• Journal of the Korean Regional Science Association
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.101-113
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• 2017

This study examines the mobility of the disadvantaged population groups in terms of public transportation using the 2014 smart card data in Seoul, Korea. Particularly, we focus on the disadvantaged population such as senior group, junior group, and low-income population group. Based on the spatial distributions of public transportation mobility levels and the disadvantaged population groups, we identify specific areas where public transportation service should be improved for the disadvantaged population. As a result, we identify 15 administrative-dongs where the ratio of the disadvantaged population is high while the mobility index of public transit is low. The main contributions of this study are as follows. First, we use the smart card data which contains the information of actual trip made by individuals and develop the evaluation process of urban mobility for the disadvantaged population groups. Second, we identify the specific areas where public transportation service should be improved for the different group of the disadvantaged population. Lastly, we discuss policy implications to improve the urban mobility of the disadvantaged population.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.3-14
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• 2024

Purpose: We conducted this study with the aim of characterizing safety attitudes (SA) among medical staff in a disadvantaged area of Vietnam and examining associated factors with SA. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 442 health staff members at four hospitals in Son La Province from June until August 2021. We used the Vietnamese shortened edition of the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire to measure the SA of study participations. We chose latent class analysis (LCA) to identifying the number of latent classes of SA among the study subjects. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with the identified SA classes. Results: The results of our LCA showed that there were three latent classes, namely high SA group (n=150, 33.9%), moderate SA group (n=236, 53.4%), and low SA group (n=56, 12.7%). The multinomial logistic regression analysis found that medical staff who had university education and above, who were nurses, and who served in non-clinical areas were more likely to be in the moderate SA group and in the high SA group than in the low SA group. Conclusion: Based on these results, several recommendations could be made to improve the SA of healthcare workers in disadvantaged areas. Further research with larger sample sizes and more diverse populations is needed to confirm these findings and to develop effective interventions to improve the SA of healthcare workers in disadvantaged areas.

• Journal of Gifted/Talented Education
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.1073-1097
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• 2014

The working concept of the disadvantaged gifted is meant by those who hardly can have a chance to develop one's own gifts because of the environmental conditions and factors. The main purpose of this study is to explore the inherent trait of the music giftedness, which is composed of musical ability, creativity, and task commitment. Grounded upon the phenomenal research, this study purposefully samples ten disadvantaged students who participated in the arts gifted camp hosted by Korean National Research Institute for the Gifted in Arts. Thus, it explores the inherent traits of the disadvantaged gifted by coding, segmenting, and analyzing the interview with ten disadvantaged, and the evaluation reports of the expert group. The inherent trait of music giftedness of the disadvantaged gifted is shown as this: the inherent trait of the disadvantaged gifted in music is closely interrelated with one's own concept of giftedness. Whereas they show the high motivation and task commitment, they are hardly observed to have the creativity in their musical activities and learning. Finally, this study give a proposition for the strategy to stimulate and improve the inherent trait of the disadvantaged gifted in music: the importance of parents education and parent screening, meta-cognitive skills, the leaning-based creativity education, and the significant role of intrapersonal catalyst.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.185-195
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• 2018

Purpose: To investigate factors related to cardio-cerebrovascular disease and groups disadvantaged by it in Korean middle-aged women, using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: The present study was conducted with 1,627 middle-aged women, aged 40 to 64 years, who participated in the 7th (2016) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Results: Cardio-cerebrovascular disease among middle-aged women was associated with quality of life, menopause, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, and family history of hypertension. The incidence of cardio-cerebrovascular disease in middle-aged women was found to be the most prevalent in women who have entered menopause, have a family history of hypertension, and have a body mass index greater than $30.0kg/m^2$. Conclusion: This study classifies the subjects according to the risk level of each disadvantaged group for cardio-cerebrovascular disease prevention and management in middle-aged women. The results provide evidence to support a tailored cardio-cerebrovascular disease prevention and management program based on the related factors of disadvantaged groups and to establish strategies in educational and practical aspects.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.114-124
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• 2021

Background: In this study, we aimed to investigate the interaction effects of individual socioeconomic status and regional deprivation on the onset of diabetes complications and diabetes-related hospitalization among type 2 diabetes patients. Methods: Korean National Health Insurance Service National Sample Cohort data from 2002 to 2013 were used. A total of 50,954 patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes from 2004 to 2012 and aged 30 years or above were included. We classified patients into six groups according to individual income level and neighborhood deprivation: 'high in advantaged,' 'high in disadvantaged,' 'middle in advantaged,' 'middle in disadvantaged,' 'low in advantaged,' and 'low in disadvantaged.' We calculated hazard ratios (HR) of onset of diabetes complication and diabetes-related hospitalization using the Cox proportional hazard model, with the reference group as diabetes patients with high income in advantaged regions. Results: In terms of the interaction effects of individual income level and regional socioeconomic level, even with the same low individual income level, the group with a high regional socioeconomic level (low in advantaged) showed low HRs for the onset of diabetes complication (HR, 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.08) compared to the 'low in disadvantaged' group (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.05-1.16). In addition, the 'high in advantaged' group showed slightly higher HRs for the onset of diabetes complication (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.00-1.11) compared to the 'low in advantaged' and it appeared to be associated with slight mitigation of the risk of diabetes complication. For the low-income level, the patients in disadvantaged regions showed the highest HRs for diabetes-related hospitalization (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.19-1.41) compared to the other groups. Conclusion: Although we need to perform further investigations to reveal the mechanisms that led to our results, interaction effects individual socioeconomic status and regional deprivation might be associated with on onset of diabetes complications and diabetes-related hospitalization among type 2 diabetes patients.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.315-323
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• 2022

