• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.89-99
• /
• 2021

Objectives : This study aimed to assess youth perception of COVID-19 vaccination in one Korean Medicine college, to compare according to COVID-19 vaccination. Method : An on-line survey using Google Form was conducted on students enrolled in one Korean medical college. Results : A total of 74 students out of 260 individuals replied, with 43 males and 31 females, 68 (91.9%) were vaccinated (or vaccine reserved), six (8.1%) were not vaccinated. The response rate was 28.5%. All the unvaccinated were intended to receive vaccines in the future. The vaccinated were most concerned about the adverse events. The unvaccinated responded that COVID-19 vaccine was unnecessary, not effective, not safe, and do not recommend vaccination to others compared to the vaccinated. Conclusion : In order to improve the COVID-19 vaccination rate, clear information on the risk of COVID-19 infection and the effects of vaccines should be known through the media.

• Asian Journal of Innovation and Policy
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.106-132
• /
• 2020

This study intends to add a factor to the discussion on the sectoral systems of innovation through Korea's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Korean approach is summarized as follows: the first response centers on technology and innovation. These include the development of diagnostic test methods and accurate test kits, first in the world, the use of ICT technology in epidemiological investigations, the technical response in the field, and the competitive edge in the development of medicine and vaccines that were behind the developed countries. The second response is an aggressive effort implemented just after the Chinese announcement, before the domestic outbreak; the third response is the open policy that induces voluntary participation of all subjects and people by opening all information. More important is the leadership at the national level shown in the past Korean experience and most advanced countries. National leadership must be the missing factor.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
• /
• v.57 no.3
• /
• pp.119-141
• /
• 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed the landscape of knowledge and information services that public libraries around the world have been providing since modern times. In particular, as social distancing has become routine, the contraction of cultural activities and the shift to online platforms have negatively impacted library visitation and use services, greatly reducing borrowing and reading, use of spaces and facilities, interlibrary loan services, program operations, and outreach services. Therefore, this study investigated and analyzed the current status of services provided by public libraries in Korea and abroad in response to COVID-19, and proposed practical ways to improve and expand services in response to COVID-19 based on the results of a survey of librarians' perceptions. Specifically, these include improving the online reservation system for reading and borrowing services and developing and providing various outreach services, acquiring and expanding electronic resources, expanding online program services (reading, culture, lifelong learning, etc.), strengthening library services for vulnerable populations, providing information portal services related to new infectious diseases, strengthening facilities and space provision services, preparing infectious disease response guidelines, and providing education and training to strengthen librarians' capabilities.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.144-152
• /
• 2021

Objectives: We did this study to summarize and review and charcterize the community-wide early response to COVID-19 in Dongnae-gu of Busan Metropolitan City where first confirmed case of COVID_19 occurred in Busan. Methods: Research team from college of medicine participated as advisor to response team of local government. Research team consulted and educated and interviewed response team and wrote and reviewed COVID-19 white paper of local government. Results: Political commitment of District mayor made possible community-wide co-operation between public-private section. Early mobilization of District-wide resource was possible through political commitment. Whole-of-government response developoed to whole-of-society approach including economic support. Conclusions: Proactive community-wide response were mobilized under commitment of city mayor of local government to address the first CIVID-19 incidence in Busan Metropolitan City.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.76-86
• /
• 2021

Purpose: This study was conducted to describe the experience of school health teachers in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using content analysis. Ten school health teachers were recruited from 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and 2 high schools in Seoul, using purposive sampling. They participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews in person or using an online communication system from January to February, 2021. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Three main categories and nine generic categories emerged from the analysis. Firstly, it was discovered that school health teachers had psychological and physical stress to cope with COVID-19 due to the 1) fear of the unexpected infectious disease, 2) burden of having to deal with it alone, 3) breakdown of personal life and physical exhaustion and 4) heavy duty as a health teacher caused by the lack of an organic cooperation system with institutions related to school infectious diseases. Secondly, school health teachers had an increased sense of empowerment in regard to infectious disease management as a result of 1) feeling rewarded and appreciated and 2) gaining confidence and trust in infectious disease management. Finally, school health teachers experienced the urgent need for an effective response strategy for infection control because of the 1) confusion over infectious disease response due to lack of practical manuals applicable to the field as well as training, 2) disappointing response system without an expert response team dedicated to managing infectious diseases in schools, and 3) growing awareness of the need for change. Conclusion: It is expected that school health teachers' experience of COVID-19 will be used as important data for building effective and advanced school infectious disease response systems.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.55 no.4
• /
• pp.360-370
• /
• 2022

