• Journal of Korean Dental Hygiene Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.53-64
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• 2021

Background: The elderly in long-term care facilities tend to have a diminished oral health status, with a high prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease, as reduced cognitive function, joint mobility, and gait ability hinder the performance of oral hygiene. To improve the oral health of the elderly at long-term care facilities, it is necessary to have precise guidelines for oral health care and assessment; however, such guidelines are not readily available. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop an oral care assessment tool with verified reliability and validity. Methods: The participants in this study were 100 elderly patients at a care facilities and 10 clinical dental hygienists. Collected data were analyzed using the descriptive statistics, content validity index, and inter-rater reliability, as well as the analyses of intra-class correlation coefficient. Results: After a review of relevant literature, a preliminary questionnaire comprised of seven questions related to the evaluation of oral health was formed. After revising and supplementing the questions through a content validity test, a total of nine questions were selected. Conclusion: The novel assessment tool developed for the present study is anticipated to allow analyses of the level of problems related to oral health care before routine and professional care. Moreover, regular oral health status check-ups will enable the early diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.1-18
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• 2002

This study identified the health habits affecting health status of industrial workers. Data was collected from 965 workers in 58 companies at Buchon. The research conducted a self-administered questionnaire survey and obtained the workers' health examination records. The results were as follows: 1. Among 965 respondents, men were 82.4%, women were 17.6%, 44.5% were of the 30${\sim}$40 age group, the married were 67.4%, the single were 30.8%, high school graduates were 81.1% and 38.8% were of people who worked between 1 and 5 years 2. As far as the seven health habits, current smokers were 52.8%, people who regularly exercise was 28.5%, 7${\sim}$8 hour of sleep, on the average were 71.4%, people eating breakfast nearly every day were 8.8%, and people eating between meals almost every day were 46.5%. Heavy drinkers who drink 3${\sim}$4 times or more per week were 14.2%, 1${\sim}$2 times per week were 32.6% and the obese were 9.3%. 3, Health status of A and B, estimated by doctors in the health examination were 80.8% and C, D1, D2, the unhealthy were 19.2%. For men, those who reported more than women in unhealthy groups and the results regarding health status reflects those for gender, educational level and age. That is to say that, lower educational level group and over 30 years of age group perceive their health to be worse than the higher educational level and under 30 age group. And these differences were statistically significant. 4. The relationship between health habits and health status were examined based on the odds ratio. Current smokers had a consistently worse health status than a non smokers with a 1.98 odds ratio. The workers who reported eating breakfast rarely or never were more associated with the unhealthy group than the regular breakfast eating group with a 2.96 odds ratio. One or more drink per week had a worse health status than a never or a little drinker with a 1.56 odds ratio. 5. General health habit score and duration of work were selected as significant factors influencing health status from the result of logistic regression analysis. According to the results of this model, the odds ratio of good health status was 2.08 for good health habit score, 1.63 for workers who worked five years or more duration at work. In summary, good health habits were associated with good health status. In particular, the workers who had 5 or more desirable health habits had a significantly better health status than the workers who had 4 or less than 4 good health habits. Therefore, in order to provide the health promotion programs to workers it is necessary to organize clear health management plans based on effective health education and health service perspective. If further research examines health habits and health status using a prospective study design, More precise findings for health promotion program development in the worksite and worksite health management planning.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was to examine the change of stress and nursing needs in preterm labor women after hospitalization. Method: Forty seven women with preterm labor who were admitted in two university hospitals participated in the survey and they were completed the questionnaires on admission day and 5th day after admission. Questionnaires included in modified Antepartum Hospital Stressor Inventory (AHSI) and Nursing Needs for Preterm Labor. The collected data were analyzed by paired t-test and Pearson correlation test. Result: The stress level was not decreased significantly after hospitalization. Among them, the stresses about fetus and medical staff were decreased significantly after hospitalization, but those about pregnant women, husband and environment were increased significantly after hospitalization. The difference in the level of nursing needs between the two different days was not significant except the physical needs. The total level of stress and nursing needs were correlated significantly on the 5th day after hospitalization. Conclusion: These results indicate that stress and nursing needs of preterm labor women undergo changes after hospitalization. Therefore, development of the program being followed by stressors which change from day to day and further studies are required in order to examine the decreasing of the stress.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.93-99
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• 2009