Background: Socioeconomical disadvantaged communities are more vulnerable to environmental chemical exposure and associated health effects. However, there is limited information on chemical exposure among vulnerable populations in Korea. Objectives: This study investigated chemical exposure among underprivileged populations. We measured urinary metabolites of phthalates in urban disadvantaged communities and investigated their correlations with residential environment factors and relative socioeconomic vulnerability. Methods: Urine samples were collected from 64 residents in a disadvantaged community in Seoul. A total of eight phthalate metabolites were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Analytical method used by the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) was employed. Covariate variance analysis and general linear regression adjusted with age, sex and smoking were performed. Results: Several phthalate metabolites, namely monomethyl phthalate (MMP), monoethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) had higher levels than those reported in the adults of 4th KoNEHS. Notably, the MnBP level was higher in the lower socioeconomic group (geometric mean [GM]=47.3 ㎍/g creatinine) compared to non-recipients (GM=31.9 ㎍/g creatinine) and the national reference level (GM=22.0, 28.2 and 32.2 ㎍/g creatinine for adults, 60's and 70's, respectively.). When age, sex and smoking were adjusted, MEP and MnBP were significantly increased the lower socioeconomic group than non-recipients (p=0.014, p=0.023). The lower socioeconomic group's age of flooring were higher than non-recipients, not statistically significant. Conclusions: These results suggest that a relatively low income and aged flooring could be considered as risk factors for increased levels of phthalate metabolites in socioeconomic vulnerable populations.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.297-308
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• 2011

This paper discusses the current situation of public libraries in Korea, from the viewpoint of Ranganathan's 'Five Laws of Library Science'. Public libraries have very rapidly grown in Korea in the past ten years. With an average growth rate of 5.8% per year, the number of public libraries reached to 703 in 2009, and the number of people served per library have gradually reduced every year, even if still far below other advanced countries. However, there are still some attempts to retrain people of their right to read whatever they want. In this paper, it is emphasized that in public libraries more attention and financial and strategic assistance should be given to the disadvantaged people, and the equal right to benefit from library services should be ensured. And the library as a growing organism should be balanced with the responsible library director, devoted librarians, and concerned people in the community.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1-22
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• 2008

Burden of disease analysis provides a unique perspective on health by integrating fatal and non-fatal outcomes, yet allows the outcome of two classes to be examined separately. Although many studies have shown the inequality in health outcomes across socioeconomic status (SES), an analysis and comparison of Disability Adjusted Life Year (DALY) between different socioeconomic groups has been rare. This paper calculates the DALY and analyzes the distribution of DALYs for different SES. This study draws from 3,278 cases from the survey on "The Livelihood and Welfare Needs of the Elderly (2004)". It first provides a comprehensive assessment of the burden of 10 chronic diseases of the elderly based on DALY. Then this paper analyzes inequalities in the burden of disease by the levels of SES such as education, income, family size, occupation, and subjective economic conditions. For the elderly, the burden of disease is the highest for hypertension, arthritis and cancer. DALY rate per 1,000 people for the most socio-economically disadvantaged group is expressed as a multiple of the standardized rate for the least disadvantaged group (Rate Ratios). Family size is strongly related to. the difference in the burden of disease between SES groups, and the elderly Who live alone have higher DALY rate than those who live with their family. Other significant variables related to SES groups include subjective economic conditions, occupation, elderly income, and household income.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.80-88
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• 2013

Objectives: With the increase in the number of people who are marginalized in receiving medical services, the role of Seoul National University Hospital as a public hospital is being emphasized. However, many patients are either experiencing delays in receiving medical services or simply being left out as a result of the inaccessibility to the department of social work on part of both the patients and the medical staff. Methods: In order to increase consultation from other departments and the accessibility to the department of social work for the socially marginalized group through early consultation from other departments, the following steps were taken. First, an orientation program for novice medical residents led by clinical social worker was introduced/implemented. Second, posters and brochures on various financial aids programs were produced and distributed. Third, a system of early screening was built/constructed, and once a week rounds and early screening meeting were executed/carried out. Result: The department of social work's rate of consultation from other departments increased by 4.4% compared to last year, while it showed 61% increase for those wards that had an early screening meeting. In addition, the average time of consultation from other departments was reduced by 3.1 days, securing sufficient amount of time for clinical social work services, both in terms of quality and quantity. Conclusion: It is believed that the various promotional activities, along with the strengthening of accessibility to clinical social work services and early consultation on part of social disadvantaged/marginalized group, would undoubtedly help provide quality services to patients and increase their level of satisfaction. In this way, the wards can effectively reduce the number of unnecessary hospital stay days while the hospital can prevent the accumulation of outstanding bills/fees as well as contribute to the publicness of hospitals. The promotion of clinical social work programs in various ways are crucial to ensuring the satisfaction of patients and hospital staff.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.149-169
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• 2002

The focus of this research was to understand the socio-demographic characteristics, pregnancy conditions, social support, and future plan of teenage unwed mothers in Korea. Among the unwed mother, the teenage group was a higher percentage (53.7%) than the over-twenties group (46.3%). In the distribution of teenage unwed mothers, the major part, 94.6%, was in the 16- to 17- year-old age range, and 5.4% were under 15 years of age. This indicates that the age of unwed mothers is getting lower. Most teenage unwed mothers were from intact(72.3%) and/or low-class(62.3%) families. A significant percentage (37.7%)was from middle- and upper-middle class families, signifying that teenage pregnancy is not a problem only of disadvantaged and lower class families. The education of one-third of the teenage unwed mothers in this study was only up to first year of middle school(7th grade), indicating that pregnancy may be a reason they dropped out of school.