• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.69-76
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• 2013

The incidence of globally infectious and pathogenic diseases such as H1N1 (swine flu) and Avian Influenza (AI) has recently increased. An infectious disease is a pathogen-caused disease, which can be passed from the infected person to the susceptible host. Pathogens of infectious diseases, which are bacillus, spirochaeta, rickettsia, virus, fungus, and parasite, etc., cause various symptoms such as respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disease, liver disease, and acute febrile illness. They can be spread through various means such as food, water, insect, breathing and contact with other persons. Recently, most countries around the world use a mathematical model to predict and prepare for the spread of infectious diseases. In a modern society, however, infectious diseases are spread in a fast and complicated manner because of rapid development of transportation (both ground and underground). Therefore, we do not have enough time to predict the fast spreading and complicated infectious diseases. Therefore, new system, which can prevent the spread of infectious diseases by predicting its pathway, needs to be developed. In this study, to solve this kind of problem, an integrated monitoring system, which can track and predict the pathway of infectious diseases for its realtime monitoring and control, is developed. This system is implemented based on the conventional mathematical model called by 'Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered (SIR) Model.' The proposed model has characteristics that both inter- and intra-city modes of transportation to express interpersonal contact (i.e., migration flow) are considered. They include the means of transportation such as bus, train, car and airplane. Also, modified real data according to the geographical characteristics of Korea are employed to reflect realistic circumstances of possible disease spreading in Korea. We can predict where and when vaccination needs to be performed by parameters control in this model. The simulation includes several assumptions and scenarios. Using the data of Statistics Korea, five major cities, which are assumed to have the most population migration have been chosen; Seoul, Incheon (Incheon International Airport), Gangneung, Pyeongchang and Wonju. It was assumed that the cities were connected in one network, and infectious disease was spread through denoted transportation methods only. In terms of traffic volume, daily traffic volume was obtained from Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS). In addition, the population of each city was acquired from Statistics Korea. Moreover, data on H1N1 (swine flu) were provided by Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and air transport statistics were obtained from Aeronautical Information Portal System. As mentioned above, daily traffic volume, population statistics, H1N1 (swine flu) and air transport statistics data have been adjusted in consideration of the current conditions in Korea and several realistic assumptions and scenarios. Three scenarios (occurrence of H1N1 in Incheon International Airport, not-vaccinated in all cities and vaccinated in Seoul and Pyeongchang respectively) were simulated, and the number of days taken for the number of the infected to reach its peak and proportion of Infectious (I) were compared. According to the simulation, the number of days was the fastest in Seoul with 37 days and the slowest in Pyeongchang with 43 days when vaccination was not considered. In terms of the proportion of I, Seoul was the highest while Pyeongchang was the lowest. When they were vaccinated in Seoul, the number of days taken for the number of the infected to reach at its peak was the fastest in Seoul with 37 days and the slowest in Pyeongchang with 43 days. In terms of the proportion of I, Gangneung was the highest while Pyeongchang was the lowest. When they were vaccinated in Pyeongchang, the number of days was the fastest in Seoul with 37 days and the slowest in Pyeongchang with 43 days. In terms of the proportion of I, Gangneung was the highest while Pyeongchang was the lowest. Based on the results above, it has been confirmed that H1N1, upon the first occurrence, is proportionally spread by the traffic volume in each city. Because the infection pathway is different by the traffic volume in each city, therefore, it is possible to come up with a preventive measurement against infectious disease by tracking and predicting its pathway through the analysis of traffic volume.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.481-488
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• 2010

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to examine the relations among anxiety, knowledge, health locus of control and preventive behavior, and to find factors related with preventive behavior. Methods: The subjects were 269 elderly people of over 65 living in C City. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS. Results: Health promoting behavior was significantly different according to chronic disease, contact with H1N1 patient and perceived health status. The variables that affected the level of preventive behavior were anxiety, knowledge, internal locus of control, external locus of control, chance locus of control and perceived health status. Conclusion: According to this study, promoting preventive behavior for H1N1 on the elderly builds up anxiety, knowledge, and health locus of control.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.85-94
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship of influenza A (H1N1) knowledge, attitude and practice for nurses. Methods: Data were collected by self-report questionnaires from a total of 325 nurses working in an Influenza A (H1N1) base-zone hospital in C city during September, 2009. The collected data were analyzed using of SPSS/WIN 17.0. Results: The knowledge of influenza A (H1N1) was not statistically different for gender, age, education, work unit, clinical experience, position, or previous education of Influenza A (H1N1). The attitude to influenza A (H1N1) was statistically significant according to age or clinical experience. Practice related to influenza A (H1N1) was statistically different for education, clinical experience or previous education of influenza A (H1N1). Knowledge of influenza A (H1N1) was lowest for etiology and definition compared to other subcategories. Attitude and practice were significantly different for all items. The biggest difference in items was for 'use of physical barriers (protective goggles, face masks and gowns) during procedures that may involve contact with aerosol'. There was a positive association between attitude and practice. Conclusion: An educational program focusing on strategy to change nurses's knowledge, attitude and practice can be effective for infection control in an influenza A (H1N1) base-zone hospital.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.301-311
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• 2011

