• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제60권5호
• /
• pp.138-144
• /
• 2017

Purpose: Following legal reform in 2013, the annual number of asylum seekers entering South Korea has increased from 1,143 in 2012 to 5,711 in 2015. We interviewed six African refugee mothers of young children regarding their health needs and barriers to access maternal child health services. Methods: We recruited mothers who had visited a clinic for immigrants between July 2013 and August 2015. Participants were African refugee women, aged over 18 years, who had given birth in Korea within the previous 5 years and had come to Korea over a year before recruitment. Interview questions examined participants' experiences in pregnancy and childbirth and concerns regarding their child's health status. Initial data analysis involved all researchers' immersion in the entire collection of transcripts. We then noted recurrent topics and themes and identified similar issues. Results: At the time of giving birth, 5 participants were asylum seekers and one had undocumented status. The following barriers impeded their access to maternal child healthcare: socioeconomic factors (unstable social identity, low economic status, difficulty obtaining health insurance), language barriers (lack of linguistically appropriate health information, limited access to translation services), and cultural barriers (religious and cultural differences). Weak social support also hindered access to healthcare soon after migration; however, social links with the community emerged as a key coping strategy following settlement. Conclusion: We identified barriers to maternal and child healthcare and coping strategies among African refugee mothers in Korea. Future research should assess refugees' health status and improve health access and literacy among refugee mothers.

• 지역사회간호학회지
• /
• 제30권4호
• /
• pp.426-436
• /
• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the association between indoor environmental exposures and behavioral problems in children with allergic diseases. Methods: We used data from 2015 Panel Study of Korean Children (PSKC). The subjects of this study included 825 children aged 7 years with asthma, allergic rhinitis, or atopic dermatitis. The data was analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression. Results: Factors influencing behavioral problems in children with allergic diseases were passive smoking (β=.15, p<.001), painting from 1year after birth until 1 year ago (β=.13, p<.001), using of linoleum as floor materials (β=.09, p<.001), change of wallpaper From 2 years before pregnancy until 1year after birth (β=.08, p<.001), change of wallpaper from 1year after birth until 1 year ago (β=.07, p<.001), keeping hot food or water in plastic container (β=.06, p<.001), remodeling from 1 year after birth until 1year ago (β=.04, p<.001), using of plastic container (β=.03, p<.001), and change of floor materials from 1 year after birth until 1year ago (β=.01, p=.006) which explained about 10% of behavioral problems. Conclusion: This study showed that indoor environmental exposures were associated with behavioral problems in children with allergic diseases. Based on the findings of this study, programs focusing on controlling of indoor environmental exposures may help to prevent and reduce behavioral problems in children with allergic diseases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제15권8호
• /
• pp.3753-3756
• /
• 2014

Background: Cervical cancer is relatively common in Thai women, but the proportion of females receiving Pap smear screening is still low. Objective: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to study factors related to cervical cancer screening uptake by Hmong hilltribe women in Lomkao District, Phetchabun Province. Materials and Methods: Interview data were collected from 547 of these women aged 30-60 years living in the study area and analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Results: The results showed that 64.9% of the study sample had received screening, and that 47.2% had attended due to a cervical screening campaign. The most common reason given for not receiving screening was lack of time (21.4%). The factors found to be positively associated with uptake (p value <0.05) were as follows: number of years of school attendance (OR=1.56, 95%CI:1.02-2.38), animistic religious beliefs (OR=0.55, 95%CI:0.33-0.91), a previous pregnancy (OR=6.20, 95%CI:1.36-28.35), receipt of information about cervical cancer screening (OR=2.25, 95%CI:1.35-3.76), and perceived risk of developing cervical cancer (OR=1.83, 95%CI:1.25-2.67). Conclusions: To promote the uptake of cervical screening, Hmong hilltribe women need to know more about cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening, and access to screening services should be provided in conjunction with existing everyday services, such as family planning and routine blood pressure monitoring or diabetes services.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• 제9권2호
• /
• pp.230-235
• /
• 2002

저자들은 임신 중에 수두를 앓거나 수두 환자와 접촉한 과거력이 없는 산모로부터 출산된 신생아가 생후 7일에 수두를 앓고 난 직후의 아이와 접촉한 후 생후 9개월에 우측 11번 흉곽 신경절을 따라 발생된 대상포진을 임상 및 검사로 확진하였고, acyclovir로 치유한 경험을 하였기에 문헌 고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.

