• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.119-123
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• 2020

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread across the world and caused a pandemic. It can be transmitted by an infected person or an asymptomatic carrier and is a highly contagious disease. Prevention and early identification of COVID-19 are important to minimize the transmission of COVID-19. Chest computed tomography (CT) has a high sensitivity for detecting COVID-19, but relatively low specificity. Therefore, chest CT may be difficult to distinguish COVID-19 findings from those of other infectious (notably viral types of pneumonia) or noninfectious disease. Pulmonary contusion has also a lot of similarities on chest CT with COVID-19 pneumonia. We present trauma patients with pulmonary contusion whose CT scans showed findings similar to those of COVID-19, and we report our experience in the management of trauma patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.66-70
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• 2019

Objectives: In the Republic of Korea (ROK), the notified incidence of tuberculosis in foreign-born individuals (NITFBI) has increased recently, as has the rate of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and rifampicin-resistant (RR) tuberculosis in foreigners staying in the ROK. As Jeju Province in ROK has a no-visa entry policy, control programs for NITFBI should be consolidated. The aim was to evaluate the status of NITFBI, with a focus on the distribution of MDR/RR tuberculosis by nationality. Methods: Data on tuberculosis incidence in individuals born in Jeju Province and in foreign-born individuals were extracted from the Korean Statistical Information Service of Statistics Korea, and the Infectious Disease Surveillance Web Statistics of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, respectively. Results: Among all notified incident cases of tuberculosis, the proportion of NITFBI increased from 1.46% in 2011 to 6.84% in 2017. China- and Vietnam-born individuals accounted for the greatest proportion of the 95 cases of NITFBI. Seven cases of MDR/RR tuberculosis were found, all involving patients born in China. Conclusions: In Jeju Province, ROK, NITFBI might become more common in the near future. Countermeasures for controlling active tuberculosis in immigrants born in high-risk nations for tuberculosis should be prepared in Jeju Province, since it is a popular tourist destination.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.11-13
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• 2013

Background: Esophagus cancer, the third most common gastrointestinal cancer overall, demonstrates high incidence in parts of Iran. The counties of Iran vary in size, shape and population size. The aim of this study was to account for spatial support with Area-to-Area (ATA) Poisson Kriging to increase precision of parameter estimates and yield correct variance and create maps of disease rates. Materials and Methods: This study involved application/ecology methodology, illustrated using esophagus cancer data recorded by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (in the Non-infectious Diseases Management Center) of Iran. The analysis focused on the 336 counties over the years 2003-2007. ATA was used for estimating the parameters of the map with SpaceStat and ArcGIS9.3 software for analysing the data and drawing maps. Results: Northern counties of Iran have high risk estimation. The ATA Poisson Kriging approach yielded variance increase in large sparsely populated counties. So, central counties had the most prediction variance. Conclusions: The ATAPoisson kriging approach is recommended for estimating parameters of disease mapping since this method accounts for spatial support and patterns in irregular spatial areas. The results demonstrate that the counties in provinces Ardebil, Mazandaran and Kordestan have higher risk than other counties.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.67-72
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• 2023

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections have increased rapidly over the past decade and are recognized as a severe health threat in Korea and worldwide. This study aimed to identify the status and characteristics of CRE infection in Jeju province and provide important basic data for the prevention and management of CRE infection. A descriptive epidemiological analysis was performed on reported cases of CRE infection in Jeju Province between 2018 and 2021 using the integrated management system for disease, an infectious disease reporting system from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The annual difference and distribution trends of CRE infection were analyzed using CRE isolates, carbapenemase-producing CREs (CP-CRE) and their genotypes, and the type of medical institution in Jeju Province. CRE infections steadily increased in Jeju from 2018 to 2021, and the proportion of CP-CRE among the CREs also showed a statistically significant increase each year. Among the CRE isolates, Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC, 62.13%) was the most common, and among the CP-CRE genotypes, KPC (81.62%) showed the highest distribution and increased each year. As the distribution of CP-CRE in have increased over the past 4 years, measures to prevent the spread and outbreak of CRE infections are warranted. The results of this study are expected to be used as basic data for prevention and management of CRE infections in the province.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2023

Background: Breaking the chain of disease transmission from overseas is necessary to control new infectious diseases such as coronavirus disease 2019 effectively. In this study, we developed a mobile app called Self-Symptom Checker (SSC) to monitor the health of inbound travelers. Methods: SSC was developed for general users and administrators. The functions of SSC include non-repudiation using QR (quick response) codes, monitoring fever and respiratory symptoms, and requiring persons showing symptoms to undergo polymerase chain reaction tests at nearby screening stations following a review of reported symptoms by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, as well as making phone calls, via artificial intelligence or public health personnel, to individuals who have not entered symptoms to provide the necessary information. Results: From February 12 to March 27, 2020, 165,000 people who were subjected to the special entry procedure installed SSC. The expected number of public health officers and related resources needed per day would be 800 if only the phone was used to perform symptom monitoring during the above period. Conclusion: By applying SSC, more effective symptom monitoring was possible. The daily average number of health officers decreased to 100, or 13% of the initial estimate. SSC reduces the work burden on public healthcare personnel. SSC is an electronic solution conceived in response to health questionnaires completed by inbound travelers specified in the World Health Organization International Health Regulations as a requirement in the event of a pandemic.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.29-39
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• 2023

