• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.63-76
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to provide the basic data for developing a program for effective health education about AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) by investigating the knowledge and attitudes of middle and high school students about AIDS. The subjects were 476 middle school students and 658 high school students from Seoul and Kang Won province. The data were collected from November 19 to December 18. 1996. using a 56-item questionnaire. and analyzed by SAS program for t-test. x2-test. and pearson correlation coefficients. The results were as follows : 1. High school students had more knowledge than middle school students about AIDS. 2. Male. students from Seoul. and students who had drinking experience and smoking experience among middle school students. and male. students from Seoul. and students of non-coeducation among high school students were more knowledgeable about AIDS. 3. Misconceptions about the transmission of AIDS through non-intimate contact were especially common among middle school students. And a high proportion of middle and high school students knew very little about the symptoms of AIDS. 4. High school students had more positive attitudes toward AIDS than middle school students. 5. Students from Seoul and students who had smoking experience among middle school students. and students from Seoul and non-coeducation and students who had substance use experience among high school students were more positive attitudes about AIDS. 6. Most of the middle and high school students agreed that there is a need for AIDS education. 7. Middle and high school students reported that had learned about AIDS mostly from TV. Since students in the middle-school age group are especially at risk for developing AIDS­related behaviors. this study findings suggest that it is crucial to develop school-based AIDS education programs that help students acquire the knowledge and attitudes to adopt and maintain behaviors that reduce the risk of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection and other related health problems.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.321-327
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• 2015

A 50-year-old male visited the outpatient clinic and complained of fever, poor oral intake, and weight loss. A chest X-ray demonstrated streaky and fibrotic lesions in both lungs, and chest CT revealed multifocal peribronchial patchy ground-glass opacities with septated cystic lesions in both lungs. Cell counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed lymphocyte-dominant leukocytosis, and further analysis of lymphocyte subsets showed a predominance of cytotoxic T cells and few T helper cells. Video-assisted wedge resection of the left upper lobe was performed, and the histologic examination was indicative of a Pneumocystis jirovecii infection. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) was orally administered for 3 weeks; however, the patient complained of cough, and the pneumonia was aggravated in the follow-up chest X-ray and chest CT. Molecular studies demonstrated mutations at codons 55 and 57 of the dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) gene, which is associated with the resistance to TMP-SMX. Clindamycin-primaquine was subsequently administered for 3 weeks replacing the TMP-SMX. A follow-up chest X-ray showed that the pneumonia was resolving, and the cough was also alleviated. A positive result of HIV immunoassay and elevated titer of HCV RNA indicated HIV infection as an underlying condition. This case highlights the importance of careful monitoring of patients with P. jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) during the course of treatment, and the molecular study of DHPS mutations. Additionally, altering the anti-PCP drug utilized as treatment must be considered when infection with drug-resistant P. jirovecii is suspected. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of TMP-SMX-resistant PCP described in Korea.

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.211-254
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• 2014

Malawi's agricultural extension system has been subjected to a number of criticisms in recent times for failing to contribute significantly to agricultural development and for not responding to the needs of the smallholder farmers. Despite this, extension is still seen as key to improving poverty and rural livelihoods.There is a number of challenges facing extension that require a response from the public sector and other stakeholders. A clear and positive response to these challenges will help shape the future of agricultural extension in Malawi for the benefit of all farmers and the attainment of the broad policy objectives of government: democratization, market liberalization, decentralization, HIV/AIDS crisis, shrinking public sector resources, public sector reform, and co-ordination, etc. The mission is to provide pluralistic demand driven extensions services and promote equalisation and co-ordination in service provision in order to achieve food security at household level, there-by reducing poverty. On the other hand the vision is that 'All farmers' demand and access high quality extension services from those best able to provide them'. DAES implements its extension policy through the District Agricultural Extension Services System (DAESS), based on Model Village Approach.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.5
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• pp.375-380
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• 2010

Lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP) is a rare benign lymphoproliferative interstitial lung disease. LIP has been associated with autoimmune disorders, HIV, viral infections, and so on. Once underlying systemic diseases have been excluded, a diagnosis of idiopathic LIP can be made. Although 6 cases of pathologically confirmed LIP have occurred in Korea, thus far none has been associated with primary Sjogren's syndrome. A 44-year-old man was admitted to hospital due to a dry cough and dypsnea on exertion that had been ongoing for 2 months. A chest radiography showed multiple and variable-sized cystic lesions, on both lungs and both interstitial infiltration and consolidation in both lower lung fields. Tests for autoantibody showed positive results of anti-nuclear antibody and anti-Ro/La antibody. The patient underwent a video assisted thoracoscopic surgery biopsy and pathologically confirmed LIP. We report the first known case of LIP-associated with primary Sjogren's syndrome in Korea.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.317-325
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• 2016