Objectives : In order to identify the awareness of influenza A (H1N1) having currently high frequency and risk as an infectious disease, to find problems and to reflect them on curriculum improvements from students before/after clinical practices. Methods : The data was collected from 279 dental hygiene students of 1st and 2nd years at G health college university from December 6th 2010 to December 10th 2010. The questionnaire were consisted of awareness of influenza A (H1N1), preventive attitude, sociodemographic characteristics. Results : 1. 1st year was 51.6%, the case having dental experience was 51.2%, in the infection control training experience 'had' was 46.6%. In the route acquiring the information, the mass media was 70.6%, in obtained information, personal hygiene was 82.1%. In the impact on human body, 'great impact' was 58.1%. In terms of the most need for response and preparedness, vaccination was the highest, 67.4%. People who experienced influenza A (H1N1) were 10.7%. 2. Awareness of influenza A (H1N1) was 0.71 points, and treatment and spreading mechanism was 0.78 points, prevention was 0.63 points, causes and definition was 0.53 points. 3. In the attitude for infection prevention of influenza A (H1N1), 'washing hands before practice' was the highest, 0.99 points and 'wear the mask only in case of contact with patient within 1~2 meters upon occurrence of no aerosol' was the lowest, 0.72 points. 4. Awareness of influenza A (H1N1) according to sociodemographic characteristics showed the significant differences upon the impacts on systemic health (p<0.05). Preventive attitude didn't show a significant difference in grade, clinical experience, experience in infection control training, acquiring rmation routes, the possibility for occurrence, impact on systemic health, the most need for prevention, experience in influenza A (H1N1) (p>0.05). 5. The significantly correlated between awareness of influenza A (H1N1) and preventive attitude(p<0.01). Conclusions : Information and preventive attitude for influenza A (H1N1) as well as systematic training programs to identify actual affecting factors and to improve the practice are needed. Also government's institutional support is needed.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.250-259
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was examined to identify the relationship among knowledge, attitude, and compliance with preventive behavior on influenza A (H1N1) by University students. Methods: The sample consisted of 101 students. The data were collected from August to September 2009 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. Results: The mean scores of knowledge ($11.89{\pm}1.39$), attitude ($30.16{\pm}2.87$), and compliance with preventive behavior ($22.35{\pm}3.51$) on influenza A (H1N1) were above the average. The level of knowledge was not significantly different regardless of characteristics. Students' attitude differed according to gender (p<.001), and plan to seasonal influenza vaccination for this year (p=.007). Compliance with preventive behavior was significantly different according to experience of seasonal influenza vaccination during last year (p=.010), experience of obtained information about influenza A (H1N1) (p=.037). Significant correlations were found between knowledge and compliance with preventive behavior (p<.001), attitude and compliance with preventive behavior (p<.001). Knowledge and attitude was a predictor of compliance with preventive behavior (23.4%). Conclusion : These findings indicate that perceived knowledge and attitude may be necessary to improve compliance with preventive behavior on influenza A (H1N1) among university students. The results of the study can be utilized in educational programs about preventing the occurrence of influenza among university students.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.520-530
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• 2010

Purpose: In this study influenza A (H1N1) infection control performance and stress in nurses were surveyed, to identify factors influencing stress for the nurses, and to provide basic materials for promoting infectious disease control by nurses. Method: The participants were 447 nurses who had worked at isolation clinics and/or isolation rooms in hub hospitals in the Honam region during the period of the outbreak of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus. Data were collected in February 2010 using self-report questionnaires. Results: The performance of participants from clinics was high for 'helping patients wearing masks', but low for 'maintaining distance over 1 meter among waiting patients'. The performance of participants from hospital rooms was high for 'putting a surgical mask on a patient going out of the room', but low for 'keeping patients' family out of the room'. The participants' stress was higher in those younger and less experienced nurses, those working at a hospital with 500-999 beds, those working at both isolation clinics and rooms, and those working at a clinic longer. Conclusion: In order to lower nurses' stress from working at isolation clinics/rooms for infectious diseases, we may need to deploy experienced nurses and limit their working days to five or less.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.193-200
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• 2011

