• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.499-504
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• 1999

Objectives : To evaluate whether a relation between blood lead and zinc proto porphyrin(ZPP) was modified by gender in Korean lead workers. Methods : A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,304 male and 101 female subjects in 1997. The relation between blood lead and ZPP were evaluated with linear, exponential, and quadratic models. Then, the different effect of gender on the relation was examined by adding the interaction terms in the each model. Results : $Mean{\pm}SD$ of blood lead and ZPP level was different between male$(27.7{\pm}10{\mu}g/dl\;and\;51.3{\pm}23.4{\mu}g/dl)$ and female subjects$(22.5{\pm}9.2{\mu}g/dl\;and\;78.7{\pm}38.6{\mu}g/dl)$. After adjusting for possible confounders, the effect modification by gender was significant in linear$(\beta=1.119,\;p<0.001)$, exponential$(\beta=Exp(0.008),\;p<0.05)$, and quadratic model$(\beta=1.388,\;p<0.001)$. In separate analysis, a quadratic relation between blood lead and ZPP was shown in male lead workers$(\beta=0.036,\;p<0.001)$, but an exponential relation in female lead workers$(\beta=Exp(0.029), p<0.001)$. Conclusion : Our data showed that the increasing rate of ZPP in female were always higher than in male lead workers, suggesting that females were more susceptible to occupational lead exposure than males.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.55-71
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• 2009

Background : Traditional Korean medicine(TKM) has gained in popularity among chronic patients in recent years. The use of TKM among patients with chronic diseases is common, with about two thirds of patients using some form of TKM in Korea. Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the use of TKM and determine what factors affect to use TKM among patients with chronic diseases. The study also aims to provide information on TKM therapies and assist therapy selection among various TKM therapies for patients with chronic diseases. Methods : The design of the study was descriptive cross-sectional, and data were collected using a 21-item questionnaire. This study was conducted with subjects with confirmed diagnosis of chronic diseases, who live in Jeju Province, Korea. Results : Among the participants, past or current TKM use was 66.7%, with a statistically significant difference in gender and level of health status groups(p<0.05), but no difference in age, marital status, education, occupation, and income groups. The most common therapies of TKM used by the patients included acupuncture(51.1%), physiotherapy(16.8%), cupping(13.5%), and herbal medicine(4.8%). The main benefits from TKM perceived by the patients were chronic diseases management and health promotion. In a logistic regression analysis, significant influencing factors related to TKM use were gender, family income level, the extent of recognition of efficacy, heath status, and health security program. Conclusions : In this study the socio-demographic and health status, recognition of TKM efficacy factors associated with TKM use among patients with chronic diseases were similar to those found in the general population. The findings suggest that due to the relatively high use of TKM among patients with chronic diseases in Korea, this topic should be taken into account in the development of a holistic approach for patients with chronic diseases and an efficient chronic disease management system. Additionally proactive and consistent management of TKM is necessary in the health care system in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.182-191
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• 2015

The Korean government introduced an automated speed enforcement system (ASES), which uses traffic enforcement cameras, to counteract safety issues that are caused by speeding. As the information of the traffic enforcement camera locations is provided to the drivers via navigation systems and mobile applications in a timely manner, drivers can avoid enforcement by momentarily diminishing their speeds only near the camera locations. To prevent drivers' evasional behavior and improve the effectiveness of ASES, section control, which enforces speeding vehicles by measuring their average travel speeds over a stretch of road and checking against the speed limit, has been recently implemented. In this study, Section Speed Enforcement Zone and Comparison Zone are compared in terms of traffic stream characteristics under free flow conditions. To this end, loop detector data were obtained from the three study sites and analyzed. The study results demonstrated that drivers maintain their speeds below the speed limit over the enforcement section with a lower variance of speeds.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.546-554
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• 2018

This cross-sectional correlational study investigated factors affecting career planning of nursing students, focusing on the associations between satisfaction of academic major, perceived professional competence, and job expectations. Data from 255 nursing students were collected through self-administered questionnaire surveys on 2016 January 4 and 7 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficients, t-tests, bootstrapping SPSS macro and path analysis using AMOS. There were significant correlations between major satisfaction, professional competence, and job expectations. Both major satisfaction and professional competence were significant factors influencing job expectations, but their effects on job expectations were significantly different depending on whether there was a role-model, which support a moderating effect of having a role-model. Major satisfaction had a significant direct effect on career planning, but its indirect effect on career planning through job expectations was not significant. Professional competence did not have a significant direct effect on career planning, but its indirect effect on career planning through job expectations was significant. Overall, the results highlight the importance of providing educational support and opportunities for nursing students to explore their own motivation and to have a role-model during pursuit of a nursing career.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.68-77
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• 2012