• 약학회지
• /
• 제56권5호
• /
• pp.333-345
• /
• 2012

A product labelling is one of key tools in ensuring that a patient uses drugs safely and effectively in self-care without professional support. This study aimed to explore the readability and comprehensibility of the information contained on two package inserts of medicines. Two package inserts were tested with first year college students. Fifty-one potential consumers underlined words they could not understand and answered 10 scenario questions. Any differences among groups with different characteristics were statistically tested. Secondly, the readability of two package inserts was assessed with comparison to the level of the 6th grade Korean textbooks. As results, more than 80% of participants properly replied to straightforward questions concerning indication, dosage, duplication, use in pregnancy and contraindication, and 73% about formulation. Less than half answered correctly in multiple choice questions about pediatric use (41%) and side effects (35%). Little discrepancy was observed in the comprehensibility between participants' characteristics. Drug inserts contained about 20% more professional-level words than 6th grade textbooks. In conclusion, Korean consumers may face challenges to understand drug information due to professional terminology and outdated expressions in the current package inserts. To secure safe and effective use of over-the-counter agents, greater efforts should be made to develop more consumer friendly labels. In the other hand, educational supports are required to prepare consumers in a proper level of knowledge for the safe use of drugs.

• 대한지역사회영양학회지
• /
• 제22권4호
• /
• pp.323-335
• /
• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the current status of nutrition education programs for multicultural families and to provide policy suggestions for improvement. Methods: In-depth interviews of a total of 21 multicultural experts were conducted; 15 people were interviewed individually, while 6 people were interviewed in groups of three. Results: In-depth interviews revealed various problems related to the operation of nutrition education programs. The causes of problems were analyzed and categorized as four factors: systemic, practical, environmental and cultural. As for the systematic factors, insufficient linkage between related organizations and duplicate performance of several projects were identified as concerns Establishment of a control tower and strengthening the linkage among the related organizations may be needed to address this concern. With regard to practical factors, the study identified that language barriers, and lack of nutritional education media and tools translated into multicultural languages were limiting factors. These limitations the development of nutrition education materials that aretranslated into multiple languages, implementation of education programs that are different from the Korean education, and by providing interpreters. As for the environmental factors, low educational level and poor nutritional knowledge of multicultural women made it difficult for them to understand the contents of the education. Demonstration, practical training and urgent education on pregnancy and childbirth nutrition were identified as needs to address these concerns. Withregard to cultural factors, food culture conflict with Korean families, and difficulties in home practices were detected as concerns. Participants in the study suggested that getting education with family and facilitation of weekend and nighttime programs health of this community. Conclusions: Further studies are needed to adopt more effective and efficient nutrition intervention to promote the healthy eating of the married immigrant women based on the study results.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• 제3권1호
• /
• pp.113-128
• /
• 2001

The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence and correlates of three types of risk-taking behavior among high school students in Korea in a cross-sectional national sample. A sample of 636 male and 622 female high school students is analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Three types of risk-taking behavior are examined: drinking alcohol, smoking, and premarital sex. The results are as follows: Forty-three percent of students in the sample have ever drunk alcohol, 32% have ever smoked, 11% have experience premarital sex. Risk-taking behavior is more prevalent among boys than among girls. Boys and girls in Seoul are much more likely to have experienced three types of risk-taking behavior. Not having two parents in the family and having lived away from immediate family increase the likelihood of some risk-taking behavior. Students who have a friend with premarital sexual experience are much more likely to have experienced premarital sex themselves. Among sexually active students, having multiple sexual partners is common and prevalence of condom use is low. Reproductive health education at school has no effect on students' sexual behavior. The prevalence of risk-taking behavior among adolescent in Korea is likely to rise in the future. Substantial proportion of adolescents are exposed to the risks of STDs and substantial proportion of adolescent girls risk premarital pregnancy. Current health education programs are inadequate in protecting students from risk-taking behavior. Students whose families do not include both parents and students who live away from their immediate families need special programs to protect them from risk-taking behavior.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• 제19권4호
• /
• pp.247-260
• /
• 2014

