• Anxiety and mood
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.67-72
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• 2021

Objective : This study examined the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among North Korean defectors during preparation for early settlement. In addition, the correlation between PTSD and other mental disorders with suicidal ideation was assessed. Methods : A total of 639 North Korean defectors aged 19-65 years were included from resettlement and training centers. PTSD was assessed using the PTSD Diagnostic Scale (PDS). The prevalence of other mental disorders and suicidal ideation were assessed using the Korean version of the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (K-PDSQ). Results : A total of 6.8% of North Korean defectors had a PDS score >23, which was suggestive of a diagnosis of PTSD. Prior repatriation to North Korea was significantly associated with PTSD. The defectors with PTSD had a higher prevalence of other mental disorders (major depressive disorder prevalence: adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 14.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.7-31.2, panic disorder prevalence: AOR, 9.5; 95% CI, 4.6-20.0, generalized anxiety disorder prevalence: AOR, 5.6; 95% CI, 2.4-13.2). No significant association was found between suicidal ideation and PTSD. Conclusion : North Korean defectors had a relatively high prevalence of PTSD and suicidal ideation during preparation for early settlement. Cohort studies are needed to assess the lasting effects of PTSD on North Korean defectors' settlement in Korea for a longer period.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.89-96
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• 2015

Purpose: Despite well-known benefits of walking on cardiovascular health, no structured walking exercise program has been formally tested on elderly Korean immigrants (EKIs). This pilot randomized controlled trial study assessed the effect of a walking program on walking behavior (pedometer steps count), stress (cortisol), depressive symptoms (CESD-10), and cardiovascular disease biomarkers (hs-CRP and fibrinogen) via venipuncture in EKIs. Methods: Seventy EKIs recruited from a Korean community were randomly assigned to a 12-week walking group or control group in a 3:2 ratio. The working program included a pedometer, buddy, monthly coffee card, weekly call for goal setting, and physical activity consultation. Walking group EKIs maintained the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended exercise guidelines and good mental health status over 12 weeks. Results: There was no significant difference in the outcomes between control and walking groups. Conclusion: Social networking with Koreans in the senior center and church from a well-established Korean community might have positive effects on mental health.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.99-113
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• 2002

For this study a sample of 205 people, 66 males and 139 females, over 65 years of age, residing in C-gu of S-si and utilizing senior centers, were selected, The objective of the study was to provide basic data for health promotion program development provided by health centers. A questionnaire was used to collect date on general characteristics, health status, social health status and utilization rate for health services. The instruments used in this study were the Lawton scale, to measure daily routine function, the MMSE-K developed by Folstein and modified to fit the Korea situation, for mental health status, and the CES-Dtool developed by Radloff, for emotional health status. the SPSS Window program was used to calculate percentages. Tests of significance were done using t-test and ANOVA. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify variables influencing the use of health services. The results are as follows : Of those utilizing senior citizen centers, 40.9% of males and 17.3% of the female thought they were healthy. The average score for IADL was 7.4. The daily routine of female respondents consisted of buying household articles and drugs, and other IADLs such as riding the bus or subway alone. These resulted in a higher score compared to males. For emotional health, 7.6% of the males reported depression compared to 21.6% of the females. For mental health, 48.5% of the males and 28.8% of the females were found to be in the group suspicious for dementia. On social health, 57.6% of the males and 62.6% of the females reported no intimate human relations. Of those older people who had close human relations, 52.5% of the males indicated a friend as the closest person and 53.8% of the females, their children. On use of health services, there was a significantly higher need for mobile medical care services treatment for those with lower education levels and status of window/widower. There was a significantly higher need for health exmination services for those with lower levels of exercise, greater satisfaction with sleep, higher levels of oral health care, and higher social contacts. In conclusion, there is a need to provide varied programs for the promotion of health, along with parallel resolution of social, psychological and economic issues. It is recommended that health services for elderly people provided by the health centers be implemented with full recognition of these characteristics and differences.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.221-233
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• 2013

This study aims to explore how to cognize and perform case management process to community psychiatric rehabilitation center in Busan area. The case of case manager for 12 people obtained by conducting focus group interviews were in-depth analysis. Many commissioned by a variety of human service organizations in the contract and the client-centric intake has been received. Assessment, rather than a function of mental disabilities center service needs, planning difficulties in securing resource discovery and felt. Intervention phase focuses on direct service and when several agencies responsible for the case management approach. The possession of responsibility was unclear. Mainly monthly facilities within the checking step checks are being made, there was a desire for the realistic-supervision. Completion stage expectations showed a performance evaluation oriented, and individualized case management that can be represented well on the rating scale.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.177-196
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to provide basic understanding of healthy habits of young children by analyzing existing life patterns that affect the their physical health. 416 parents of young children from kindergartens and daycare centers have responded to a questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed by using mean, standard deviation frequency, was used by SPSS 16.0 program. The conclusion was that the young children present daily life habits, including sleeping, eating, defecating and playing habits were not positive and that the children mostly led an indoor lifestyle. From these results, observations were made that the physical activity for young children is imperative to develop the physical and mental health of the 21st century young children.

