보건의료현황을 통해 본 섬 지역 보건의료 접근방안 - 신안군을 중심으로 -

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to discuss health and medical issues and to suggest possible approaches involving the islands of Korea. Focussed on Shinan County, which is comprised solely of islands, published reports and local statistics are reviewed. Towns and villages are divided into the bridged area (3 towns/villages) and non-bridged island area (11 towns/villages). Demographic, health and medical status, resources, and services of the two areas are compared. SPSS 12.0 was used for t-tests. People in the island area depended more on the health care services provided by the public health system than the bridged areas. There were fewer people, fewer elderly, lower mortality, fewer hospitals/clinics, fewer health care personnel and more people served by the public health system in island area than bridged area. In terms of health services, more home visit and oral health services, and less tuberculosis(TB) screening tests were observed through the public health system in the island area. TB screening rate was lower and immunization rate was higher in the island area. Based on the local statistics, we present the following information on health and medical issues of the island area. Firstly, islands are a super-aged society. Health care system as a whole in this area needs to be evaluated. In the islands, health promotion and health care services need to be focused more on the elderly. Secondly, since the people in islands use public health system more due to traffic barrier, the role of the community health center and the community health post is very important and thus they require improvement. Thirdly, lack of hospitals and clinics make preventive services more important in the islands. Active and more diverse health promotion services are required. Lastly, since the community health posts in remote islands are the only and total health care providers, their function and system need to be supported and promoted.