Socio-economic Determinants of Health Check-up Attendance among Korean Young Adults: Analysis of the 9th KNHANES (2022-2024)

Objectives: This study aimed to examine health check-up attendance rates among Korean young adults and identify associated socio-demographic, health insurance, and health-related factors. Methods: Using the 9th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2022-2024), we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 3,570 participants aged 20-39 years. Health check-up attendance was defined as having undergone a health check-up within the past 2 years. Complex-sample multiple logistic regression was used to determine adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The overall attendance rate for health check-up was 61.8%. Higher odds (aOR, 95% CI) of attendance were significantly associated with having a college degree or above (1.35, 1.12-1.63), being married (1.48, 1.17-1.88), regular employment (2.56, 2.00-3.29), having employee health insurance (1.32, 1.07-1.64), non-smoking (1.33, 1.08-1.65) and receiving an influenza vaccination (1.91, 1.55-2.36). Conversely, self-employment (0.61, 0.43-0.85) or not applicable (0.70, 0.56-0.88), and medical aid beneficiaries (0.53, 0.31-0.93) were associated with lower odds of attendance. Conclusions: Health check-up attendance among Korean young adults is strongly influenced by socio-economic factors and medical coverage. Non-regular workers, the self-employed and medical aid beneficiaries are particularly vulnerable to lower participation. Targeted interventions addressing workplace barriers and integrating health check-ups with other preventive services, such as influenza vaccination, are necessary to improve uptake among disadvantaged young adults.