• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.111-127
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• 2003

The government of Korea enacted the National Health Promotion Act in 1995, and set aside funds for national health promotion, endeavoring to reduce the smoking rate of its citizens. Consequently, smoking rates in all age groups of both sexes were lowered during the period of 1999-2003 when legal backing and financial support for no-smoking policies from the national health promotion funds were provided. The decrease in the smoking rate is attributed to the combined effort of the fact that enactment of related acts, their implementation, financial support, and education and publicity 'campaigns on no smoking. However, at the current pace of decreasing the smoking rates, it will be difficult to achieve the Health and Welfare Ministry's smoking rate goal of30％ among adult males by 2013. Thus, related acts should be reshaped, corresponding support should be increased, and financial support should also be provided to implement comprehensive no-smoking policies. Also, budgets should also be alloted to establish a system of providing feedback on the monitoring and evaluation of both short-term and long-term no-smoking business planning and implementation.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.207-211
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• 2019

Anisakiasis is a zoonotic disease induced by anisakid nematodes, and endoscopic inspection is used for a diagnosis or remedy for it. Anisakis simplex, Anisakis physeteris, and Pseudoterranova decipiens had been reported to be the major species causing human infections, particularly, in Japan. However, in Korea, recent studies strongly suggested that Anisakis pegreffii is the major species of human infections. To support this suggestion, we collected anisakid larvae (n=20) from 20 human patients who were undergone gastrointestinal endoscopy at a health check-up center in Korea, and molecular identification was performed on the larvae using PCR-RFLP analysis and gene sequencing of rDNA ITS regions and mtDNA cox2. In addition, anisakid larvae (n=53) collected from the sea eel (Astroconger myriaster) were also examined for comparison with those extracted from humans. The results showed that all human samples (100%) were identified as A. pegreffii, whereas 90.7% of the samples from the sea eel were A. pegreffii with the remaining 9.3% being Hysterothylacium aduncum. Our study confirmed that A. pegreffii is the predominant species causing human anisakiasis in Korea, and this seems to be due to the predominance of this larval type in the fish (sea eels) popularly consumed by the Korean people. The possibility of human infection with H. aduncum in Korea is also suggested.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.235-241
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• 2011

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarrettes) were recently introduced and advertised as a smoking cession device in South Korea. As the social norm to quit smoking has gained hold in the country, the number of e-cigarette users is growing rapidly. This phenomenon should be urgently considered, because of the lack of research that has been conducted to examine the safety of e-cigarettes and its efficacy as a smoking cessation aid. This paper raises several public health concerns on e-cigarettes in South Korea. Uncertain regulations of the government on e-cigarettes are contributing to an increase of e-cigarette users and allowing the e-cigarette industry to circumvent existing regulations. The aggressive marketing activity of this industry is also a core factor that is responsible for the rapid increase of e-cigarette use, in particular among the youth. Following the enforcement of tobacco control, some cigarette smokers may be encouraged to purchase e-cigarettes in order to circumvent the regulations, even though the dual use of e-cigarette and cigarette may be more harmful. Until there is clear evidence of the e-cigarette’s safety, it is recommended that the industry’s marketing and promotional activities be banned and closely monitored, and public campaigns be initiated to educate the public regarding e-cigarettes.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.317-324
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• 2023

