• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.314-320
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• 2013

This study was aimed to investigate the motivators of smoking in 300 subjects using convenient extraction in one hospital. After informed consent, the survey that consisted of general characteristics, health behavior, stage of change, health behavior-related-perceived benefit, health behavior-related-perceived barrier, health behavior-related-family support, oral health behavior, subjective oral health and others was carried out. The smoking rate was higher in case of male (sex), high school graduates (education) and 2~3 million Korean won (KRW) (monthly income). The present smokers responded lower oral health behavior (p<0.001), lower health behavior-related-perceived benefit (p=0.021), higher health behavior- related-perceived barrier (p<0.001) and lower stage of change (p<0.001). The oral health related variables were not influenced by smoking. In logistic regression model, odds ratios in smoking were 0.378 in below average (health behavior-related-perceived barrier), 4.746 in below average (stage of change), 12.743 in male (sex) and 3.271 in 2~3 million KRW (monthly income/standard : over 3 million KRW). It was suggested that oral health related manpower should take account of not only smoking-related oral health but also motivators of smoking as to deliver effective no-smoking program.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2006

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the health status and nutritional condition of children living in a low-income community through anthropometric, laboratory evaluation. Methods : A community-based survey identified children below 15 years living in a low-income community. Their weight, height, visual acuity, hearing level and dental status were measured. Blood sample were obtained on June and July, 2004. Hemoglobin, serum cholesterol, Hepatitis B antigen/antibody, AST and ALT were measured. Results : A total of 285 students(M : F=141 : 144) aged 6 to 14 years were included in this study. The heights and weights in some grades were smaller than controls. The prevalence of obesity was 10.6 percent in males and 10.7 percent in females. The prevalence of abnormal visual acuity, hearing impairments and dental carries were 20.5 percent, 0.3 percent and 69.4 percent. The prevalence of anemia was 10.1 percent. Serum total cholesterol was over 200 mg/dL in 7 percent. They complained of abdominal pain(22.1 percent) and headache(17.1 percent). Hyperthyroidism, cataract, neurofibromatosis, severe atopic dermatitis, ventricular septal defect, strabismus and inguinal hernia were newly diagnosed. Conclusion : Mean heights and weights of children in the low-income community were smaller than controls. The prevalence of abnormal visual acuity, hearing impairment and dental carries were higher than in the 2003 national health survey. Additional research is needed to evaluate the health status of the low-income community.