• Anxiety and mood
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.61-68
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• 2023

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between psychosocial factors and the mask-wearing behavior after deregulation of COVID-19 quarantine guidelines among adults in Korea. Methods : We collected data (345 subjects) from online questionnaire survey. The questionnaire included the Korean version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Korean version of fear of COVID-19 Scale, the Korean version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-15, Korean versions of the Perceived Stress Scale, and measurement tools adapted from previous studies for COVID-19 risk perception, social stigma, and appearance interest of subjects. We analysed data using SPSS version 23.0 for descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis. Results : People with cohabitant or mask-wearing tendency before COVID-19 pandemic had a higher rate of mask-wearing than those who were not. Subjects reporting higher level of social stigma (OR=1.154, 95% CI 1.049-1.270) and COVID-19 anxiety (OR=1.072, 95% CI 1.007-1.141) were more likely to report maskwearing behavior. Conclusion : From the results, appropriate intervention to those who fear social stigma and are anxious to the infectious diseases will be needed. Additionally, providing policies and guidelines that consider cohabitants and offering continuous education with information of disease to the public are also expected to helpful for recovery of daily life from infectious diseases.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.169-178
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was conducted to investigate the actual state of dental hygienist's behavior for infection control during dental practice and radiologic examination and to evaluate the dental hygienist's awareness of the importance of infection control in dental office. Methods : A survey on 218 dental hygienists was carried out. The respondents to complete a questionnaire were the dental hygienists who were in dental office on Gwang-ju area or attended complementary training conducted by the Seoul Branch of Korean Dental Hygienists Association in April 2010. The data were collected and analyzed with $x^2$ test, t-test, ANOVA using SPSS program. Results : The ratios of educational experience for infection control in dental practice and radiologic examination room accounted for 87.6% and 30.3% respectively. Behavior degree of mask-wearing in the dental practice and radiologic examination room were $4.60{\pm}0.70$ and $3.77{\pm}1.09$ respectively. Behavior degree of glove-wearing in the dental practice and radiologic examination room were $4.40{\pm}0.91$ and $3.68{\pm}1.17$ respectively. In case of the relation between educational experience and behavior degree in mask-wearing or glove-wearing, there was no significant difference in the performance of mask or glove wearing during dental practice, and mask-wearing during radiologic examination. However, there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the performance of glove-wearing during radiologic examination, which revealed that behavior degree between the respondents having educational experience and the others no having it were $3.92{\pm}1.19$ and $3.58{\pm}1.14$ respectively. The surface disinfection control for radiation and protective equipments used in radiologic examination room was done by occasional needs without premeditated schedules. Conclusions : The result of this study shows lower behavior degree during radiologic examination compared with one during dental practice. We suggest that there are needs to raise the awareness of infection control and to improve infection control behavior, and through this study, the importance of education was verified.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.750-756
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• 2020

Objectives: After coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic, the South Korean government announced guidelines on wearing masks to prevent its spread. The guidelines have changed depending on the severity of the spread of COVID-19. This study aimed to identify mask-wearing behaviours to counter the spread of COVID-19 in indoor and outdoor environments. Methods: The type of mask worn and proper wearing were observed in cafés, supermarkets, underground shopping malls, and streets in Seoul. Behavioral assessment was repeated in August at social distancing levels 1 and 2, in October at social distancing level 1, and in November after the mask mandates. Results: In August, 22.1% of subjects in cafés, 90.8% in supermarkets, 91.8% in underground shopping malls, and 83.6% on outdoor streets wore masks properly. In October, the proportion of correct wearers increased in all locations. After masks became mandatory in November, about 97% of users of supermarkets, underground shopping malls, and streets wore masks properly. In cafés, the proportion of proper wearers was 61.5% with both social distancing level 2 in August and the mandate in November. The number of KF-certified mask wearers continued to increase from August to November. Conclusion: This study investigated mask-wearing behaviors to counter COVID-19 through observations in indoor and outdoor places in Seoul. Mask-wearing behavior was different depending on the place and the government guidelines in place. The results could be used for evaluation of the current guidelines for COVID-19.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.1011-1017
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• 2021

An effective measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is wearing masks in public places. This solution is highly recommended in many countries all over the world. The objective of this study is to identify the antecedents of citizens' intention to purchase masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the current study analyzes attitudes toward mask-purchasing, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, to assess their impact on intention to purchase masks. In total, six variables are examined: attitude toward mask-wearing, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, and the intention to wear masks. Data are collected from 243 respondents in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. They were processed through by factor analysis and multiple regressions. The results report that all three factors positively affect citizens' intention to buy masks in the following ascending order: Attitude toward mask-purchasing, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Our study is the first research that applies TPB to investigate citizens' intention to purchase masks to during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, this study provides guidelines to the Vietnamese public managers to combat COVID-19 through the purchase of masks. Shopkeepers would be well advised to observe the intentions of consumers toward masks.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.26-37
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• 2009