Standard- and large-sized eggs of Trichuris trichiura were found in the feces of schoolchildren in Yangon, Myanmar during epidemiological surveys and mass deworming with albendazole in 2017-2019. The standard-sized eggs were identified as those of T. trichiura, but it was necessary to exclude the possibility of the large-sized eggs belonging to Trichuris vulpis, a dog whipworm. We conducted morphological and molecular studies to determine the species of the 2 types of Trichuris eggs. Individual eggs of both sizes were isolated from Kato-Katz fecal smears (n=20) and mechanically destroyed using a 23G injection needle. Nuclear DNA was extracted, and the 18S rRNA region was sequenced in 15 standard-sized eggs and 15 large-sized eggs. The average size of standard-sized eggs (T. trichiura) was 55.2×26.1 ㎛ (range: 51.7-57.6×21.3-28.0 ㎛; n=97), whereas the size of large-sized eggs was 69.3×32.0 ㎛ (range: 65.1-76.4×30.1-34.5 ㎛; n=20), slightly smaller than the known size of T. vulpis. Regarding standard-sized eggs, the 18S rRNA nucleotide sequences exhibited 100% homology with T. trichiura deposited in GenBank and 88.6-90.5% homology with T. vulpis. Regarding large-sized eggs, the nucleotide sequences showed 99.8-100% homology with T. trichiura in GenBank and 89.6-90.7% homology with T. vulpis. Both standard- and large-sized eggs of Trichuris spp. found in Myanmar schoolchildren during 2017-2019 were morphologically and molecularly confirmed to belong to T. trichiura. The conversion of eggs from smaller to large sizes might be due to anthelmintic treatments with albendazole.

• Proceedings of The Korean Society of Health Promotion Conference
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• 2001.09a
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• pp.91-111
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• 2001

Background: Alcohol and tobacco use are two major behavioral risk factors implicated in increased morbidity and mortality. Since both substances are widely used in Korea, a concerted effort is currently underway to reduce the use of tobacco and alcohol in Korea. Objectives: Efforts directed toward educating health promotion planners and health educators from local health departments to organize and implement health education programs to reduce the proportion of people smoking and excessive drinking in the community. Methods: A training guide on prevention of smoking and excessive drinking has been developed. Comprehensive multi-media health promotion materials were developed based on health behavior theories and strategies for effective health behavioral interventions. To better control of behavioral risk and promote health enhancement, the materials were developed to introduce a user-oriented developmental approach by making messages more persuasive and organizing content in a user-friendly manner. Sections of the report explain theoretical background of the intervention, choosing goals and a target population, specific program activities to include in an intervention, development, organization, methods of making program content vivid and persuasive, and evaluation,. Implications for Practitioners: The process followed in developing the health intervention materials is described in detail to assist practitioners who need to develop effective programs to reduce the use of tobacco and excessive alcohol. Health educators from all local health departments in the country were trained in the use of the materials, to enable them to develop community interventions to reduce smoking and excessive drinking.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.327-338
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• 2024

Objectives: Estimating the number of deaths caused by smoking is crucial for developing and evaluating tobacco control and smoking cessation policies. This study aimed to determine smoking-attributable mortality (SAM) in Korea in 2020. Methods: Four large-scale cohorts from Korea were analyzed. A Cox proportional-hazards model was used to determine the hazard ratios (HRs) of smoking-related death. By conducting a meta-analysis of these HRs, the pooled HRs of smoking-related death for 41 diseases were estimated. Population-attributable fractions (PAFs) were calculated based on the smoking prevalence for 1995 in conjunction with the pooled HRs. Subsequently, SAM was derived using the PAF and the number of deaths recorded for each disease in 2020. Results: The pooled HR for all-cause mortality attributable to smoking was 1.73 for current men smokers (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.53 to 1.95) and 1.63 for current women smokers (95% CI, 1.37 to 1.94). Smoking accounted for 33.2% of all-cause deaths in men and 4.6% in women. Additionally, it was a factor in 71.8% of men lung cancer deaths and 11.9% of women lung cancer deaths. In 2020, smoking was responsible for 53 930 men deaths and 6283 women deaths, totaling 60 213 deaths. Conclusions: Cigarette smoking was responsible for a significant number of deaths in Korea in 2020. Monitoring the impact and societal burden of smoking is essential for effective tobacco control and harm prevention policies.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2019

