• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.96-103
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• 2009

Objectives : We evaluated the health effects of exposure to BTEX(Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, m,p-Xylene, o-Xylene) in the Taean area after the Hebei Spirit oil spill. Methods : We used a questionnaire survey to look for health effects among 80 pregnant women 2 to 3 months following the Hebei Spirit oil spill. Their BTEX exposures were estimated using the CALPUFF method. We then used a multiple logistic regression analysis to evaluate the effects of BTEX exposure on the women s health effets. Results : Pregnant women who lived near the accident site reported more symptoms of eye irritation and headache than those who lived farther from the site. There was a trend of decreasing symptoms with an increase in distance from the spill site. Pregnant women exposed to higher ambient cumulative levels of Xylene were significantly more likely to report symptoms of the skin(OR 8.01 95% CI=1.74-36.76) in the first day after the accident and significantly more likely to report abdominal pain(OR 3.86 95% CI=1.02-14.59 for Ethylbenzene, OR 6.70 95% CI=1.82-24.62 for Xylene) during the 1st through 4th days following the accident. Conclusions : This study suggests that exposure to BTEX from an oil spill is correlated with an increased risk of health effects among pregnant women. This implies the need to take proper measures, including the development of a national policy for environmental health emergencies and a plan for studying the short- and long-term chronic health effects associated with such spills.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.19-30
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• 2008

This study reached the following conclusions as a result of carrying out the questionnaire survey of self-descriptions for the satisfaction after the citizens of Daejon uses the dental clinics, in order to identify the factors of satisfaction to the medical services of such dental clinics to be utilized in the patient management by dental hygienists, provide the basic data to provide the medical services desired by patients. 1. 43.9% men responded to the facilities and 56.1% women to the atmosphere for the standards of selection of dental clinics by general characteristic, and the college graduates or more to the kindness (38.2%), high-school graduates (43.2%) and middle-school graduates (25.9%) or less to the close distance for the level of educational attainment (p=0.009), which was meant to have a statistical significance. 2. The execution of reservation system for the dental clinics showed 54.7%, the reserved time was observed upon the execution of such reservation system, the dental clinics where they practice such system were 40.6%, and the confirmation methods was done through the telephone with 62.5%. 3. The experience of fear upon the dental treatment showed 74.6%. The type of fear showed the machine sound (48.7%) for men and cry of others for women (70.8%) at the highest. 70% of those under 30 at the age responded to the sharp instruments at the highest. 83.3% of Yousung-gu showed the highest by responding to the cry of others for the residential areas. The statistically significant difference was shown in both the age and residential area (p=0.000). 4. Women showed higher in the distribution of gender for the sterilization of instruments for the external satisfaction of dental clinics(p=0.000) and those under 30 at the age showed the highest with 2.98${\pm}$0.95(p=0.001). Seo-gu (3.48${\pm}$0.77) was the highest for the residential area (p=0.000), and there was statistically significant differences in the gender, age and residential area. 5. Men showed higher satisfaction than women in the clean state and the statistically significant differences were shown (p=0.000) at the age as the high satisfaction was shown for those under 30 at the age (2.35${\pm}$0.79), those having the income not less than 10 million won and not more than 20 million won (2.43${\pm}$0.78), and Seo-gu (2.63 ${\pm}$0.69) for the residential area. 6. For the internal satisfaction of dental clinic by users for the medical services in the dental clinics, 61.1% women responded to no in the ability of solving the inconvenience in the service process, and showed low ability of solving the inconvenience from 30 at the age (26.2%) and by responding to Dong-gu (22.1%) for the residential area, showing statically significant differences(p=0.000). For the re-use of dental clinics, 46.6% men (p=0.043) for the gender, 24.3% under 30 at the age and 22.9% of Dong-gu for the residential area responded to the re-use, showing statistically significant differences for the gender and residential area (p=0.000). 7. The dissatisfaction showed a high rate of 69.5% for the satisfaction to the medical services of dental clinics. 46.2% men responded to the pain and women to the feeling of foreign substance for the reason of dissatisfaction while those under 30 at the age showed 55.6% for others, those between 50 and 59 41.7% for the feeling of foreign substance. 86.3% carried out the education for cautions after the treatments and most people turned out that they do not carry out the continuous health management of mouth as 20.5% responded to that they carry out such health management.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.165-178
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• 2018

