• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.133-148
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• 2021

This study was undertaken to identify dietary patterns of Korean elderly people living alone, and to compare the quality of diet consumed. Data of 821 elderly people aged 65 years or older who were living alone, was obtained from the 2016~2018 National Health and Nutrition Survey. The percentage energy intake from 24 food groups was calculated, and a cluster analysis was applied to identify dietary patterns. General characteristics, energy and nutrient intake, nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR), mean adequacy ratio (MAR), and index of nutritional quality (INQ) were analyzed. Dietary variety score (DVS) and dietary diversity score (DDS) were subsequently calculated. The rice-centered diet group and mixed diet group were characterized as consuming higher intake of rice and a wider variety of food groups, respectively. The mean age and percentage of participants living in rural areas were higher, whereas education level and monthly income were lower, in the rice-centered diet group (P<0.001 for all). Intakes of energy and all other nutrients (except carbohydrate and thiamine) were lower in the rice-centered diet group (P<0.001 for all). The NAR for all nutrients (except thiamine), MAR, and INQs (except thiamine and iron) were significantly lower in the rice-centered diet group (P<0.001 for all). The rice-centered diet group had significantly lower DVS (P<0.001) and DDS (P<0.001), as compared with the mixed diet group (P<0.001). Due to the insufficient energy and nutrient intake in the rice-centered diet group, it is necessary to develop nutritional monitoring and customized nutrition policies for these individuals.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.3-11
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• 1999

The Korean system of health and medical care has been organized with both Oriental and Western medical sciences. To get complete clinical treatment results is not possible with only one-sided medical care, therefore we need to formulate an interdisciplinary plan for better health care, that is to say our ultimate purpose is the cooperative medical care for the promotion of social welfare and health. Hereupon, I made a searching inquiry into the present condition of cooperative medical care and its problems and also took a consideration into the medical state of other countries like China. Japan and North Korea where the Oriental medical care is used. The results of this investigation are as follows. There are some problems in both Oriental and Western(general) medical care, such as a lack of mutual confidence, a severance of interdisciplinary study, a shortage of professional human resources and so on. There also used to be problems of the system such as, the responsibility of medical care, the double charge for medical treatment, the governmental passive participation and policy, the private-oriented study system and so on. The solutions of these problems are that the mutual understanding and coexistence between both Oriental and Western medical sciences should be preceded and the interdisciplinary study, identified terminology and cooperative medical specialists would be necessary. Furthermore, the government has to seek some policies and legislation for the cooperative medical system and needs to support the public research institutes and centers of the cooperative medical care. After all, we have to train the cooperative medical specialists for the mutual aid of both Oriental and Western medical sciences and the government also has to support it with some policies and legislation for the better medical care system.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3533-3540
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• 2016

Background: Cigarette smoking is one of the leading global causes of premature and preventable death. In Brunei Darussalam, smoking-related diseases have been a primary cause of mortality for the past three decades. Despite the increasing efforts that have been made in recent years to reduce the consumption of tobacco products in Brunei, the prevalence of adolescent smoking cigarette, however has risen alarmingly, from 8.9% in 2013 to 11.4% in 2014, with a higher prevalence found in males (17.8%) than in females (4.8%). In response to the need for more effective smoking prevention programmes in Brunei, this study sought to explore factors that influence Bruneian male adolescents to start and continue smoking. Materials and Methods: A qualitative study using focus group discussions (FGDs) as the data collection method was conducted from October to November 2015. A total of 43 studentss, comprising 31 smokers and 12 non-smokers, aged 13-17 years, from two government secondary schools in Bandar Seri Begawan, participated in six FGDs. Discussions were recorded and translated. Transcripts were entered into NVivo10, before thematic analysis was conducted. Results: We identified three themes under the core construct of 'factors influencing smoking initiation' ('family as teachers', 'overt pressure from peers' and 'perceived smoking has many advantages') and three themes under the core construct of 'factors influencing smoking continuation' ('craving and addiction', 'smoking as a 'social activity' and 'easy accessibility of cigarettes'). Conclusions: Based on the findings, it is recommended that future prevention activities should be embedded in a comprehensive approach, involving all stakeholders within a community, and should be focused towards bringing a change in smoking and parenting behavior of parents, social norms within the culture towards all population levels, and at strengthening the existing non-smoking policies in schools and other public places where young people congregate.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2008

