• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.403-412
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D) status of breastfed infants less than six months old and their mothers, and factors affecting the status. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on breastfed, term, Filipino infants less than six months old who were seen at local health centers and clinics in an urban area. The serum 25(OH)D levels of these infants and their mothers were determined, and their demographic data, nutritional status, sun exposure behavior, and maternal vitamin D intake were analyzed for correlation using regression models. Results: Among the 131 infants, 101 (77%) had vitamin D deficiency (VDD), which was defined as having 25(OH)D levels <37.5 nmol/L, and 13 (10%) had vitamin D insufficiency (VDI), with levels >37.5-50 nmol/L. Conversely, maternal VDD with levels <50 nmol/L was seen in 31 (24%) mothers and maternal VDI with levels 50-75 nmol/L, in 63 (48%) mothers. Infant age and maternal 25(OH)D status were independent predictors of infant VDD. Infants less than three months old were found to have a six-time increased risk of infant VDD (p=0.004). Infants who had mothers with VDD had a six-time increased risk, whereas those with maternal VDI had a four-time increased risk of infant VDD (p=0.049 and p=0.020, respectively). Conclusion: Both infant and maternal VDD and VDI were seen to be highly prevalent in this tropical, urban community. Young infants and maternal VDD/VDI independently increased the risk of infant VDD, whereas lack of sun exposure of the mothers increased the risk for maternal VDI.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2019

Background and Objectives Skin and soft tissue defects can be treated according to a range of strategies, such as local flap, skin graft, biological dressing, or free flap. On the other hand, free tissue transfer usually leaves a distinct scar with an inconsistency of color or hypertrophy. This problem is highlighted if the defect is located on the face, which could have devastating effects on a patient's psychosocial health. Materials and Methods The authors used an erbium : yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser to resurface the free flap skin and match the color with the surrounding facial skin. This study evaluated the effectiveness of laser skin resurfacing on the harmonious color matching of transferred flap. Patients who had undergone laser resurfacing on facial flap skin between January 2014 and December 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. An ablative 2,940-nm fractional Er:YAG laser treatment was delivered to the entire flap skin at 21 J/cm² with the treatment end-point of pinpoint bleeding. Several months later, the clinical photographs were analyzed. The L^*a^*b^* color co-ordinates of both the flap and surrounding normal skin were measured using Adobe Photoshop. The L^*a^*b^* color difference (ΔE) for the scar and normal surrounding skin were calculated using the following equation: ${\Delta}E=\sqrt{({\Delta}L)^2+({\Delta}a)^2+({\Delta}b)^2}$ Results All five patients were satisfied with the more natural appearance of the flaps. The ΔE values decreased significantly from the pre-treatment mean value of 19.64 to the post-treatment mean value of 11.39 (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p = 0.043). Conclusion Ablative laser resurfacing can improve the aesthetic outcome of free tissue transfer on the face.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.368-381
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• 2021

Purpose: The obesity prevention and management program led by public health centers are important in the community. This study aims to identify the current status of obesity prevention and management programs at public health centers and perceptions regarding facilitators and barriers when implementing programs. Methods: This study used a concurrent mixed methods design. A survey was conducted to investigate the current status and infrastructure of the obesity prevention and management program at eighty-three public health centers nationwide. Nine program managers and six local residents with experience in the program were interviewed by using a semi-structured questionnaires. Results: Most of the infrastructure facilities for the program were inadequate, and insufficient budgets and lack of professional staff were identified as barriers. Facilitators included diversification of program delivery methods, operator competence, and visible outcomes and rewards. For the effectiveness of the program, it is vital to have adequate assistants, a sufficient budget, various promotional methods, and connections with various institutions in the community. On this basis, it is acknowledged that the public health center serves as a platform for preventing and managing obesity in the community. Conclusion: It is expected that infrastructure improvements in public health centers and the link with community resources are needed. In addition, there is an urgent need to set standards for obesity prevention and management programs implemented in public health centers to 'resolve regional disparities'.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.61-68
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• 2017