Increased access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has made the management of drug toxicities an increasingly crucial component of HIV. This study investigated the effects of adjuvant use of coconut oil and HAART on testicular morphology and seminal parameters in Sprague-Dawley rats. Twelve adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 153~169 g were distributed into four groups (A-D) and treated as follows: A served as control (distilled water); B (HAART cocktail-Zidovudine, Lamivudine and Nevirapine); C (HAART + Virgin coconut oil 10 mL/kg) and D (Virgin coconut oil 10 mL/kg). After 56 days of treatment, animals were killed and laparotomy to exercise the epididymis for seminal fluid analyses done whilst testicular tissues were processed for histo-morphometric studies. Result showed a significant decline in sperm motility (P < 0.05) and count (P < 0.0001) in HAART-treated animals while there was insignificant changes in other parameters in groups C and D except count that was reduced (P < 0.0001) when compared with controls. Histomorphological studies showed HAART caused disorders in seminiferous tubular architecture with significant (P < 0.01) decline in epithelial height closely mirrored by extensive reticulin framework and positive PAS cells. Adjuvant Virgin coconut oil + HAART resulted in significant decrease in seminiferous tubular diameter (P < 0.05), but other morphometric and histological parameters were similar to control or Virgin coconut oil alone (which showed normal histoarchitecture levels). While derangements in testicular and seminal fluid parameters occurred following HAART, adjuvant treatment with Virgin coconut oil restored the distortions emanating thereof.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.4977-4980
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• 2015

Background: ASC-US cases are managed according to the current American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) guideline in which a human papillomavirus (HPV) test and repeat Pap smear are performed in the next 1 year. Colposcopy in cases of positive high risk HPV and persistent ASC-US or more in subsequent Pap smear is recommended. The HPV test is more expensive and still not currently a routine practice in Thailand. Objective: To identify the risk factors of persisted abnormal Pap smear and the colposcopic requirement rate in women with ASC-US. Materials and Methods: During 2008-2013, this study was conducted in Prapokklao Hospital, Chanthaburi, Thailand. Participants were women who attended gynaecology clinic for cervical cancer screening. Women who had cytological reports with ASC-US were recruited. During the study period, 503 cases were enrolled. Colposcopic requirement was defined as those who were detected with an ASC-US or more in subsequent Pap smears up to 1 year follow-up. Results: The colposcopic referral rate was 23.2 (85/365) percent at 12 months. Prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2/3 was 3.3 (12/365) percent. Loss follow-up rate of subsequent Pap smear and colposcopic appointment were 27.4 (138/503) and 48.2 (41/85) percent, respectively. There was no invasive cancer. High risk factors for persisted abnormal Pap smears in subsequent test were premenopausal status, HIV infected patients and non-oral contraceptive pills (COC) users. Conclusions: Referral rate for colposcopy in women with ASC-US reports was rather high. Loss to follow-up rate was the major limitation. Immediate colposcopy should be offered for women who had high risk for silent CIN.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.4939-4941
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• 2012

Background: The serum level of soluble CD30 (sCD30) is known to be increased with several lymphomas and to correlate with prognosis. Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a highly aggressive malignant lymphoma with poor prognosis, but the existence and significance of sCD30 in PEL have not yet been investigated in detail. Objectives: Since the membrane type of CD30 is frequently expressed on the surface of PEL cells, we compared the expression of the membrane type of CD30 and the production of sCD30 among PEL cell lines as well as other lymphomas. Methods: The expression of surface CD30 in various lymphoma cell lines was analyzed with flow cytometry ans sCD30 was quantified by ELISA. Results: Both surface and sCD30 were detected on PEL cell lines as well as on Hodgkin's lymphoma and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma cell lines. Surface CD30 and sCD30 levels of each cell lines correlated with each other. Conclusion: The serum level of sCD30 appear to be a useful biological tumor marker for the diagnosis and management of CD30-positive PEL.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.8-17
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• 2024

Objectives: The effectiveness and efficiency of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in reducing the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among men who have sex with men (MSM) relies on how widely it is adopted and adhered to, particularly among high-risk groups of MSM. The meta-analysis aimed to collect and analyze existing evidence on various factors related to PrEP adherence in MSM, including demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, substance use, and psychosocial factors. Methods: The meta-analysis followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The search included articles published between January 2018 and December 2022, obtained from the PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases. The studies that were included in the analysis reported the proportion of MSM who demonstrated adherence to PrEP and underwent quality appraisal using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results: Of the 268 studies initially identified, only 12 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final meta-analysis. The findings indicated that education (odds ratio [OR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 2.40), number of sexual partners (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.31), engaging in sexual activities with an human immunodeficiency virus-positive partner (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.16 to 2.26), substance use (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.70 to 0.99), and lower levels of depression (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.37 to 0.82) were associated with higher rates of PrEP adherence among MSM. Conclusions: Despite these findings, further research is necessary to investigate PrEP adherence more comprehensively. The findings of this meta-analysis can be utilized to inform interventions aimed at improving PrEP adherence among MSM and provide directions for future research in this area.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.975-991
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• 1997