Objectives: To determine the current status of the treatment of breast cancer patients by Korean Medicine doctors (KMDs) and to examine the need for clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for the supportive care of these patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study used a self-administered questionnaire. Participants were asked about their experience in treating breast cancer patients; the number of breast cancer patients they currently treat; the main complaints expressed by, diagnoses of, and treatments used for such patients; and their opinions about Korean Medicine (KM) as the basis for providing supportive care for breast cancer. Results: The data for this study were collected from 322 respondents. 84 of whom reported having ever treated patients with breast cancer. Most breast cancer patients who visited the KM clinic were classified as stage I or II, and their major complaints were fatigue, general weakness and musculoskeletal pain. The major diagnostic strategies were syndrome differentiation and pulse diagnosis. The major treatments administered were herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion. KMDs cited a need for medical information, such as CPGs, as their most important concern with regard to the treatment of breast cancer patients. Conclusions: This survey determined the prevalence of the use of KM for Korean breast cancer patients. Our results underscore the need for clinical practice guidelines for using of KM as the basis of supportive care for breast cancer and for informing clinicians and patients about this approach.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2003

A nationwide survey on choledochal cyst was undertaken among 39 members of the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons. The members were required to complete a questionnaire and the case registration form for each patient during the five year period of 1997 to 2001. Three hundred and forty eight patients were registered from 32 institutions. The average number of patients per surgeon was one to two every year. The male to female ratio was 1:3.4. The age of patients on diagnosis was $49.0{\pm}44.4$ months. The geographic distribution was 34.8% in Seoul and Kyoungki-do, 33.3% in Kyoungsang-do, 17.9% in Cholla-do, and 8.5% in Choongchung-do, in order of frequency. The three common clinical presentations were abdominal pain (63.8%), vomiting (35.3%), and jaundice (29.1%). Only seven patients (2%) presented with classic triad, and 25 patients were diagnosed by antenatal ultrasonographic examination. According to the Todani Classification, 238 patients (7l.3%) were type 1, 3 (0.9%) type 11, and 93 (27.8%) type IV. At the time of the operation, three important associated conditions were choledocholithiasis in 45 patients (15.1%), liver fibrosis (Grade 1-4) in 35, and previous operative procedure for biliary diseases in 10. Associated anomalies were observed in 13 patients (3.8%). Three hundred thirty nine (98.8%) of 343 lesions were treated by Cyst excision and Roux-Y hepaticoiejunostomy. One hundred seventy-six patients had an anomalous arrangement of the pancreatobiliary ductal system (APBD): APBD was not in 92 patients, biliary duct joined to the pancreatic duct in 51, and pancreatic duct joined to the biliary duct in 26. There were 8.5% early, and 7.7% late phase operative complications. The major complications were bleeding, anastomotic leakage, and acute pancreatitis. The combination of acute abdomen and choledochal cyst may suggest spontaneous rupture. Because of the development of late intrahepatic bile duct stones, long term follow up after cyst excision and hepaticojejunostomy is required. The optimal time of surgical intervention should also be considered in the situation of routine use of antenatal ultrasonographic examination. This is the first review of the choledochal cyst in Korea and provides baseline data for future comparisons.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.203-211
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• 2007

