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Comparative Effectiveness between Dipeptidylpeptidase-4 Inhibitors and Sulfonylureas in Combination with Metformin in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients (제2형 당뇨병 환자에서 Metformin/Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 저해제 병용요법과 Metformin/Sulfonylurea 병용요법간의 효과에 대한 비교 연구)

  • Park, Ji Hye;Park, Sunny;Kim, Jae Youn;Kim, Joo Hee;Gwak, Hye Sun
    • Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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    • v.25 no.2
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    • pp.74-79
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    • 2015
  • Objective: Treatment with sulfonylureas in combination with metformin improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but is associated with hypoglycemia and weight gain. This retrospective study aims to compare the effectiveness of dipeptidylpeptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and sulfonylureas as an add-on therapy to metformin in patients with T2DM. Methods: Data from medical records of 355 T2DM patients received therapy either DPP-4 inhibitors (DPP-4 inhibitor group) or sulfonylurea (SU group) in combination with metformin from 1 March 2009 to 30 September 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Of total 355 patients, 231 patients were in DPP-4 inhibitor group and 124 patients were in SU group. Baseline Hemoglobin $A_{1c}$ ($HbA_{1c}$) level in SU group was higher than DPP-4 inhibitor group with a statistically significant difference (8.6% vs. 7.8%). Comparative analysis between DPP-4 inhibitor group and SU group was performed for $HbA_{1c}$ values, amounts of $HbA_{1c}$ changes, and rates of $HbA_{1c}$ changes from baseline at 6-month intervals and incidence rates of major cardiocerebral events. Results: SU group showed larger $HbA_{1c}$ changes in both amounts and rates compared to DPP-4 inhibitor group, although statistical significance was not found in all study periods. Proportions of patients with stable $HbA_{1c}$ <6.5% or 7% were significantly higher in DPP-4 inhibitor group than SU group (<6.5%: 30.4% vs. 13.4%, <7%: 72.3% vs. 41.2%). Time to achieve stable $HbA_{1c}$ <6.5% was not significantly different, but time to achieve stable $HbA_{1c}$ <7% was shorter in DPP4 inhibitor group than SU group with a significant difference. The incidence rate of cardiocerebral events in group of patients with or without previous events was 1.7%, not significantly lower than that in DPP-4 inhibitor group (4.0%). For newly encountered cardiocerebral events during the treatment, incidence rates of two groups did not differ significantly. Conclusion: DPP-4 inhibitors were as effective as sulfonylureas in achieving the $HbA_{1c}$ goal of less than 6.5% or 7% and cardiocerebral event rates did not differ between the two drugs.

Isokinetic Evaluation of Trunk Flexors and Trunk Extensors in Normal Adult Subjects and Patients with Post-operative Herniated Intervertebral Lumbar Disc (정상 성인남자와 요추간판탈출증 수술후 성인남자의 요추부 굴곡근 및 신전근의 등속성 근력평가)

  • Oh Seung-Kil
    • The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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    • v.10 no.1
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    • pp.81-98
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    • 1998
  • Isokinetic evaluation of trunk flexors and trunk extensors was performed at $60^{\circ}/sec\;and\;120^{\circ}/sec$ of angular velocity by using cybex 6000TEF Unit on 31 healthy male white workers and 15 post-operative HILD patients with no significant difference in mean age and mean body weight between two groups, and compared each other. The purpose of this study is to obtain the isokinetic normative strength values and endurance latins for Dunk extensors and trunk flexors, and is to provide a guideline for rehabilitation program of post-operative HILD patients. The collected data were analyzed by ANOVA, Duncan's Nyktuoke Range Test, and Pearson correlation coefficiency in PC-SAS program, The results obtained were as follow ; 1. Post-operative subjects has lower isokinetic values than normal subjects in peak torque, peak torque $\%$ by body weight, total work, total work $\%$ by body weight, average power, average power $\%$ by body weight, TAAE of trunk flexors and trunk extensors, and there are significant differences with statistic value in trunk extensors at $60^{\circ}/sec$ and in trunk flexors and trunk extensors at $120^{\circ}/sec$ between two groups(p<0.05). 2. Pest-ooperative subjects has lower values for angle of peak torque than normal subjects in trunk extensors, and there are significant differences with statistic value at $60^{\circ}/sec$ and $120^{\circ}/sec$ between two groups. 3. Post-operative subjects has higher values for endurance ratios than normal subjects in trunk extensors and flexors, but there are no significant differences with statistic value between two groups. 4. Post-operative subjects has higher values than normal subjects in peak torque ratios, total work ratios, average power ratios of trunk flexors to trunk extensors, and there are significant differences with statistic value between two groups(p<0.01). 5. There is significant positive-correlation with statistic valve between peak torque and height and body weight in normal subjects(p<0.05), but Thjere is significant negative-correlation between peak torque of trunk extensor at $120^{\circ}/sec$ and age (p<0.05). 6. There is significant positive-correlation with statistic value between peak torque of trunk flexors and body weight in post-operative subjects (p<0.05), but There is significant negative-correlation between peak torque of trunk extensor add age (p<0.05). In conclusion, post-operative subjects have greater weakness in trunk musculature than normal subjects, especially there is more significant weakness in trunk extensors than in trunk flexors

