• 한국노년학
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.281-291
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• 2017

The present study aimed to investigate the rate of unmet healthcare needs for elderly over the age of 65 years, as well as analyze the relevance between employment status and unmet healthcare needs due to financial reasons. With regard to the study method, a logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the correlation between employment status and unmet healthcare needs due to financial reasons, targeting 5,528 subjects over the age of 65 years. The results showed that the rate of unmet healthcare needs was 18.9%, in which the rate of unmet healthcare needs due to financial reason was 8.1%. The rate of unmet health needs was higher for temporary workers(ORs=1.75) than for retirement workers. However, the rate of unmet healthcare needs caused by financial reasons was higher among day workers(ORs=1.92). In conclusion, in order to prevent unmet healthcare needs for senior Korean patients, it is necessary to not only improve the income security system for the elderly, but also improve the occupational form and level of income of these economically active citizens, considering the increase in average life expectancy. Moreover, it is also necessary to reinforce health insurance coverage systems for settling medical expenses.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.271-284
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the usage of CAD/CAM, which is one of dental technologist duties, in an effort to look for any possible changes in the usage of CAD/CAM. It's specifically meant to compare the results of this study with those of Lee Jong-do, Park Kwang-Sig(2011)'s study in March, 2011, to determine if there were any changes over the past four years. The selected variables that were investigated were the ownership of CAD/CAM, awareness of it, the route of acquiring the first information on it, the merits and demerits of its usage, usage experience and educational experience about it. Methods: An online survey was conducted on the dental technologists who worked in urban communities including metropolitan cities to find out the usage of CAD/CAM in 2015 from July 15 to 31, 2015, after existing questionnaire items were modified. The collected data were analyzed by IBM SPSS statistics 22.0, and statistical data on frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation for each item were obtained. To figure out the characteristics of the subjects and the relationship between their occupational characteristics and the usage of CAD/CAM, crosstabs, independent-samples t-test and one-way ANOVA were utilized. As for the usage of CAD/CAM in 2011, the results of Lee Jong-do, Park Kwang-Sig(2011)'s study were selected, and then a comparative analysis was made. The level of significance was all set at .05. Total 250 questionnaires were distributed to them, and 190(76.0%) were returned. After excluding 23 whose answers were uncertain or seemed to lack reliability, total 167(66.8%) were used in final analysis. Results: As a result of analyzing the usage of CAD/CAM that was one of dental technologist duties, there was a great increase in the ownership of CAD/CAM in their workplaces from 2.4 percent in 2011 to 71.7 percent in 2015, and there was an improvement in awareness about it and the necessity of its usage as well. In 2011, the Internet and mass media were the most common route that they got to know about it. They had a strong tendency to acquire related knowledge through education in 2015, and there were some changes in the products that they used or preferred. In both years, the great merit of CAD/CAM was the simplified manufacturing process of restoration, and it had another great advantages in 2015 such as the improved quality of restoration or improved environments for dental technology. Concerning disadvantages, high price was a big problem in 2011. In 2015, not only price but the burden of material costs, frequent breakdown, poor demand among dental clinics and a lack of CAD/CAM professionals were pointed out a lot. In the future, this researcher intends to make research to seek ways of improving CAD/CAM professionals. Conclusion: There was more awareness of CAD/CAM in 2015 than in 2011 when the changes in awareness of it were analyzed, and the finding suggest the necessity of sustained education and concern.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.499-504
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• 1999

Objectives : To evaluate whether a relation between blood lead and zinc proto porphyrin(ZPP) was modified by gender in Korean lead workers. Methods : A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,304 male and 101 female subjects in 1997. The relation between blood lead and ZPP were evaluated with linear, exponential, and quadratic models. Then, the different effect of gender on the relation was examined by adding the interaction terms in the each model. Results : $Mean{\pm}SD$ of blood lead and ZPP level was different between male$(27.7{\pm}10{\mu}g/dl\;and\;51.3{\pm}23.4{\mu}g/dl)$ and female subjects$(22.5{\pm}9.2{\mu}g/dl\;and\;78.7{\pm}38.6{\mu}g/dl)$. After adjusting for possible confounders, the effect modification by gender was significant in linear$(\beta=1.119,\;p<0.001)$, exponential$(\beta=Exp(0.008),\;p<0.05)$, and quadratic model$(\beta=1.388,\;p<0.001)$. In separate analysis, a quadratic relation between blood lead and ZPP was shown in male lead workers$(\beta=0.036,\;p<0.001)$, but an exponential relation in female lead workers$(\beta=Exp(0.029), p<0.001)$. Conclusion : Our data showed that the increasing rate of ZPP in female were always higher than in male lead workers, suggesting that females were more susceptible to occupational lead exposure than males.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.2 s.53
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• pp.359-370
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• 1996

