• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.136-141
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• 2010

North Korean defectors who settle in South Korea have experienced severe food shortage and transition of food environment which could affect their health status. However, little is known about their anthropometric measurements and dietary intake after settlement in South Korea. The purpose of this study is to compare anthropometric measurements and dietary intake between North Korean young adults who defected to South Korea and those of South Koreans. We hypothesized that North Korean young adults' physiques and dietary intake would be poorer than that of South Koreans. We compared anthropometric measurements and dietary intake from 3-day food records in a cross-sectional study of 103 North Korean young adult defectors, aged 12 to 24 and 309 South Korean subjects. North Korean subjects were significantly shorter (4.9 to 10.8 cm) and lighter (6.0 to 12.5 kg) than the control group. Body mass index were significantly different between North and South Korean groups only in men. North Korean young adult defectors had lower mean daily intakes of energy and most nutrients and food groups compared to the control group, while North Korean subjects had higher nutrient density diet than that of South Koreans. The proportion of subjects who had dietary intakes of nutrients of less than the Estimated Average Requirement was higher in North Korean subjects than in controls except for in the cases of vitamin A and vitamin C. In conclusion, we recommend providing nutrition support programs for North Korean young adult defectors to secure adequate nutrient intake.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.15-31
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• 2020

Background and objectives: One-person households are the fastest growing family type in Korea. They bring social concerns such as weakened social integration, increasing poverty and social isolation. They are not homogeneous but heterogeneous groups depending on their socio-demographic characteristics including generation. This study compared the life satisfaction level as well as factors affecting it among the three one-person household generations Methods: The 13th wave of the Korea Welfare Panel dataset with 1,187 respondents was utilized. For data analysis Chi-square test, analysis of variance and hierarchical regression analysis were employed. Generations are divided into three, namely young adult (20-39), the middle-aged (40-64) and the elderly (65 and over). Result: The life satisfaction level was highest among the young adult one-person household generation, followed by the middle-aged and the elderly generation. The common factors affecting life satisfaction of the three generations were physical as well as mental health, including self-esteem and depression. However, there were more factors different from generation to generation. As for the young adult, age, religion, and smoking were significant. As for the middle aged and the elderly, gender (male) and income were significant. Additionally, age, home-ownership and drinking were significant to the elderly generation. Conclusions: As there are differences as well as similarities among the three generations, policies for one-person households need to be devised considering these findings. For all generations, both physical and mental health policies are needed. For young adult strengthening social relations, providing decent jobs, and promoting anti-smoking policy are major agenda, and for the middle-aged and the elderly, assisting in social capital accumulation (for male), providing stable jobs and diverse leisure activities, and securing income. Additionally, for the elderly, expanding the social security system and housing support are needed.

• Korean Journal of Child Education & Care
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.71-83
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate variables which account for grandchild caregiving grandmothers' physical health satisfaction and leisure activity satisfaction. Methods: The sample included 141 grandmothers. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression. Results: Firstly, the variables that explained physical health satisfaction of grandchild caregiving grandmothers were educational level, family income, the number of grandchild, and caregiving conflict with adult child. When their educational level were higher, had more money, cared for grandchild more, and did not experience conflict with adult child, they showed the higher scores of physical health satisfaction. Secondly, as to leisure activity satisfaction of grandchild caregiving grandmothers, educational level and caregiving conflict with adult child were included. That is, they had higher educational level, and without caregiving conflict with adult child, grandchild caregiving grandmothers reported higher levels of leisure activity satisfaction. Conclusion/Implications: Based on these results, various implications and interventions were suggested.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3349-3355
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• 2012

Background and objectives: Chromosomal abnormalities play an important role in genesis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and have prognostic implications. Five major risk stratifying fusion genes in ALL are BCR-ABL, MLL-AF4, ETV6-RUNX11, E2A-PBX1 and SIL-TAL1. This work aimed to detect common chromosomal translocations and associated fusion oncogenes in adult ALL patients and study their relationship with clinical features and treatment outcome. Methods: We studied fusion oncogenes in 104 adult ALL patients using RT-PCR and interphase-FISH at diagnosis and their association with clinical characteristics and treatment outcome. Results: Five most common fusion genes i.e. BCR-ABL (t 9; 22), TCF3-PBX1 (t 1; 19), ETV6-RUNX1 (t 12; 21), MLL-AF4 (t 4; 11) and SIL-TAL1 (Del 1p32) were found in 82/104 (79%) patients. TCF3-PBX1 fusion gene was associated with lymphadenopathy, SIL-TAL1 positive patients had frequent organomegaly and usually presented with a platelets count of less than $50{\times}10^9/l$. Survival of patients with fusion gene ETV6-RUNX1 was better when compared to patients harboring other genes. MLL-AF4 and BCR-ABL positivity characterized a subset of adult ALL patients with aggressive clinical behaviour and a poor outcome. Conclusions: This is the first study from Pakistan which investigated the frequency of5 fusion oncogenes in adult ALL patients, and their association with clinical features, treatment response and outcome. Frequencies of some of the oncogenes were different from those reported elsewhere and they appear to be associated with distinct clinical characteristics and treatment outcome. This information will help in the prognostic stratification and risk adapted management of adult ALL patients.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.142-153
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• 2019

