• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.185-201
• /
• 1991

A household survey was conducted to compare the patterns of morbidity and medical care utilization between medical aid beneficiaries and medical insurance beneficiaries. The study population included 285 medical aid beneficiaries that were completely surveyed and 386 medical insurance benficiaries selected by simple random sampling from a Dong(Township) in Taegu. Well-trained surveyers mainly interviewed housewives with a structured questionnaire. The morbidity rates of acute illness during the 15-day period, were 63 per 1,000 medical aid beneficiaries and 62 per 1,000 medical insurance beneficiaries. The rates for chronic illness were 123 per 1,000 medical aid beneficiaries and 73 per 1,000 medical insurance beneficiaries. The most common type of acute illness in medical aid and medical insurance beneficiaries was respiratory disease. In medical aid beneficiaries, musculoskeletal disease was most common, but in medical insurance beneficiaries, gastrointestinal disease was most common. The mean duration of acute illness of medical aid beneficiaries was 3.8 days and that of medical insurance beneficiaries was 6.8 days. During the one year period, mean duration of medical aid beneficiaries chronic illnesses was 11.5 months which was almost twice as long compared to medical insurance beneficiaries. Pharmacy was most preferrable facility among the acute illness patient in medical aid beneficiaries, but acute cases of medical insurance beneficiaries visited the clinic most commonly. Chronic cases of both groups visited the clinic most frequently. There were some findings suggesting that much unmet need existed among the medical aid beneficiaries. In acute cases, the average number of days of medical aid users utilized medical facilities was less than medical insurance users. On the other hand, the length of medical care utilization of chronic cases was reversed. Geographical accessibility was the most important factors in utilization of medical facilities. Almost half of the study population answered the questions about source of funds on medical security correctly. Most respondents considered that the objective of medical security was afford ability. The chief complaint on hospital utilization was the complicated administrative procedures. These findings suggest that there were some problems in the medical aid system, especially in the referral system.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.16-24
• /
• 2016

Background and Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often undiagnosed but is an important risk factor affecting the health of an individual. The level of awareness of the illness among patients with OSA is low and is not correlated with severity of the illness. This study was conducted to compare awareness of OSA symptoms and illness between patients with OSA and simple snorers. Materials and Methods: Two hundred eighty-two patients who were suspected of having OSA participated in this study. All subjects underwent overnight polysomnography. Those with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ${\geq}5$ were classified as the OSA group, while those with an AHI < 5 were classified as the simple snoring group. A sleep questionnaire, which included items on awareness of the illness, OSA, and sleep symptoms, was administered to all subjects and their bed-partners. Results: Simple snorers were much more aware of their symptoms such as snoring, irregular breathing, and apnea than were patients with OSA. Bed-partners of simple snorers were also more aware of the participants' sleep symptoms than were partners of patients with OSA. However, the duration of OSA symptoms was longer in the OSA group. In the correlation analysis, the level of awareness of OSA symptoms was negatively correlated with AHI, age, body mass index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale score. Among the sleep questionnaire and polysomnography results, only Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was positively correlated with level of awareness of OSA symptoms. The minority of the respondents had heard about the treatment methods of continuous positive airway pressure and oral appliance and preferred them as treatment options. Conclusion: This study suggests that simple snorers are more aware of their symptoms than are patients with OSA. A higher severity of OSA, represented by a higher AHI, is correlated with lower awareness of one's OSA symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.206-213
• /
• 2003

