• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.749-758
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• 2001

The purpose of the study was to analyze the functional status of low income elderly living at home according to their socio-economic factors, sensory function, health status, medical service utilization, commodity and types of chronic disease. Method: Functional status was defined by the level of mobility, ADL and IADL categorized as independently functional, mildly impaired, moderately disabled, and severely disabled. The data was collected by home-visit interviews with 567 community dwelling adults who were 65 years of age or more with low a income status subsidized by government in ChonAn. Results: 9.9% of community dwelling older adults were severely disabled, and 44.4% were moderately disabled in their functional status. There were significant differences in the functional status by age, education, religion, and types of family structure. The older adults with hearing impairment or dental problems had a significantly higher rate of severe disability. Self-rated health status and medical service utilization were also significant factors to the differences in functional status. The functional status of older adults was also significantly related to the presence of chronic health problems such as chronic back pain, stroke, and Alzheimer-dementia. Conclusion: The results confirmed that community dwelling older adults with low income status were more functionally disabled in comparison to general older adults at national level, while the relating factors to their functional status seemed similar to other studies on older adults. Further studies were suggested to look into functional status longitudinally and focus on the changes of functional status by managing modifiable influencing factors.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1993

Along with recent changes in the nature of disease, social and environmental conditions and medical care practices, we are faced with a new set of problems for the field of public health. It represents a corresponding increase in importance of the chronic and degenerative diseases. Therefore, it is realized that socio-cultural factors are much more important for these diseases in treatment and prevention. These trends require a real challenge to traditional forms of public health activities in Korea. This paper emphasizes the role of health education in dealing with all aspects of newly appeared health problems on the present stage. It also discusses a brief summary of some of the major trends in the field of health and medical care that have particular behavioral and sociological relevance.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.357-371
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aims to investigate factors related to long-term length of stay (LOS) of patients with chronic diseases in Korean veterans hospitals. Methods: The subjects were 196 elderly patients with chronic disease staying in the hospital for more than 10 days, Data were collected by the survey of patients with structured questionnaires and medical records review by nurses from July 15 to August 10, 2019. Collected data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression. Results: The present and desired LOS were 37.78±32.66 days and 60.87±45.95 days, respectively. Factors affecting hospital LOS were found to be main disease (genitourinary) (p<.001), assistance in activities of daily living (p<.001), area of hospital (p<.001), payment of medical fees (p=.026), hospital satisfaction (p=.036) and the explanatory power of these variables was 26.4%. The most common health problems that need to be solved after discharge were symptom alleviation and health promotion. These problems can be solved using community-based facility services or visiting medical-welfare services (especially home care nursing). Conclusion: In order to reduce hospital LOS, the following measures are required: personalized self-management education, provision of transportation services for dialysis therapy of inactive patients, linking patients with visiting medical-welfare services including home care nursing and mobile healthcare services, operation of the case management system including the notice of the discharge date at admission, interim check of patient status, and connecting the patient with community resources or transferring the patient to long-term care facilities at discharge.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.55-85
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• 2004

The problems of health in poor peoples are various and difficult things to solve it. They are highly susceptible to chronic disease because of bad environment and It is hard to access to medical services because of their Socio-demographic status. Therefore, it is important to address the problem of prevention of chronic disease and health promotion aspect. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships among the health status, health behaviors and health practices of poor people in urban slum area. The subject of this study were 298 poor peoples who live in poor area in Daegu metropolitan city and they were asked to answer the survey questionnaires modified for Korean from behavioral risk factor surveillance system of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention USA. The result of the study were as follows； (1) There were significant relationships between health status (prevalence of chronic disease and perceived general health) and socio-demographic factor such as occupation, existence of spouse, number of family educational level, type of medical security. (2) There were some relationships between health risk behaviors such as smoking, drinking and obesity and health status of subject especially in female obesity.(3) There were relationships among health concern activity, prevalence of chronic disease and some social factor such as educational level and occupation. (4) There were relationships among health practice, health concern activity, health status and socio-demographic factors of subject. This study suggest that health status, socio-demographic status, health concerns and health promotion activity of study populations were associated and It is very important things supporting the poor people in the level of community and nation to practice healthy behaviors themselves.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 2015

Purpose: The study was performed to identify factors influencing suicidal ideation in patients with chronic mental health problems and who live in the community. Methods: Data were collected using questionnaires and participants were 140 people with mental illness living in Y-si, Gyeonggi-do. The study was carried out from May 15 to September 30, 2014. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation Coefficients, and Logistic Regression with the SPSS/WIN 18.0 statistical program. Results: The number of persons who attempted suicide was 47(33.6%) and the number who had suicide ideation was 22(15.7%). The mean score for depression was $6.4{\pm}6.45$. The mean score for life satisfaction was $16.5{\pm}8.21$. Depression had a significant negative correlation with life satisfaction. Odds ratio of suicide ideation was 1.19. The significant factor influencing suicidal ideation was depression. Conclusion: The results of this study can be used in the development and practice of programs to decrease suicide in people with mental illness.