In this study, an analysis of medical waste generation characteristics was conducted, differentiating between ordinary situation and the outbreaks of massive infectious diseases. During ordinary situation, prediction models for medical waste quantities by type, general medical waste(G-MW), hazardous medical waste(H-MW), infectious medical waste(I-MW), were established through regression analysis, with all significance values (p) being <0.0001, indicating statistical significance. The determination coefficient(R2) values for prediction models of each category were analyzed as follows : I-MW(R2=0.9943) > G-MW(R2=0.9817) > H-MW(R2=0.9310). Additionally, factors such as GDP(G-MW), the number of medical institutions (H-MW), and the elderly population ratio(I-MW), utilized as influencing factors and consistent with previous literature, showed high correlations. The total MW generation, evaluated by combining each model, had an MAE of 2,615 and RMSE of 3,353. This indicated accuracy levels similar to the medical waste models of H-MW(2,491, 2,890) and I-MW(2,291, 3,267). Due to limitations in accurately estimating the quantity of medical waste during the rapid and outbreaks of massive infectious diseases, the generation unit of I-MW was derived to analyze its characteristics. During the early unstable stage of infectious disease outbreaks, the generation unit was 8.74 kg/capita·day, 2.69 kg/capita·day during the stable stage, and an average of 0.08 kg/capita·day during the reduction stage. Correlation analysis between generation unit of I-MW and lethality rates showed +0.99 in the unstable stage, +0.52 in the stable stage, and +0.96 in the reduction period, demonstrating a very high positive correlation of +0.95 or higher throughout the entire outbreaks of massive infectious diseases. The results derived from this study are expected to play a useful role in establishing an effective medical waste management system in the field of health care.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.978-1005
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• 2013

In 2010-11 outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, around 3.5 million livestock were slaughtered and buried at more than 4,500 landfill sites. These landfill sites have been managed according to the Domestic Animal Infectious Disease Control Law. However, the control will be removed from December 2013 since the control period is 3 years. That means the sites will be reused without any interference. In this situation, if the buried livestock has not fully resolved and opened to surface, many dangerous happening is expected. This study explores technology and policy measures to meet the expected problems after December 2013. We will suggest the structure of technology for management of landfill sites based on the needs of the sites, and we will analysis Korean patents under this classification. This is the first try in the world because Korean style of landfill is unique. Based on analysis, we will suggest policy recommendations.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.389-398
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• 2018

This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, compliance and affecting factors of the cough etiquette to prevent the respiratory infectious disease transmission. Data were collected 250 self reporting questionnaires above 19 years old adult from Aug. 13th to Sep. 19th 2018. 213 questionnaires were analyzed statistically. In the results, the score was converted in terms of 100 points, knowledge of the cough etiquette was average $70.99{\pm}19.92$ points, compliance was $70.63{\pm}10.25$ points. Knowledge and compliance were statistically positive significant correlation, In the multiple regression analysis, the affecting factors were gender, usually carry a handkerchief, usually carry a portable tissue paper, average number of handwashes per day, know about cough etiquette, knowledge of cough etiquette. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and apply an educational program that reflects the affecting factors of cough etiquette in this study result. The higher level of cough etiquette performance will help prevent respiratory infection transmission.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.297-305
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• 2014

Animals and disease frequency of the rescued dogs were investigated in Incheon Veterinary Medical Association Animal Shelter from January in 2012 to December in 2013. Three zoonoses (rabies, brucellosis, and dirofilariosis) and three infectious diseases (canine distemper, canine parvoviral enteritis, and canine influenza) were examined for stray dogs. Among 5,603 heads, 647 (11.5%) went back to their owner and 969 (17.3%) were adopted to new families. Prevalence of dirofilariosis, canine distemper and canine parvoviral enteritis were 2.2% (16/718), 6.0% (24/399) and 6.1% (24/396), respectively. Positive antibody rates against rabies, B. canis and canine influenza virus were 20.5% (41/200), 0.1% (1/718) and 2.0% (4/200), respectively. Protective antibody for canine distemper virus and canine parvovirus were shown in 47.0% (94/200). The data indicate that control measures including facility standards and disease control program are one of the important aspects of the shelter management because stray dogs are exposed to various infectious agents.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2021

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is transmitted primarily through droplets, and dental practitioners are at risk of occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection owing to direct contact with the patient's mouth, aerosols from dental procedures, and saliva. Wearing a mask is believed to be the best method of protection against infection, and a systematic literature review was conducted on whether the dental masks used in dentistry are effective in preventing Coronavirus Infectious Disease-19 (COVID-19). Methods: We used PubMed, Google Scholar, DBpia, NDSL, and KISS databases for this study. Of the 917 documents narrowed down by the search terms "Coronavirus, COVID-19, and dental," 83 documents were collected and studied. Ultimately, 42 of these papers were selected for analysis after considering duplication from the flow chart of the literature selection process. Results: While dental masks are often used when treating patients with unknown COVID-19 status, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stated that the use of dental masks is insufficient in preventing cross-transmission of COVID-19; instead, it was recommended that N95 masks, which correspond to KF94 masks, should be worn daily. On the other hand, wearing a dental mask and following precautions such as hand hygiene may not pose a significantly higher risk of infection than wearing an N95 mask when treating COVID-19 patients. Conclusion: There is an ongoing discussion regarding the use of dental masks when treating dental patients, and many argue that different types of masks should be selected according to the degree of infection and the individual's respiratory condition. By considering the safety and efficacy of dental masks in preventing infection, improvements can be made in the management of COVID-19 and dental-related infections.