• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.130-142
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• 2017

Objectives: Although the Korean government is able to implement smoke-free regulations for shared areas in multi-unit housing (MUH), such regulations are limited for private homes. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of support for the implementation of smoke-free regulations for homes and near the outsides of building among residents in MUH. Methods: A population-based sample of 2,600 residents among a web-based panel in Seoul was included. The residents completed questionnaires including smoking status, voluntary smoke-free home rules, and support for the implementation of smoke-free regulations for homes and near the outsides of building. The presence of a voluntary smoke-free home rule was determined when residents declared that no one smoked inside their homes. Results: Among the 2,600 MUH residents, prevalence of support for the implementation of smoke-free regulations for homes was higher (83.2%) than for near the outsides of buildings (75.1%). Support for the implementation of smoke-free regulations for homes was higher when residents were non-smokers, had voluntary smoke-free home rules, lived with children, lived with more residents, lived in owned homes, lived in apartments, and lived in homes with more frequent secondhand smoke (SHS) incursion. Support for the implementation of smoke-free regulations near the outsides of buildings was higher when residents were women, non-smokers, more educated, had a voluntary smoke-free home rule, lived with children, lived in homes with more frequent SHS incursion, and lived in a commercial area. Conclusions: The majority was supportive of the implementation of smoke-free regulations for homes. Predictors identified in the study can be useful for promoting implementation of smoke-free regulations for homes in MUH.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.275-280
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• 2016

Background: A tobacco-free workplace policy is identified as an effective means to reduce tobacco use and protect people from second-hand smoke; however, the number of tobacco-free policies (TFP) remains very low in workplaces in Malaysia. This study explored the factors affecting support for a tobacco-free policy on two healthcare campuses in Malaysia, prior to the implementation of TFP. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 286 non-smokers from two healthcare training centres and two nearby colleges in Malaysia from January 2015 to April 2015. A standardized questionnaire was administered via staff and student emails. The questionnaire collected information on sociodemographic characteristics, support for a tobacco-free policy and perceived respiratory and sensory symptoms due to tobacco exposure. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the independent effects of supporting a tobacco-free campus. Results: The percentage of individuals supporting completely tobacco-free facilities was 83.2% (N=238), as opposed to 16.7% (N=48) in support of partially tobacco-free facilities. Compared to the supporters of partially tobacco-free facilities, non-smokers who supported completely tobacco-free health facilities were more likely to be female, have higher education levels, to be very concerned about the effects of other people smoking on their health and to perceive a tobacco-free policy as very important. In addition, they perceived that tobacco smoke bothered them at work by causing headaches and coughs and, in the past 4 weeks, had experienced difficulty breathing. In the multivariate model, after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and other factors, only experiencing coughs and headaches increased the odds of supporting a completely tobacco-free campus, up to 2.5- and 1.9-fold, respectively. Conclusions: Coughs and headaches due to other people smoking at work enhances support for a completely tobacco-free campus among non-smokers.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.148-152
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• 2014

Background Free flap surgery for head and neck defects has gained popularity as an advanced microvascular surgical technique. The aims of this study are first, to determine whether the known risk factors such as comorbidity, tobacco use, obesity, and radiation increase the complications of a free flap transfer, and second, to identify the incidence of complications in a radial forearm free flap and an anterolateral thigh perforator flap. Methods We reviewed the medical records of patients with head and neck cancer who underwent reconstruction with free flap between May 1994 and May 2012 at our department of plastic and reconstructive surgery. Results The patients included 36 men and 6 women, with a mean age of 59.38 years. The most common primary tumor site was the tongue (38%). The most commonly used free flap was the radial forearm free flap (57%), followed by the anterolateral thigh perforator free flap (22%). There was no occurrence of free flap failure. In this study, risk factors of the patients did not increase the occurrence of complications. In addition, no statistically significant differences in complications were observed between the radial forearm free flap and anterolateral thigh perforator free flap. Conclusions We could conclude that the risk factors of the patient did not increase the complications of a free flap transfer. Therefore, the risk factors of patients are no longer a negative factor for a free flap transfer.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.2-14
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• 1998

The aim of this study was to examine differences in the level of satisfaction with medical care at a public health center between patients receiving free-care compared to those paying out-of-pocket. SERVQUAL(Comprehensive Service Quality Measurement Scale), a pyschometrically valid measure for evaluating hospital service quality, was used to assess patient satisfaction. The study sample consisted of 279 patients who received medical care at a public health center. The interview was conducted between April 23 and May 7, 1998. The results was as follow: 1. There were more elderly people among free-care patients than out-of-pocket patients. Education and income levels were lower amongs those receiving free-care. There were, however, no differences in the distribution of gender and religion between the two groups. Patients receiving free-care tended to visit the public health center more frequently compared to those self-paying patients. 2. Overall, free-care patients showed higher satisfaction level than that of self-paying patients. except for the dimension on sympathy and shape.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.90-97
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• 2018