A nationwide survey on acute appendicitis (AAP) was undertaken among members of the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons. The members were required to complete a questionnaire and the case registration form for each patient during the 6 months period from the $1^{st}$ October, 2005 to $31^{st}$ March, 2006. Questionnaires were collected from 23 members. Four hundred seventy six patients were registered from 21 hospitals where the members were working. The male to female ratio was 1.67:1. Average age was 9 years and 5 months (range 21 months-20 years). Operations were performed on average 10.4 hours (range 1-230 hours) from arrival at hospital. The average operation time was 59.1 minutes. The average admission days were 5.8 days (range 2-45 days). The most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain (95.1 %), vomiting (50.6 %) and fever (43.7%). The average duration of symptoms was 42.2 hours (range 1 hour-22 days). Leukocytosis (WBC count > 10,000) was found in 85.9%. The most popular diagnostic tools were ultrasonography and CT. Open surgery was performed in 72.1 % and laparoscopic surgery in 27.5 %. Two laparoscopic surgeries were converted to open surgery (0.4 %). Simple appendicitis was found in 54.5 % and complicated appendicitis such as abscess, gangrenous change and perforation in 45.5%. According to the questionnaires 12 hospitals were performing open surgery only in all patients. Four hospitals were performing laparoscopic surgery in all patients. Seven hospitals are performing both surgical methods according to surgeon or occasion. Regarding the use of antibiotics in acute appendicitis, three kinds of antibiotics were used in 40 % of total simple appendicitis patients. The results showed the trend of management in acute appendicitis in Korea. Especially it is necessary for the members to discuss the use of antibiotics for prophylaxis in the simple appendicitis.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.66-76
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• 1997

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyse sleep habits and sleep disorders in the elderly population ased 65-84 years. Methods : Epidemiological survey was performed at home by means of semi structured interviews in the city of Pusan, Korea. Subjects were randomly selected. The questionnaire consisted of 128 items including demographic findings, sleep habits, sleep disorders, somatic illnesses, and psychological distresses. Results : (1) The mean retiring time was 10.28 h (SD 1.30 h) and the mean wake-up time was 5.24 h (SD 1.33 h). The mean duration of sleep was 5.63 h (SD 1.80 h). The mean sleep onset time was 44.51 min. The mean frequency of daytime napping was 2.49 (SD 3.23). The subjects reported they woke up an average of 2.05 (SD 1.59) times per night. All of the above results were not related to age or gender. However, the mean frequency of difficulty in initiating/maintaining sleep was 2.2 times for men and 3.2 times for women (p<0.05). (2) The prevalence of insomnia was 57.7% and was not related to age or gender. Difficulty in initiating sleep was the most commonly reported insomnia complaint(52.4%). Early morning awakening was reported by 50.0% of patients and difficulty in maintaining sleep was reported by 45.1% of them. Worrying in bed and physical pain were strong contributing factor to insomnia. Conclusions : The results of our study showed several characteristics of sleep habits in the elderly. Sleep disorder in old age is not inevitable or trivial. Since sleep disturbance in older adults is common and distressing, it has implications for general health and well-being. Active concern and therapeutic intervention for the sleep habits and sleep disorders in the elderly are needed.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.152-162
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• 1978