Purpose: This study was designed to explore pain and self-care behaviors and identify related variables in patients with chronic arthritis. Method: One hundred fifty patients with arthritis were recruited from two university based arthritis centers according to selection criteria. Collected data were analyzed using the SAS program to analyze the responses to the structured questionnaires of the study. Result: Most of the participants expressed pain and the intensity of the pain was moderate. There were significant differences according to age, educational level, diagnosis, duration of illness, number of affected joint, and use of complementary therapy. Self-care behavior scores were moderately high. The highest practice was for 'regular visits to the hospital', and the lowest for 'applying physical therapy at home'. The mean self-care behavior scores showed significant differences according to economic status and educational level. Pain scores showed no correlation with self-care behavior. Conclusion: Developing self-management programs for patients with chronic arthritis should focus on self-care skills which are applicable in the relief of pain and enhancement of knowledge. The skills are recommended not only for better health practices but also for enhancing the level of well-being and life satisfaction.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.359-367
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of physical, psychological, and social factors on the health status of patients undergoing hemodialysis using longitudinal data. Methods: Two surveys were conducted within a period of two-year. A total of 75 patients participated in both surveys. Eight variables including symptoms, treatment belief, hope, meaning-focused coping, family support, friend/peer support, healthcare provider support, and health status were measured. Data were analyzed by paired t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regressions. Results: The mean age of the participants was 47.31 and the average duration of dialysis was 8.27 years. There was no difference in scores on perceived health status between the two year-interval surveys. The two-year follow-up on perceived health status was correlated with baseline perceived health status, friend/peer support, meaning-focused coping, hope, and symptoms. As the result of the regression analysis, friends/peer support (${\beta}=.31$, p=.013) and baseline perceived health status (${\beta}=.30$, p=.020) were found to be significant predictors of subsequent health status which explained 39.0% of the variance. Conclusion: This study suggests the importance of psychosocial resources for positive health outcomes in patients with a chronic illness. Nursing interventions aimed to provide renal peer support need to be developed and tested.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.168-178
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare self-care behavior, diabetes-related stress and stress coping style among 3 blood glucose control groups (good, inadequate, and poor blood glucose control groups). Methods: Participants were 102 type 2 diabetic patients (good group: 41, inadequate group: 31, poor group: 30). Data were collected from Feb 19 to Mar 24, 2010 and were analyzed using Chi-square, Fisher's exact test and ANCOVA with SPSS/WIN 12.0. Results: Using ANCOVA with frequency of admission, and illness duration as covariates, significant differences were found among the 3 groups in self-care behavior (total score) and the exercise subscale. Using ANCOVA significant differences were found among 3 groups in diabetes-related stress (total score), emotional burden subscale and regimen distress subscale. Using ANCOVA no difference in stress coping was found among the 3 groups, but there was a significant difference in the problem-oriented coping subscale. Conclusions: Self-care behavior, diabetes-related stress, and stress coping style are factors influencing blood glucose control. The results of this study suggest that for improving blood glucose control, self care education program focused on diet and exercise in addition to stress management program for promoting problem oriented coping capability are recommended.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.648-654
• /
• 1989

A clinical study was performed on 363 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis treated surgically resection during the period of 3 years from January, 1986 to December, 1988 in the National Kong-Ju Hospital. The results obtained are follows: 1. The ratio of male to female was 1.6:1 in male predominance, age from 20 to 40 occurred 82.6% of the total cases. 2. The moderately advanced cases was the highest incidence with 53.2 % for extent of disease, duration of illness which 1 to 5 years before operation was 40.8 % of the total cases. 3. Preoperative sputum examination for AFB was 53.2 % in negative but in spite of chemotherapy, persistent positive sputum was 46.7%. 4. Indication for surgery were: total destroyed lung was 35.5 %, destroyed lobe or segment with or without cavity was 30.6%, empyema with or without bronchopleural fistula was 8.5%, according to type and site of surgical procedure, pleuropneumonectomy and pneumonectomy was the highest incidence with 53.4 %, left site was slightly more than right with 55.9 % of the total cases. 5. The incidence of postoperative complication was 10.2 % and then the highest incidence was empyema with or without bronchopleural fistula with 4%, according to type of surgical procedure, postpleuropneumonectomy and postpneumonectomy was 6.1 % of the total cases. 6. Postoperative mortality was 1.4 % of the total cases, according to cause of deaths, hypovolemic shock due to bleeding were 2 cases, respiratory failure were 2 cases and hepatic coma due to hepatic failure was 1 case.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.98-104
• /
• 1995

