The Status and Challenges of Korean Women's Gynecological Health Service Utilization
Title
The Status and Challenges of Korean Women's Gynecological Health Service Utilization
Alternative Author(s)
Choe, Seung-Ah
Keyword
Women
; Services
; Health Care Utilization
; Menopause
; Obstetrics and Gynecology
Publication Year
2023-07-01
Publisher
Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs
Citation
Health and Welfare Policy Forum 2023.7 No.321, pp.18-27
Abstract
Ensuring that women in Korea receive the gynecologic care they need in a timely manner requires identifying the current gynecologic health problems that women have, their utilization of gynecologic care, and the reasons why women have difficulty accessing gynecologic care. The healthcare utilization survey, conducted in 2022 as part of the Korean Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Survey, found that the prevalence of major gynecologic health problems and unmet healthcare needs varied across the life cycle. In early adulthood and adolescence, gynecologic health problems were generally more common than in the elderly. Among middle-aged women, only 1 in 10 had a procedure to remove fibroids. The main reasons for not seeking gynecologic care were lack of time and discomfort with gynecologic exams. Policies and programs are needed to reduce barriers to gynecological care, improve the quality of life of Korean women, and increase the ratio of healthy years to life expectancy.