Objectives : This study aimed to examine the status of public health promotion programs in Traditional Korean Medicine (PHPP-TKM) from program managing public officials. Methods : The survey was a self-administered questionnaires based on internet service, survey monkey. The survey included the conducting status, obstacles, and improvement points of PHPP-TKM. Results : A total number of 179 officials participated the survey (response rate 71.0%), comprising 92.8% female. The survey demonstrated that 70.3% of participants conducted PHPP-TKM. The most frequent PHPP-TKM were stroke and bone/joint program. The reasons for not conducting PHPP-TKM were lack of financial support and program contents. The obstacles during conducting PHPP-TKM were insufficient contents and assessment index in PHPP-TKM. To develop necessary program for local residents and to secure financial support were required for managing future PHPP-TKM. Conclusions : The results suggests that various contents, validated assessment index, stable funds are to promote PHPP-TKM.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.135-147
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• 2002

It is essential to improve the quality of life of the elderly in aging society. Regular exercise as nursing intervention is needed to prevent diseases, maintain and promote their health, and thus promote the quality of life for the elderly, especially who generally had poor cognition for their health maintenance and promotion in a low class community. Subjects consisted of 30 women. over 65 years old in a community welfare center, who lived in the low class apartments financially supported by the local government in G city, Gangwon Province, Korea. The program consisted of dancing on music for approximately 50 minutes, 3 times a week for 10 weeks. Experimental data were analyzed with $x^2-test$, t-test, mean values, standard deviation, percentage of change and paired t-test using SAS program. After the recreation dance, the mean value of the experimental group was decreased from 7.62 to 7.44 (t=-0.258, P=0.799), and that of the control group was also decreased from 7.00 to 6.58 (t=-0.971, P=0.349) in depression. However, there were no statistically significant differences in scores of depression between two groups. In life satisfaction, the mean value of the experimental group was increased from 19.07 to 26.50 (t=2.392, P=0.030), but that of the control group was decreased from 15.92 to 13.71 (t=-1.060, P=0.305). Thus it shows that there was a statistically significant improvement on life satisfaction after the recreation dance.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.60-66
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• 2019

Objective: To compare black rice (Oryza sativa L) extract with three different staining methods for human sperm head assessment. Methods: Semen samples were collected from 34 volunteers. Four smears of each ejaculate were prepared for staining using the rapid Papanicolaou (PAP) stain, SpermBlue, DipQuick, and black rice extract. The percentage of defective sperm heads (mean${\pm}$standard deviation) was compared. Results: Black glutinous rice extract, a natural dye, was used instead of hematoxylin to stain the nuclei of the sperm heads. The percentage of defective sperm heads showed a significant difference between black rice extract and DipQuick (p= 0.000). In contrast, black rice extract and rapid PAP showed no statistically significant difference (p= 0.974). A strong correlation (r = 0.761) was found between the findings obtained using rapid PAP and black rice extract. In contrast, a weak correlation (r = 0.248) was obtained between DipQuick and black rice extract for the percentage of defective sperm heads. Conclusion: The results showed good agreement and a strong correlation between the rapid PAP and black rice extract stains. The advantages of black rice extract as a novel substitute for hematoxylin for nuclear staining include ease of preparation, local availability, and favorable nuclear staining properties. Further studies could also focus on comparing staining techniques in clinical samples.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.708-718
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• 2010