• Journal of Korea Association of Health Promotion
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.97-109
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• 2005

Chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS) is a complex, debilitating disorder characterized by at least 6 months of severe persistent of relapsing fatigue and a group of characteristic but nonspecific symptoms. Many researchers have proposed that CFS has a specific cause. However currently no evidence exists that proves either a specific cause of CFS. And there is no diagnostic test for CFS. The diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome is based on the patient's history, excluding other illnesses In the absence of consistent biological markers, the diagnosis of CFS arises from operational criteria that do not afford validity. The prognosis is poor and often disability and impairment of daily function and performance are prolonged. A limited understanding of the CFS has complicated the management of this disorder. Therefore, treatment of CFS may be variable and should be tailored to each patient. Therapy should include exercise, diet, good sleep hygiene, antidepressants, and other medications, depending on the patient's presentation. Regular follow-up is key to continue to exclude other medical problems and provide support for patients. Chronic fatigue syndrome is a challenging illness to manage and requires a team approach of caring providers. For the majority of patients this is a chronic illness with the goals of therapy being to improve functional status and to prevent disability. Further understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of this illness should lead to better specific therapy.

• Journal of Korean Academic Society of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.18-22
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• 2007

Purpose: The rapid change to an aging society generates an increase in the incidence of chronic diseases. Many chronic patients have been facing their illnesses without enough preparation. In order to solve these problems, we designed and tested a public healthcare service based on ubiquitous technology. Method: Telemedicine has emerged as new medical care system of chronic disease. However, public potential of its technology is difficult to know under current traditional health care system. In this work, we developed a Personal Digital Access (PDA) phone based healthcare system by trained visiting nurses for elderly patients. A field test was performed by SeongBuk Public Health Center in Seoul, Republic of Korea (ROK). Result: Surveys were generated to assess the effects of this system compared to conventional public health system. Findings of trials demonstrate that healthcare coordination enhanced by PDA phone technology is satisfactory to the patients and nurses compared to previous one because prompt responses arouse their recognition of health. Conclusion: Ubiquitous healthcare system applied to public health service proved to be efficient and time-saving to monitor and control the chronic illnesses of large population.

• Journal of Korean Academic Society of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2003

In this paper, we checked health problems of outpatients who suffered from cancer, apoplexy, and arthritis. After accessing each patients condition, in order to alleviate their sufferings, we introduced several methods of aroma therapy as a holistic approach to these health problems. Aromatherapy, which can be defined as a nature-friendly complementary / alternative method, has its great merit in its easy way of treatment by the family member of patient or patient himself. Recently, it was scientifically proved that aroma therapy has various curative effects. The easiness of applying aroma therapy is full of suggestions concerned with the future of nursing science. Recently, in the domain of home care nursing, there happened a fundamental change in its structure: a change from the supplier/professional-centered to the consumer/patient-centered one. With this change, home care nursing as a cherished desire of nursing science obtained its legal ground in the established medical programs and, in the same context, patients came to have the chance to receive demanded medical services in their home without going through complicated hospital admission procedures. Considering the future status of home care nursing as a major contributor in the consumer-centered structure of medical health service, aroma therapy as a complementary/alternative method is expected to contribute not only to establishing more effective structure of health service supply but also to resolving chronic health problem of outpatients.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 2014

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the burden experienced by nursing personnel working irregular shifts in Greece and to conduct the first test of a Greek version of the Standard Shiftwork Index (SSI). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out. The SSI was completed by 365 nurses and nursing assistants working shifts, including nights. Results: Female nursing personnel and those suffering from a chronic disease were most affected by working rotating shifts as they had elevated scores on the majority of the SSI scales, such as sleep, chronic fatigue, digestive and cardiovascular problems, general health questionnaire, cognitive and somatic anxiety, shift time satisfaction, engagement and disengagement strategies, languidity, flexibility, and neurotisicm. Nurses with longer working experience and those with family responsibilities also scored higher on some of the SSI scales, such as the sleep, shift time satisfaction, social and domestic disruption, disengagement strategies, morningness, and languidity scales. Conclusion: Shiftwork affects female nurses, those with chronic disease, older age, and domestic responsibilities more severely. Therefore management should take these factors into account when designing work schedules to alleviate the burden caused by shiftwork.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.480-493
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• 1999

The visiting nursing service is an essential part of public health. The purpose of this study was to analyze the visiting nursing service in primary health service centers. The data were collected from visiting nurse records in Wonju City Health Center, Myun Health Center and Community Health Subcenters. The period of data collection was from April 6 to July 15, 1998. The major findings were as follows: 1. Characteristics of 36 service providers. 1) Age : Over 40 years old - 66.7% 2) Educational level: The proportion of registered nurses was 47.2% and nurse aids 52.8% 3) Career: The proportion of providers who worked over 11 years in Public Health Service was 7.8% 2. Characteristics of Subjects 1) The major health problems were cerebro vascular attack, hypertension, D. M., arthritis, gastrointestinal problems and psychiatric problems. The prevalence of chronic health problems increased with age, except for mental illness. 2) The prevalence of cancer was 4.3/1000. 3. Contents of Home Visiting Nursing Services. 1) The major service was education and counseling. 2) The other services were Direct Care(ROM exercise, wound care, physical therapy, basic nursing care etc,) as 56.5%, of the work involved Indirect Care(teaching, counseling, emotional support, etc,) 30.3%, medication - 11.7%, and referral to hospitals - 1.5%.