• CELLMED
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.21.1-21.15
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• 2016

In Kenya, traditional knowledge on herbal medicine has remained a mainstream source of maintaining wellbeing for generations in many communities. However, the knowledge has been eroded in the course of time due to sociocultural dynamics virtually advanced by Christianity and formal education especially in the Kikuyu community. The study documented current ethnobotanical knowledge and threat to the traditional knowledge on medicinal plants among the Kikuyu community. A survey was carried out in Mathira, Tetu, Kieni, Othaya, Mukurweini, and Nyeri Town constituencies. Thirty practicing herbalists were purposively sampled; 5 per constituency. Data was obtained through semi - structured questionnaires and analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. A total of 80 ailments treated using 111 medicinal plant species distributed within 98 genera and 56 families were documented. Prevalent communicable diseases treated using herbal medicine included; gonorrhea (17.5%), malaria (15%), respiratory infections (12%), colds (10%) and amoebiasis (10%). Non-communicable diseases were; joint pains (11.1%), ulcers/hyperacidity (8.7%), high blood pressure (8.7%), intestinal worms (11.1%) and arthritis/gout (10%). Frequently harvested plant materials were; roots, barks and leaves. The study concluded that, traditional medicine practitioners in Nyeri County possessed wide knowledge of herbal medicine but this knowledge was on the verge of disappearing as it was largely a preserve of the aged generation. The study recommended massive campaign about the benefits of using herbal medicine in the study area. Further pharmacological studies are recommended on the mentioned plant species aimed at establishing their efficacy and safety as well as standardization as potential drugs.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.421-432
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• 2022

Purpose: As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other emerging infectious diseases continue to threaten health security, a strategy is required to increase nursing students' care intention for patients with such diseases. This study aimed to identify factors influencing Korean nursing students' care intentions in regard to patients with emerging infectious diseases. Methods: The care intention, COVID-19 knowledge level, ethical sensitivity, beliefs, attitudes toward the care intention, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were investigated using the theory of planned behavior. An online survey was completed from December 2020 to January 2021 by 227 nursing students who had complete a clinical practicum. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted on the data. Results: The care intention was higher in men than in women nursing students and in junior than in senior students. Behavioral and normative beliefs, attitude toward the behavior, and perceived behavioral control significantly predicted care intention. Ethical sensitivity increased the predictability of nursing students' care intentions for emerging infectious disease patients. Conclusion: The theory of planned behavior predicted nursing students' care intentions for emerging infectious diseases. Therefore, an experience-based response program on emerging infectious diseases is required for nursing students.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.243-253
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• 2023

Purpose: This study conducted a concept analysis to clarify the meaning of anxiety in hospitalized patients with infectious diseases who have been placed in isolation. Methods: This study used Walker and Avant's process of concept analysis. Results: Anxiety in hospitalized patients with infectious diseases who have been placed in isolation can be defined by the following attributes: 1) fear, 2) guilt, 3) isolation, 4) discrimination, 5) frustration, 6) shame, and 7) uncertainty. The antecedents of anxiety were as follows: 1) a lack of information about infectious diseases, 2) restrictions of movement, 3) blockage of the social support system, 4) helplessness, and 5) negative biases. The consequences of anxiety were 1) internalized stigma, 2) loss of confidence, 3) lack of social activities and avoidance, 4) insomnia, 5) poor quality of life. Conclusion: The definition and attributes of anxiety identified in this study can be applied to enhance the understanding of anxiety in hospitalized patients with infectious diseases who have been placed in isolation. Systematic suppose should also be provided to reduce anxiety in these patients.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.41-49
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• 1994