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Physical Symptoms and Psychiatric, Social, Spiritual and Economical Care Needs of Patients under Home-based Cancer Service (재가암환자의 신체 증상들과 정신적, 사회적, 영적, 그리고 경제적 돌봄 요구도)

  • Kang, Myung Hee;Moon, Young Sil;Lee, Young Joon;Kang, Yoon Sik;Kim, Hoon Gu;Lee, Gyeong Won;Lee, Won Sup;Kang, Jung Hun
    • Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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    • v.17 no.4
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    • pp.216-222
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    • 2014
  • Purpose: This study was performed to identify the symptoms and care needs of home-based cancer patients in Korea and to add to the scarce literature on this topic. Methods: Data were collected from patients who subscribed to home-based cancer care services in Jinju. Assessments were performed by nurses at the local public health center. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System with a numeric rating scale (NRS) was used to identify symptoms, and a four-point Likert scale was used to assess psychological, social, and spiritual needs. Results: Cross-sectional data were collected in October 2013. A total of 209 patients participated and their median age was 65 years (range, 17~89 years). Most patients were diagnosed in the early stage of cancer (n=188); only 19 patients were diagnosed in the advanced stage. More than half the patients lived alone (n=115, 55.0%) and took care of themselves (n=128, 61.2%). Anorexia and fatigue were the most common symptoms (median NRS, 5 and 4, respectively). Patients needed economic support the most, whereas spiritual care was least needed (n=138 [67.3%] vs. n=128 [62.1%], respectively). Conclusion: Patients who signed up for home-based cancer care services in Jinju are struggling with a financial issue and physical symptoms. A customized approach is needed to improve the quality of the home-based care services.

Weight Control and Cardiovascular Risk in Middle-Aged Women (중년여성의 체중관리 실태와 성인병 위험도)