Between April 1982 and July 1991, 14 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the extremities have been treated at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Hanyang University. The diagnosis was made by clinical symptoms, history, tissue and lymph node biopsy. Age distribution was variable and the average age was 50.2 years old. The frequency was higher in male than female. The most common location arising the carcinoma was lower extremities. The most common etiology of carcinoma was chronic osteomyelitis, then chronic ulcers, burn scars in order. The average duration of illness was 22.8 years. The common clinical manifestations at the time of admission were chronic ulcer, growing mass, draining sinus in order. The choice of treatment consisted of early adequate amputation or radical resection of the focus and irradiation or chemotherapy.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.912-920
• /
• 2001

The purpose of this study is to identify the correlation that exists between quality of life and self-efficacy of schizophrenic patients, focusing on the influence of related factors on these varables. Method: The subjects of this study were 151 schizophrenic patients. The data were collected using questionnaires. The instruments used for this study were the general self-efficacy scale developed by Sherer ＆ Maddex(1982), the specific self-efficacy scale modified and complemented by these co-researchers on the basis of the past studies and modified SIP by Voruganti(1996). The period of data collection was from July. 2000 to Jan. 2001. Data analysis was done by SPSS, t-test, ANOVA and the Pearson Correlation Coefficient. Result: 1. The level of self-efficacy showed a mean score of 60.0 and the level of quality of life, a mean score of 47.0. 2. The general characteristics affecting the self-efficacy of schizophrenic patients were staying with family (p=0.05) and employment (p=0.00). 3. The general characteristics affecting the quality of life of schizophrenic patients were staying with family (p=0.04), employment (p=0.05) and duration of illness (0.03). 4. A positive correlation was identified between self-efficacy and quality of life (r=-0.469, p=0.000). Conclusion: The study suggests that nursing intervention strategy should be worked out to develop a psychiatric rehabilitation program that can promote self-efficacy and thus enhance the quality of life of schizophrenic patients.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.124-131
• /
• 2013

South Korea is changing into a multi-cultural society, due to an increase in international marriage, foreign workers and transcultural immigration. In addition, the number of North Korean defectors entering South Korea has increased and now, there are approximately 25000. Therefore, this review have focused on a research that pertains to adaptation and mental health concerns of their children. Children who have immigrated themselves or whose parents have immigrated, might experience language barriers, difficulties in school adjustment, identity confusion and mental health problems. However, their academic performance and developmental status are known to be variable and be affected by socioeconomic status and their parents' educational level. Studies that evaluated the psychological problems of North Korean adolescent refugees' indicated the need for interests in both emotional and behavioral problems. The risk factors of North Korean adolescent refugees' mental health are suggested to be past traumatic experiences, long duration of defection and short period of adaptation. When mental health professionals provide assessment and treatment, they should consider the pre- and post-migration experiences & cultural background that affect the illness behaviors and attitudes toward mental illnesses. Lastly, the majority of children with multi-cultural background are still under an adolescent period and we should follow up with long-term perspectives.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.81-87
• /
• 1996

Although nonoperative reduction plays a major role in the management of uncomplicated intussusception in the pediatric age group, surgical treatment is still a necessary alternative when nonoperative reduction is unsuccessful. The author analyzed the clinical features of 68 patients requiring operation in order to identify factors which might influence the type of operative management. A nine-year experience at Ewha Womans University Hospital was reviewed, and the findings compared to previous reports. Barium was used for the initial reduction attempt in 33 cases, saline in 35. Manual reduction by milking at operation achieved success in 41 cases(60.3%). Fifteen cases(22.1%) required resection of bowel, and 12 patients(17.6%) were found to have spontaneous and complete reduction of the intussusception at operation. Two cases had pathologic leading points. There were no perforations due to nonoperative reduction. There were no significant differences in demographic data, clinical findings, laboratory data, and anatomic type of intussusception between barium and saline reduction groups. However, a significant number of cases with spontaneous reduction were in saline reduction group(p<0.05). There was a slight chance of spontaneous reduction in infants under 6 month of age(p<0.001). Age under 6 month. body temperature over $38^{\circ}C$, symptom over 24 hours, and ileo-colic and ileo-ileo-colic intussusception contributed significantly to the necessity for bowel resection(p<0.05-0.001). The author believes that the age, body temperature, duration of illness, and anatomic type of intussusception strongly influence operative management.