The desire to maintain health is increasing, consequently the role of nursing which has as one chief aim the solving of man′s basic problems is more and more important. Today, in spite of a growing concern about the nursing activities which nurses provide for individual human having specific needs, clinically in fact, it is questionable that individual′s expectation of nursing activities agrees with nurse′s performance of nursing activities. In this study the importance and agreement of the importance of the nursing activities during the hospitalized puerperal period as viewed by women in the puerperal period and by nurses caring for them, were assessed. The present study was undertaken in an attempt to furnish the basic data for expediting the progress of research activities in this area and further to be helpful in planning maternity nursing practice. The study population defined and selected was nurses (13) caring for women in the puerperal period and doing duty on obstetric & gynecologic ward at Y. hospital, and the women in puerperal period (39) as sum of 3 women selected by each nurse during the period of May 13th-June 4th 1976. The study data was collected by the direct interview method based on the questionnaire which the investigator made out. The study result was analyzed by percentage, t - test. The findings can be summarized as follows: 1. General characteristics of nurses doing duty on puerperal ward: a. Nurses′average age was 24.8 years old. b. 84.6% had educational background of 4 years of college. c. 69.2% had a religion. d. 53.8% were married. e. 53.8% had clinical experience of 1 year -3 years. f, 61.5% did duty on puerperal ward during 1 year -3 years. g. 46.2% desired to do duty on obstetric ? gynecologic ward. 2. General characteristics of the women who were studied during their puerperal period: a. Women′s average age was 26.4 years old. b. 79.5% had educational background above high school. c. 56.4% had a religion. d. 84.6% had living standard above medium. e. 89.7% had no occupation. f, 53,8% had previous hospitalization experience. g. 56.4% had previous delivery experience. 3. Examining the importance of 39 nursing activities during puerperal period selected by investigator, studied group of women considered that the most important nursing activity was "Record precisely about condition, medical treatment and nursing activity results etc". Nurses considered that the most important nursing activity was "Notice whether having pain and care for that". Both groups considered that the least important nursing activity was "Talk with her about topics such as news, hobbies, other interests". 4. Examining the importance of nursing activities in 4 specific categories, studied group of women considered that the most important nursing activity in physical nursing category was "Be sure of safety measure to prevent accidents, injuries", and nurses considered that the most important nursing activity was "Make her sleep and rest sufficiently". Studied group of women considered that the most important nursing activity in psychological category was "Explain about medical treatment and nursing activity ahead of time so she knows what to expect" , and nurses considered that the most important nursing activity was "Explain about puerperal period so she understands". Studied group of women considered that the most important nursing activity in relation to medical care was "Record precisely about condition, medical treatment and nursing activity results etc.", and nurses considered that the most important nursing activity was "Observing, cleaning and protecting the perineum" Studied group of women considered that the most important nursing activity in nursing category in preparation for discharge was "Instruct about personnel hygiene during puerperal period", and nurses considered that the most important nursing activity was "Instruct self-care to protect the perineum". 5. The analysis of this study showed a significant amount of disagreement computed by subtracting the nurse′s score from the patient′s score. Studied group of women put greater importance on physical nursing category, psychological nursing category, nursing in relation to medical care, than the nurses. These results were statistically significant at 0.01 level.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.29-50
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• 2001