  • Kim, Jeong-Ah;Chaung, Seung-Kyo
    • The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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    • v.7 no.1
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    • pp.33-47
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    • 2004
  • The purpose of this study was to investigate weight control practices and cardiovascular risk in middle-aged women. 304 middle-aged women were selected as subjects from thirties to fifthies living at J city in Chung-Buk Do. Data were collected using a questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, BP & total cholesterol level in serum from April 1, to June 30, 2003. The results of this study were as follows: The middle-aged woman's age is average $43.95{\pm}7.09yr$ and mean BMI(body mass index) was $23.54{\pm}3.09\;kg/m^2$. Underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese women were 3.0%, 39.5%, 27.9% and 29.6%respectively. Subjects perceived own as 'Slim' 5.9%, 'ordinary' 45.7%, 'Fat' 48.4%. Their weight perception coincide their own actual body weight but as many as 41.8% of overweight and 9.0% of obese perceived themselves as being 'ordinary'. Middle age women with past weight control experience were 55.6%, and only 35.5% was doing weight control at present. Of these subjects, 71.4% reported wanting to lose weight and the primary reason of weight control was to improve their appearance(39.53%). The most frequently reported weight control behavior was 'exercise' followed 'dieting', but 39.6% reported using 'diet food', 12.4% 'behavior modification', 12.4% 'fasting', and 'diet-drug'(3.6%) or 'smoking'(3.6%). Effective weight control methods were thought regular exercise(97.1%) & dieting (79.3%). And behavior modification(71.4%) or diet camp(60%) were effective, too. An average waist circumference was $79.80{\pm}9.47cm$, waist/hip ratio was $86.63{\pm}6.78$, waist/height ratio was $50.43{\pm}6.10$. In the index of abdominal obesity, 79.7 % of middle-aged women was waist/height ratio over 0.46, 65.3% was waist/hip ratio over 0.85, 28.4% was waist circumference over 85cm. There were significant differences in the degree of abdominal obesity according to age and BMI. In the index of cardiovascualr risk, 10.9% of middle aged women was systolic hypertension over 140mmHg, 18.7% was diastolic hypertension over 90mmHg and 10.6% was hypercholesterolemia over 200mg/dl. There was significant difference in systolic hypertension ratio according to age. There was significant difference in diastolic hypertension ratio according to age and obesity. There were significant differences in hypercholesterolemia accorting to obesity. The abdominal obesity indices and the levels of T-cholesterol in the serum, systolic and diastolic BP increased significantly according to age. T-cholesterol in serum was predicted 2.6% by waist/height ratio. And systolic BP was predicted 15.2% by waist/height, add BMI to 16.8%. Subject's diastolic BP was predicted 12.1% by BMI. Therefore waist/height ratio and BMI were significant factors for the predictors of cardiovascular risk. There was significant correlation between index of obesity and cardiovascular risk. T-cholesterol in serum had correlation with waist/eight ratio(r=0.174) and waist circumference(r=0.48). Systolic BP had correlation with waist/height ratio(r=0.387), and BMI(=0.371). diastolic BP correlation had correlation with BMI(r=0.343) and waist/height ratio(r=0.327). In conclusion, The prevalence of obesity was 29.6% in 304 cases, and increased as age after menopause increased. Middle-aged women's weight perception and actual BMI coincide but some of them did not. Trial to reduce weight was attempted. But most of them did not actually. Undesirable weight control method such as using drugs, fasting, smoking was used by some women. It is important to educate about health weight control methods and raise their awareness of exact body figures. High frequency of abdominal obesity in middle-aged women had correlation with hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Abdominal index such as waist/height ratio, waist circumference, waist/hip ratio was used. Women's hypertension, hypercholesterolemia significantly related to body mass index and abdominal obesity.

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Operator exposure risk assessment of benzimidazole fungicides on Korean agricultural condition (Benzimidazole계 살균제의 농작업자 위해성평가)

  • Lee, Je-Bong;Shin, Jin-Sup;Jeong, Mi-Hye;Park, Yeon-Ki;Im, Geon-Jae;Kang, Kyu-Young
    • The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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    • v.9 no.4
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    • pp.347-353
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    • 2005
  • Pesticide risk assessment for pesticide operators as well as for consumers has become one of the pesticide regulatory tools to reduce any unreasonable adverse health effects from pesticide use. The risk for pesticide operators can be quantified by comparing the acceptable operator exposure level(AOEL) with exposure level during pesticide application. This study is to evaluate the risk of benzimidazole fungicides application worker. The exposure level of pesticide applicators were calculated using Japanese operator exposure study tested with EPN 45% EC. The AOELs for pesticides were obtained dividing relevant lowest no observed abuse effect levels(NOAELs) for the exposure scenario into uncertainty factor, 100. For the non-cancer and cancer occupational risk assessment, $Q_1^*$ produced by US/EPA and life time average daily dose(LADD) calculated from average daily dose(ADD), treatment days per year, worked years for life time were used. Operator exposure for benzimidazole fungicides application were benomyl 0.2, carbendazim 0.36 and thiophanate-methyl 0.42 mg/kg/day. Short-term AOELs for benomyl, carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl were 0.3, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/kg/day, and long-term AOEL were 0.025, 0.025, 0.08 mg/kg/day, respectively. LADDs were benomyl 0.0038, carbendazim 0.0067, thiophanate-methyl 0.0081 mg/kg/day. The ratios of exposure to AOEL were $0.28{\sim}1.5$ for short-term and $3.73{\sim}9.88$ for long-term. Cancer risk for operator were $9.12{\times}10^{-6}$ for benomyl, $1.61{\times}10^{-5}$ for carbendazim and $1.13{\times}10^{-4}$ for thiophanate-methyl by the standard application scenario. The result showed 3 fungicides exceed the risk criteria, $1.0{\times}10^{-6}$. The above risk assessments were based upon conservative assumptions and therefore are believed to be protective of the applicator. To refine the risk at the more actual conditions, further risk assessment with more realistic data would be needed.