The impact of folate on health and disease, particularly pregnancy complications and congenital malformations, has been extensively studied. Mandatory folic acid fortification therefore has been implemented in multiple countries, resulting in a reduction in the occurrence of neural tube defects. However, emerging evidence suggests increased folate intake may also be associated with unexpected adverse effects. This literature review focuses on contemporary issues of concern, and possible underlying mechanisms as well as giving consideration the future direction of mandatory folic acid fortification. Folate fortification has been associated with the presence of unmetabolized folic acid (PteGlu) in blood, masking of vitamin $B_{12}$ deficiency, increased dosage for anti-cancer medication, photo-catalysis of PteGlu leading to potential genotoxicity, and a role in the pathoaetiology of colorectal cancer. Increased folate intake has also been associated with twin birth and insulin resistance in offspring, and altered epigenetic mechanisms of inheritance. Although limited data exists to elucidate potential mechanisms underlying these issues, elevated blood folate level due to the excess use of PteGlu without consideration of an individual's specific phenotypic traits (e.g. genetic background and undiagnosed disease) may be relevant. Additionally, the accumulation of unmetabolized PteGlu may lead to inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase and other enzymes. Concerns notwithstanding, folic acid fortification has achieved enormous advances in public health. It therefore seems prudent to target and carefully monitor high risk groups, and to conduct well focused further research to better understand and to minimize any risk of mandatory folic acid fortification.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
• /
• 제7권1호
• /
• pp.16-23
• /
• 2010

많은 내분비 질환이 유전적 요소를 갖고 있다. 단일 유전자 질환에서는 유전적 요인이 주요 원인이나 다인자성 질환에서는 환경과 생활습관 등이 함께 병인으로 작용한다. 유전성 내분비 질환의 분자유전학적 병인에 대한 이해에 대하여 최근 많은 발전이 있어 왔으며 분자유전학적 기술의 응용으로 질환에 대한 이해와 이를 이용한 진단 및 유전 상담에 도움이 되고 있다. 유전학적 검사로 특정 질환의 돌연변이를 증명하는 것은 진단이 모호한 경우에서 정확한 진단과 산전 진단, 보인자 검사에 적용될 수 있다. 그러나 유전자 검사만으로 임신 중절과 관련된 산전 진단에 이용하는 데에는 신중을 기해야 한다.

• Journal of health informatics and statistics
• /
• 제43권4호
• /
• pp.255-266
• /
• 2018

Objectives: This study compared the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight between native-born and foreign-born women. Methods: By Using the birth registration data, every woman who gave birth between 2010 and 2016 in Korea was included in the analysis. Duration from marriage to pregnancy was measured by month and multiple socioeconomic and demographic characteristics were controlled. Preterm birth (<37 weeks) and low birth weight (<2.5 kg) were used for outcome variables. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for data analysis with Stata. Results: The risks of preterm birth and low birth weight for native-born and foreign-born women differed according to the duration of marriage or birth order. For the first infant, foreign-born women were more likely to have pereterm birth or low birth weight than the native-born in the early stage of marriage but nativeborn women had higher risks than the foreign-born in the middle and later stage of marriage. For the second infant, foreign-born women were less likely to have pereterm birth or low birth weight than the native-born regardless of the duration of marriage. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrates that the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight for foreign-born women is concentrated on the early stage of marriage. Institutional and cultural supports should be given to foreign-born women to help their early settlement in the Korean society.