Flavan-3-ols are a subclass of flavonoids found in a variety of foods including teas. The effects of flavan-3-ols on the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) have been investigated, generally focusing on tea catechins or individual flavan-3-ol rich foods, but there is little information on dietary flavan-3-ols intake and risk of MetS in population-based studies. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the association between dietary flavan-3-ols intake and the risk of MetS in Korean adults. Subjects comprised 1,827 men and 2,918 women aged 20-69 years whose data was included in the 2008 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. This survey was conducted between January 2008 and December 2008. Total flavan-3-ols intakes were calculated from 24-hour dietary recalls using a flavonoids database. Thirty percent of the male subjects and 24% of the female subjects were reported as having MetS. In the female subjects, flavan3-ols intake was inversely associated with the risk of MetS after adjusting for potential confounders (5th vs. 1st quintile, OR=0.64, 95% CI=0.45-0.91, P for trend=0.384). The main food source of flavan-3-ols was green tea followed by apples and grapes. Among MetS components, flavan-3-ols intake was inversely associated with the risk of high blood pressure after adjusting for potential confounders (5th vs. 1st quintile, OR=0.64, 95% CI=0.45-0.90, P for trend=0.005). No significant association between flavan-3-ols intake and risk of MetS was found in the male subjects. After stratified analysis by obesity (BMI ${\geq}$ 25 or BMI < 25), however, flavan3-ols intake was inversely related to the risk of hypertension in non-obese men. These results suggest that dietary flavan-3-ols intake may have beneficial effects on MetS risk by reducing the risk of hypertension. The effects of flavan-3-ols intake dependent on obesity need further investigation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.783-786
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• 2015

Background: Utilizing geriatric screening tools for the identification of vulnerable older patients with cancer is important. The aim of this study is to evaluate the hospitalization risk of elderly hematologic cancer patients based on geriatric assessment and laboratory parameters. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study 61 patients with hematologic malignancies, age 65 years and older, were assessed at a hematology outpatient clinic. Standard geriatric screening tests; activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), timed up and go test (TUG), geriatrics depression scale (GDS) were administered. Demographic and medical data were obtained from patient medical records. The number of hospitalizations in the following six months was then recorded to allow analysis of associations with geriatric assessment tools and laboratory parameters. Results: The median age of the patients, 37 being males, was 66 years. Positive TUG test and declined ADL was found as significant risk factors for hospitalization (p=0.028 and p=0.015 respectively). Correlations of hospitalization with thrombocytopenia, vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency were statistically significant (p=0.004, p=0.011 and p=0.05 respectively). Conclusions: In this study, geriatric conditions which are usually unrecognized in a regular oncology office visit were identified. Our study indicates TUG and ADL might be use as predictive tests for hospitalization in elderly oncology populations. Also thrombocytopenia, and vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiencies are among the risk factors for hospitalization. The importance of vitamin B12 and folic acid vitamin replacement should not be underestimated in this population.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.261-273
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• 2011

Recently, the demands for steel frame are increasing because of the trend and due to the demand for bigger and higher buildings. In the analysis of typical steel frame, connections are based on the idealized fixed or pinned connection. A fixed connection assumes that the relative angle of each member before deformation is the same after the transformation. Therefore, the stiffener reinforces the connection to sufficient rigidity and stability of the panel zone. In the economical aspect, however, the necessity of connection that the stiffener reinforcement has omitted is increasing due to the excessive production as well as labor costs of connection. In contrast, pinned connection is assumed that bending moments between the beams and columns do not transfer to each member. This is easy to make in the plant and the construction is simple. However, the structural efficiency is reduced in pinned connection because connection cannot transfer moments. The introduction of this semirigid process can decide efficient cross-sectional dimensions that promote ease in the course of structural erection, as performed by members in the field-a call for safety in the entire frame. Therefore, foreign countries exert efforts to study the practical behavior and the results are applied to criterion. This paper analyzes the semirigid connection of domestic steel by design specifications of AISC/LRFD and make data bank that pertain to each steel. After wards, the results are compared to those of idealized connection; at the same time, this paper presents a design method that matches economic efficiency, end-fixity, and rotational stiffness.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7547-7554
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• 2015