Research and Development Trends on Omega-3 Fatty Acid Fortified Foodstuffs (오메가 3계 지방산 강화 식품류의 연구개발 동향)

  • 이희애;유익종;이복희
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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    • v.26 no.1
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    • pp.161-174
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    • 1997
  • Omega-3 fatty acids have been major research interests in medical and nutritional science relating to life sciences since after the epidemiologic data on Green3and Eskimos reported by several researchers clearly showed fewer per capita deaths from heart diseases and a lower incidence of adult diseases. Linolenic acid(LNA) is an essential fatty acid for human beings as well as linoleic acid(LA) due to the fact that vertebrates lack an enzyme required to incorporate a double bond beyond carbon 9 in the chain. In addition the ratio of omega-6 and 3 fatty acids seems to be important in terms of alleviation of heart diseases since LA and LNA competes for the metabolic pathways of eicosanoids synthesis. High consumption of omega-3 fatty acids in seafoods may control heart diseases by reducing blood cholesterol, triglyceride, VLDL, LDL and increasing HDL and by inhibiting plaque development through the formation of antiaggregatory substances like PGI$_2$, PGI$_3$ and TXA$_3$ metabolized from LNA. Omega 3 fatty acids also play an important role in neuronal developments and visual functioning, in turn influence learning behaviors. Current dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids are limited mostly to seafoods, leafy vegetables, marine and some seed oils and the most appropriate way to provide omega-3 fatty acids is as a part of the normal dietary regimen. The efforts to enhance the intake of omega-3 fatty acids due to several beneficial effects have been made nowadays by way of food processing technology. Two different ways can be applied: one is add Purified and concentrated omega-3 fatty acids into foods and the other is to produce foods with high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids by raising animals with specially formulated feed best for the transfer of omega-3 fatty acids. Recently, items of manufactured and marketed omega-3 fatty acids fortified foodstuffs are pork, milk, cheese, egg, formula milk and ham. In domestic food market, many of them are distributed already, but problem is that nutritional informations on the amounts of omega-3 fatty acids are not presented on the labeling, which might cause distrust of consumers on those products, result in lower sales volumes. It would be very much wise if we consume natural products, result in lower sales volumes. It would be very much wise if we consume natural products high in omega-3 fatty acids to Promote health related to many types of adult diseases rather than processed foods fortified with omega-3 fatty acids.

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An experimental study on the impact of an agreement on the means to achieve nursing goals in the early postpartum period of primiparous mothers and enhance their self-confidence and satisfaction in maternal role performance (산욕초기 초산모의 간호목표달성방번 합의가 어머니 역할수행에 대한 자신감 및 만족도에 미치는 영향에 관한 실험적 연구)