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine environmental chemical exposure related to residential and personal lifestyle characteristics in the adult Korean population. The observations of this study can provide information useful for developing reduction approaches for exposure to chemicals among the general adult population. Methods: The second stage of the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNHES) was conducted from 2012 to 2014, with 6,478 persons participating. Using the results of the survey, the relationship between exposure levels of heavy metals and organic chemicals and exposure factors, e.g. residential and personal lifestyle characteristics, were analyzed. Results: The exposure levels of VOCs and PAHs were significantly lower in participants living at a distance of more than 100 m from roads versus living closer to roads. Home ventilation lowered VOC and PAH exposure but did not lower chemical exposure from household products. Use of public transportation showed lower exposure to heavy metals, VOCs, and PAHs. Current smoker was significantly higher for levels of heavy metals, VOCs, and PAHs, and the exposure trend was similar for current drinkers. Physical activity was related with higher exposure to phthalates and environmental phenols. Conclusion: Our observations based on a nationally representative population for Korea show that exposure to chemicals varies by residential and personal lifestyle, and this should be considered for developing appropriate mitigation measures and policies. Given the health concerns surrounding environmental chemicals, it is necessary to develop comprehensive measures to reduce chemical exposure.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.428-437
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe health status and to identify the factors related to health behavior in older adults in South Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 186 older people (mean age =68.2yrs, 65.1% Female) registered at one senior center. Data were collected by self-report questionnaires or through face to face interview. The instruments were the Modified Health Behavior Assessment Scale, Stanford Research Instruments for Chronic Disease, Self-Efficacy, SOF Frailty Index and Quality of life questionnaire. The data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and stepwise multiple regression. Results: 58.6% older adults perceived their health status positively. Education level and economic status were significantly related to health behaviors of older adults. Self-rated health, sleep, stress, quality of life, health distress, depression, and frailty were significantly correlated with the health behaviors of older adults. Frailty, education level, and sleep disturbance were the significant factors predicting the health behaviors. Conclusion: The findings from this study suggest that nurses should take into consideration education level of older adults to promote their health behaviors and health promotion program which focuses on maintaining the quality of sleep and preventing frailty.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.589-599
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relation amongst health status, health care costs. health service utilization among the low income elderly who were 60 years of age or older, earning a half of the average Korean family income. The cross-sectional descriptive survey research we conducted used families randomly sampled nationwide. The data were collected from July 12 to August 7, 1999 and the total sample was 1.259 household members (421 households). These were the major findings. 1. As for the health status. 72.4% of respondents fell ill in the last 1 month; 54% of respondents had chronic disease. 2. As for the health care cost. the cost of hospitalization and the medical treatment were 1.069,000 won and 226.000won. respectively. 59.3% of respondents experienced a burden from the monthly health care expenses. 3. As for the health service utilization for the last 3months. 28.5% of respondents didn't utilize the health service. In addition, 22.2% of respondents gave up a medical treatment because of economic situation (88.8%). 4. The statistically significant determinants of health service utilization are old age, female, living with a spouse, unemployed state, medicare, and more days sick. 5. It is shown conclusively that equity and efficacy of the health care policy are to be considered for lower income older adult.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.261-271
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that have influence on a health examination among the middle aged living in Busan. Method: The survey was conducted with 235 participants who were the parents of students of five nursing schools in Busan, living in Busan, and subjects to a health examination under the National Health Insurance Corporation. The data was collected from September to November 2004 using a structured self-administered questionnaire that contained general characteristics, characteristics related to a health examination, and health belief variables. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 10.0. Results: Among the subjects, 122(51.9%) had performed a health examination in the past, and 113(48.1%) had not. Variables that have a significant influence on getting a health examination were: previous disease experience, perceived barrier and perceived seriousness. Those who did not have previous disease experience(2.6 times) and whose perceived seriousness was high(1.1 times) were more likely to have a health examination, and those with perceived barrier high(0.9 times) were less likely. Conclusion: Therefore, to increase the rate of health examinations, it is necessary to advertise the importance of health examinations particularly for the people who had disease experience and the seriousness of target diseases; and furthermore, to remove barriers of a health examination.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.194-204
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• 2002

Purpose: This study is aimed at showing the effect of work-site health promotion programs for health promoting behavior, cholesterol, and quality of life of middle-aged workers. Method: Thirty-one middle-aged workers were the experimental group and thirty-one were the control group. The 8-week work-site health promotion program was given to the experimental group. After this, health promoting behavior, cholesterol and quality of life were measured by questionnaires for the experimental and control groups. Health promotion theory, flexibility and muscle strength, aerobic exercise, nutrition, stress management, cancer prevention and early detection, smoking and alcohol problems, and summary lecture were all included in the 8-week work-site health promotion program. Health promoting behavior was measured by Park's HPBS, cholesterol was measured by enzyme method, and quality of life was measured by Ro's QOL. Result: The experimental group showed a higher score of health promoting behavior than the control group. There were no differences on cholesterol and quality of life between the experimental and control groups. Conclusion: It is necessary that nurses provide middle-aged workers with work-site health promotion programs to improve health promoting behavior. It's necessary also to re-study this with the pre-post research design.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.67-77
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components and to examine the related factors in urban and rural community, South Korea. Methods: The data from the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES-V) conducted in 2010 were utilized in this study. The subjects were 5,760 adults 20 years or over. The data were consisted with health survey questionnaire and health examination. $x^2$-test and logistic regression was used for the analysis SAS 9.3 applying sampling weights. Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome based on the latest definition proposed the joint scientific meeting was 23.4% and 29.0% respectively in urban and rural community. Rural community showed higher prevalence of abdominal obesity (29.9% vs 38.5%), elevated blood pressure (31.3% vs 38.5%), elevated blood glucose (24.3% vs 28.4%) than urban community. The related factors were age, marital status, high risk drinking, obesity in urban community and age, marital status high risk drinking, severe physical activity, obesity in rural community. Conclusion: This study showed there was difference in prevalence and the related factors of metabolic syndrome and these findings have important implications to prevent and manage metabolic syndrome in public health field.