• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제13권4호
• /
• pp.1687-1692
• /
• 2012

Background: Few studies have examined theoretically informed constructs related to hepatitis B (HBV) testing, and comparisons across studies are challenging due to lack of uniformity in constructs assessed. The present analysis examined relationships among Health Behavior Framework factors across four Asian American groups to advance the development of theory-based interventions for HBV testing in at-risk populations. Methods: Data were collected from 2007-2010 as part of baseline surveys during four intervention trials promoting HBV testing among Vietnamese-, Hmong-, Korean- and Cambodian-Americans (n = 1,735). Health Behavior Framework constructs assessed included: awareness of HBV, knowledge of transmission routes, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, doctor recommendation, stigma of HBV infection, and perceived efficacy of testing. Within each group we assessed associations between our intermediate outcome of knowledge of HBV transmission and other constructs, to assess the concurrent validity of our model and instruments. Results: While the absolute levels for Health Behavior Framework factors varied across groups, relationships between knowledge and other factors were generally consistent. This suggests similarities rather than differences with respect to posited drivers of HBV-related behavior. Discussion: Our findings indicate that Health Behavior Framework constructs are applicable to diverse ethnic groups and provide preliminary evidence for the construct validity of the Health Behavior Framework.

• The International Journal of Costume Culture
• /
• 제8권1호
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2005

The Korean and the American consumers's attitude toward globalization were compared in the context of cultural values. This study exclusively investigated the effect of traditional versus non-traditional values and the mediating role of fashion involvement. The study sample consists of American and Korean female college students. It was affirmed that long supported categorization of individualism for Western culture and collectivism for Asian or Eastern culture does not seem to characterize the postmodern generation. No major differences between Korea and the U. S. were found in the empirical study except that Americans showed higher levels of cultural values and Koreans associate fashion involvement with global-mindedness more strongly. The impact of cultural values was similar across cultures but the mediating role of fashion involvement was dissimilar depending on the cultural backgrounds of respondents.

• 보건교육건강증진학회지
• /
• 제23권5호
• /
• pp.29-46
• /
• 2006

Purpose: Since 1994, Asian Health Services, the Korean American Community Advisory Board, and the Center for Family and Community Health (University of California at Berkeley) have conducted periodic, population-based surveys on Korean American community health in Alameda County, California. The present study examines changes in health care access and utilization between 1994 and 2002 among Korean American adults in Alameda County, California. Method: We reanalyzed data from the 1994 and 2002 Korean Health Surveys. The primary variables of interest, health care access and utilization, were operationalized in terms of health insurance coverage, routine check-ups, a usual source of health care and reported barriers to health care. The frequency distribution of each indicator was calculated and its standard error was estimated using SUDAAN. The differences between 1994 and 2002 were examined with chi-square test. Results: Compared to 1994, Korean Americans in Alameda County were more likely to have health insurance coverage in 2002 (74.0% vs. 82.7%). Korean Americans in Alameda County were more likely to have received a recent (prior two years) routine health checkup in 2002 (50.4% vs. 57.2%). Health checkups increased over time for males, for adults with more than 12 years of education, and for employed adults. Also, compared to 1994, employed adults were more likely to have a usual source of health care in 2002 (66.5% vs. 78.4%). In both 1994 and 2002, high cost (58.0% vs. 47.8%) was the most commonly cited barrier to health care, and the next most frequently cited barriers were language (29.2% vs. 27.7%) and no time (29.2% vs. 30.3%). Conclusion: To improve health care utilization and health conditions, it is important to investigate factors related to health care and to monitor changing trends. Ongoing surveillance of health-related factors can contribute to the development of health education programs to reduce morbidity and mortality due to chronic disease, and thereby lead to improvements in health status among Korean Americans.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제15권12호
• /
• pp.4823-4827
• /
• 2014