  • 이영은
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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    • v.22 no.1
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    • pp.81-115
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    • 1992
  • The problem addressed by this study was to determine the effect of nurse - patient agreement on the means to achieve nursing goals in the early postpartum period of primiparous mothers. It was hypothesized that the experimental treatment would result in hegher self-confidence and satisfaction in maternal role performance. This purpose was to contribute to the planning of nursing care to enhance self- confidence and satisfaction in maternal role performance and to the development of relevant nursing theory. Especially, the early postpartum period is crucial toward in recovery from childbirth and attainment of the maternal role. Maternal role attaintment is a complex social and cognitive process of stimulus -response accomplished by learning. Most women attain the maternal role sucessfully. But, some primiparous mothers experience difficultites in attainment of the maternal role due to lack of experience and knowledge. Self-confidence and satisfaction in maternal role performance are important factors in attainment and adjustment to the maternal role (Mercer, 1981a, 1981b ; Lederman, Weigarten, and Lederman, 1981 :Bobak and Jensen, 1985). Nursing is defined as behaviors of nurses add patients that attain nursing goals through action, reaction, interaction, and transaction. For attainment of nursing goals, active participating transactions must occur by agreement on the means to achieve those goals through nurse -patient mutual goal setting and establishment of their active relationships(King, 1981, Ha, 1977). Based on King's theory of goal attainment (1981), this stuy was planned as a non-equivalent control group, non -synchronized quasi -experimental design using agreement on the means to achieve nursing goals in early postpartum as the experimental treatment. The data were collected from July 20 to Sep. 1, 1991 by questionnaires with 60 primiparous mothers planing to breast feed after normal deliveries at W hospital in Pusan, Korea. The subjects were divided into a control group(conventional group) -those admitted from July 20 to Aug. 12, and an experimental group(agreement group) - those admitted from Aug. 13 to Sep. 1. The instument for agreement on the means to nursing goals in the early postpartum period included five steps - identification of disturbances of problems through action, reaction, and interaction with primiparous mothers : mutual early postpartal nursing goal setting : exploration of the means to achieve goals ; agreement on the means (self- care, ealry maternal -infant contact, performance of mothering behavior, and communicating about the infant's behavior and health condition) : implementation of the means. This instrument was developed on the basis of King's elements that lead to transactions in nurse-patient interactions. Lederman et al's (1981) scale for Confidence in ability to cope with tasks of motherhood and Lederman et al's(1981) scale for Mother's satisfaction with motherhood and infant care were used to measure self-confidence and satisfaction in maternal role performance ·with the subjects immediately after admission and on the day of discharge. Self-care performance in the experimental group was measured by self -evaluation tool developed by the investigator from the literature concerned. The tools to measure Pelf-confidence and satisfaction in maternal role performance, and the tool to measure self-evaluation of self-care performance were tested for internal reliability. Cronbach's Alphas were 0.94, 0.94, and 0.63. The data were analysed by using in S.P.S.S. computerized program and included percentage, x²-test, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson Correlation Coefficient. The conclusions obtained from this study are summerized as follows : 1. The degree of self-confidence in maternal role performance of the total subjects group measured before the experimental treatment was above average with a mean score of 2.77(range 2.14-3.64). Out of 14 items, those with relatively high mean scores were ‘I would like to be a better mother than I am’(3.95), and ‘I have my doubts about whether I am a good mother’(2.87). Those with low mean scores were ‘I know that my baby wants most of the times’(2.28), ‘When the baby cries, I can tell what