Objectives: This study evaluated the response in Daegu, Korea to the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic according to a public health emergency response model. Methods: After an examination of the official data reported by the city of Daegu and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as a literature review and advisory meetings, we chose a response model. Daegu's responses were organized into 4 phases and evaluated by applying the response model. Results: In phase 1, efforts were made to block further transmission of the virus through preemptive testing of a religious group. In phase 2, efforts were concentrated on responding to mass infections in high-risk facilities. Phase 3 involved a transition from a high-intensity social distancing campaign to a citizen participation-based quarantine system. The evaluation using the response model revealed insufficient systematic preparation for a medical surge. In addition, an incorporated health-related management system and protection measures for responders were absent. Nevertheless, the city encouraged the participation of private hospitals and developed a severity classification system. Citizens also played active roles in the pandemic response by practicing social distancing. Conclusions: This study employed the response model to evaluate the early response in Daegu to the COVID-19 pandemic and revealed areas in need of improvement or maintenance. Based on the study results, creation of a systematic model is necessary to prepare for and respond to future public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.40-48
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study is a descriptive research that analyzes the current status of education for COVID-19 response tasks and factors affecting work fatigue of primary health care practitioners who have experience in dispatching to respond to COVID-19. Methods: This study collected data through an online survey from September 21 to 29, 2022, targeting 193 primary health care practitioners. The data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and logistic regression analysis using the SPSS 25.0 program. Results: 74.1% of the study subjects were dispatched without receiving disaster medical training to respond to COVID-19. 59.6% of the study subjects' work fatigue was above the level of being very tired. The factors that affect the work fatigue of the subjects were disaster participation experience, work intensity, compensation regulations, compensation satisfaction, and understanding of COVID-19 guidelines. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, an educational program for systematic disaster response and preparation for primary health care practitioners in charge of public health care should be developed to efficiently cope with the occurrence of new infectious diseases in the future.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.56 no.2
• /
• pp.180-189
• /
• 2023

Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a global shortage of medical resources; therefore, we investigated whether COVID-19 impacted the quality of non-COVID-19 hospital care in Korea by comparing hospital standardized mortality rates (HSMRs) before and during the pandemic. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed Korean National Health Insurance discharge claim data obtained from January to June in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. Patients' in-hospital deaths were classified according to the most responsible diagnosis categories. The HSMR is calculated as the ratio of expected deaths to actual deaths. The time trend in the overall HSMR was analyzed by region and hospital type. Results: The final analysis included 2 252 824 patients. In 2020, the HSMR increased nationwide (HSMR, 99.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 97.7 to 101.0) in comparison to 2019 (HSMR, 97.3; 95% CI, 95.8 to 98.8). In the COVID-19 pandemic zone, the HSMR increased significantly in 2020 (HSMR, 112.7; 95% CI, 107.0 to 118.7) compared to 2019 (HSMR, 101.7; 95% CI, 96.9 to 106.6). The HSMR in all general hospitals increased significantly in 2020 (HSMR, 106.4; 95% CI, 104.3 to 108.5) compared to 2019 (HSMR, 100.3; 95% CI, 98.4 to 102.2). Hospitals participating in the COVID-19 response had a lower HSMR (HSMR, 95.6; 95% CI, 93.9 to 97.4) than hospitals not participating in the COVID-19 response (HSMR, 124.3; 95% CI, 119.3 to 129.4). Conclusions: This study suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic may have negatively impacted the quality of care in hospitals, especially general hospitals with relatively few beds. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to prevent excessive workloads in hospitals and to properly employ and coordinate the workforce.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.57-65
• /
• 2020

Purpose: The study was done to compare the status of dispatch of public officials in charge of health care in response to COVID-19 according to location of primary health care posts and the practitioners' knowledge, attitude and support related to COVID-19. Methods: Among the 193 practitioners surveyed, 175 people in Chungcheong-do, Jeolla-do and Gyeongsang-do were selected for final analysis according to work status and differences in knowledge, attitude and support. Data were analyzed using χ2 and one-way ANOVA, followed by a Scheffé-test. Results: There was a statistically significant difference by region in the number of days and places for dispatch teams to respond to COVID-19. In particular, in the case of support, the overall score was low, but Gyeongsang-do, which had the longest number of dispatch days due the occurrence of a large-scale confirmation of patients, showed higher support compared to other regions. Knowledge of COVID-19 was high, but there were no regional differences. Conclusion: Regarding performance of COVID-19 response tasks, the support level was low, indicating that psychological support and appropriate compensation from the local government are required. In addition, it is necessary to prepare a system for the provision of alternative services to prevent a work gap in health clinics.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.45-52
• /
• 2022

Background: There are regional variations in the incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which means that some regions are more exposed to the risk of COVID-19 than others. Therefore, this study aims to investigate regional variations in the incidence of COVID-19 in Korea and identify risk factors associated with the incidence of COVID-19 using community-level data. Methods: This study was conducted at the districts (si·gun·gu) level in Korea. Data of COVID-19 incidence by districts were collected from the official website of each province. Data was also obtained from the Korean Statistical Information Service and the Community Health Survey; socio-demographic factor, transmission pathway, healthcare resource, and factor in response to COVID-19. Community risk factors that drive the incidence of COVID-19 were selected using a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression. Results: As of June 2021, the incidence of COVID-19 differed by more than 80 times between districts. Among the candidate factors, sex ratio, population aged 20-29, local financial independence, population density, diabetes prevalence, and failure to comply with the quarantine rules were significantly associated with COVID-19 incidence. Conclusion: This study suggests setting COVID-19 quarantine policy and allocating resources, considering the community risk factors. Protecting vulnerable groups should be a high priority for these policies.