Recently rapid environmental changes due to desertification and industrialization in China make a threat to Korea, especially during Asian Dust Event (ADE). This study was aimed to compare symptoms and behaviors related to ADE between Korea and China. We conducted questionnaires on self-reported symptoms and behaviors before and during ADE. Korean and Chinese subjects were grouped into children, adults, and elderly by nation (n=791). Statistical analyses were performed by $X^2$-test, Fisher's exact test, t-test and chow's test for comparing differences between Korean and Chinese. We estimated the odds ratio for perceived symptoms during ADE by preventive behavior, using Generalized Estimation Equation (GEE). The study indicated that there were significant differences between symptoms in Korea and those in China such as cold, cough, and sore throat, especially in elderly. Preventive behaviors such as avoiding outdoor activity and wearing sunglasses were more often performed in China than Korea. However wearing mask was more often performed in Korea than China. After adjusting for age, sex, educational level, and smoking status, the odds ratio (OR) of dry cough symptom in Korea was significantly decreased by closing the windows and wearing a mask during ADE. In China, the OR of dry cough symptom was decreased by wearing a mask and avoiding outdoor activity. We found that China which had higher performance of preventive behavior showed lower prevalence of symptoms during ADE than Korea. Also preventive behaviors could affects prevalence of symptoms during ADE. This results suggest that preventive behavior. could reduce symptoms during ADE and there are needed for. more attentions to reduce a threat of ADE.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.113-119
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• 2023

Despite the lifting of the mandatory wearing of masks, which was the main tool of the COVID-19 quarantine policy, we paid attention to the fact that some people are still wearing masks, and we wanted to clarify why people do not take off their masks. Through a survey in this regard, we were able to ascertain why some people continue to wear masks in a broader context. In this article, we directly and indirectly confirm the hidden side of citizens' continued wearing of masks by analyzing how the lifting of the mask-wearing obligation was reported in media articles that have a significant impact on citizens' behavior and attitude. Through this, it was confirmed that citizens continue to wear masks to protect themselves in an uncertain situation where the COVID-19 endemic has not been declared, despite the quarantine authorities' announcement of lifting the mandatory wearing. In a situation where crises such as COVID-19 are expected to repeat frequently in the future, it was concluded that it is important to build trust in the quarantine authorities.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.239-249
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• 2023

This study aims to investigate the factors influencing preventive behavior among foreigners residing in Korea. Drawing upon the Health Belief Model (HBM), this study seeks to gain insights into the decisionmaking processes underlying preventive behavior within this specific population. A comprehensive online survey was conducted among 364 foreigners. An analysis revealed that perceived barriers and perceived benefits played crucial roles as mediators, mediating the relationship between the examined factors and preventive behavior. The insights gained from this study have implications for public health interventions and self-preventive product businesses aiming to promote and sustain self-preventive behavior practices among foreigners residing in Korea, even after all COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.191-195
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• 2017

The microstructures of nonwoven fabric with and without nanofibers used as a filter for air purification type mask were investigated using scanning electron microscope. Moreover, we proposed a new mask design which is effective in the improvement of the fine dust blocking property. When comparing to nonwoven fabrics of which an average diameter was $25{\mu}m$, the nanofibers formed by the electrospinning process had a tight mesh structure arranged irregularly with a relatively large specific surface area, which could be associated with their much smaller diameter ranging from 25 to 120 nm. Such a prominent structural feature at nanofibers led to mechanical adsorption of fine particles, resulting in enhancement of filtering behavior maintaining high permeability. In addition to the excellent performance of the mask filter, wearing the mask properly is expected to maximize the blocking property of fine dust. To meet such a requirement, a new mask design that can be closely attached to the face in order to effectively block fine dust entering the gap between the face and the mask.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.33-46
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• 2023

Purpose: During the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) outbreak, mask-wearing is required to protect against and limit the spread of infection, but it can directly affect skin problems. Change in skin condition might be related to mental health. This study explored the association between skin conditions and behavior of skin cares and stress levels during the Covid-19pandemics. Research design, data and methodology: A survey was conducted on 516 adults who were aware of damaged skin due to continuous wearing of masks for a long time during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The study included 164 men and 352 women in the Republic of Korea. Results: Skin conditions and behavior of skin cares associated with stress perceptions. A multiple linear regression model was used adjusting for potential confounder. Conclusion: Since management so far in the COVID-19 Pandemic can cause skin concerns and change the original skin type, it is necessary to redefine and improve the use of skin care, face-washing methods, and functional cosmetics. People with high and low interest in skin type recognition and management were evenly identified, and it was confirmed that stress awareness decreases as awareness of skin care attitude increases.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 2010

Several studies have suggested the possibility of airborne transmission of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, pandemic influenza. because the number of patients increases explosively, if infectious disease had a high basic reproduction number, pharmaceutical interventions such as vaccination, chemoprophylaxis in the early stage of epidemic. Thus, non-pharmaceutical interventions such as mask-wearing, installing air cleaners, school closure are important to control and prevent the infectious diseases. However, the current technology on the mask, air cleaning, ventilation, and etc., seems to be not originated from the understanding of infection via airborne transmission. It is important to estimate the aerodynamic behavior of saliva droplets by coughing or speaking in order to understand the phenomena of airborne infection. In addition, the prediction of transmission of infectious diseases through the air is critical to prevent or minimize the damage of infection. In this review, we reviewed the recent studies on the airborne infection by focusing on the aerodynamic characteristics of saliva droplets and modeling of airborne transmission.