This research have been made to define how the IADL (Instrumental Activity of Daily Living) performance and the subjective health index of the Aged are affected by their residential circumstance, gender and age, and how deeply these two factors are related and interact. For the period of June 1 to July 31, 2000, we had conducted a questionnaire and direct interview with 693 persons over age sixty-five (65) in Daejon and in other adjacent area, grouping into three different residential types The Aged living at home, The Aged living at welfare facilities and The Aged living alone, and studied on how the IADL performance and the subjective health index of the Aged are influenced and interact as per their characteristics, daily activity and mentality. We had analyzed all the data obtained through this research by the method of : - analysis of frequency as per specific factors by SPSS 1O.0/PC+, - $x^2$ test, - t-test, - ANOVA, - multiple regression analysis by factors. The research concludes followings : a. It appears that the three (3) factors such as gender, age and residential circumstance of the Aged deeply affect the IADL performance and subjective health index of the Aged. (p<0.01) b. With regard to IADL performance of the Aged by the gender, it was analyzed that the female-Aged gains 23.8 point on average, which shows the performance of the female-Aged is less independent. (p<0.01). In addition, it was also found that the IADL performance is becoming less and less independent following their age increasing. In analyzing IADL performance by the residential type, it appears that the Aged living at welfare facilities gains the lowest 21.5 points and is least independent. It was also found that the Aged living at welfare facilities need some assistances from others for their performing IADL. (20-24 point) (p<0.001) c. With regard to the subjective health index of the all-Aged participated in this research, the analysis indicates 8.8 point and this is considered as a point of general standard (7-10 point). In analyzing this index by the gender, the female-Aged gains only 8.6 point which explains a lot of female-Aged consider they are not really healthy. (p<0.001) In analyzing this index by the residential type, the Aged living at welfare facilities and the Aged living alone gain the comparatively lower point, - respectively 8.4 point for the Aged living at welfare facilities and 8.8 point for the Aged living alone. The Aged living at these two residential types express they are obviously in a bad situation of health. (p<0.001) d. With regard to the factors affecting the IADL performance and the subjective health index of the Aged, it was analyzed that the IADL performance can largely be affected by the factors such as depression, frequency of going-out and age rising, and that the subject health index can also deeply be affected by depression, pain and by how much they are satisfied with their current living conditions. e. It was analyzed that the interacting between the IADL performance and the subjective health index is not that strong but even weak. As a result, we were able to conclude that the IADL performance is less independent in case of the female-Aged, the Aged living at welfare facilities, and following the age rising. As for the subjective health state the Aged themselves are aware of, we concluded that the female-Aged, the Aged living at welfare facilities and the Aged living alone, are more critical about their health. From this research, we were able to realize that, when the OMT (Orthopedic Manual Therapy) needed, the physical therapists are really required to have a correct and cautious understanding of the situation in which the aged persons are, and take care of them with more concerns and more improved treatment.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.493-502
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate the oral health problems among type 2 diabetes patients and suggest basic data for the promotion of their body and oral health by emphasizing the correlation between hemoglobin A1c and subjective oral health status. For 174 patients with type 2 diabetes and who were older than 40 years old, the questionnaire and measurement of hemoglobin A1c were conducted from January 9, 2012 to March 9, 2012. The results of the study were as follows. 1. They tended to be most aware of the following; 'inflammation on the oral mucosa' and 'pain on the oral mucosa' among the symptoms of oral mucosa, 'gum bleeding when brushing teeth' among the symptoms of periodontal disease, and 'feels dry in general' among the symptoms of xerostomia. 2. The patients with longer duration of diabetes showed greater recognition with regards to the symptoms of oral mucosa disease, periodontal disease, and xerostomia (p<0.05). 3. The group with regular meal showed lower level of hemoglobin A1c (p<0.001). 4. The level of hemoglobin A1c was higher in the group that recognized 'burning sensation', 'gum bleeding', 'gum recession' and 'bad breath' (p<0.05) as well as in the group that responded 'get up at night to drink' among the symptoms of xerostomia (p<0.05). Especially the symptoms of periodontal disease were revealed to be a factor that showed the 3rd strongest correlation with hemoglobin A1c.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.126-132
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• 1999

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to investigate 1) the incidence of insomnia, 2) the clinical characteristics of the insomniacs, 3) the correlation of severity of insomnia with somatic complaints and psychological distresses, and 4) the beliefs and attitudes about sleep in patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis. Methods: The author evaluated 153 patients, receiving hemodialysis therapy at the four outpatients hemodialysis units in Pusan, Korea. The patients had completed a self-administered questionnaire package, which consisted of basic demographic findings, questions characterizing insomnia, Beck Depression Inventory(BDI), Spielburger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI), and visual analogue scales measuring quantitatively the severity of the self-perceived psychological and somatic symptoms. And several laboratory data were collected. Diagnosis of insomnia was made in the base of insomnia criteria of DSM-IV and international classification of sleep disorders. Subjects were dichotomized into those who reported any characteristics of insomnia or those who had no insomnia during the preceding two weeks. Results: Insomnia was found in 100(65.4%) of 153 patients. No statistical differences were found between the patients with and without insomnia in terms of age, gender, education, marital status, mean duration of hemodialysis and all considered laboratory findings except serum albumin. The patients with insomnia had significantly higher BDI score and predialysis systolic blood pressure, and lower serum albumin as compared to non-insomnia group. Significant differences were found between two groups in terms of self-perceived distress such as sadness, anxiety, worry, pruritus, and dysfunction of daily life. The data showed statistically significant correlation between insomnia severity and some variables such as physical dysfunction, pruritus, bone pain, sadness, anxiety, worry, dysfunction of daily life and excessive daytime sleepiness. The patients with insomnia had significantly several dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep than those without insomnia. Conclusion: These results indicate that insomnia is very common in hemodialysis patients and likely contribute to the impaired quality of life experienced by many these patients. The author suggests that physical and psychological distresses would be reduced and the quality of life could be improved if their sleep disturbances are properly ameliorated in patients on hemodialysis.