Water- borne infectious diseases can be acquired by contact with contaminated water or by ingestion of contaminated water. There are many water- borne infectious agents such as bacteria, virus, and parasite. Among many of water- borne infectious diseases, health authorities of Korean government has particularly intensified to prevent and control typhoid fever(class I ), shigellosis(class I ), cholera(class I ), paratyphoid fever(class I), amebiasis(class II ) and leptospirosis(euivalent to class II ) under the communicable disease control law. Water- borne disease Prevention and control guideline itself has been also well provided by the health authorities. However, in practical public health point of view, there are still many problems remained to be solved out; no prospective investigation project to survey water borne infectious diseases under the national disease prevention and control programmes, incredible statistic data of annual notifiable disease report frequent appearance and varieties of drug resistance water- borne infectious agents, little cooperation and information- exchange system in between the related government authorities( the health authorities, the environment sanitation authorities and the food hygiene authorities) which should be closely collaborated, lack of health consciousness of the people, necessity of evaluation and Hndification on to the outcomes of performed health activities and programmes, neglect activities for water quality investigation, shortage of expertise and human resources in the related field, and poor investment of the government budget to develope and improve public health and sanitation field. In order to prevent and control water- borne infectious diseases effectively, it is emphasized that all the above indicated should be considered and performed to improve under the national health and sanitation development programmes.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.380-388
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• 2022

Background: Emerging infectious diseases, such as Middle East respiratory syndrome or coronavirus disease 2019, pose a continuous threat to public health, making a risk assessment necessary for infectious disease control and prevention. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the risk assessment methods for infectious diseases used by major foreign countries and organizations. Methods: We conducted an investigation and comparative analysis of risk assessment and risk determination methods for infectious diseases. The risk assessment tools included the strategic toolkit for assessing risks, influenza risk assessment tool, pandemic severity assessment framework, and rapid risk assessment methodology. Results: The most frequently reported risk elements were disease severity, antiviral treatment, attack rate, population immunity, and basic productive ratio. The risk evaluation method was evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively by the stakeholders at each institution. Additionally, the final risk level was visualized in a matrix, framework, and x and y-axis. Conclusion: Considering the risk assessment tools, the risk element was classified based on the duplicate of each indicator, and risk evaluation and level of risk assessment were analyzed.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.175-185
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of nurses on the nursing intentions in patients with emerging infectious diseases. Methods: Data were collected from 201 nurses with over one year of clinical experience in a general hospital located in Seoul, South Korea. A structured self-report questionnaire was utilized to measure belief factors, core factors, rewards, and nursing professional pride, as well as nursing intentions in patients with emerging infectious diseases. Results: The results revealed that nurses' intentions to provide care for patients with emerging infectious diseases were significantly influenced by perceived behavioral control (β=.26, p<.001), clinical experience (β=-.14, p=.008), behavioral beliefs (β=.31, p=.010), feeling of vocation (β=.29, p=.012) and attitudes toward behaviors (β=.08, p=.034). Conclusion: Enhancing nurses' intentions to provide care for patients with emerging infectious diseases requires the implementation of systemic and educational strategies aimed at strengthening their confidence and beliefs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.144-157
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• 2013

Purpose: Health management programs should provide comprehensive health services for students and staffs at schools. Health management programs are critical for helping students become adults with physically, mentally, and socially good health conditions. The aim of this study was to identify the past and present history of health management programs and health laws to help schools develop future health plans. Methods: This study was conducted by analyzing reference data collected using data from Ministry of Education and Science Technology, Korean Educational Development Institute, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Statistical Office as well as legal documents from the Legislative Office related to school health from 2001 to 2010. Results: Health management programs in schools included three sections: disease prevention and control, physical examinations, and prevention of communicable diseases. Disease prevention and controls consisted of obesity control, drug abuse prevention and control,and management of students' mental health. Various strategies and services were developed to improve health status of students for 10 years from 2001 to 2010. School health laws and systems have been established for disease prevention, physical examinations and communicable disease control as well, to improve students' health as well. Conclusion: The history of health management programs has a number of implications to help design future plans for school health programs and services for students and staffs.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.42-49
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• 2005