Purpose : The effect of corticosteroid on severe pneumonia caused by 2009 pandemic influenza (H1N1) A virus is controversial. This study was aimed to present the effects of early, short-term corticosteroid treatment for severe pneumonia with this virus infection. Methods : A retrospective analysis was performed on severe pneumonia patients (37 patients) who had severe respiratory distress at presentation requiring oxygen therapy and received intravenous methylprednisolone (MP, 8-10 mg/kg, divided in 4 doses/day for 2-3 days) with oseltamivir. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients were evaluated through the medical records and chest radiographic findings. Results : The mean age and male-to-female ratio of the patients were 6.5${\pm}$2.9 years of age, and 3.4:1 (male 29 patients), respectively. The 5-9 aged group was predominant among the age groups (25 patients, 67.6%). Duration of fever prior to admission was 1.4${\pm}$0.6 days and dyspnea developed within 24 h after beginning of respiratory symptoms in all patients. All patients were previously healthy and received oseltamivir within 48 h. Thirteen patients (35.1%) developed dyspnea during oseltamivir treatment. Following MP infusion, all 37 patients including 13 progressive pneumonia patients during oseltamivir treatment showed an immediate halt in the progression of pneumonic infiltration with rapid clinical improvement. There were no side-effects following steroid use. Conclusion : For severe pneumonia patients, early corticosteroid treatment halted clinical exacerbation, and possibly prevented progression to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Further controlled clinical studies are needed for the role of corticosteroids and antivirals on severely affected patients with influenza virus infections.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.173-178
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• 2007

The occurrence of acute respiratory infections caused by the influenza virus are particularly high during the winter season in Busan, Korea. In 2004 and 2005, a study of the rate of occurrences of the influenza virus was conducted. The results reveal that in 2004, of the 1,869 people with an acute respiratory infection that 154 (8.2%) people were infected by the influenza virus. In 2005, of the 1,579 people infected with an acute respiratory infection that 19 people (1.2%) were infected with the influenza virus. The study shows a decrease in the numbers of an influenza virus infection from 2004 to 2005. Data was collected by inspecting throat swabs and nasal discharge from those with an acute respiratory infection. Further inspection of the throat swab and nasal discharge from the infected individuals during 2004 and 2005 study show the occurrence of the different types of influenza virus in the population: 6 cases (3.5%) of influenza type A/H1N1, 129 cases (74.5%) of A/H3N2, and 38 cases (22.0%) of type B. The study conducted in 2004 and 2005 reveal that children between the ages of two and five were more likely to be infected than any other age group. In the study, about 62.2% of the infected individuals were between two and five years old. The detection rates between males and females are similar. However, it is notable that females are slightly more likely to develop an acute respiratory infection caused by the influence virus compared to their male counterparts.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.9-19
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• 2010

Objectives: This study is to identify the factors which affect children's preventive behavior for novel influenza A(H1N1) and to provide basic data to health education for children. Methods: The subject of this study were 551 children who were attending on the 4~6th grade in elementary school in Seoul. The data were collected using a self-reporting questionnaire for 5 days from October 12 through 16, 2009. Data were all digitized and analyzed using SPSS 17.0K. Results: As for relationship between preventive behavior and the other variables, correlations were observed with sensibility, self efficacy, respond efficacy and behavior intention, and it was statistically significant(p<.001). According to the result of analyzing factors affecting preventive behavior for Novel Influenza A(H1N1), it was affected by variables such as perceived threat, perceived efficacy, behavior intention. Behavior intention was the most influencing variable and has shown influence in order of self efficacy, sensibility, severity and respond efficacy as follows. Conclusion: The results showed effects on preventive behavior of perceived threat, perceived efficacy and behavior intention. It may be beneficial to improve empowerment for students to prevent influenza A(H1N1) by focusing on perceived threat, perceived efficacy, behavior intention.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.373-378
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• 2005

Influenza virus has a unique characteristics of annual epidemics of acute respiratory disease with attack rate of 10%-30% of the population. It is also the classical emerging infectious disease causing global pandemics when new antigenic shift occur. This antigenic shift is the key to its ability to evoke periodic pandemics, and it has caused at least 3 pandemics in 20th century. I reviewed these 3 pandemics in their natural courses and the epidemiology of the recent emerging influenza A viruses, especially the H5 and H7 subtypes. I descr ibed the epidemics of these vi ruses in human population and why we should be prepared to these viruses.