Background: Since inconsistent results have been reported regarding the relation between the matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) -1306C>T polymorphism and susceptibility for breast cancer, we performed a meta-analysis to investigate the issue. Materials and Methods: An internet search of PubMed and EMBASE was performed to identify eligible studies. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with their corresponding confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate any association between MMP-2 -1306C>T polymorphism and breast cancer susceptibility. Results: Nine case-control studies were included in the meta-analysis, involving 9,858 cases and 10,871 controls. Overall, there was no evidence of any association between the MMP-2 -1306C>T polymorphism and breast cancer susceptibility in different genetic models (T-allele vs C-allele: OR=0.95, 95%CI, 0.82-1.10, p=0.49; TT vs CC: OR=1.03, 95%CI, 0.90-1.19, p=0.66; TT+TC vs CC: OR=0.93, 95%CI, 0.78-1.10, p=0.38; TT vs TC+CC: OR=1.02, 95%CI, 0.89-1.17, p=0.77). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, CC was associated with a significant increase in breast susceptibility among Latin-Americans in the dominant model (OR=0.61, 95%CI, 0.40-0.93, p=0.02), but the association disappeared in other models. No significant association was observed among Europeans, East Asians and others in different genetic models. In the subgroup analysis by their source of controls, no significant association between MMP-2 -1306C>T polymorphism and breast cancer susceptibility was noted among population-based studies and hospital-based studies in different genetic models. Conclusions: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that MMP-2 -1306C>T polymorphism is not associated with breast cancer susceptibility, although the association among Latin-Americans in the dominant model was significant.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제13권9호
• /
• pp.4289-4294
• /
• 2012

While the incidence of breast cancer (BC) has been relatively low in Asian countries, it has been rising rapidly in Taiwan. Within the last decade, it has replaced cervical cancer as the most diagnosed cancer site for women. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of studies reporting the attitudes and practices of breast cancer screening among Chinese women. The aim of this study is to assess Taiwanese women's knowledge of and attitudes toward BC screening and to identify potential factors that may influence screening behavior. The study population consisted of a sample of 434 Taiwanese women aged 40 and older. Despite access to universal health care for Taiwanese women and the fact that a majority of the women had heard of the breast cancer screening (mammogram, clinical breast exams, etc.), the actual utilization of these screening modalities was relatively low. In the current study, the majority of women had never had mammograms or ultrasound in the past 5 years. The number one most reported barriers were "no time," "forgetfulness," "too cumbersome," and "laziness," followed by the perception of no need to get screened. In addition, the results revealed several areas of misconceptions or incorrect information perceived by study participants. Based on the results from the regression analysis, significant predictors of obtaining repeated screening modalities included age, coverage for screening, barriers, self-efficacy, intention, family/friends diagnosed with breast cancer. The findings from the current study provide the potential to build evidence-based programs to effectively plan and implement policies in order to raise awareness in breast cancer and promote BC screening in order to optimize health outcomes for women affected by this disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제13권6호
• /
• pp.2923-2930
• /
• 2012

Background: Little is known about interest in faith-based health promotion programs among Asian American populations. Among the Christian denominations, the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) church is known to place a strong doctrinal emphasis on health. Objectives: To understand appropriate ways to develop and implement health promotion programs and to conduct research among Korean American SDAs. Methods: We collaborated with the North American Division of Korean SDA Churches which sponsors annual week-long religious retreats for their church members. We developed and administered a 10-page questionnaire at their 2009 retreat in order to assess socio-demographic and church characteristics, religiosity, perceived relationship between health and religion, and interest and preferences for church-based health promotion programs. Results: Overall, 223 participants completed our survey (123 in Korean and 100 in English). The sample consisted of regular churchgoers who were involved in a variety of helping activities, and many holding leadership positions in their home churches. The vast majority was interested in receiving health information at church (80%) in the form of seminars, cooking classes and workshops (50-60%). Fewer respondents were interested in support groups (27%). Some interests and preferences differed between English and Korean language groups. Conclusion: Korean American SDA church retreat participants from a large geographic area are very interested in receiving health information and promoting health at their churches and can potentially serve as "agents of influence" in their respective communities.

• 종양간호연구
• /
• 제6권2호
• /
• pp.93-103
• /
• 2006

Purpose: With accumulated necessity to develop Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) in Korea, various types of Nurse Practitioner (NP) programs have been recently developed. Unlike the origin of the NP programs in the U.S., in which the lack of primary health care provider preceded the creation of NP education, NP programs in Korea are currently in an early stage in which the scope of practice and educational boundaries are still evolving. Just imitating American models may result in culturally inappropriate and practically non-feasible APN programs in Korea. This article was aimed to evaluate the top-ranked Oncology NP (ONP) programs in U.S. with those in Korea. Method: Using the Donabedian paradigm, the educational structure, process, and outcome were compared and contrasted between two countries. Results: The findings of this paper demonstrated that many aspects of structure of the Korean program are similar to those of the Americans with minor differences. Three strategies for future development of ONP program in Korea are suggested. Conclusion: Practical and feasible scope of practice for ONP in Korea should be determined. It needs to embrace every aspects of cancer experience. Also, nursing-oriented and culturally competent practice needs to be identified and incorporated into the ONP practice.