This study was conducted to examine the effects of a healthy dietary life and purchase of environmental-friendly food materials according to a mother's lifestyles of health and sustainability (LOHAS) attitudes. The subjects consisted of 295 mothers. The findings are summarized as follows. The mother's LOHAS attitude index averaged 3.39 points out of 5 points. High LOHAS attitude items were "I participate actively in separating the trash collection" (4.16 points), and "I recycle dresses that I do not wear by taking them to the recycling center" (4.08 points). In contrast, LOHAS attitude items for "I do community service activity on the weekend" (2.57 points), and "I try to serve in the local community" (2.63 points) scored very low. A high LOHAS behavior index occurred for mothers who were "resource saving", whereas "social welfare" scored low. Mother's intention to purchase environmental-friendly food materials averaged 3.61 points. Mother's health dietary life attitude score averaged 3.52 points. When age, monthly income, and the environmental-friendly food materials purchase ratio of the mother was high, the health dietary life performance was high. The LOHAS attitude index of mothers had an impact on the purchase intention of environmental-friendly food materials in resource saving and environmental-friendly oriented propensity groups. The LOHAS attitude index of mothers impacted healthy dietary life in environmental-friendly, family and health oriented propensity groups.

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.1007-1028
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• 2014

This study aimed to explore the direction of development of agricultural safety and health system in Korea based on experience on Farmers' Occupational Health Services (FOHS) of Finland. In Finland additional and specialized Occupational Health Services (OHS) for self-employed farmers were developed and have been conducted by municipal primary health care centers with cooperation of National Centre for Agricultural Health (NCAH) of Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Social Insurance Institute (SII) and Farmers' Social Insurance Institution (FSII). Based on the study, in order to activate the FOHS in Korea, the analysis results could suggest the development of four prerequisites. Firstly, center for farmers' safety and health like NCAH, which conducts surveillance on health and safety status, standardization of intervention contents and epidemiological research is needed in national institution. Secondly, development of evaluation tools with lower cost and difficulty like walk-through survey for checking status of systems of safety in the farms is needed. Thirdly, farmers' occupational health insurance which will be initiated on near future should be connected to preventive intervention programs like FOHS. Lastly, training and qualification of more local occupational health experts and units is needed.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.37-49
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to explore whether there are differences in smoking status between two regions of Wonju-City and Chuncheon-City, Gangwon State, and to determine whether the experience of smoking cessation programs in the region affects quit attempts. Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional study in which adults aged 19 and older living in two cities were surveyed using a pre-developed mobile app to investigate social capital for smoking cessation, and a total of 600 citizens were participated, including 310 in Wonju-City and 290 in Chuncheon-City. The statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Wonju-City had a higher prevalence of current smoking than Chuncheon-City. Among smoking cessation programs operated by local public health centers, Wonju-City had a lower odds ratio for experience with smoking cessation education than Chuncheon-City (OR=0.52, 95% CI=0.33 to 0.81). When examining the effect of smoking cessation program experience on quit attempts, in Wonju-City, citizens who had completed smoking cessation education and used a smoking cessation clinic were more likely to attempt to quit than those who had not (OR=2.31 and OR=2.29, respectively). In Chuncheon-City, citizens who were aware of smoking cessation support services were 2.26 times more likely to attempt to quit smoking than those who were not, but statistical significance was not reached due to the small sample size. Conclusion: Therefore, healthcare organizations in both regions should develop more practical intervention strategies to increase smokers' quit attempts, reduce smoking rates in the community, and address regional disparities.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.383-392
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive study was to gain basic data to develop a self-care protocol for the lymphedema patients. Method: The subjects of this study consisted of 115 patients with lymphedema from 8 hospitals and two community health and welfare centers in Busan and Seoul. The data was collected with questionnaire by self reporting of patients between March 2001 and December 2001. Data was analyzed by mean and percentage. Result: For self-care activities in daily life, compliance of 'use skin care preparations', 'use heat and cold', 'protect from local compression on affected limbs', 'protect from insect biting', 'use aids to protect affected limbs', 'take diuretics and take protein diet' did not reach to 50%. For self-care activities related to complex physical therapy, 28.7% of subjects complied with compression garment, 14.8% with manual lymph drainage, and 13.0% with exercise. 20.0% of subjects tried to treat with acupuncture and 13.9% with heat therapy. Conclusion: From this study, it is suggested that patients need to get a self-care education with correct information about self care activities and health care professionals need to develop more convenience self-care techniques of massage and exercise.