Objectives : We examined the effect of sociodemographic factors, cancer, and psychiatric disorders on suicide by gender and age-specific patterns in South Korea. Methods : The study is a case-control study. Claim data was obtained from the national health insurance database and national death registration database. The number of people who committed suicide was 11,523, which was matched with a control group consisting of ten times as many people at 115,230 selected from the national health insurance and medical aids beneficiaries. The medical utilization of the case group was one year before death and that of the control group was from July 1,2003 to June 30, 2004. Four variables-address, economic status, presence of a psychiatric disease, and cancer-were used in multiple logistic regression analyses. Results : Living in cities or in rural areas showed a greater risk for suicide than living in a metropolitan city. Low economic status, the presence of a psychiatric disorder, and cancer were also statistically meaningful risk factors for suicide. The three major psychiatric diseases, schizophrenia, alcohol abuse, and bipolar disorder, were meaningful in all age groups, but the scale of the odds ratio differed by the age group. Only the psychiatric disorder variable was meaningful in the adolescent group, whereas a psychiatric disorder and economic status were meaningful for the young adult group, and all variables were meaningful for the middle-aged group. A psychiatric disorder and cancer were meaningful in the elderly group, economic status was meaningful for male subjects, and address was meaningful for female subjects. Conclusions : Factors such as living in city or rural areas, low economic status, the presence of a psychiatric disorder, and cancer were statistically meaningful risk factors in suicide. These factors also differed by age group. Therefore, policymakers should establish policies for suicide prevention that are relevant for each age group.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.67-83
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• 2024

Background : Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has profoundly impacted all aspects of life, from disease prevalence to the utilization of medical services. In Republic of Korea, there exists both a duty and a right for Korean Medicine to treat epidemic diseases. However, no studies have been conducted to examine changes in the utilization of Korean Medicine during the pandemic. This study aims to identify the differences in the utilization of Korean Medicine before and after COVID-19. Method : This study analyzed data from the Health Insurance Statistics of the National Health Insurance Service and the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service from 2016 to 2022. To compare the utilization of Korean Medicine with Western medicine, the analysis was limited to the clinic level. Results : The top 10 most frequently treated conditions in Korean Medicine from 2016 to 2022 remained consistent, primarily involving musculoskeletal diseases, with the exception of functional dyspepsia. Visits to Korean Medicine clinics have declined, while visits to Western Medicine clinics recovered. Despite the overall decline in visits, certain Korean Medicine services increased in frequency, especially in precipitator-simulated acupuncture, indirect moxibustion (moxa burner), pricking cupping (two areas), warming meridian sinew, and complex Chuna therapy (80% as out-of-pocket expenses). Although the relative value units in Korean Medicine services varied, the fees for all services, except for precipitator-simulated acupuncture, increased. Conclusion : These findings indicate that COVID-19 has affected the utilization of Korean Medicine. Further studies are needed to explore the broader impact of epidemics on medical services and to develop policies to address these changes.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.19-25
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• 2024

This study surveyed 171 police officers working in Jeollabuk-do to investigate their first aid knowledge and the need for education. The results showed that the correct answer rate for first aid knowledge among police officers was 75.61 points out of a possible 100 points. Additionally, 98.8% of respondents indicated a need for first aid training, expressing a preference for 2-hour sessions integrated with their work education. There was a statistically significant difference in the correct answer rate for first aid knowledge based on education level and experience in emergency situations, but no significant difference in the need for education was observed across respondents. The significance of this research lies in its provision of foundational data for first aid education among police officers, which can be instrumental in developing training programs and policies aimed at enhancing their first aid capabilities. Specifically, the study contributes to improving the effectiveness of police officers' responses in emergency situations by offering concrete suggestions on the content, method, and duration of first aid training. These findings underscore the necessity and importance of providing comprehensive and effective first aid training not only to police officers but to all first responders, emphasizing that such training is crucial for ensuring public safety.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.10
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• pp.643-648
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• 2010

