Factors Related to Female Sexual Dysfunction of North Korean Women Defectors

Abstract

<Abstract> Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the female sexual dysfunction of North Korean defector women and to identify related factors. Methods: A total of 110 North Korean defector women who married and lived in South Korean community more than 1 year participated in this study. A self-report questionnaire was used to obtain data. The dependent variable is the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Independent variables were demographic factors (age, education, residential environment, sexual experience(rape), sex knowledge and sex attitude). Data were analyzed using the SPSS for descriptive statistics, t-test, two-way ANOVA, and Multiple Hierarchical Regression. Results: The mean score of sexual function for North Korean defectors was 18.94(SD:5.88). Sexual functioning for North Korean defector women was relatively low, 18.94 in comparison to Rosen's cutoff scores of 26.6. In multiple regression analysis, the sexual function level was significantly higher in elderly, high educational level, stable residential situation, non rape, and conservative sexual attitudes. Conclusions: The results show the status and description of sexual dysfunction in North Korean Women defectors in South Korean community and can be a basic reference for study about sexual dysfunction. However, more study about North Korea Defector Women with sexual dysfunction should be interviewed and evaluated.

A mobile video intervention for women’s health of North Korean defectors

“…Seventy percent of unmarried women in South Korea have experienced at least one episode of vaginitis and reported receiving no specific treatment (Byun, Park, & Hur, ). Since many female NKDs acquired vaginitis or sexually transmitted diseases while escaping North Korea through a foreign country, accurate information about this topic is important (Rhee et al, ).…”

“…In their lives in North Korea, female NKDs have had minimal education on female reproductive health, including cervical cancer and vaginitis. There has been no studies on women's health in this population of NKDs (Rhee, Ku, & Han, ).…”

“…An intervention using mobile devices was indicated for female NKDs because they did not want their status to be revealed, nor did they want to meet with other defectors in public (Rhee et al, ). Videos are one information medium that can be presented on a mobile device.…”

Critical Review of North Korean Women and Children's Health, 2000-2019: Physical and Mental Health Challenges with a Focus on Gender

“…An overwhelming share of female defectors (86.4%) had sexual dysfunction, compared to 50-60 percent of South Korean women (Rhee, Ku, and Han 2013). About half of female defectors had depression (48.5% for women defectors vs. 21.5% for South Korean women) (Kim, Ryu, and Kim 2014).…”

The Awareness of Contraception and Experience of Oral Contraceptives among North Korean Defector Women in Republic of Korea

“…또한, 성교육 관련 설문에서 '성교육을 받은 적 없다'라고 응답한 경우가 85%로 대다수의 여성들이 성교육을 받은 경험이 없다고 조사 된 결과와도 일치하였다. 8)북한이탈여성들은 탈북 이후 중국을 거쳐 1~2개월 이내에 남한으로 입국하는 경우도 있었으나 2년 이상 불안정한 체류 기간을 거친 후 남한으로 입국하는 것이 일반적이었다 13,14). 탈북 이후 중국에서의 피임에 대한 인식수준은 중국 보건당국…”