An outbreak of dermatosis occurred at a machine manufacture factory in Kyongju on Aug 1995. Authors conducted a questionnaire ,survey among 92 workers in the factory and a dermatologist examined their skin lesions. Authors also collected moths and identified them. The results are as follows; 1. Forty-two cases of dermatosis were identified with attack rate of 45.7%. Attack rate was not different by company, age, sex, educational level and duration of employment. Attack rate was 47.8% among productive workers, 25.0% among clerical workers and 100.0 % among patrolmen. 2. Two cases among 42 dermatosis cases and three subjects among 50 non-cases had a history of same dermatosis last year. Four of dermatosis cases had a history of dermatosis among their family members. 3. Skin lesions of the cases were scattered or grouped rice-sized erythematous papules or vesicles. Duration of dermatosis from the onset to the time of survey was from one day to more than 30 days. The most frequent site of skin lesion was the arms(81.0 %), and it was also observed at the neck(47.6 %), abdomen(45.2 %), chest(42.9 %), legs(38.1 %) and back(35.7 %). Skin lesion was aggravated with sweating(31.0 %), after shower(16.7 %) and with scratching(11.9 %). 4. Moths were collected and identified as Euproctis subflava (Bremer). Many poisonous stings were observed on their wngs which is harmful to human. 5. Contact with moths' wing droppings to two authors on thier forearms for provocation resulted in severe immediate pain followed by prolonged pruritus. Erythematous macules quickly appeared and succeeded by firm wheal-like red papules. Authors thought that the outbreak of dermatosis was brought about by Euproctis subflava (Bremer). Further studies on the factors contributing to the prosperity of the moths in this area are needed.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 2000

Objectives : This study was undertaken to evaluate correlation between the levels of hippuric acid in blood plasma (HAP) and those of toluene concentration in the workplace air. Methods : Study subjects were composed of two groups; 21 workers who were occupationally exposed to toluene and 25 rural-area residents who were not exposed to any known occupational toluene source, as an exposed group and a reference group, respectively. Mean age and work duration of the exposed was 42 years and five years, respectively. Mean age of the reference was 42 years. To determine toluene concentrations in the workplace air, air sampling has been conducted for more than six hours using a personal sampler, and analyzed by a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. Concentrations of hippuric acid in biological samples were determined by a high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detector. Results : Geometric mean(geometric standard deviation) of HAP and hippuric acid in urine(HAU) for the exposed was 1.39(2.21) mg/L and 2.77(1.46) g/L, respectively, which were significantly different from those of the reference [HAP, 9.45(2.94); HAU, 0.37(0.45)]. Teluene concentration in the workplace air was 86.92(range: $45.18\sim151.23$)ppm. The level of HAP or HAU was significantly correlated (r=0.70 and r=0.63, respectively) with that of toluene in the workplace air. The estimated regression equation was logHAP(mg/L)=-3.60+1.93 log(toluene, ppm) or logHAU(g/L)=-0.85+0.67 log(toluene, ppm). The magnitude of correlation was further enhanced when analyzing relationship between toluene concentrations lower than 100 ppm and its corresponding HAP levels. Conclusion : Overall, plasma hippuric acid levels were well correlated with toluene concentrations in the workplace air, and a statistically significant correlation was observed for the samples with toluene concentration lower than 100 ppm.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6391-6395
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• 2012

Background: Ovarian cancer is ranked as the fifth most common cause of cancer death in women. In Malaysia, it is the fourth most common cancer in females. CA125 has been the tumor marker of choice in ovarian cancer but its diagnostic specificity in early stages is only 50%. Hence, there is a critical need to identify an alternative tumor marker that is capable of detecting detect ovarian cancer at an early stage. HE4 is a new tumor marker proposed for the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer and disease recurrence. Currently, none of the normal ranges of HE4 quoted in the literature are based on data for a multiethnic Asian population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine reference intervals for HE4 in an Asian population presenting in University Malaya Medical Centre, a tertiary reference hospital. Materials and Methods: 300 healthy women were recruited comprising 150 premenopausal and 150 postmenopausal women, aged from 20-76 years. All women were subjected to a pelvic ultrasonograph and were confirmed to be free from ovarian pathology on recruitment. Serum HE4 levels were determined by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA, Abbott Architect). The reference intervals were determined following CLSI guidelines (C28-A2) using a non-parametric method. Results: The upper limits of the $95^{th}$ percentile reference interval (90%CI) for all the women collectively were 64.6 pmol/L, and 58.4 pmol/L for premenopausal) and 69.0 pmol/L for postmenopausal. The concentration of HE4 was noted to increase with age especially in women who were more than 50 years old. We also noted that our proposed reference limit was lower compared to the level given by manufacturer Abbott Architect HE4 kit insert (58.4 vs 70 pmol/L for premenopausal group and 69.0 vs 140 pmol/L in the postmenopausal group). The study also showed a significant difference in HE4 concentrations between ethnic groups (Malays and Indians). The levels of HE4 in Indians appeared higher than in Malays (p<0.05), while no significant differences were noted between the Malays and Chinese ethnic groups. Conclusions: More data are needed to establish a reference interval that will better represent the multiethnic Malaysian population. Probably a larger sampling size of equal representation of the Malay, Chinese, Indians as well as the other native ethnic communities will give us a greater confidence on whether genetics plays a role in reference interval determination.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.409-423
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• 2019

