• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.217-225
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess socio-demographic, disaster-related, physical health-related, psychological, and social factors that may adversely affect disaster victims' QoL (Quality of Life). Methods: A cross sectional study was designed by using the secondary data. From the 3rd Disaster Victims Panel Survey (2012~2017), a total of 1,659 data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, t-test, ANOVA, and multivariate linear regression. Results: Older people with lower health status lacking financial resources prior to a disaster were more at risk of low levels of QoL. Lower levels of perceived health status, resilience, and QoL were reported by disaster exposed individuals, while their depression was higher than the depression in the control group of disaster unexposed ones. Resilience, social and material supports were positively associated with QoL whereas depression and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders) were negatively associated. Conclusion: These findings suggest that psychological symptoms and loss due to disasters can have adverse impacts on the QoL of disaster victims in accordance with their prior socio-demographic background. They also indicate that targeted post-disaster community nursing intervention should be considered a means of increased social support as well as physical and mental health care for disaster victims.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.24-37
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• 2009

In the political and economic circles of our society, the security and secretary is always accompanying the society leaders, like shadows. The job of the security and secretary is a very difficult one that requires comprehensive and extensive capability and talent. From results of the prior studies, qualities of the security and secretary are divided into three groups. i.e. personal qualities, mental qualities and physical qualities. Each quality can be summarized as follows. Firstly, personal qualities mean honesty, responsibility, initiative, work ethic, sense of duty, modest attitude, kindness and loyalty. Secondly, mental qualities represent agility & composure, judgement, adaptability, memory, prediction, accuracy & reliability, observation and secret. Finally, physical qualities such as health, cleanliness, decent appearance, good feeling voice, physical strength and Martial arts for Protection. The security and secretary equipped with the above three requisites can be said to be the most ideal the security and secretary whom this age want and need.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.63-73
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to review the disaster preparation and response programs and the status of disaster preparation in public health center. Methods: In depth interview was performed in September 2017 using 5 open questions to the persons who are in charge of disaster response services in 5 public health centers of different levels in Korea. The questions included general characteristics of public health center, disaster programs and future issues. The research hired a quality method. Results: In general, the persons in charge recognized the cooperative agency of local government in disaster management. There were no disaster preparation programs developed by the public health centers. Most of the preparation were passive activities such as emergency support, crisis management on communicable disease and quarantine, participation in biological disaster response training, and education etc. The persons in charge emphasized necessity of disaster preparation programs. Conclusions: Disaster preparation and responsiveness is an evolving issue in public health centers in Korea. Medical support system and communicable disease management system are being set up in the national level. A comprehensive system covering health management, nutritional support, mental health, environment management of shelter, and volunteers supports on public health center level needs to be developed along with a easy-to-follow manual.

• Psychiatry investigation
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.1168-1173
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• 2018

Objective After the Sewol ferry disaster, bereavement with suicidal ideation was a critical mental health problem that was accompanied by various neuropsychological symptoms. This study examined the frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA), heart rate variability (HRV), and several psychological symptoms in bereaved family members (BFM) after the Sewol ferry disaster. Methods Eighty-three BFM after the Sewol ferry disaster were recruited. We assessed FAA, HRV, and psychological symptoms, including depression, post-traumatic stress, post-traumatic growth factor, anxiety, grief, and positive resources, between BFM with the presence and absence of current suicidal ideation. Results Compared to BFM without suicidal ideation, BFM with suicidal ideation showed a higher FAA with right dominance. Significant differences in psychological symptoms were observed between the groups. In BFM with suicidal ideation, the low: high frequency (LF:HF) ratio correlated with social resources and support. Conclusion The FAA and LF:HF ratio may be biomarkers that represent the pathological conditions of BFM with suicidal ideation. If researched further, they may shed light on the interaction between bereavement with suicidal ideation and social resources for therapeutic intervention.

• Korean journal of aerospace and environmental medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.95-99
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• 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reduces airline passengers, which leads to a sharp decline in airline sales. They are concerned about the dismissal or unpaid leave of the flight pilot and crew, and the management of the passengers is also under great stress. Stress management methods for COVID-19 can be divided into general stress management such as 'Let's change me', 'Let's find the source of life', and 'Let's ask for help', and mental health management in a disaster situation.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• v.33 no.49
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• pp.314.1-314.15
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• 2018