Background: Promoting healthy lifestyles at work should complement workplace safety programs. This study systematically investigates current states of occupational health and safety (OHS) policy as well as practice in the European Union (EU). Methods: OHS policies of EU member states were categorized as either prevention or health promotion provisions using a manifest content analysis. Policy rankings were then created for each prevention and promotion. Rankings compared eight indicators from the European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks-2 data on prevention and promotion practices for each member state using Chi-square and probit regression analyses. Results: Overall, 73.1% of EU establishments take preventive measures against direct physical harm, and about 35.4% take measures to prevent psychosocial risks. Merely 29.5% have measures to promote health. Weak and inconsistent links between OHS policy and practice indicators were identified. Conclusion: National OHS policies evidently concentrate on prevention while compliance with health and safety practices is relatively low. Psychosocial risks are often addressed in national policy but not implemented by institutions. Current risk assessment methods are outdated and often lack psychosocial indicators. Health promotion at work is rare in policy and practice, and its interpretation remains preventive. Member states need to adopt policies that actively improve health and well-being at the workplace.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.1-13
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate secular trends in height, weight, obesity among Korean children and adolescents in 2006-2015. Methods: The study participants were 1,249,698 children and adolescents 6-17 years in age who participated in health examinations for school students supervised by Korean Ministry of Education and conducted by the Korea Association of Health Promotion in 2006-2015. Height and weight were measured unified procedures at each period. Obesity was defined as being 95th percentile of sex-specific body mass index(BMI) for age in the 2007 Korean National Growth Charts or $BMI{\geq}25$. Results: Between 2006 and 2015, the median of height and weight, BMI of Korean children and adolescents has increased significantly. The overall prevalence of obesity was 10.7%(boys 12.6%, girls 8.7%). In 2012-2015, the prevalence of obesity 12.2%(boys 14.1%, girls 10.2%), compared to 9.1%(boys 10.9%, 7.2%) in 2006-2008. The increase in obesity prevalence was statistically significant(p<0.05). The prevalence was highest in Gyeonggi area, lowest in Chungcheong area when compared to other regions(p<0.001). Conclusions: During the period 2006-2015, growth trends, prevalence of obesity among Korean children and adolescents increased significantly. Health promotion and intervention programs promoting healthy growth and development of Korean children and adolescents were need consider the demographic and regional characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.257-273
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• 2005

Objectives: The study was to analyse health educator system of Japan and to suggest some implications to certification system of health education specialist in Korea. Methods: A content analysis carried out for the study which is an establishment the central operating organization, and curriculum of health educator system of Japan. Related documents of Japanese Association of Health Education were reviewed and personnel of the central operating body was interviewed in 2005. Result: Major findings were as follows: 1. Health educators in Japan were trained and certified through a non governmental organization, named Health Educator Training Organization in cooperation with Japanese Society of Health Education and Promotion. 2. Certification system was developed by Japanese Society of Health Education and Promotion, and health educators were certified through fulfillment of professional training and examination administered by Health Educator Training Organization. 3. The professional training sessions were held twice a year and the credential should be renewed every five years. 4. The eligibility of participation in the professional training sessions and renewal requirement were defined in the regulations of Health Educator Training Organization. 5. There were two kinds of health educators in Japan. The first one was a practical health educator, and the other was a professional health educator. The training for a professional health educator was more intensive than the practical one and consigned to a graduate school designated by Health Educator Training Organization. Conclusion: Review of operating system, clarity of operating process, and the development of renewal system of health education specialist would be necessary for the improvement of certification system in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2011

Objectives: This study aims to provide baseline information for health educator training, standards for university curriculum on health education and health educator training, and ultimately to help settling the national qualification system for health education specialists. Results and Conclusion: Based on literature review and professional taskforce meetings, we discuss: 1) Principles for course standards; and 2) Objectives and content standards for 9 required courses for health education specialists. The curriculum standards could be used for the course evaluation run by Korea Health Educator Qualification Management Office, and as a guiding principle for the development of courses and curricula for health education and health educator training.