she /he wants’(2.37), and ‘I have confidence in my ability to care for the baby’(2;50). That is, the self - confidence of Primiparous mothers was considerably high in mothering, but rather low in activities concerning the infant care and understanding of the infant behavior. The degree of satisfaction in maternal role performance of the total subjects group measured before the experimental treatment was high with a mean score of 3.18(range 1.92-3.92). Out of 13 items, those with relatively high mean scores were ‘I am glad 1 had this baby now’(3.75), ‘I play with the baby between feedings when s/he is awake and quiet’(3.67), and ‘I enjoy being a mother’(3.27). Those with low mean scores were ‘I am upset about having too many responsibilities as a mother’(2.78), ‘It bothers me to get up for the baby at night’(2.82), and ‘I get annoyed if the baby frequently interrupts my activities’.(2.82), That is, the satisfaction of primiparous mothers was considerably high in mothering and infant care, but rather low in restraints in time or on the mother's self accomplishment and development. 2. Agreement on the means to achieve nursing goals in the early postpartum period included process of mutual goal setting, exploration of the means to achieve goals, and ahreement in concert means to achieve goals based on the mothers' condition, concerns, self-perception of the nurse - patient interactions. In the process of agreement, there was agreement that the means to achieve goals should be through trust and establishment of active relationships with the nurse through identification of problems according to planned nursing goals and active interaction, such as explanations, teaching, changing of opinions, acceptance or rejection of explanations, and proposing of questions. Therefore agreement on the means to achieve nursing goals in the early postpartum period appears to be an effective nursing intervention for primiparous mothers. 3. The degree of self- confidence in maternal role performance of the exprimental group was higher than that of the control group(t=3.95, p<0.01). Out of 14 items, those with higher score in the experimental group were ‘I would like to be a better mother than I am’(t=1.93, p<0.05), ‘I know that my baby wants most of the times’(t=2.75, p<0.01), ‘When the baby cries, 1 can tell what she/he wants’(t=2.10, p<0.05), ‘I have confidence in my ability to care for the baby’(t=3.72, p<0.01), ‘I trust my own judement in deciding how to care for the baby’(t=1.96, p<0.05), ‘I feel that I know my baby and what to do for him /her’(t=2.44, p<0.01), ‘I am concerned about being able to meet the baby's needs’(t=2.87, p<0.01), ‘I know what my baby likes and dislikes’(t=3.26, p<0.01), ‘I don't know to care for the baby as well as I should’(t=2.07, p<0.05), and ‘I am unsure about whether I give enough attention to the baby’(t=3.04, p<0.01), That is, the degree of self-confidence in mothering, activities concerning infant care, and understanding of infant behavior of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group. Therefore, the first hypothesis, that the degree of self-confidence in maternal role performance of the experimental group would be higher than that of the control group, was supported(t=3.95, p<0.01). 4. The degree of satisfaction in the maternal role performance of the exprimental group was higer than that or the control group(t=2.31, p<0.05). Out of 13 items, those with higher score in the experimental group were ‘I am glad I had this baby now’(t=2.29, p<0.05), ‘I enjoy taking care of the baby’(t=2.4g, p<0.01), ‘It is boring for me to care for the baby and do the same thing over and over’(t=2.87, P<0.01), ‘I am unhappy with the amount of time I have for activities other than childcare’(t=2.51, p<0.01), and ‘When bathing and diapering the baby, I would like to be doing something else’(t=2.43, p<0.01). That is, the degree of satisfaction in mothering, infant care, and restraints in time of on the mother's self accomplishment and development in the experimental group was higher than that of the control group. Therefore, the second hypothesis, that the degree of satisfaction in maternal role performance of the experimental group would be higher than that of the control group, was supported(t=2.31, p<0.05). 5. The third hypothesis, that the higher the degree of satisfaction in materenal role performance, the higher the degree of self-confidence in materenal role performance in the experimental group, was supported (r=0.57, p<0.01)