Background: Despite its growing significance, studies on the burden of disease associated with natural disasters from the perspective of public health were few. This study aimed at estimating the national burden of disease associated with typhoons and torrential rains in Korea. Methods: During the period of 2002-2012, 11 typhoons and five torrential rains were selected. Mortality and morbidities were defined as accentual death, injury and injury-related infection, and mental health. Their incidences were estimated from National Health Insurance Service. Case-crossover design was used to define the disaster-related excess mortality and morbidity. Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were directly assessed from excess mortality and morbidity. Results: The burden of disease from typhoons increased with the intensity, with 107.7, 30.6, and 36.6 DALYs per 100,000 per event for strong, moderate, and weak typhoons, respectively. Burden of disease from torrential rains were 56.9, 52.8, and 26.4 DALYs per 100,000 per event for strong, moderate, and weak episodes, respectively. Mental disorders contributed more years lived with disability (YLDs) than did injuries in most cases, but the injury-induced YLDs associated with strong typhoon and torrential rain were higher than those of lower-intensity. The elderly was the most vulnerable to most types of disaster and storm intensities, and males younger than 65 years were more vulnerable to a strong torrential rain event. Conclusion: The intensity of torrential rain or typhoon was the strongest determinant of the burden of disease from natural disasters in Korea. Population vulnerable may vary depending on the nature and strength of the disasters.

• Journal of the Korean Regional Science Association
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.19-35
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• 2024

This research aims to compare and analyze changes in local physical environmental factors affecting mental health before and after the occurrence of COVID-19. The research question is: "Did the influence of environmental factors affecting mental health change after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic?" To examine the research question, the study considered the year 2019, right before COVID-19, and the year 2020, the year when COVID-19 occurred, as the temporal scope of the research. For the empirical analysis, we used multilevel logistic analysis was conducted using data from the Community Health Survey for each year and the National Statistical Office (KOSIS). The results can be summarized as follows: After the occurrence of COVID-19, physical environmental factors showed stronger associations with mental health compared to before the emergence of COVID-19. Specifically, it was found that park area per thousand people and the proportion of pedestrian-only road areas were further associated with a decrease in depression. Based on these findings, this study suggests the need for improving and constructing the physical environment in local communities for preventing mental health issues during disaster situations such as COVID-19.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.28
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• pp.10.1-10.4
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• 2013

Objectives Children are one of the most vulnerable populations to the impact of disasters. We aimed to examine children's mental health in the area affected by the Hebei Spirit oil spill accident on December 7, 2007. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted using the Korean versions of the Children's Depression Inventory and State Anxiety Inventory for Children on 1,362 children attending elementary schools in the affected area. The information on distances between the nearest contaminated coastline to the child's residential house or attending school were obtained using a web-based map by inputting two address points. The symptom risks of depression and state anxiety were estimated by multiple logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, gender, and other covariates. Results Children with the closest distance (in the fourth quartile) to the school from the contaminated coastline showed a significantly higher symptom risk of depression compared to those with the farthest distance (first quartile)(odds ratio, 2.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.40-5.33), while there was no significant association between anxiety symptoms and distance. Conclusions Children, a vulnerable population for mental health impact by the oil spill accident, should be included in mental health programs in the community along with their family as victims of the disaster.

• Advanced Industrial SCIence
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.1-10
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to verify the mediating effects of job insecurity on the relationship between COVID-19 risk perception and mental health in hotel workers. For this study, a sample of 633 hotel workers completed the questionnaires: COVID-19 risk perception, job insecurity, depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms. The data was analyzed by SPSS 25.0 program and PROCESS macro program. The main results can be summarized as follows. 1. The risk group of the job insecurity had a significantly higher level of mental health(depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms) compared with the normal group. 2. COVID-19 risk perception showed a significant effects on job insecurity and mental health(depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms). 3. The results showed a partial mediating effects of job insecurity on the relationship between COVID-19 risk perception and mental health(depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms). On the basis of the results, we discuss that hotel workers have the vulnerability of mental health in disaster situations such as COVID-19 pandemic, and that mental health risk increases due to the job insecurity caused by COVID-19. we propose the need to support human resource management measures and psychological programs for hotel workers.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.1-13
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• 2017

In this study, using the synetics technique for strategies by making unfamiliarity into familiarity in the case of 911 terrorism. This study has meaningful messages for citizens and firefighters' illness caused by disaster sites in the field of disaster management in Korea. There are 7 stages to explain cause of a variety of cancers happening to citizens and firefighters in this study. The 7 stages are composed of real situation, direct analogies, personal analogies, symbolic analogies, new direct analogies, and review. This synetics will contribute to providing better ideas for citizens and firefighters' physical and mental health conditions.