Many of the non-communicable diseases, which are now the major causes of death and disability worldwide, can be linked to our lifestyles, and thus to what eat The life-style related risk factors are - to a great extent - preventable. Public health nutrition (PHN) policies are means through which govemments can have an enornous impact on the reduction of nutrition-related non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cancer and cardiovascular disease, by creating and supporting environments which enable healthier food choices and which are conducive to healthy nutrition behavior. More and more countries are developing nutrition policies. Nutrition policies are tools through which governments can intervene and control nutrition-related concerns throughout all levels of society. The need for more concerted action in the Republic of Korea is demonstrated, by showing the lack of priority for nutrition issues. Four recommendations for action are made; the first recommendation places emphasis on the need to implement a structure at the political level, through which nutrition concerns can be addressed, such as a nutrition unit within the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The second recommendation stresses the need for a strong nutrition advocacy strategy, to raise the awareness of the gains that can be achieved by promoting healthy nutrition. The third recommendation calls for more vigorous regulations and stricter enforcement of food and nutrition advertisement, and the fourth recommendation emphasizes the need for a settings-bsed approach to nutrition interventions. Acknowledging the developments that have already occurred in Korea, public health nutrition has yet to become a priority on the agenda of policy makers in Korea.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.4025-4029
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• 2015

Background: Gastrointestinal tract cancers are among the most common cancers in Iran and comprise approximately 38% of all the reported cases of cancer. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology and to investigate spatial clustering of common cancers of the gastrointestinal tract across the counties of Iran using full Bayesian smoothing and Moran I Index statistics. Materials and Methods: The data of the national registry cancer were used in this study. Besides, indirect standardized rates were calculated for 371 counties of Iranand smoothed using Winbug 1.4 software with a full Bayesian method. Global Moran I and local Moran I were also used to investigate clustering. Results: According to the results, 75,644 new cases of cancer were nationally registered in Iran among which 18,019 cases (23.8%) were esophagus, gastric, colorectal, and liver cancers. The results of Global Moran's I test were 0.60 (P=0.001), 0.47 (P=0.001), 0.29 (P=0.001), and 0.40 (P=0.001) for esophagus, gastric, colorectal, and liver cancers, respectively. This shows clustering of the four studied cancers in Iran at the national level. Conclusions: High level clustering of the cases was seen in northern, northwestern, western, and northeastern areas for esophagus, gastric, and colorectal cancers. Considering liver cancer, high clustering was observed in some counties in central, northeastern, and southern areas.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.99-115
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• 2000

This study was conducted to get a resonable set of budget allocation to public health programs. Matrix Delphi technique was used to obtain the logic of study results and eventually to form a human model which could predict opinion of professionals on budget allocation. Thirty-two professionals in academic and governmental area responded to Delphi survey. Questionnaire was developed using matrix formation, and the matrix was formed by 6 decision criteria on budget allocation and 26 public health programs. The decision criteria are as following: size of problem(morbidity), severity of problem, social equity, importance of prevention, technical feasibility and efficiency of programs. Severity of problem dropped out of the model because it had significant correlation with the size of problem. A total score of each program was obtained by weighting the relative importance of each criteria which also were given by survey respondents. These total scores indicate that the most important public health program is vaccination for infants and children in terms of budget allocation. Monitoring communicable diseases, mental health program, and anti-smoking program are the next. In addition, respondents were asked of the desirable budget size of each program. The result was rearranged by multiple regression model using the scores of each decision criteria. In this process, the current budget size of central government was provided to the respondents, and included in the model. h set of desirable budgets modified using tile model was obtained. Considering the current size of budget, tile results of the model is very different from that of the total score. Managing dementia is ranked the first. Health promotion program for the elderly, rehabilitation of the disabled and monitoring communicable diseases are the next. The need to increase the budget of vaccination for the infants and children was not found as so high. The matrix structure in Delphi survey gave us the precise basis to make optimal decision, and made it possible to develop an opinion predicting model. However the plentifulness and diversity of professional opinions were not fully obtained due to the limited number of decision criteria.