• CELLMED
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.13.1-13.10
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• 2017

Nutrition is one of the factors influencing cognitive functions. But, the role of nutrition on cognitive functions within the elderly is recognized to a lesser degree. The aim of this academic endeavor was to analyze the affiliation between nutritional status and cognitive functions of the elderly in Korea. 316 subjects, of 114 male and 201 female aged above 65 years, were gathered from university hospital clinics, Elderly Welfare Centers, and Health Welfare Centers located in the district of Seoul, Gyeonggi province, and Incheon in Korea. The cognitive function was tested by the Korean-Mini Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) questionnaire. Nutrition intake was assessed by a 24-hour recall, a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Nutrition adequacy and quality were assessed by the Nutrition Screening Initiative (NSI) checklist, the nutritional adequacy ratio (NAR), and the mean adequacy ratio (MAR). The elderly with normal cognitive function status displayed significantly higher levels of calcium, riboflavin, thiamin, folate, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B6, phosphorous, potassium, iron, niacin, zinc, animal fat, animal protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, total protein, vegetable oil, vegetable protein, fiber than levels of the elderly with moderate cognitive impairment. The K-MMSE score positively correlated with of high consumption of pork, white radish, sea mustard, tomato, tangerine, grape, apple, and ice cream, and K-MMSE was negatively associated with high intake of potato, anchovy, fish cake, and mushroom. The findings suggest that nutritional status is affiliated with cognitive function within the elderly of Korea. The consumption of variety of foods and nutrients ensures adequate cognitive function in the Korean elderly.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.177-187
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to 1) identify the current management status of the Visiting Health Care Services (VHCS) and 2) to analyze the workload of the staff in the VHCS located in the Public Health Centers (PHCs) in the urban and rural areas. Method: A descriptive research design and a prospective, time and motion research design were used. A total of 18 PHCs in Gangwon Province participated in this study. A questionnaire and semi-structured observational sheet were utilized. A total of 650 self report records of the work load from the VHCS personnel were collected for a 10 day period at each of the 18 PHCs. A descriptive analysis was then done. Results: The major results were as follows. 1) The VHCS staff (nurses and nurse aids) was being assigned additional work such as maternal health care, chronic disease care, mental health care and health promotion on top of their VHCS duties. 2) The average number of home visits per client during the past year was 5.8. More specifically, the clients in the severe dependent group received an average of 27.1 visits, those clients in the moderate dependent group received 14.0 visits those clients in the slightly dependent group received 5.0 visits and those clients in the self-care group received 1.6 visits. 3) The time required for the work duties of the VHCS staff totaled 488 minutes per day. The percentage of time for home visits was only 17.4%, and this didn't include travel time. Conclusion: The main problems of VHCS were identified as a lack of personnel and a lack of time for the home visits. Strategies that are directed at the construction of a better infrastructure for VHCS are needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.144-157
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• 2013

Purpose: Health management programs should provide comprehensive health services for students and staffs at schools. Health management programs are critical for helping students become adults with physically, mentally, and socially good health conditions. The aim of this study was to identify the past and present history of health management programs and health laws to help schools develop future health plans. Methods: This study was conducted by analyzing reference data collected using data from Ministry of Education and Science Technology, Korean Educational Development Institute, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Statistical Office as well as legal documents from the Legislative Office related to school health from 2001 to 2010. Results: Health management programs in schools included three sections: disease prevention and control, physical examinations, and prevention of communicable diseases. Disease prevention and controls consisted of obesity control, drug abuse prevention and control,and management of students' mental health. Various strategies and services were developed to improve health status of students for 10 years from 2001 to 2010. School health laws and systems have been established for disease prevention, physical examinations and communicable disease control as well, to improve students' health as well. Conclusion: The history of health management programs has a number of implications to help design future plans for school health programs and services for students and staffs.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.61-72
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• 2016

Purpose: Purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate cognitive function, physical function, and problematic behaviors of elders who attended dementia daycare centers, and to identify reasons why they stopped using the center. Methods: Participants were 176 elders, 60 years or over, attending one of four dementia daycare centers in Incheon. Data were collected from center documents. Results: Mean age was 80.5 years. When admitted to the centers mean scores for the mini-mental status examination, activity of daily living, and instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) were 12.31, 9.53, and 25.09 respectively. Participants received day care service for an average of 17.98 months. The reasons for leaving the center were worsening dementia and health (40.2%), and problematic behaviors (20.1%). Conclusion: Results show that elders began to use day care services when their cognitive function and IADL had declined considerably. As the ultimate goal of dementia daycare service is to delay the worsening of cognitive capability and decreases in activities daily living, the effect of the service can be maximized when the service is provided as early as possible in the course of progressively severe dementia. Active promotion should be exerted in the community to encourage early use of this service.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.339-348
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• 2009

Purpose: We aimed to describe and compare the cognitive function, anxiety, and quality of life for the demented elderly in day care centers or nursing homes. Methods: We selected 44 subjects from day care centers and 63 subjects from nursing homes by performing convenience sampling. The Korean version of Mini Mental Status Examination was used for measuring cognitive status; Rating Anxiety in Dementia, for assessing anxiety; Korean Version of Quality of Life-Alzheimer's Disease, for assessing the quality of life. The data were collected from May to June 2008 and analyzed by SPSS/WIN 14.0. Results: 1) The cognitive function of the subjects in the day care center was higher than that of the subjects in the nursing home. Anxiety in the subjects in the nursing home was higher than that in the subjects in the day care center. 2) The cognitive function and quality of life of the subjects in the day care center showed statistically significant correlation, 3) The anxiety and quality of life of the subjects in the nursing home showed statistically significant correlation. Conclusions: Nursing interventions that improve the quality of life of the demented elderly should be considered and applied according to the degree of cognitive function and anxiety.