• Health Policy and Management
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.38-47
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• 2024

Background: Korea's population of children and adolescents has decreased by 2.88 million over the past decade and is expected to decline further due to the unprecedented low birth rate. In the fee-for-service compensation system, the decline in the pediatric population relates directly to the profit decrease in the pediatric clinics. This study analyzed whether the worsening profits of pediatric clinics impacted their closure. Methods: We built annual data for pediatric and other department clinics (internal medicine, otolaryngology, and family medicine) using the status of medical institute and health insurance claims data from 2012 to 2022. Then, we analyzed whether institutional variables such as annual profit and regional variables (Herfindahl-Hirschman index, the number of clinics per 100,000, etc.) affected the closure of clinics. The methods used in this study are descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis. Odds ratios for each variable were estimated by generalized estimating equations (GEE). Results: The closure rate of pediatric clinics was 2.66%-7.04% in 2012-2022, which was consistently higher than those of internal medicine, otolaryngology, and family medicine clinics. The profit gap per institution between the pediatric and the other clinics grew from 126 million won in 2012 to 245 million won in 2019. In the GEE analysis, profit decrease compared to the previous year with lower profit was the main factor that increased the closure of pediatric and other department clinics. After adjusting profit-related variables, the decrease in the pediatric population itself did not relate to the closure of pediatric clinics. The number of pediatric clinics or monopolies also did not affect the closure of pediatric clinics. Conclusion: The worsening profit is the crucial factor for the closure of pediatric clinics, while the pediatric population is decreasing. For this reason, it is necessary to actively seek ways to maintain a stable treatment system for children and adolescents.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.211-221
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• 2024

Background: The public health crisis caused by coronavirus disease 2019 emphasizes the need to expand and strengthen public hospitals. However, the overall perception of public hospitals remains negative. This negative perception can hinder the roles and functions of public hospitals, so this study aims to analyze the factors affecting negative perceptions of public hospitals. Methods: We used data from a survey on the public healthcare of Chungcheongbuk-do residents conducted by the Chungcheongbuk-do Public Health Policy Institute, and 1,916 adults aged 19 or older who responded to the survey were included in the study. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the impact of experiences with public hospitals use and evaluations of public healthcare and public hospital policies on the negative perception of public hospitals. Results: The experience of not using public hospitals (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-2.74) and negative evaluations of public healthcare and public hospital policies were found to significantly impact negative perceptions of public hospitals. In public healthcare policies, negative evaluations of the provision of essential medical care (aOR, 4.14; 95% CI, 2.59-6.62), regional disparities (aOR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.02-2.49), coverage (aOR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.25-3.16), and quality of care (aOR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.50-3.80) were significantly associated with negative perceptions of public hospitals. In public hospital policies, negative evaluations of facilities and equipment (aOR, 3.74, 95% CI, 2.36-5.94), medical specialties and services (aOR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.21-3.01), and quality of medical service (aOR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.72-4.25) were also significantly associated with negative perceptions of public hospitals. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the need to improve perceptions of public hospitals by considering the experience with public hospitals use and evaluation of public healthcare and public hospital policies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.1083-1093
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference between students' beverage preference and dietitians' perception in elementary school lunch program. This study was conducted in three phases: (1) questionnaire development and survey administration to elementary school students (2) survey administration to dietitians who were in charge of the elementary school food service, and (3) comparison of beverage preferences between elementary school students and dietitians. In phase I, 703 elementary school students in Seoul were surveyed from July 11 to July 19. In Phase II, 100 school food service dietitians in Seoul participated by mail survey from September 15 to October 30, 2006. Based on the results, elementary school students tended to show a neutral milk preference (mean=3.04), whereas dietitians perceived that elementary school students had lower milk preference (mean=2.67). Also dietitians perceived higher yogurt preference (mean=4.27) than the real elementary school students' preference (mean=4.02). T-test results showed the gender difference on milk and yogurt preference. Male students had higher milk preference (t=4.912, p<0.001) and yogurt preference (t=3.621, p<0.001) than female students. Elementary school students showed high fruit juice preference (mean=4.34); however, dietitians perceived lower fruit juice preference of students (mean=3.92). There was no gender difference on fruit juice preference. Though elementary school students had higher fruit juice preference, the frequency of fruit juice served in school lunch was quite low. Over half of the dietitians reported that they served fruit juice less than once a semester. The results of this study indicated the existence of distinctive difference between students' fruit juice preference and school lunch menu offerings.

• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.87-102
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• 2015

This study attempts to introduce the methodology for accounting real-time population distribution in the urban areas. For the purpose, we utilize the media user's time-space information from the media users' media diaries in the media panel survey databases. We analyze the space-time population rate for each activity space related with everyday urban lifes. Seoul has been selected as a case study area, since space-time information are relatively rich there, and thus the comparisons are available. The space-time population rates have been verified by the comparative analysis with the T-card results. We propose a real time population measurement method by combination of the space-time population rate with geographical data. The real time population of each activity space at each dong in Seoul has been calculated by multiplying the space-time population rates to the numbers of employer of three categories of activity spaces(residential, working, and commercial). By utilizing GIS, we visualize the results of two time points (3AM and 3PM) and then analyze the spacio-temporal characteristics of real time population distribution in Seoul. The Day time population distribution pattern shows strong relationships with the distribution of business and commercial activities, while the night time population distribution pattern can be explained by resident population distribution almost perfectly.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.83-89
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• 2005

The results that research industrial competitive power of about two hundreds frames manufactures were as follows. First, It's researched that frames industry of Daegu will be worse and worse, and 79 percent of inquiry manufactures in export and 58 percent of them in the domestic demand prospects to be worse. Second, it is analyzed that the commercial profits in 2004 was more decreased to 16.5 percent than 2002. Therefore it is studied that they will be diminished to 5---- comparing with last year by a fall in the exchange rate of the won dollar, in the export unit cost and a raise of raw material price. Third, it is researched that most competitive countries of Daegu glasses manufactures is China and the mext county is japan, ltuly and hik. Fourth, It is studied that average price of glasses of Daegu during last three years(2002~2004) was more disadvantageous than China and Hong Kong, but was more profitable than Italy and Japan by the examination that when Korea is 100, China is 82, Hong Kong 89, Italy 112, Japan 114. Fifth, It is investigated that the average of production cost in Daegu is more disadvantageous than that of China and Hong Kong but is more profitable that of Italy and Japan by the study that when average production cost of Korea is 100, that of China is 78 and that of Hong Kong 89, that of Italy 114. Sixth, It is studied that the Average personal expense of Daegu is much more disadvantageous than that of China and more profitable than Japan and Italy by the analysis that when Korea is 100, China is 74, Hong Kong 98, Japan 112, Italy 113. Seventh, It is analyzed that technique, quality, design of Daegu are more advantageous than those of China, are equal with those of Hong Kong. Eighth, It is studied that Daegu still lags behind more four and five years than developed countries and goes more oheod four years than developing countries.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.451-458
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine pervasive trends in oral cancer in different countries in an effort to discuss what to do to prevent cancer and drop a death rate. The materials of the study were selected from among articles of oral cancer by searching risk factor and epidemiology at a website (www.oraloncology.com). As a result of analyzing the selected literature, it's found that in our country, the percentage of oral cancer in total cancer dropped but the number of oral cancer patients was on the rise every year. In foreign countries, the number of oral cancer patients was on the increase as well, whereas the lethality dropped. In terms of demographic characteristics, the incidence rate of oral cancer was higher among men than women overall. The incidence rate of oral cancer was larger among older people. The major causes of oral cancer were smoking and drinking. To reduce the incidence rate of oral cancer, every possible institutional, administrative and legal measure should be taken to ensure of anti-smoking policies, and publicity of moderation in and abstinence from drinking should be reinforced. The additional causes of oral cancer were demographic characteristics by country and region. The incidence of oral cancer was under the influence of that was affected when the level of personal economy and education was low. Therefore it's important to redress social imbalance within a country and among countries to remove socioeconomic divide. As the oral cancer patients has increased every year, the incidence rate of it should accurately be grasped, and sustained research efforts should be made in consideration of demographic characteristics. Early diagnosis, public oral health education and preventive policies are all required to decrease the incidence rate of oral cancer.

• Journal of vocational education research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.19-46
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to analyze the curriculum implementation of the Nursing-Specialized Vocational High School by researching on operation, organization and environment of the program of Nursing. This study aims to improve the curriculum of the Nursing-Specialized Vocational High School. This study has analyzed previous existing studies, Link of School info, Educational Statistics and data indicating establishment, operation and curriculum of the department of Nursing which have been collected from web sites of institutions and associations relevant to Nurse Education. The major results of this study are as follows: 1) As of the first semester of the year 2016, out of a total of thirty eight Specialized Vocational High Schools and Meister High Schools in the country, 6.4% of the schools have nursing educational programs. These schools have established the programs under various names, such as Health Nursing, Dental Health Nursing, Nursing, Nursing and Medical Tourism, Accounting in Nursing and Nursing Management, etc. Since 2012, enrollment rates have increased while post-graduation employment rates have decreased, with the average employment rate of Specialized Vocational High School graduates having reached up to 46% by 2015. 2) The Nursing-Specialized Vocational High School aims to create skilled Nurses Assistant such as Nurse Aide and Care giver. The program is successful in providing necessary courses to acquire required certification and proficient field experience but requires revisional changes in order to create a long-term program of sufficient qualification. The official requirement of 780 hours of field practice was completed during the three educational breaks from the first year of high school to the second year, while the curriculum was conducted separately in the field hospitals. 3) An average of two laboratory classrooms were available based on the facility requirement standard of Cities and Provinces Educational Policies. In order to secure proficient instructors of Nursing education, establishment of specific indicated subjects, regional placement, in-service education, research and supervision are essential for establishing excellence and continual improvement.

