• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.247-258
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a comprehensive exercise program for the prevention of urinary incontinence (UI), frailty, and depression, as well as the promotion of physical function in community-dwelling elderly female living alone. Methods: A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was employed. The participants were 76 vulnerable elderly female with a mild-to-moderate urinary incontinence. The exercise group completed 12 weeks of a moderate intensity, comprehensive exercise program. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests and ANCOVA were used for data analysis with SPSS. Results: Upon the completion of the 12-week exercise program, significant improvements for UI symptoms (p=.001), timed up and go (p<.001), frailty (p=.006), and depression (p<.001) were observed, but not for hand grip strength (p=.053). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the 12-week comprehensive exercise program for the prevention of urinary incontinence had positive effects on improving UI symptoms, physical function, levels of frailty and depression in elderly women living alone. More prolonged exercise programs with other types of exercise should be developed for these vulnerable elderly women, and future studies are encouraged to confirm the effect of the comprehensive exercise program in other settings.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.795-804
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of interactive pictorial education on community dwelling older Korean adults' self-efficacy and knowledge for safe medication. Methods: A quasi-experimental, three-group pre- and post-intervention design was used in this study. The interactive pictorial education was designed to suit the learning patterns and psychomotor skills of older adults. The education content, dealing with safe medication, was delivered over three sessions. A total of 136 older adults from local senior centers were assigned to one of the three groups: a) interactive pictorial education plus information booklet (experimental); b) education only with information booklet (conventional); or c) no intervention (control). Results: Participants receiving interactive pictorial education had significantly higher self-efficacy (F=24.32, p<.001) and knowledge (F=24.26, p<.001) scores than the information booklet or control group at post intervention. Post-hoc analyses indicated that both the interactive pictorial and the information booklet groups had significantly higher self-efficacy and knowledge scores than the control group at the post-test point (p<.05). Furthermore, the interactive pictorial group had higher self-efficacy and knowledge scores than the information booklet group at the post-test point (p<.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that the interactive pictorial education is an innovative approach that provides a means for older adults to learn appropriate medication use to improve their own health. It empowers older adults with different literacy levels to enhance their self-efficacy and knowledge for the safe use of medication.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.234-243
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the socioeconomic status as a risk factor for hepatitis C virus infection among community-dwelling adults in Korea. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study including 2,617 adults. Data from hepatocellular carcinoma epidemiological investigation and information regarding three markers of socioeconomic status, education, employment, household income, were obtained. Multiple logistic regression was performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for hepatitis C virus infection for socioeconomic status markers, adjusting for the other soioeconomic status marker, behavioral and hepatitis-related factors. Results: Of the 2,617 study subjects, 104 subjects infected with hepatitis C virus and prevalence was 4%. When compared to subjects with a lowest education, ORs was 0.16 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.04-0.69) for highest education group. After adjusting behavioral and hepatitis-related factors, ORs was 0.20 (0.05-0.87) for highest education compared with lowest group. Conclusion: Low educational level was associated with an increased risk of hepatitis C virus infection.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.165-174
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was done to identify effects of a fall prevention program on physical fitness and psychological functions in community dwelling elders. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was carried out with a nonequivalent control group pre & post-test design. The program, which included exercises and education, consisted of a 12-week group program and an 8-week self-management program using a health calendar. An experimental group (32) and a control group (21) participated. Results: There were significant differences in SPPB (t=-3.92, p<.001), TUG test (t=4.94, p<.001), standing with right leg (t= -3.60, p=.001), standing with left leg (t=-3.74, p<.001), front and rear maximum step length test (t=-4.34, p<.001), right-left maximum step length test (t=-2.65, p=.011), and fall efficacy (t=-2.42, p=.019). Fall efficacy, fear of falling and depression showed significant differences following the 12-week exercise program and 8-week self-management program in the experimental group. Conclusion: Study findings indicate that the fall prevention program is an effective nursing intervention to enhance physical fitness and psychological functions for elders. Using a health calendar, the self-management program was more effective for psychological functions compared to only the group program. Therefore, health providers should develop diversified fall prevention programs which include motivation plans to encourage clients in participating.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.49-60
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• 2010