Background : Many patients with isoniazid and rifampin-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis have organisms that are also resistant to other first-line drugs. Despite of aggressive retreatment chemotherapy, the results are often unsuccessful, with a failure rate approaching 40%. Recently, there has been a revival of resectional surgery for the treatment of multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods : A retrospective analyses of the case records and radiographic findings were done. Between January 1991 and December 1995, 14 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seronegative patients with multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis were selected for resection to supplement chemotherapy. All patients had organisms resistant to many of the first-line drugs, including both isoniazid and rifampin. Results : Despite of aggressive therapy for median duration of 9.5 months, 12 of the 14 patients (86%) were still sputum smear and/or culture positive at the time of surgery. The disease was generally extensive. Although main lesions of the disease including thick-walled cavities were localized in one lung, lesser amounts of contralateral disease were demonstrated in 10 of 14 (71%). Types of surgery performed were pneumonectomy including extrapleural pneumonectomy in six patients, lobectomy or lobectomy plus in six patients, and segmentectomy in two patients. The resected lung appeared to have poor function ; preoperative perfusion lung scan showed only 4.8% of the total perfusion to the resected portion of the lung. There were no operative deaths. Two patients had major postoperative complications including empyema with bronchopleural fistula and prolonged air leak, respectively. Of the 14 patients, 13 (93%) remained sputum-culture-negative for M. tuberculosis for a median duration of 23 months and one remained continuously sputum smear and culture positive for M. tuberculosis. Conclusion : On the basis of comparison with historical controls, adjunctive resectional surgery appears to play a significant beneficial role in the management of patients with multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis if the disease is localized and there are adequate reserve in pulmonary function.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.109-129
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• 1999

AIDS is worldwide problem. It has threatens societies and is potentially a big problem among youth. UNAIDS has warned that collective global responses are necessary; with half of the newly infected being children and young people in 1998, educating youth below age 24 is essential. Because of both their unexpected, strong sexual activities and an easjer tendency to change their behavior than adults, UNAIDS emphasizes the importance of prevention education for youth. In Korea, 4 cases of HIV infection have officially been reported among high school students. Considering the potential seriousness of HIV infection among youth, the Korean AntiAIDS Federation (KAAF) began an education programme for Korean youth (middle & high school pupils) as one intervention method in 1993. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of the education programs performed and to develop a better programme. The intervention method used in this study was mainly a lecture in a big or small auditorium or through broadcasting systems using audio-visual teaching aids. The period of this survey was from Nov. 10 to Dec. 26. in 1998. The subjects surveyed were 792 pupils who were sampled from 12 different middle and high schools in Seoul by a two-stage cluster sampling. Self-recording the structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed by using a paired t-test to compare the knowledge difference before and after the interrention method. A chi-square test to compare the consciousness difference between pre-post-education results was used, and an ANOVA was ased to compare the knowledge difference among the selected groups. Major results of this study are summarized as follows: (1) AIDS knowledge significantly changed after AIDS prevention education. (2) The direct lecture in a big or small auditorium is more effective than an indirect lecture through a broadcasting system or through audio-visual teaching aids. (3) Those who had not seen obscene materials (e.g. pornography films, magazines etc.) acguired much more knowledge than others after AIDS prevention education. (4) Those who had no girlfriend/or boyfriend acquired much more knowledge than the others after AIDS prevention education. (5) As to the attitudes toward chastity, more girls than boys and students who had not seen obscene materials rather than those who already had were liable to support the state ment: "all should remain chase" and their consciousness on "being chaste" changed much more than that of others after intervention. (6) As to the individual evaluation of lectures, 23.1% shows "very good", 44.1% "good", 26.9% "normar" '-' thus, the positive evaluation was to 94.2%. The negative response was 5.8%. (7) As to the desire for AIDS education sponsored by KAAF in the future, more than 90.5% showed a positive reaction. (8) As to the educators in future education methods, pupils wanted lecturers from outside their schood. (9) Students from vocational high schools have seen obscene materials much more than other groups and the percentage of those who had a girlfriend/or boyfriend was higher than that of the others as wello. (10) 90% of those who watched obscene materials responded that they experienced these materials while at middle school and 100% before reaching the second grade of high school. (11) The number of boys who have experienced obscene materials is twice as many as that of girls. (12) The percentage of boys who have a girlfriend is much higher than the percentage of girls who have a boyfriend. (13) Among those who have friends of the opposite sex, 11.1% say that they hare had sexual contact and 20.8% hare experienced kissing and caressing.