• 종양간호연구
• /
• 제9권2호
• /
• pp.145-154
• /
• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to obtain information about the experiences of sensations after breast cancer surgery characterized by prevalence, frequency, and severity, distresses, and disturbances in ADL using the BSAS (Breast Sensation Assessment Scale) and to develop the standardized Korean BSAS. Methods: Thirty two women from 3 to 100 days after breast cancer surgery (BCS) completed Roberta's BSAS. The 18 sensations of BSAS were translated using the references of Lee's Korean Pain Rating Scale and English-English, English-Korean dictionaries and the consultation from two native Americans, one bilingual permanent resident of the States, and one nursing professor. The Korean-translated BSAS has high reliability in test-retest. Likert type 4-point scale and 100 mm VAS were used for assessment. Results: Certain sensations remained prevalent (tender, pull, pain), frequent (numb, nag, throb), severe (throb, shoot, numb), causing distress (throb, penetrate, shoot), and influencing on ADL (throb, penetrate, nag). The most frequently experienced sensation other than BSAS was itching. There was little difference in the prevalence of symptom experiences between sentinel lymph node biopsy and axillary lymph node dissection. Conclusion: The women after BCS are suffering from neuropathic sensations. The Korean- translated BSAS could be used in effectively assessing breast sensations after BCS in Korean women.

• East Asian mathematical journal
• /
• 제29권4호
• /
• pp.355-392
• /
• 2013

Generally school algebra is to start with introducing variables and algebraic expressions, which have major cognitive obstacles to students in the transfer from arithmetic to algebra. But the recent studies in the teaching school algebra argue the algebraic thinking from an early algebraic point of view. We compare the Korean elementary mathematics textbooks with Americans from this perspective. First, we discuss the history of school algebra in the school curriculum. And Second, we investigate the recent studies in relation to early algebra. We clarify the goals of this study(the importance of early algebra in the elementary school) through these discussions. Next we examine closely the number sense in the arithmetic and the symbol sense in the algebra. And we conclude that the operation sense can connect these senses within early algebra using the algebraic thinking. Finally, we compare the elementary mathematics books between Korean and American according to the components of the operation sense. In this comparative study, we identify a possibility of teaching algebraic thinking in the elementary mathematics and early algebra can be introduced to the elementary mathematics textbooks from aspects of the operation sense.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제14권5호
• /
• pp.3105-3108
• /
• 2013

Background: This study used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III to study the relationship between blood lead concentration and all cause, all cancer and lung cancer mortality in adults. Patients and Methods: Public use National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) data were used. NHANES III uses stratified, multistage probabilistic methods to sample nationally representative samples. Household adult, laboratory and mortality data were merged. Sample persons who were available to be examined in aMobile Examination Center (MEC) were included in this study. Specialized survey analysis software was used. Results: A total of 3,482 sample participants with complete information for all variables were included in this analysis. For all cause death, the odds ratios (S.E.) for statistically significant variables were body mass index, 1.03 (1.01-1.06); 1.01 (1.01-1.01); blood lead concentration, 1.05 (1.01-1.08); poverty income ratio, 0.823 (0.76-0.89); and drinking hard liquor, 1.01 (1.00-1.02). For all cancer mortality, the odds ratios (S.E.) of the statistically signigicant variables were: age, 1.01 (1.01-1.01); blood lead concentration, 1.07 (1.04-1.12), black race, using non-Hispanic white as reference, 1.69 (1.12-2.56); and smoking, 1.02 (1.01-1.04). For lung cancer mortality, the odds ratios (S.E.) of the statistically significant variables were: age, 1.01(1.01-1.01); blood lead concentration, 1.09 (1.05-1.13); Mexican Americans, using non-Hispanic white as refrence, 0.33 (0.129-0.850); other races, 1.80 (0.53-6.18); and smoking, 1.03 (1.02-1.05). Conclusion: Blood lead concentration correlated with all cause, all cancer, and lung cancer mortality in adults.