• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.73-87
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• 2012

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the compositional fitness and independence of the original six dimensions and the newly-designed six dimensions of Integrated Questionnaire for the Measurement of Social Capital[SC-IQ], and to explore the more simplified version for convenient use in public health-related social capital studies. Methods: This study reanalyzed social capital items included in a 2004 community health survey of K-city conducted by Hallym Health Services Research Center. Data was collected from 1,000 adults using core questions of SC-IQ. Explanatory factor analyses to all questions were done, and the new six dimensions were established. Confirmatory factor analyses[CFA] were done on the original and new six dimensions. And then reliability and validity test were done. SPSS 15.0 and AMOS 7.0 were used. Results: The final CFA module to the new SC-IQ exhibited Root Mean Square Error of Approximation[RMSEA] 0.028 and only compositional fitness and independence, and was composed of four dimensions and eight questions, and covers all elements of social capital including structural, cognitive, operational, outcome, bonding and bridging elements. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the utility of a new, simplified version of SC-IQ as well as its convenience.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2023

Background: Breaking the chain of disease transmission from overseas is necessary to control new infectious diseases such as coronavirus disease 2019 effectively. In this study, we developed a mobile app called Self-Symptom Checker (SSC) to monitor the health of inbound travelers. Methods: SSC was developed for general users and administrators. The functions of SSC include non-repudiation using QR (quick response) codes, monitoring fever and respiratory symptoms, and requiring persons showing symptoms to undergo polymerase chain reaction tests at nearby screening stations following a review of reported symptoms by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, as well as making phone calls, via artificial intelligence or public health personnel, to individuals who have not entered symptoms to provide the necessary information. Results: From February 12 to March 27, 2020, 165,000 people who were subjected to the special entry procedure installed SSC. The expected number of public health officers and related resources needed per day would be 800 if only the phone was used to perform symptom monitoring during the above period. Conclusion: By applying SSC, more effective symptom monitoring was possible. The daily average number of health officers decreased to 100, or 13% of the initial estimate. SSC reduces the work burden on public healthcare personnel. SSC is an electronic solution conceived in response to health questionnaires completed by inbound travelers specified in the World Health Organization International Health Regulations as a requirement in the event of a pandemic.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.97-107
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• 2005

This paper considers the possibilities of health promotion from the following perspectives; (1) IUHPE, (2) socio-cultural similarities, (3) action research, and (4) learning from our past. 1. The IUHPE values decentralized activities through regions, and countries such as Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and China belong to NPWP region. Since IUHPE World Conference was held in Japan in 1995, Japan used to occupy more than 60% of NPWP membership. After 2001, membership is increasing rapidly in Chinese speaking sub-region. The transnational collaboration is still in its beginning phase. 2. Confucianism is one of key points. Confucian tradition should not be seen only as obstacles but as advantages to seek a form of health promotion more acceptable in East Asia. 3 Within the new public health framework, people are expected to create and live their health. However, especially in Japan, the tendency of 'lacking of face-to-face explicit interactions' is still common at health-promotion settings as well as academic settings. Therefore, the author tried participatory approaches such as asking WIFY(interactive questions designed for subjects to review their daily life and environment) and as introducing round table interactions. So far, majority of participants welcome new trials. 4. The following social phenomena are comparatively discussed after Japanese invasion and occupation of Korea ended in 1945; status of oriental medicine, separation of dispensary services, and health promotion specialist as a national license. In contrast to Japanese' tendency of maintaining the status quo and postponing of substantial social change, trend toward rapid and dynamic social changes are more commonly observed in Korea. Although all of above possibilities are still in their beginning stages, they are going to offer interesting directions waiting for further challenges and accompanying researches.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5085-5088
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• 2013

Background: The north-western region of China has a high incidence of oesophageal cancer. This study aimed to investigate whether the intake of food and beverage at high temperature is associated with the risk of oesophageal cancer among adults residing in this remote part of China. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was undertaken in Urumqi and Shihezi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, between 2008 and 2009. Participants were 359 incident oesophageal cancer patients and 380 hospital-based controls. Information on temperature of food and beverage intake was obtained by face-to-face interview. Logistic regression analyses were performed to ascertain the association between intake temperature and the risk of oesophageal cancer. Results: The oesophageal cancer patients consumed foods and beverages at higher temperatures than controls, p<0.001. High temperature of tea, water and food intake appeared to increase the risk of oesophageal cancer by more than two-fold, with adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) of 2.86 (1.73-4.72), 2.82 (1.78-4.47) and 2.26 (1.49-3.45), respectively. Conclusions: Intake of food and beverage at high temperature was positively associated with the incidence of oesophageal cancer in north-western China.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.12
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• pp.477-482
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• 2020

The childhood obesity pandemic has emerged as an important public health problem in many countries. Obese children are likely to become obese adults, and adult obesity is associated with an increased risk of morbidity. Therefore, controlling the childhood obesity epidemic has become a top public health priority worldwide. The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may significantly impede this important mission and constitute an unprecedented tragedy in the global battle against childhood obesity. This manuscript presents evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic will aggravate the childhood obesity epidemic and lead to significant weight gain in school children by creating an unprecedented obesogenic environment. Within the last few months, many countries took uncompromising measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including school closures and quarantine. While these steps are often necessary to ensure infection control, they may have a significant negative effect on children's mental and physical health. Physical, nutritional, and psychosocial factors that promote obesity in children during this special situation complementarily contribute to an unprecedented obesogenic environment. Large-scale quarantine and home confinement will impose new and unfamiliar stressors on children, thereby worsening the childhood obesity epidemic. Most importantly, adverse childhood events resulting from a predicted increase in domestic violence within the next few months will significantly contribute to this concern. The scenario presented in this review is of paramount public health importance and must be considered during future pandemic planning. Involved stakeholders, including governments, schools, and families, must make all possible efforts to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on childhood obesity.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.81-93
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• 2011