Background: The use of smokeless tobacco (SLT) among women is increasing in India, especially among those with limited education and resources. Preventing the initiation of SLT among women is critical since it has known negative consequences for oral and reproductive health. Most research on tobacco initiation in India focuses on adolescents. This paper addresses the unrecognized issues of post marital initiation among women of reproductive age, highlighting the importance of reproductive stages in women's tobacco initiation. The objective is to examine the correlates of SLT initiation among low income women in Mumbai from pre-marriage through early marriage, first pregnancy and beyond, using case examples to illustrate initiation during each of these stages. Materials and Methods: In 2011-2012, cross-sectional community level survey data were collected from a representative sample of 409 daily SLT-using married women aged 18-40 years in a low income community in Mumbai. Information on socio-demographics, initiation by reproductive stage, types of tobacco use, childhood exposure to tobacco, learning to use, and initiation influences and reasons were collected through a researcher-administered survey. Univariate and bivariate analysis assessed factors influencing initiation of SLT use by reproductive stage. In addition 42 narratives of tobacco use were collected from a purposive sample of pregnant and non-pregnant married women addressing the same questions in detail. Narratives were transcribed, translated, and coded for key concepts including initiation of tobacco use. Results: Thirty-two percent of women initiated SLT use before marriage, 44% initiated after marriage but before pregnancy, 18.1% initiated during their first pregnancy and the remainder started after their first pregnancy. Mean age of marriage among women in this study was 16 years. Younger women (i.e. age at time of the interview of less than 30 years) were 0.47 [95% CI (0.32, 0.87)] percent less likely to initiate after marriage than women aged more than 30 years. Women who got married before 18 years of age were 2.34 [95% CI (1.40, 3.93)] times more likely to initiate after marriage than their counterparts. Childhood exposure was a predictor for initiating SLT use prior to marriage but not after. Women reporting tooth and gum pain were 1.85 times more likely to initiate after marriage than their counterparts. Husband and neighbours were the most significant influences on post-marital initiation. Narratives highlighted differences in processes of initiation pre and post marriage and during pregnancy. Conclusions: Most tobacco prevention interventions are directed to adolescents in school. This study suggests that especially for low literate or illiterate women, school based interventions are ineffective. To be effective strategies to prevent SLT initiation must reach women in urban areas at or immediately after marriage and during their first pregnancy. Messages must negate culturally rooted beliefs about the health benefits of SLT in order to prevent initiation and onset of daily use.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3879-3887
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• 2012

Background: Development of effective educational strategies should accompany increases in public awareness and the availability of genetic testing for breast cancer (BC). These educational strategies should be designed to fulfill the knowledge gap while considering factors that influence women's interest in order to facilitate decision making. Objective: To determine the possible correlates of Saudi women's interest in BC genes testing including socio-demographics, the level of awareness towards BC genes, the family history of BC and the perceived personal risk among adult Saudi women in Al Hassa, Saudi Arabia. Subjects and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out during the second BC community-based campaign in Al Hassa, Saudi Arabia. All Saudi women aged ${\geq}18$ years (n=781) attending the educational components of the campaign were invited to a personal interview. Data collection included gathering information about sociodemographics, family history of BC, the perceived personal risk for BC, awareness and attitude towards BC genes and the women's interest in BC genes testing. Results: Of the included women (n=599), 19.5% perceived higher risk for BC development, significantly more among < 40 years of age, and with positive family history of BC before 50 years of age. The participants demonstrated a poor level of awareness regarding the inheritance, risk, and availability of BC genetic testing. The median summated knowledge score was 1.0 (out of 7 points) with a knowledge deficit of 87.8%. The level of knowledge showed significant decline with age (> 40 years). Of the included women 54.7% expressed an interest in BC genetic testing for assessing their BC risk. Multivariate regression model showed that being middle aged (Odds Ratio 'OR'=1.88, confidence intervals 'C.I'=1.14-3.11), with higher knowledge level (OR=1.67, C.I=1.08-2.57) and perceiving higher risk for BC (OR=2.11, C.I=1.61-2.76) were the significant positive correlates for Saudi women interest in BC genetic testing. Conclusion: Saudi women express high interest in genetic testing for BC risk despite their poor awareness. This great interest may reflect the presence of inappropriate information regarding BC genetic testing and its role in risk analysis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.85-88
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• 2016

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy among women worldwide, and women of reproductive age in Thailand. However, information on the behavior regarding cervical cancer in rural community Thailand is sparse. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding cervical cancer (CC) among rural community women in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, using predesigned structured questionnaires. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 8 villages of Non Sung district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand, during January to April 2015. Bloom's taxonomy was used as a framework for the study. 265 women aged between 30-60 years old were selected by simple random sampling. All participants completed predesigned questionnaires with 4 parts: demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding cervical cancer. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis in this study. Results: The majority of participants were in the age group of 41-50 years old (42.6%) with senior secondary school level of education (32.1%), marriage status (85.0%), agricultural employment (59.6%), and family income between 6,000-10,000 baht per month (54.3%). Some 63.4% and 68.7% participants had high knowledge and moderate level of attitudes regarding CC, while 41.1%, 48.7%, and 10.2% had neem regularly, irregularly or never screened for CC, respectively. The main reasons for not screening were were shyness (44.4%) and no time (55.6%). Vaginal discharge and itching were the common signs and symptoms of participants who were screened at a health promotion hospital of sub-district. Conclusions: CC is still a health problem in the rural community. Therefore, health education is required, particularly for those who have never undergone screening.