The purposes of this study was to confirm the current issues of workforce policy of dental auxiliary personnel in Korea. The literature review and data collection were conducted in terms of the auxiliary personnel supply, regional distribution, legal works, working environment. Despite the rapid increase in the number of dental hygienists, the number of active dental hygienists is less than half of the total, and the dental clinics still experience the shortage. Considering the dental hygienist's work, the available dental auxiliary personnel for the dental assistance is limited. The proportion of dental hygienists is concentrated in large cities, and the ratio of dental clinics composed of only dental hygienists is high. Thus, it is essential to look for a plan to solve the disparity. The criterion for judging the legality of the works is ambiguous because a large portion of dental hygienist's work is not specified in the Medical Technicians Act. The job life is also shortened, and occupational profession and satisfaction are lowered. Thus, job burnout is accelerating. The difference between the legal works and the practiced works of dental hygienist and the conflict between the personnel might be due to the lack of utilization plans for the dental personnel at the government level. Therefore, the government should establish the roles of dental hygienist in accordance with the demands of the dental health service, institutionalize the necessary policies accordingly, and make efforts to establish plans to improve the relevant laws and utilize the manpower appropriately.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.215-225
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to empirically verify the correlation between the characteristics of safety officers and managers handling disaster and safety management, competence, and performance among disaster and safety work-level officers in medium-sized companies in South Korea. For this study, the researcher surveyed 509 disaster and safety management officers of various companies and analyzed the resultant data. The results of the analysis showed that, first, the characteristics of the safety officers handling the disaster and safety management systems had a significantly positive impact on performance. Second, the characteristics of the safety officers handling the disaster management systems had a significantly positive impact on competence. Third, the disaster and safety management competence of the safety officers had a significantly positive impact on performance. Fourth, in the relationship between the characteristics of the safety officers handling the disaster and safety management systems of businesses and their performance, the competence of the safety officers had a mediating effect.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.183-190
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• 2008

PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonate) and PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid) are environmental hormones which belong to potential future persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and it is easy to exposure to human because they are used in a wide variety of consumer products. We studied exposure route and the relativity through determining and monitoring of PFOS and PFOA in Korean plasma of metropolis, small town, rural area and industrial area. And we monitored the concentration of PFOS and PFOA regarding the gender and age. The older age is, the higher concentration of PFOS is. The mean concentration of PFOS and PFOA in men (4.74 ng/mL, 2.20 ng/mL) was higher than that in women (3.53 ng/mL, 1.17 ng/mL). In the comparison of residential areas, the mean concentration of PFOS and PFOA was the lowest in metropolitan plasma (2.47 ng/mL, 0.79 ng/mL) whereas it was the highest in the industrial area (6.57 ng/mL, 2.19 ng/mL).

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.34-48
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• 2019

Background: Fall-related injuries in older adults are a major health problem, and the risks and mechanisms of these injuries should be affected by race, culture, living environment, and/or economic status. Objects: Research articles have been systematically reviewed to understand fall-related injuries in older adults in South Korea. Methods: 128 published research papers have been found through the Korea Citation Index and the Korean Studies Information Service System, and reviewed in various perspectives, including incidents, fall death rates, medical costs, causes, injury sites and types, locations where falls occurred, prevention strategies, scholarly fields interested in fall injuries, and the role of physical therapy. Results: Fall-related injuries were found to be more common in women than in men, and the number of incidents increased with age, with the highest rate found in individuals over 85 years old. Risk of fall injury was associated with education level, comorbidities, and fear of falling. Common places where falls occurred included the bathroom, living room, stairs, and hallway. Common types of injury included bruises, fractures, and sprains in the lower extremities. Intervention strategies included exercise programs, education, and protective clothing. Scholarly fields interested in fall-related injuries in older adults included medicine, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physical education, pharmacology, oriental medicine, biomedical engineering, design, clothing, and textiles. Physical therapy intervention using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation has been used to improve one's balance. Conclusion: Any movement during the activities of daily living can lead to a fall. Physical therapists are highly educated to analyze human movements and should be involved in more research and practices to solve fall-related injuries in older adults.