This study investigated the effect of Corni Fructus (Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc.) extract on blood glucose and insulin resistance in db/db mice. Seven weeks old male mice were divided into normal control group (NC), diabetic control group (DC) and Corni Fructus treated diabetic group (DCF). Over an 8-week experimental period, Corni Fructus extract was administered orally at 500 mg/kg BW/day. Corni Fructus inhibited increase in blood glucose level during the OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test). At 8 weeks after beginning of the experiment, blood glucose level in the DCF group was significantly lower (p<0.01) than the DC group. Final fasting serum glucose and triglyceride in the DCF group were significantly lower (p<0.05) than the DC group by 32% and 41% respectively. Serum insulin did not differ among the NC, DC and DCF groups. The mRNA expression of adiponectin, GLUT 4 and PPAR-$\gamma$ in adipose tissue in the DC group were significantly lower than the NC group and they were higher in the DCF group than the DC group by 76%, 130% (p<0.05) and 43%, respectively. In conclusion, these results indicated that Corni Fructus would have antidiabetic effects via improving insulin resistance in favor of higher glucose utilization and reducing blood glucose level in db/db mice.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.160-168
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• 2002

Objectives : This study was intended to investigate the differences of job stressors between managers and low level employees among white-collar workers. Another objective of this study was to examine whether the effects of job stressors on mental health differ between the two groups. Methods : Data was obtained from 204 managers and 258 low level employees who were employed in white-collar jobs. Fourteen job stressors and seven job stress variables were measured. Results : Among the 14 job stressors, role overload, job insecurity, and work-family conflict were higher job stressors for the manager group whereas role conflict, work-aptitude incongruity, participation in decision making, and promotion problems were higher job stressors for the low level of employees. There were no differences in job stress scores between the two groups. However, differences in the effects of job stressors on job stress were found between the two groups. For the manager group, job insecurity, work-aptitude incongruity, and work-family conflict significantly affected in explanation of job stress whereas for the low level employees, role underload, peer satisfaction, and environmental problems significantly explaining the job stress variables. Conclusions : There were significant differences in job stressors between managers and low level employees among white-collar workers. Additionally there were differences in the effects of job stressors on job stress between the two groups.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.58-71
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was performed to identify workers' Job stress status and to analyse the influencing factors. Method: Data were collected from 456 workers with Korean Occupational Stress Questionnaire Short Form(KOSQ SF) and analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA. Results: Total job stress status of men was slightly lower than Korean workers' standard. In case of women, the score of total job stress was lower than Korean workers' standard. The most significant influencing factors to stressors were insufficient sleeping time and self cognitive bad health condition. Among seven domains of job stressors, job demand was affected by 8 characteristics. Conclusion: This study indicated that workers' job stress level were various by their characteristics except workplace size. The development of stress management programs by types of industry is required. On the base of the model program, planning of customized program for every company or employee is required. High job demand, insufficient job control, insufficient sleeping time, bad health condition are the key factors of workers' job stress in this study. The change of workers' health behavior with supportive environment is essential to stress management program. More researches for adding physical environment domain to KOSQ SF are expected.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.112-129
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• 2019

Currently, the South Korean Government does not provide sickness benefits from the National Health Insurance, which is different from most other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. The sickness benefit guarantees a part of lost income due to injuries or diseases. The purpose of this study is to propose a sickness benefit scheme for South Korea. To this end, we compare health care systems, sickness benefit schemes, and delivery systems of those in Germany, Japan, and Sweden, focusing on the seven categories: management authority, object, level of payment, duration of payment, qualification requirements, connection with paid sick leave of workplace, and financial resources, and as to delivery system, the six categories: the number of procedures, transferring document between institutions, whether or not utilizing electronic reporting system, applicant, and administrative convenience. Based on the implications derived from the case study, we propose the sickness benefit scheme and its delivery pathway and other details for South Korea. This study is first to propose the sickness benefit for health insurance in Korea with its level of details. More studies should follow with case studies of other countries, as well as productive debates to build a feasible and sustainable sickness benefit system in South Korea.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2021