Objectives: Thirdhand smoke (THS) refers to residual tobacco smoke pollutants that remain after cigarette smoking. The purpose of this study was to determine predictors of the belief among adults in Korea that THS is harmful to children. Methods: A population-based sample of 3,000 adults (${\geq}19$ years) among a web-based panel in Korea was obtained in November 2016. The respondents filled out questionnaires, including THS beliefs, smoking status, presence of voluntary smoke-free rules at home, and support for the implementation of smoke-free regulations at home. THS beliefs were assessed with a statement that staying in a room today where people smoked yesterday can harm the health of children. Results: Overall, 92.2 % of adults believed that THS exposure could harm the health of children. Respondents who were nonsmokers, believed that SHS exposure were associated with pneumonia of children, lived in home with complete smoke-free rule at home, and supported the implementation of smoke-free regulation at home were more likely to believe that THS could harm for health of children. Conclusions: The majority of Korean adults believed that THS exposure could harm the health of children. Predictors identified in the study can be useful to address the risk of THS beliefs and promote implementation of tobacco control policies.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.317-325
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• 2008

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing the health status and life satisfaction of elders in welfare facilities. Methods: The subjects of this study were selected randomly among those without cognitive impairment from free (140 persons) and charged (140 persons) welfare facilities in the Yeongnam area. Data was analyzed using t-test and stepwise multiple regression. Results: Health status and life satisfaction were 2.52 and 1.98, respectively, in the elders from free welfare facilities, and 2.67 and 2.08 respectively, in the elders from charged welfare facilities. In those from free facilities, life satisfaction and motivation for getting into the welfare facility were the influencing factors of health status. In those from charged facilities, life satisfaction, gender, motivation for getting into the welfare facility, limited service such as physiotherapy, age, and lack of staff and professionalism were the influence factors of health status. In those from free facilities, health status, relationship conflict with fellow elders, lack of staff and professionalism, insufficient facilities and inadequate environment, and indifference of sons and daughters were the influence factors of life satisfaction. In those from charged facilities, health status, education and age were the influence factors of life satisfaction. Conclusions: It was found that both health status and life satisfaction of elders in charged welfare facilities were higher than those in free welfare facilities.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.91-101
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• 2012

Objectives: This study examined the extent to which attitudes about smoke-free air policies (SFAPs) in bars/restaurants, workplaces, all public places, and motor vehicles when minors are present can be explained by individuals' sociodemographic characteristics, smoking status, and beliefs about the health of others. Methods: Data were gathered from 359 individuals age 18 or older who attended the Lawrence County Fair in Indiana, United States, in July, 2009, an area where there were no SFAPs in place at the time of survey administration. Results: Multinomial logistic regression analyses indicated that perceived severity of secondhand smoke (SHS) on others, perceived responsibility of smokers for the harm their SHS causes to others, and perceived susceptibility of others to SHS exposure, along with education level and smoking status, significantly predict opposition to SFAPs in this population. Conclusions: The results of this exploratory study suggest the need for additional research related to attitudes about health policies as well as to the practical applications of these findings for smoke-free air advocacy.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.329-340
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• 2005

Purpose: The study was performed to compare the contents of jobs and job satisfaction of resident nurses at free elderly homes with nursing homes in Korea. Method: The subjects consisted of 138 resident nurses at free elderly homes and nursing homes. Data were collected from the 1st of January to the 22nd of February in 2005 using a structured questionnaire containing questions on general characteristics. contents of the nurses' daily tasks, health program. job satisfaction and pay satisfaction. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS (version 11.5) through descriptive statistics, $X^2-test$, t-test and ANOVA. Result: For nurses at free elderly homes and nursing homes. their daily tasks consisted of health assessment. medication care and eating care. The general job satisfaction of the nurses was similar between those at free elderly homes and those at nursing homes, but working conditions and pay were significantly different according to the sub content of job satisfaction. Job satisfaction was significantly different according to marital status in resident nurses at the free elderly home, and according to the experience of living with the elderly and the experience of receiving special training or lectures in elderly nursing in resident nurses at free nursing homes. Conclusion: Resident nurses at free elderly homes and nursing homes had various types of tasks, and it is necessary to differentiate tasks and payment systems for them according to their job.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1583-1588
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• 2015

The large intestine is a home for trillions of microbiota, which confer many benefits on the host, including production of vitamins, absorption of nutrients, pathogen displacement, and development of the immune system. For several decades, germ-free animals have been used to study the interaction between the host and its microbiota. This minireview describes the technical aspects for establishing and maintaining germ-free animals and highlights the advantages and disadvantages for germ-free animals as experimental models.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.184-195
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• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to provide information in reference to the health hazards of asbestos substitutes. Methods: This study was conducted by reviewing the literature on the types of asbestos substitutes, product development using alternative materials and the health effects associated with asbestos substitutes. Results: Synthetic or natural fibers such as synthetic vitreous fiber, polyamide, attapulgite, sepiolite and wollastonite are known as asbestos substitutes. According to the patents data of the United States and Europe since the 1970s, many asbestos-free products have been developed in a variety of industries. Health hazards of some asbestos substitutes including synthetic vitreous fibers have been evaluated by many experts, however, additional researches are required to be carried out in the future. Conclusions: Alternatives to asbestos are necessary to develop the asbestos-free products. Health hazards for only several asbestos substitutes have been assessed so far and occupational exposure limit has not been established for many asbestos substitutes yet. Therefore, even though workers are handling asbestos-free products, it is recommended to control the working environment well enough in order to minimize the exposure of workers to dusts or fibers caused during the working process.