Purpose: This study investigated the quality of life, mental health and subjective health status of community dwelling cancer patients. Methods: Subjects were 212 out-patients with cancer at Kangwon University Hospital. The study was conducted from July 10 to August 14, 2008. Quality of life as determined by the Euro Quality of life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) was measured using Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(KCDC). Mental health and subjective health status were measured using KCDC. Results: EQ-5D determined degrees of difficulty were 25.5%(mobility), 25.2%(anxiety or depression), 23.6%(pain or discomfort), 20.3%(activities of daily living), and 13.7%(self care). An analysis of the association between several factors and mental health showed that the statistically significant factors were age, gender, medical coverage, and private insurance. An analysis of the association between several factors and subjective health status showed that the statistically significant factor was occupation. Conclusion: Cancer patients suffer from significant psychological distress. Programs that address mental and physical health would be beneficial.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.271-277
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to select useful items for assessing fall risk in community-dwelling elderly. This study assumed five fall risk factors: Symptoms of falling, physical function, disease and physical symptoms, environment, and behavior and character based on previous studies. The questionnaire consisted of 44 items according to the contents validation, crossover analysis and factor analysis. The Korean version of the Fall Risk Assessment Scale (FRA-K) will be used as a useful tool to improve the fall problems perceived to be serious social problems and to provide important information for prevention of falls.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.17-29
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was done to examine factors affecting quality of life among community-dwelling elderly women who live in rural areas. Methods: The design of this research was cross-sectional descriptive study. The participants were 92 community-dwelling women aged 65 or older. Data were collected from November 1 to 15, 2013. ADL (Kart's Index), GDS-SF (Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form) and GQOL (Geriatric Quality of Life Scale) were used to measure variables. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman's coefficient and stepwise multiple regression. Results: The participants' mean age was 77.5, and 85.9% had elementary school graduation or less education, and for 64.1%, their economic status was low. Spearman's rho coefficient analysis found that QOL was significantly associated with depression (r=-.72, p<.001), perceived health (r=.58, p<.001), regular exercise (r=.47, p<.001), education level (r=.29, p=.005), and ADL (r=-.21, p=.043). Multiple regression analysis showed that 65.9% of their QOL was explained by depression (${\beta}=-.72$), perceived health (${\beta}=.24$), ADL (${\beta}=-.16$), exercise (${\beta}=.22$) and number of diseases (${\beta}=.19$). Conclusion: These results indicate that older women who live rural areas need support for ADL, and prevention of depression to improve their quality of life.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.282-290
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors among community dwelling aged 65 and over in South Korea. Methods: A total of 1,367 subjects from the 2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were selected. The data analysis was conducted by SPSS WIN 19.0 using descriptive statistics, ${\chi}^2$-test, and logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of hypertension was found to be 47.70%. Logistic regression analysis shows that hypertension was more prevalent as people became older; in females; in elderly who were not employed as compared to those employed; elderly with diabetes, and obesity as compared to those without these health conditions; as elderly who performed more moderate intensity exercise. While, education, household income, high risk alcoholic drinking, smoking, stress perception, usual activity, and eating out behavior were not associated with prevalence of hypertension in this study. Conclusion: The finding of prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors is expected to promote the screening or prevention strategy for community dwelling aged 65 and over at risk of hypertension in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.98-107
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of geriatric syndrome on mortality among community-dwelling older adults in Korea. Methods: Data were obtained from the Actual Living Condition of the Elderly and Welfare Need Survey, with a baseline study in 2008 and a 3-year follow-up of mortality data. The mortality risk was measured using the hierarchical Cox proportional hazard model. Results: In Cox regression analysis, male (Hazard Ratio [HR], 2.53; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 2.12~3.01), old age (HR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.82~2.53), low education level (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.04~1.65), limitation in instrumental activities of daily living (HR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.60~2.28), depressive symptoms (HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.01~1.43), and frailty (HR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.78~3.03) significantly affected mortality risk. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, nursing intervention programs should be provided to decrease preventable death in older adults.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.87-98
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting medication errors and the medication management educational needs of community-dwelling older adults. Methods: From February 20 to February 23, 2017, 150 elderly people aged 65 or older were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Results: A total of 85.7% of the older adults were taking medication, but their drug knowledge was found to be low. The medication error rate was 24.9%, and the score for medication management education requirement was 3.61 out of a possible 5points. Factors affecting medication errors were perceived health status and knowledge of medication, and their explanatory power was 43% in total. Conclusion: It was concluded that nursing intervention is needed to reduce older adults' medication errors and to increase their knowledge of medication. Additionally, groups of older adults with high medication errors should be intensively educated, and when developing a medication management education program, the contents of the sub-areas and items in which the participants' needs were high should be reinforced.