• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.30
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• pp.5.1-5.8
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• 2015

Objectives We aimed to assess the radiation exposure for epidemiologic investigation in residents exposed to radiation from roads that were accidentally found to be contaminated with radioactive cesium-137 ($^{137}Cs$) in Seoul. Methods Using information regarding the frequency and duration of passing via the $^{137}Cs$ contaminated roads or residing/working near the roads from the questionnaires that were obtained from 8875 residents and the measured radiation doses reported by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, we calculated the total cumulative dose of radiation exposure for each person. Results Sixty-three percent of the residents who responded to the questionnaire were considered as ever-exposed and 1% of them had a total cumulative dose of more than 10 mSv. The mean (minimum, maximum) duration of radiation exposure was 4.75 years (0.08, 11.98) and the geometric mean (minimum, maximum) of the total cumulative dose was 0.049 mSv (<0.001, 35.35) in the exposed. Conclusions An individual exposure assessment was performed for an epidemiological study to estimate the health risk among residents living in the vicinity of $^{137}Cs$ contaminated roads. The average exposure dose in the exposed people was less than 5% of the current guideline.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.36-49
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• 2000

Evaluation of nutritional status is an essential element in providing appropriate intervention strategies to achieve the highest level of health, Nutritional assessment of the older population is complicated by many factors which do not significantly affect the nutritional status in young adults, therefore, it should be considered in two ways; community-dwelling elders group and hospitalized or institutionalized elderly group. To sort out the individuals with nutritional problems in a community efficiently, nutrition screening tools must be simple, relatively inexpensive, and applicable to a large number of subjects. Combination of tools and indicators such as 24-hour food recall, body weight and height, and questionnaires on eating practices, and the presence of chronic diseases is practically applicable as basic tools of nutritional screening of older age group. However, the lack of validated screening techniques remains a barrier in improving nutrition. Validation is only limited to energy, BMI, protein intake of the older populations living in western countries. Further refinement of nutritional assessment tools is demanded to figure out whether those are practically applicable to community-living older adults in Asian Society. A careful and systematic evaluation of nutritional assessment tools should be carried out prior to implementation of stepwise nutrition service to the heterogeneous older population. For an in-depth nutritional assessment at the individual level, we need to extend research efforts to clarify the requirements of nutrients due to aging and diseases. More cost-effective method that will allow rapid analysis of survey results are needed so that information can be readily available to policymakers.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.126-143
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• 1996

Background : Little work has been carried out regarding quality assessment research in a primary care setting, comparing with that of hospitals. This study aims to evaluate the process of diagnosis and management of hypertension by public health doctors on the basis of pre-established clinical guideline, and to identify several modifying factors associated with them. Methods : Hypertension was selected as the target disease, because it is a chronic disease which is of great public health importance. Self-administered questionnaires were mailed to public health doctors practicing at health centers and health subcenters across the nation. The response rate was 20.9%. The questionnaire included the diagnosis and management process such as measuring blood pressure, history taking, physical examinations, and treatment approches and potentially modifying factors such as level of training, duration of practice as a public health doctor, and education on management of hypertension. Results : Public health doctors pay little attention in measuring BP, hypertension related history taking, performing physical examination and laboratory examination. But they devoted much effort in diagnosing hypertension exactly and giving nonpharmacological treatment. Among various antihypertensive drugs, calcium-channel blockers were the most preferred agent(50.9%). Level of training, duration of practice ad a public health doctor, and education on management of hypertension made no difference on quality of care(p>0.05). Conclusion : These public health doctors showed poor compliance with the pre-established clinical guidelines, which leaves much to be desired in diagnosing and managing hypertensive patients by public health doctors. This study might be able to contribute to develop some strategies, such as educational programs, which would be able to improve the process of care in hypertensives.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2619-2624
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• 2016

Background: Cancer is a worldwide health problem. Arabic countries are also concerned and the burden linked to the pain related to cancer is dsiquieting. The aim of this study is to set the panel of valid tools for assessing the multiple dimensions of pain in arabic speaking countries. Materials and Methods: A systematic review on PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct databases was conducted using as key words cancer, pain and arabic speaking population. The content of 51 articles was studied and nine articles were retained for their relevance for the issue. Results: We founf eight different questionnaires. MSAS-Leb, EORTC-C30, EORTC-BR23, MDASI, FLIC, and COOP/WONCA are dedicated to physical and psychological dimensions of pain. BPI is centered on direct items for measuring pain accurately. ABQ-II is the unique tool focusing on barriers to cancer pain control. All tools are confirmed valid and reliable in the context studied for assessing pain and disconfort linked to cancer. Conclusions: This panel of questionnaires covers all relevant aims for assessing pain in diferent arabic speaking countries with the recommendation of a cultural adaptation to local arabic languages.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2016

Objectives The aim of this study is to develop diagnostic and assessable questionnaires for cervical movement system impairment syndromes. Methods We reviewed the previous study and literature, and organized various checkable items for differential diagnosis of four different cervical movement system impairment syndromes. Next, we selected items which can be developed as questionnaire items. Finally, we conducted a face validity study with twelve Korean medical doctors and carried out survey research to evaluate the importance score of the items with three experts. Results We developed a diagnostic and assessable questionnaire as follows: 9 items for cervical extension syndrome; 5 items for cervical flexion syndrome; 9 items for cervical rotation syndrome. By conducting 2 rounds of survey research, we were able to bridge the differences in the importance score of each item. Conclusions A questionnaire for the diagnosis and assessment of movement system impairment syndromes was developed. This questionnaire holds promising applications for objective diagnosis and assessment of cervical movement system impairment syndromes. This tool may also be used for detecting the sub-health status of musculoskeletal systems.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.570-582
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• 2016