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Problems in the Korean National Family Planning Program (한국가족계획사업(韓國家族計劃事業)의 문제점(問題點))

  • Hong, Jong-Kwan
    • Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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    • v.2 no.2
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    • pp.27-36
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    • 1975
  • The success of the family planning program in Korea is reflected in the decrease in the growth rate from 3.0% in 1962 to 2.0% in 1971, and in the decrease in the fertility rate from 43/1,000 in 1960 to 29/1,000 in 1970. However, it would be erroneous to attribute these reductions entirely to the family planning program. Other socio-economic factors, such as the increasing age at marriage and the increasing use of induced abortions, definitely had an impact on the lowered growth and fertility rate. Despite the relative success of the program to data in meeting its goals, there is no room for complacency. Meeting the goal of a further reduction in the population growth rate to 1.3% by 1981 is a much more difficult task than any one faced in the past. Not only must fertility be lowered further, but the size of the target population itself will expand tremendously in the late seventies; due to the post-war baby boom of the 1950's reaching reproductive ages. Furthermore, it is doubtful that the age at marriage will continue to rise as in the past or that the incidence of induced abortion will continue to increase. Consequently, future reductions in fertility will be more dependent on the performance of the national family planning program, with less assistance from these non-program factors. This paper will describe various approaches to help to the solution of these current problems. 1. PRACTICE RATE IN FAMILY PLANNING In 1973, the attitude (approval) and knowledge rates were quite high; 94% and 98% respectively. But a large gap exists between that and the actual practice rate, which is only 3695. Two factors must be considered in attempting to close the KAP-gap. The first is to change social norms, which still favor a larger family, increasing the practice rate cannot be done very quickly. The second point to consider is that the family planning program has not yet reached all the eligible women. A 1973 study determineded that a large portion, 3096 in fact, of all eligible women do not want more children, but are not practicing family planning. Thus, future efforts to help close the KAP-gap must focus attention and services on this important large group of potential acceptors. 2. CONTINUATION RATES Dissatisfaction with the loop and pill has resulted in high discontinuation rates. For example, a 1973 survey revealed that within the first six months initial loop acceptance. nearly 50% were dropouts, and that within the first four months of inital pill acceptance. nearly 50% were dropouts. These discontinuation rates have risen over the past few years. The high rate of discontinuance obviously decreases the contraceptive effectiveness. and has resulted in many unwanted births which is directly related to the increase of induced abortions. In the future, the family planning program must emphasize the improved quality of initial and follow-up services. rather than more quantity, in order to insure higher continuation rates and thus more effective contraceptive protection. 3. INDUCED ABORTION As noted earlier. the use of induced abortions has been increase yearly. For example, in 1960, the average number of abortions was 0.6 abortions per women in the 15-44 age range. By 1970. that had increased to 2 abortions per women. In 1966. 13% of all women between 15-44 had experienced at least one abortion. By 1971, that figure jumped to 28%. In 1973 alone, the total number of abortions was 400,000. Besides the ever incre.sing number of induced abortions, another change has that those who use abortions have shifted since 1965 to include- not. only the middle class, but also rural and low-income women. In the future. in response to the demand for abortion services among rural and low-income w~men, the government must provide and support abortion services for these women as a part of the national family planning program. 4. TARGET SYSTIi:M Since 1962, the nationwide target system has been used to set a target for each method, and the target number of acceptors is then apportioned out to various sub-areas according to the number of eligible couples in each area. Because these targets are set without consideration for demographic factors, particular tastes, prejudices, and previous patterns of acceptance in the area, a high discontinuation rate for all methods and a high wastage rate for the oral pill and condom results. In the future. to alleviate these problems of the methodbased target system. an alternative. such as the weighted-credit system, should be adopted on a nation wide basis. In this system. each contraceptive method is. assigned a specific number of points based upon the couple-years of protection (CYP) provided by the method. and no specific targets for each method are given. 5. INCREASE OF STERILIZA.TION TARGET Two special projects. the hospital-based family planning program and the armed forces program, has greatly contributed to the increasing acceptance in female and male sterilization respectively. From January-September 1974, 28,773 sterilizations were performed. During the same time in 1975, 46,894 were performed; a 63% increase. If this trend continues, by the end of 1975. approximately 70,000 sterilizations will have been performed. Sterilization is a much better method than both the loop and pill, in terms of more effective contraceptive protection and the almost zero dropout rate. In the future, the. family planning program should continue to stress the special programs which make more sterilizations possible. In particular, it should seek to add the laparoscope techniques to facilitate female sterilization acceptance rates. 6. INCREASE NUMBER OF PRIVATE ACCEPTORS Among the current family planning users, approximately 1/3 are in the private sector and thus do not- require government subsidy. The number of private acceptors increases with increasing urbanization and economic growth. To speed this process, the government initiated the special hospital based family planning program which is utilized mostly by the private sector. However, in the future, to further hasten the increase of private acceptors, the government should encourage doctors in private practice to provide family planning services, and provide the contraceptive supplies. This way, those do utilize the private medical system will also be able to receive family planning services and pay for it. Another means of increasing the number of private acceptors, IS to greatly expand the commercial outlets for pills and condoms beyond the existing service points of drugstores, hospitals, and health centers. 7. IE&C PROGRAM The current preferred family size is nearly twice as high as needed to achieve a stable poplation. Also, a strong boy preference hinders a small family size as nearly all couples fuel they must have at least one or more sons. The IE&C program must, in the future, strive to emphasize the values of the small family and equality of the sexes. A second problem for the IE&C program to work. with in the: future is the large group of people who approves family planning, want no more children, but do not practice. The IE&C program must work to motivate these people to accept family planning And finally, for those who already practice, an IE&C program in the future must stress continuation of use. The IE&C campaign, to insure highest effectiveness, should be based on a detailed factor analysis of contraceptive discontinuance. In conclusion, Korea faces a serious unfavorable sociodemographic situation- in the future unless the population growth rate can be curtailed. And in the future, the decrease in fertility will depend solely on the family planning program, as the effect of other socio-economic factors has already been maximumally felt. A second serious factor to consider is the increasing number of eligible women due to the 1950's baby boom. Thus, to meet these challenges, the program target must be increased and the program must improve the effectiveness of its current activities and develop new programs.

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