Sir William Osler (1849-1919) recognized that "variability is the law of life, and as no two faces are the same, so no two bodies are alike, and no two individuals react alike and behave alike under the abnormal conditions we know as disease". Accordingly, the traditional methods of medicine are not always best for all patients. Over the last decade, the study of genomes and their derivatives (RNA, protein and metabolite) has rapidly advanced to the point that genomic research now serves as the basis for many medical decisions and public health initiatives. Genomic tools such as sequence variation, transcription and, more recently, personal genome sequencing enable the precise prediction and treatment of disease. At present, DNA-based risk assessment for common complex diseases, application of molecular signatures for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, genome-guided therapy, and dose selection of therapeutic drugs are the important issues in personalized medicine. In order to make personalized medicine effective, these genomic techniques must be standardized and integrated into health systems and clinical workflow. In addition, full application of personalized or genomic medicine requires dramatic changes in regulatory and reimbursement policies as well as legislative protection related to privacy. This review aims to provide a general overview of these topics in the field of personalized medicine.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.185-193
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• 2012

This study is to observe the effect of oral health of elderly on overall health status and social activity to provide basic data for oral health improvement program for the elderly and development of related policies. The survey was conducted from July 25th to July 29th, 2011, and used 145 copies for this research analysis. As a result of correlation analysis, it is observed that all of 4 sub factors of Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index have significant static correlation with overall health status of elderly and social activity also has significant static correlation with oral health. As a result of regression analysis, the functional limitation out of sub factors showed significant positive effect on health status and psychological effect has significant positive effect on social activity. Based on the above result, it is observed that, at the time of rapidly entering to an aging society, the life quality related to oral health of elderly which is part of overall health and overall health status and social activity areas that are recognized by the elderly have significant correlation. And, it is important to understand the factors of oral health affecting health status and social activity. Based on the result of this study, more researches on the development of oral health program and development of assessment tool that can be easily employed should be made.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.27 no.2_2
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• pp.457-465
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• 2024

This study used Korea's cause of death statistical data to identify the scale and characteristics of deaths from respiratory diseases in Jeollabuk-do over the past five years ('18~'22). The average number of deaths due to respiratory diseases in Jeollabuk-do over the past five years was approximately 11.5% of all deaths, and pneumonia accounted for 81.0% of deaths due to respiratory diseases. Deaths from respiratory diseases were highest among men, those in their 80s, those who were widowed, and those with elementary school education. The highest number of deaths by occupation were skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers, but when standardized by age, the highest number of deaths were among technicians and related workers. The main place of death due to respiratory diseases was found to be medical institutions. In order to reduce the occurrence and death of respiratory diseases, it is necessary to establish resident health promotion and disease management health policies that reflect regional characteristics.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.133-142
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to gather baseline data to be used for improving housing environments and developing welfare policies for low-income groups by identifying the similarities and differences in housing environmental conditions and in the usages of community welfare services between the dwellers of Da-Ka-Gu rental housing and those of permanent rental apartment. This multifaceted diagnosis currently being undertaken can be utilized through the lowincome housing planning and welfare policies as the basis for future policy formulation. Self-administered questionnaires and interviews were carried out by 212 dwellers in Da-Ka-Gu rental housing (104) and permanent rental apartments (108) in the city of Gwangju from July to October of 2010. The main findings are as follows: 1. The dwellers living in both Da-Ka-Gu rental housing and permanent rental apartments are satisfied with their housing environment. Specifically, a higher satisfaction with transportation and a lower satisfaction with neighbor's inter-relationships were evident. The dwellers of Da-Ka-Gu rental housing appear to be more satisfied with community spaces and housing management than those of the permanent rental apartments, whereas the latter appear to be less satisfied with the noise of the housing complex than the former. 2. Of the community welfare service programs, a higher usage is shown for meals service, free health screenings, home repair, and after-school learning programs among all residents in the two housing types. In particular, for the residents of Da-Ka-Gu rental housing, the children's education and parent education programs are more popular, whereas for those of the permanent rental apartments, the housekeeping services and health services utilization are highest.