• 한국사회정책
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.169-193
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• 2013

This paper examines how a social investment approach can be applied in a comparative analysis of childcare arrangements. We compared changes in Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, Japan and Korea during the 2000s, focusing on four dimensions of social investment: activation, gender equality, quality of care, and the degree of state's intervention in the family. We considered leave systems and the number of children enrolled in formal care and education facilities as indicators for labour market activation. For gender equality, women's position in employment is considered with respect to labour market participation rates, proportion of permanent employment, and wage-sex ratio. Quality of care concerns child-to-staff ratio and care provided with government quality control. The state's intervention was measured as social spending on families as proportions of GDP and total social spending. Our analysis provides empirical evidence that Sweden and France are pioneers in this arena and that the UK, Germany, Korea, and Japan are path-shifters in their care paradigms, albeit to varying degrees. Is the social investment approach an adequate paradigm for care? In a normative sense, this approach has potential. However, the following issues remain unaddressed: gender equality should be achieved through an expansion in good-quality jobs, fathers should be encouraged to take on childcare duties, and families should have universal access to good-quality childcare services controlled by the government.

• 한국노년학
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.547-566
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of social activities on healthy life expectancy (HLE) by gender difference. HLE implies an estimate of how long an individual can expect to live in full health or without disease and/or disability. Morbidity, mortality, and functional health status usually have been known as key variables. Many researchers have tried to investigate factors affecting HLE in countries level by performing comparative analyses. In micro level, there have been some studies about social factors affecting HLE in individual level. However, few studies are found focusing on the relationship between HLE and social activities. This study anlayzes 4,029 over 65 years of age from the first wave (2006) to the seventh wave (2018) of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA), which is a national panel data collected by Korea Employment Information Service. The data has been collected as a part of social and economic policies planning for Korean government. HLE was measured by life period without disease or disability. One of findings is that male older adults (76.9 yrs) show higher HLE in comparing to female group (75.3 yrs). Female group appeared to be more likely to have higher incidence rate and disorders. Another finding indicates that age, number of chronic diseases, and subjective health status affect HLE of both groups. Finally, regarding social activities, religion affiliated activities appear to significantly affect HLE of both groups. In case of male older adults, alumni or hometown gathering also appeared another activities affecting HLE. This study indicates that the effect of social activities types on HLE among older adults appears differently by gender. Further, unlikely of longer life expectancy among female older adults as known, HLE shows a reverse estimate, longer healthy life expectancy among male older adults. This finding may imply that later life of female older adults shows lower quality of life in comparing to that of male group, even if female life expectancy has been higher. This study encourages to develop more social activity programs for older adults in community level. Specifically, more attention is required to planning for programs targeting female older adults.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.33-50
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• 2022

While the number of female entrepreneurs has been increasing, and female entrepreneurship has been increasingly perceived as a driving force of sustainable economic development, there is a lack of studies of female entrepreneurship, particularly in the non-Western regions. This study aims to explore current levels of entrepreneurial competences of female college students in four Asian countries (i.e., Indonesia, Korea, Philippines, and Vietnam), differences in the competences between countries, and factors affecting their entrepreneurial competences. Using online surveys, the present study collected data from 516 female Asian college students and examined their entrepreneurial competences in six dimensions-entrepreneurship, sensibility, business management, relationship management, strategic management, and multi-tasking. This study also investigated effects of four variables (i.e., entrepreneurship course taking experiences, on-campus entrepreneurship experiences, off-campus entrepreneurship experiences, and entrepreneurial intentions) on the six aspects of entrepreneurial competences. Data analysis reveals that female Asian college students as a whole group possess quite high levels of entrepreneurial competences while the Filipino students show the biggest competence in all the six dimensions measured. As regards affecting factors, this study finds that, in the total sample, regression equations are significant in all the six dimensions of entrepreneurial competences. On-campus experiences have significantly positive effects on those six dimensions while course taking experiences and entrepreneurial intentions positively affect three different dimensions each. However, out-of-campus experiences turn out to be negative though their effects are insignificant. Meanwhile, in individual samples, different factors affect different dimensions of entrepreneurial competences. Based on these findings, the present study suggests some actions for promoting female entrepreneurship and for conducting future studies.