• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.125-134
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• 2024

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is a major problem for human health worldwide. The mechanisms of vitamin D in the male reproductive system are unknown. After coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines were developed, doubts were raised about their possible effects on male fertility. Based on vitamin D's function in the immune system, its potential role as an adjuvant for COVID-19 vaccines is intriguing. The aims of this study were to assess the effects of vitamin D first on sperm parameters and sex hormones, and then as an immune adjuvant on sperm parameters and sex hormones after study participants had received their second doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Methods: Phase 1 (before the COVID-19 pandemic) included 72 men with idiopathic infertility, and phase 2 had 64 participants who received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Both groups were instructed to take 50,000 IU of vitamin D twice monthly for 3 months. Sperm parameters and sex hormones were assessed pre-and post-supplementation. Results: Regular vitamin D intake for 3 months significantly increased the participants' vitamin D levels (p=0.0001). Both phases showed a positive correlation between vitamin D intake and sperm parameters. Vaccination had no negative effects on sperm parameters and sex hormones. Vitamin D was associated with follicle-stimulating hormone (p=0.02) and testosterone (p=0.0001) in phase 2 after treatment. Conclusion: Our results support vitamin D supplementation as an immune adjunct to COVID-19 vaccination for improving sperm parameters and hormone levels. COVID-19 vaccination is not harmful for male fertility potential, and vitamin D is an effective factor for male fertility.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.181-197
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• 2021

Objectives : This study reports a 42-year old female inpatient who visited for recurrent herpes zoster on the right hand and right side of the face on 5 days after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. She already had 2 times of herpes zoster prior to this outbreak. Methods : During 10 days of hospitalization, both treatments were simultaneously applied to her. For Korean medical treatment, acupuncture, herbal medicine including Sipjeondaebo-tang, and Hominis Placenta pharmacopuncture were mainly used. Collaborating with internal medicine of our hospital, essential medications for herpes zoster including antihistamine, corticosteroid, and acyclovir were administered. To assess symptoms, taking photos and numerical rating scale(NRS) were used. Results : On the 3rd day of hospitalization, erythema on the right hand disappeared. On the 4th day, discomfort arisen by zoster lesions dropped from NRS 8, which was initially evaluated, to NRS 0. Facial lesion also steadily improved. At the moment of discharge, erythema on the right side of oral angle disappeared and mild traces of vesicular lesions remained on the right hand. Conclusions : Considering her medical history, the recent recurrent herpes zoster was suspected as an adverse event of COVID-19 vaccination. Unlike general course of herpes zoster, the skin lesions and discomfort were rapidly improved owing to the collaborated treatment during the 10 days. This study may be the first literature on herpes zoster following COVID-19 vaccination in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.22-30
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• 2022

Purpose: Based on the Health Belief Model, this study aimed to identify factors influencing on COVID-19 vaccination intention of mothers with elementary school children by examining the relationships between perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefit, perceived barrier, cue to action, and perceived self-efficacy. Methods: Mothers with elementary school children were recruited from three elementary schools. An online survey was conducted of 130 mothers in November, 2021. Results: As a result, the factors influencing on vaccination intention were perceived self-efficacy (β=.33), perceived susceptibility (β=.18), perceived benefit (β=.16), and perceived barrier (β=-.17). Conclusion: Based on our findings, there is a need to develop a tailored nursing intervention that enhances perceived self-efficacy, perceived susceptibility and perceived benefit while decreasing perceived barrier in order to improve vaccination intention.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.237-247
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting parents' intentions to have their children aged 5-11 years vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: The participants of the study were 298 parents with children aged 5-11 years in South Korea. Data collection took place from October 20 to October 26, 2022 and used an online survey (Google Forms). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the t test, analysis of variance, the Scheffétest, Pearson correlation coefficients, and hierarchical regression in IBM SPSS version 26.0. Results: The factors influencing participants' vaccination intentions for their children aged 5-11 years were cognitive behavioral control (β=.40, p<.001), attitudes (β=.37, p<.001), subjective norms (β=.20, p<.001), and awareness of whether their child could receive the COVID-19 vaccine (β=.07, p=.016). The explanatory power of the regression equation was 89%. Conclusion: Parents' intentions to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 are influenced by their attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control toward vaccines. Since parents are concerned about vaccine side effects, it is important to establish a trusted line of communication to keep them informed about vaccinations.

• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.447-455
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• 2023

COVID-19 is an emerging infectious disease that is hard to predict in terms of fatality rate, treatments, and the timing of its end. World is developing treatments and vaccines for COVID-19. Several treatments and vaccines currently have emergency use authorization, but the treatments are only allowed for critically ill patients with COVID-19. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze the confirmed cases of COVID-19, including mortality and testing, in OECD countries and to assess the effect of vaccination on mortality. Looking at the confirmed cases, mortality, and vaccination rates of COVID-19, the number of confirmed cases was lower than previously reported cases after full vaccination. In early 2022, with Omicron, the confirmed cases increased sharply, while mortality dropped, and the mortality showed a gentle curve as the cumulative fully vaccinated exceeded 50%. This indicates that COVID-19 vaccines have an effect on reducing mortality. However, the duration of effectiveness of vaccines was considerably short, which decreased the initial inoculation effect and increased the monthly mortality. As this study was carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was not enough data to analyze comprehensively. However, it is meaningful to compare and analyze the impact of COVID-19 by country.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.156-162
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• 2024