Purpose: The aims of this study were to identify health literacy and health promoting behaviors in adolescents and to examine the relationship between these variables. Methods: A descriptive correlational study design was used with self-administrated questionnaires. A total of 212 third-year middle school students in G province were conveniently sampled. Korea health literacy assessment tool-2, Korean functional health literacy test, and the health promoting lifestyle profile were used. Data analyses were performed using SPSS/WIN 21.0. Results: Linguistic health literacy and functional health literacy scores were $37.18{\pm}17.74$ and $11.86{\pm}2.77$, respectively. Health promoting behaviors was $2.95{\pm}0.34$. The relationships between linguistic health literacy and health promoting behaviors (r=.405, p<.001) and between functional health literacy and health promoting behaviors (r=.168, p<.001) showed statistically significant positive correlations. Linguistic health literacy was also positively related with functional health literacy (r=.196, p<.001) with statistical significance. Conclusion: The degree of health literacy of middle school students was somewhat low, but was significantly correlated with health promoting behaviors. To improve health promoting behaviors, there needs to be an increase in health literacy.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.65-78
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• 1995

The resident attitude for preservation and development of amenity in Eulsuk island and its downstream area at estuary of Nakdong river in Korea were investigated by the questionnaires and the field surveys. Based on the results, the characteristics of this study area are the natural ecological preservation area, natural environmental preservation area and curtural assets for migratory birds. And there are a estuary bank, a Dadae beach and a Molundae park. Special amenities are (1) the light (sunrise, sunset etc), (2) the water(river, sea etc.), (3) the air(fresh wind, beautiful sound etc.), (4) the land space(beautiful view, recreation field, reed area, pine forest etc.) and (5) the stream(dancing of migratory birds, water flow, folk dance, history remains etc.). But at present, the environmental qualities as health, aesthetics safety, amenity and culture are deteriorated by development. So the number of migratory birds are decreasing. The residents desired that in future this area be use for the recreation space, the park and the natural leaning fields etc, as well as the restoration of destroyed resources.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.428-437
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe health status and to identify the factors related to health behavior in older adults in South Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 186 older people (mean age =68.2yrs, 65.1% Female) registered at one senior center. Data were collected by self-report questionnaires or through face to face interview. The instruments were the Modified Health Behavior Assessment Scale, Stanford Research Instruments for Chronic Disease, Self-Efficacy, SOF Frailty Index and Quality of life questionnaire. The data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and stepwise multiple regression. Results: 58.6% older adults perceived their health status positively. Education level and economic status were significantly related to health behaviors of older adults. Self-rated health, sleep, stress, quality of life, health distress, depression, and frailty were significantly correlated with the health behaviors of older adults. Frailty, education level, and sleep disturbance were the significant factors predicting the health behaviors. Conclusion: The findings from this study suggest that nurses should take into consideration education level of older adults to promote their health behaviors and health promotion program which focuses on maintaining the quality of sleep and preventing frailty.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.539-548
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the organizational effectiveness of the introduction of a healthcare information system (electronic medical records and databases) in healthcare in Kazakhstan. Methods: The authors used a combination of 2 methods: expert assessment and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis. SWOT analysis is a necessary element of research, constituting a mandatory preliminary stage both when drawing up strategic plans and for taking corrective measures in the future. The expert survey was conducted using 2 questionnaires. Results: The study involved 40 experts drawn from specialists in primary healthcare in Aktobe: 15 representatives of administrative and managerial personnel (chief doctors and their deputies, heads of medical statistics offices, organizational and methodological offices, and internal audit services) and 25 general practitioners. Conclusions: The following functional indicators of the medical and organizational effectiveness of the introduction of information systems in polyclinics were highlighted: first, improvement of administrative control, followed in descending order by registration and movement of medical documentation, statistical reporting and process results, and the cost of employees' working time. There has been no reduction in financial costs, namely in terms of the costs of copying, delivery of information in paper form, technical equipment, and paper.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.5-14
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate sub-health status (SHS) of people living in China during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 is a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection-induced acute infectious disease, which is featured by universal susceptibility and strong infectivity, and SHS (a status of low quality health) refers to a status of low-quality health. COVID-19 has gradually developed into a global pandemic, making the public in a high stress situation in physiological, psychological and social states in the short term. Methods: From March 6 to 11, 2020, a large-scale cross-sectional survey was conducted by convenient sampling, and SHS assessment scale was used in the questionnaire. The ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors affecting SHS. Results: In this study, 17,078 questionnaires were delivered with 16,820 effective questionnaires collected, and 10,715 subjects (63.7%) were found with SHS, with moderate SHS primarily. Physiological sub-scale scored the highest, followed by psychological and social sub-scales. Ordinal logistic regression analysis indicated that man, only-child, workers and farmers were risk factors of SHS. Protective factors of SHS included living in rural areas and townships, laid-off retirees and education degree. Conclusion: It shows many people in China place in a poor health status during COVID-19 pandemic. It is necessary that relevant departments pay more attention to people with poor health such as men, only-child, urban people, workers and farmers, and groups with high education degree during and after pandemic stabilization.