Although pesticides have increased crop production and controlled disease, they have produced a number of adverse health effects. Pesticides have potential human toxicity and a variety of groups, such as farmers or industrial workers, as well as the general population, are exposed to pesticides. The purpose of this article, therefore, is to provide an overview of pesticide exposure and health through a literature review, focusing on exposure assessment, acute poisoning, chronic health effects, and future research needs. The exposure types and levels of pesticides vary by study subjects and need to be assessed by integrating several methods focused on the epidemiological purpose. Acute pesticide poisoning is a major public health problem in the world. Paraquat is the main causative pesticide for acute poisoning in Korea and should be banned in order to save several thousands of lives every year. Occupational pesticide exposure also causes numerous chronic diseases among farmers and industrial workers, including cancers, respiratory diseases, depression, retinal degeneration, diabetes, and abnormal menstrual cycle. However, controversy exists regarding the long-term effects of low-dose environmental pesticide exposure. The area of pesticide study is relatively new with broad study populations and it has received little academic and policy attention, particularly in Korea. More detailed studies investigating the risk of pesticide-related health effects and intervention efforts to reduce the problems are needed in Korea.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.127-136
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to present the outcomes of the district visiting nursing services. Method: We analyzed nursing records and inspected public health center data for evaluating nursing tasks. and conducted a telephone survey of 651 district inhabitants. Results: According to the result, the coverage of the district population, the rate of new registration and overall program activities increased. Meanwhile, accessibility of visiting health care, the level of health problem management, personal cognition and satisfaction concerning visiting nursing care increased, but there was little change in personal perception of health improvement. Furthermore, the status of client management was improved. In the analysis of participation in national cancer screening program, we found that there was twice higher participation in the district than others. Conclusion: We suggest that this district visiting nursing system takes responsibility for district inhabitant health management. Based on the study, we also suggest that the government and local autonomous entities should increase administrative and financial supports to execute the district-based visiting nursing system in wider areas.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.177-188
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• 2010

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine factors related to smoking behavior, and to develop multilevel communication strategies for smoking cessation. Methods: This paper reviewed theories and empirical findings with currents ecological models to develop communication strategies. Theory comparison was also performed to identify important mediators in the process of smoking cessation. Results: Factors that have been identified to influence smoking behavior ranges from individual perception, attitudes and self efficacy toward smoking to organizational norms, regulations, community capacity, media advocacy and public smoking regulation policy. In order to address these multi-level determinants of smoking behavior, objectives and strategies for smoking cessation intervention were developed utilizing ecological perspectives to cover intrapersonal, interpersonal(mainly family member and peers), organizational and community/public policy level factors. Conclusion: Multilevel approaches have advanced the existing knowledge on determinants of health behaviors. New direction of research focusing on testing multilevel intervention approaches should be expanded to inform the efficacy of applying social ecological models to health behavior change process.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.91-114
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• 1996

In this research, the Data Envelopment Analysis(DEA) was applied to measure production efficiency of Public Corporation Medical Centers(PCMCs) operating in Korea. The focus of this research is triple. First, identifing convenience and usefulness of DEA to measure the relative efficiency among PCMCs. Second, assessing magnitudes of the relative efficiency for each PCMC. Third, adding insights into some factors resulting inefficiency in PCMCs. Then, in this paper technical efficiency and scale efficiency measured by DEA[introduced by Charnes, Cooper, and Rhoides(1978) and Banker, Charnes, and Cooper(1984)] were analyzed and a new separate variable was introduced which makes it possible to determine whether operations were conducted in regions of increasing, constant or decresing returns to scale(in multiple input and output situations). And a multi-factor Tobit analysis was conducted to see which variables are associated with PCMC's efficiency.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.59-71
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• 2008

e-Health/u-Health has generally been considered as an expansion of current medical and medical relevant segments. However. as e-Health/u-Health has been known to have typical attributes and characteristics of services supporting a physically and mentally well-balanced life of its users, we can rationally assume that e-Health/u-Health can be not only an expansion of the existing medical field but also a result of the complex and sophisticated convergence among diverse industries such as the ICT industry. traditional care-relevant segments, etc. Thus, in this study, we carefully and cautiously consider e-Health/u-Health in accordance with both possible scenarios: 1) an expansion of a typical industry, and 2) a result of a convergence among various industries. The advent of new technologies, rapid development of current technologies, and convergence trends in various fields are creating dramatic innovations in the next generation health services market. Consumerism as a characteristic of c-Health/u-Health can be expected to find a solution of the existing healthcare service problems. In the initial phase. mainly due to the absence of a vanguard, as well as to various legalistic and regulative limitations, the role of the government would be immensely critical for the successful early settlement of the e-Health/u-Health industry. Both the government and private sector need to practice continuous and effective public education and publicity mainly to increase the overall recognition and usability of e-Health/u-Health services. Nursing as a unique professional discipline should be well aware of the new paradigm shift of the healthcare market, and make maximum use of the possibility of this trend to the advent of the professional nursing's new role.