Introduction: Training standards for long-haul truck drivers (LHTD) are rapidly evolving in Canada, yet the opinions of the drivers themselves have not been adequately considered. The purpose was to survey LHTD on their work training history and to examine LHTD perceptions of driver training and licensing protocols. Methods: LHTD were recruited across two Western Canadian provinces from seven different truck stops. The sample completed 207 surveys and 67 semi-structured interviews. Results: The average age of the participants was 52.5 ± 11.5 years (range 24-79); 96% were men. Approximately 33% of the LHTD had at least one crash. Those who did not receive formal driver training were significantly more likely to crash than those who had received training. Participants stated that current training standards are inadequate for the industry, particularly for new drivers. According to participants, entry-level curriculums should consist of both classroom and practical training, as well as on-road observation with a senior mentor. LHTD reported that many new drivers are not equipped to drive in various contexts and settings (e.g., mountains, slippery roads). Conclusions: LHTD are not confident in the current training guidelines for novice truck drivers. Revisions to the training curriculum and standardization across Canada should be considered. Practical Application: A federal mandatory entry-level training program is needed in Canada to ensure that all new LHTD ascertain the necessary skills to drive safely. Such a program requires government involvement and input from LHTD to facilitate appropriate licensure and consistent training for all drivers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4275-4279
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• 2016

Background: Cancer is a major health problem due to the aging population with increasing deaths. Family functioning is affected by cancer diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to comparative analysis of the perception of family functioning by heads of families with and without cancer members during illness, focusing on changes or probable changes. Materials and Methods: This comparative study was conducted on two groups (families with a member of the cancer and controls without a family member with cancer). The families were of patients referred to the clinics and hospitals of Imam Khomeini, Taleghani and Omid of Urmia city, the number of samples being 148 for cases and 176for the control group. To collect the data, valid and reliable family functioning (FAD) was applied, a 60-item questionnaire with seven dimensions, with heads of families. To analyze the data SPSS- 23 Software was used for descriptive and analytical statistics. Significance level was defined p <0.05. Results: Among the seven items : problem solving, communication, roles, emotional response, emotional involvement, behavior control and overall functioning, only differences for average scores of problem-solving were statistically significant. Discussion: Contrary to common perception of severe damage for family functioning in families with cancer members, results of this study indicate that functioning in terms of family caregivers is more or less similar to that of the families with other diseases. Only in problem-solving item do these families experience more difficulty. Conclusion: According to the research findings, in nursing from families with cancer patient, it is recommended to focus more on the problem-solving item of the families.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.99-106
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• 2002

Objective : Until now, there have been no evidence-based guidelines produced for the mass screening of hyperlipidemia cases in Korea. This study was done to find the most efficient strategy for a hyperlipidemia-screening program among Korean adults, Method : Seven alternative strategies for hyperlipidemia screening were formulated and compared ir terms of cost-effectiveness. Cost and effectiveness were estimated from social perspectives and using a two-stage screening process (initial testing and additional testing for positives from the first test). A computerized database (based on persons who had visited a health promotion center in one teaching hospital for a routine health check-up) was used to determine the cost and the outcome of various strategies. Official data was used in calculating direct and indirect costs. Effectiveness was measured according to the number of persons who needed clinical intervention for hyperlipidemia. A stratified analysis, considering age group and sex, was then done. Sensitivity analyses, focusing on several uncertain parameters, were also done. Results : Of the seven test alternatives available, the most cost-effective strategy was a screening program, which consisted of an initial test of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride. There was some variation in the rank of the cost-effectiveness ratios for the seven alternatives dependent on age group or gender. Conclusions : Current hyperlipidemia screening practice, for National Health Insurance beneficiaries, tests only the total cholesterol level with a cut-off value of 260mg/dl as an initial screening test. It is not the best strategy for cost-effectiveness, and should be modified. Different screening strategies taking age group and sex into account should be developed and used for the efficient mass screening of hyperlipidemia cases among Korean adults.