Humanity has gone since a long time through several pandemics; we cite H1N1 in 2009 and also Spanish flu in 1917. In December 2019, the health authorities of China detected unexplained cases of pneumonia. The WHO (World Health Organization) has declared the apparition of Covid-19 (novel Coronavirus). In data analysis, multiple approaches and diverse techniques were used to extract useful information from multiple heterogeneous sources and to discover knowledge and new information for decision-making. In this paper, we propose a multidimensional model for analyzing the Coronavirus Covid-19 data (spread and vaccination in European countries).

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.413-421
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• 2023

Objectives: This study explored the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on psychosocial stress in prime working-age individuals in Korea, focusing on gender inequalities. We hypothesized that the impact of COVID-19 on mental health would differ by age and gender, with younger women potentially demonstrating heightened vulnerability relative to men. Methods: The study involved data from the Korea Community Health Survey and included 319 592 adults aged 30 years to 49 years. We employed log-binomial regression analysis, controlling for variables including age, education, employment status, marital status, and the presence of children. The study period included 3 phases: the period prior to the COVID-19 outbreak (pre-COVID-19), the early pandemic, and the period following the introduction of vaccinations (post-vaccination). Results: The findings indicated that women were at a heightened risk of psychosocial stress during the early pandemic (relative risk [RR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98 to 1.05) and post-vaccination period (RR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.10) compared to men. This pattern was prominent in urban women aged 30-34 years (pre-COVID-19: RR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.10; early pandemic: RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.25; post-vaccination period, RR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.31). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted unequal impacts on psychosocial stress among prime working-age individuals in Korea, with women, particularly those in urban areas, experiencing a heightened risk. The findings highlight the importance of addressing gender-specific needs and implementing appropriate interventions to mitigate the psychosocial consequences of the pandemic.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.5-12
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze and examine the issues that are directly associated with the United States COVID-19 vaccine distribution and its strategies so that other countries may learn from it and develop sound distribution strategies. Research design, data and methodology: This paper has applied both historical and narrative models to review, identify, and analyze existing literatures to assess the United States' vaccine distribution strategy. Results: Distribution strategy developed by the United States seems to have focused heavily on the basic tenets of physical distribution, i.e., transportation, warehousing, inventory, and large-venue mass-vaccination sites, and the strategy seems to have been successful when looking only at the physical tenets of distribution. However, the analysis indicates that the distribution strategy has not either focused on or included the major activities of distribution, such as inward and outward communication, information, and customer satisfaction. Conclusions: The countries that are currently developing or implementing COVID-19 vaccine distribution strategy should review and learn from the United States' vaccine distribution strategy and its implementation. The countries should include and address all the activities of distribution, including inward and outward communication, information, and customer satisfaction to achieve their vaccination goals, minimize confusion, reduce wasting of doses and vaccine desserts, and improve vaccination rates.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.163-171
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• 2021

This study aimed to investigate the main characteristics of the COVID-19 vaccine-related videos spread on YouTube and differences in user responses in the infodemic situation caused by COVID-19. As a result of content analysis of 579 videos related to the COVID-19 vaccine, it was found that all of the false information was written by individual channels. Institutions, organizations, media companies, and government channels reported spread of false information as well as fact-oriented reporting. The progressive channel had a high percentage of positive sentiment in favor of vaccination, and the conservative channel had a high percentage of negative emotion against vaccination. After the vaccination started, the number of videos on government channels increased, and it was found that the number of videos with positive emotions increased. Results of regression analysis of video characteristics that affect the number of likes indicated that personal expert videos and videos from progressive channels received more likes. Combining the research results, we propose a plan to promote government policies regarding the COVID-19 vaccine using social media.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2023

Purpose: This article was to collect data on the safety of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in children with underlying medical conditions. Methods: We constructed a prospective cohort of children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years who had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Patients diagnosed with and treated for chronic kidney disease, autoimmune disease, or other chronic conditions at the Seoul National University Children's Hospital were recruited from June to December 2022. A mobile survey questionnaire was sent to their guardians. The presence of adverse events on the day (day 0), 3 weeks (day 21), and 6 months (day 180) after the 1st dose of COVID-19 vaccine was recorded by the guardians. Results: A total of 73 children participated. The median age was 14 years, and 64.4% of the patients were male. On the day of immunization, 65.8% of the patients reported at least one adverse event. Pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, arthralgia, and myalgia were the most common symptoms. The prevalence of adverse events decreased over time (65.8% on day 0, 27.4% between days 0 and 21, and 24.6% between days 21 and 180). Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection after the 1st dose occurred in 17 patients (23.3%) and one of the patients (5.88%) was hospitalized due to infection. Conclusions: Adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination were generally mild in children and adolescents with underlying medical conditions. Our findings provide evidence for the safety of COVID-19 vaccination in the vulnerable pediatric population.