Care at school: health care needs and coping strategies among children whose mothers are foreign wives

Families formed as a result of a marriage involving an immigrant are a new phenomenon in Taiwan. School children whose mothers are foreign wives are increasing. Because of differences in lifestyle and culture, and because of stereotyping, such families are vulnerable and prone to experiencing unequal treatment. How will they fare when their children start elementary school? This article explores the physical and psychosocial health needs and health care utilization of school-aged children whose mothers are foreign wives. It also explores factors which might arise in the case of these children because of social inequality. The authors emphasize the importance of school health and raise suggestions for school nurses. Such nurses should provide health promotion programs to promote the health of children whose mothers are foreign wives. This will enable these children to grow up happily and healthily, and develop into healthy, well-educated adults with a positive attitude and good health-related behavior.