annual self-reported data on height, weight, and socioeconomic information from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey from 2006 to 2020. With a 95.8% response rate, the sample consisted of 818,210 adolescents. Obesity prevalence was calculated according to 4 socioeconomic indicators (household income, father’s educational attainment, mother’s educational attainment, and urbanicity). Socioeconomic inequality was quantified using the relative index of inequality (RII).
RESULTS
The overall prevalence of obesity increased, doubling from 5.9% in 2006 to 11.7% in 2020. Boys and high school students showed a higher prevalence. The RIIs in household income and parental educational attainments significantly increased with time, indicating a growing inequality in obesity. Socioeconomic disadvantages had a greater influence on obesity among girls. The most recent RII values for boys were 1.25 for income, 1.79 for the father’s education, and 1.45 for the mother’s education, whereas the corresponding values for girls were 2.49, 3.17, and 2.62, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings highlight growing inequalities in adolescent obesity according to household income and parental educational attainments, especially for girls and middle schoolers.
Summary
Korean summary
2006년부터 2020년까지 청소년 비만의 유병은 증가 추세에 있을 뿐 아니라, 가정의 경제상태, 부모의 학력수준에 따른 비만의 위험 격차도 점점 심해지는 추세를 보였다. 특히, 남학생과 고등학생의 비만 유병률이 높게 나타났으나, 사회경제적 지표에 따른 비만의 불평등 격차는 여학생과 중학생에서 높게 나타났다.
Key Message
Not only the prevalence but also socioeconomic inequality in adolescent obesity increased between 2006 and 2020. The potential impact of socioeconomic disparity on obesity was greater in girls and middle school students than their counterparts.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • The Association Between Obesity Measures and Metabolic Syndrome Risk in Korean Adolescents Aged 10–18 Years
    Munku Song, Seamon Kang, Hyunsik Kang
    Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare.2024; Volume 17: 1769.     CrossRef
  • Perceived Familial Financial Insecurity and Obesity Among Korean Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic
    Fumie Kaneko, Eunji Kim, Hokyou Lee, Kokoro Shirai, Ryo Kawasaki, Hyeon Chang Kim
    Journal of Epidemiology.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Obesity-related behaviors and health-related quality of life in socioeconomically vulnerable children: A cross-sectional study
    Jiyoung Park, Gill ten Hoor, Jeonghyun Cho, Seohyun Won, Soorack Ryu, Siew Tiang Lau
    Journal of Pediatric Nursing.2024; 78: e270.     CrossRef
  • A Comparison of Changes in Health Behavior, Obesity, and Mental Health of Korean Adolescents Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Online Cross-Sectional Study
    Mi-Sun Lee, Hooyeon Lee
    Psychiatry Investigation.2023; 20(11): 1086.     CrossRef
Effect of socioeconomic disparities on the risk of COVID-19 in 8 metropolitan cities in the Korea: a community-based study
Myung-Jae Hwang, Shin Young Park, Tae-Ho Yoon, Jinhwa Jang, Seon-Young Lee, Myeongsu Yoo, Yoo-Yeon Kim, Hae-Kwan Cheong, Donghyok Kwon, Jong-Hun Kim
Epidemiol Health. 2022;44:e2022107.   Published online November 15, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2022107
  • 6,757 View
  • 201 Download
  • 1 Web of Science
  • 3 Crossref
AbstractAbstract AbstractSummary PDFSupplementary Material
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Socioeconomic disparities have been reported as major risk factors contributing to the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at the community level. We conducted an epidemiological study on COVID-19 incidence risk using area-based deprivation indices (DIs) reflecting the characteristics of the susceptible population.
METHODS
A database of the confirmed COVID-19 cases in 8 metropolitan cities in Korea from January 20, 2020 to December 31, 2021 was combined with area-based DI scores and standardized prevalence rates of diabetes and hypertension from the Korean Community Health Survey. Relative risk (RR) levels were estimated using a generalized linear model with a Poisson distribution by age group.
RESULTS
The risk of COVID-19 incidence generally increased with increasing age, especially in patients aged ≥75 years. The RR of COVID-19 incidence per interquartile range increment of the composite deprivation index (composite DI) was 1.54 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34 to 1.70). Notably, in the first wave, the risk of COVID-19 incidence was approximately 3 times higher in the region with the lowest socioeconomic status than in the region with the highest status (RR, 3.08; 95% CI, 2.42 to 3.78 based on the the composite DI and RR, 3.13; 95% CI, 2.53 to 3.83 based on the social deprivation index).
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides scientific evidence that socioeconomic deprivation is an important risk factor for the spread of COVID-19. This finding suggests that a mid-term to long-term strategy is needed to protect susceptible populations and reduce the burden of COVID-19 in the community.
Summary
Korean summary
한국의 COVID-19 발생 위험은 지역박탈수준이 높은 지역에서 증가하였고, 특히 유행 초기 75세이상 연령층에서 뚜렷하게 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 지역사회수준에서 사회경제적 여건을 고려하여 취약집단에서의 발생위험을 감소시키기 위해 중장기 전략을 세워야 한다는 것을 시사한다.
Key Message
There is a need to develop long-term strategies to reduce the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks in vulnerable populations in areas with poor socioeconomic conditions

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • Association between area deprivation index and concerns to COVID-19: A multi-level analysis of individual and area factors
    Doo Woong Lee, Jieun Jang, Jaeyong Shin
    SSM - Population Health.2024; 25: 101580.     CrossRef
  • The current state of graphical abstracts and how to create good graphical abstracts
    Jieun Lee, Jeong-Ju Yoo
    Science Editing.2023; 10(1): 19.     CrossRef
  • Social deprivation and SARS-CoV-2 testing: a population-based analysis in a highly contrasted southern France region
    Jordi Landier, Léa Bassez, Marc-Karim Bendiane, Pascal Chaud, Florian Franke, Steve Nauleau, Fabrice Danjou, Philippe Malfait, Stanislas Rebaudet, Jean Gaudart
    Frontiers in Public Health.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
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