• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.317-324
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• 2006

Objectives: This study was conducted to estimate the unbiased smoking prevalence and its standard errors among adolescents in a large city in Korea, by design-based analysis. Methods: All the students in Daegu city were stratified by grade, gender and region, and then schools as primary sampling units (PSU) were selected by probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling. One or two classes were sampled randomly from each grade, from 5th grade in elementary schools to the 3rd grade in high schools. The students anonymously completed a standardized self-administered questionnaire from October to December 2004. The total number of respondents was 8,480 in the final analysis, excluding the third graders in the general high schools because of incomplete sampling. The sampling weight was calculated for each student after post-stratification adjustment, with adjustment being made for the missing cases. The data were analyzed with Stata 8.0 with consideration of PSU, weighting and the strata variables. Results: The smoking prevalence (%) and standard errors for male students from the fifth grade in elementary schools to the second grade in high schools were $0.93{\pm}0.47,\;1.83{\pm}0.74,\;3.16{\pm}1.00,\;5.12{\pm}1.02,\;10.86{\pm}1.13,\;15.63{\pm}2.44\;and\;17.96{\pm}2.67$, and those for the female students were $0.28{\pm}0.28,\;1.17{\pm}0.73,\;3.13{\pm}0.60,\;1.45{\pm}0.58,\;3.94{\pm}0.92,\;8.75{\pm}1.86\;and\;10.04{\pm}1.70$, sequentially. Conclusions: The smoking prevalence from this study was much higher than those from the other conventional studies conducted in Korea. The point estimates and standard errors from the design-based analysis were different from those of the model-based analysis. These findings suggest the importance of design-based analysis to estimate unbiased prevalence and standard errors in complex survey data and this method is recommended to apply to future surveys for determining the smoking prevalence for specific population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.5295-5302
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• 2016

Objectives: A physically active lifestyle is important for cancer survivors. Therefore, this study was conducted to 1) provide population-based estimates of the prevalence of physical activity and sitting time, and 2) their correlates in Korean cancer survivors. Materials and Methods: This study analyzed a cancer survivor subsample (N=1,482) from 2008-2013 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), data selected with a complex sampling design. Overall and subgroup-specific prevalences of physical activity and sitting time were estimated. Correlates of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity ( MVPA) and sitting time were tested using age-group-specific hierarchical multiple regression models. Results: Overall adherence rate to physical activity guidelines was 34.9% (95% CI=31.5-38.4). Age-group-specific adherence rates were 41.1% (95% CI=36.3-45.9) in adults (30-64 years old), and 25.3% (95% CI=21.0-25.3) in older adults (65 years or older). Adults spent 213.33 minutes (95% CI=172.4-254.3) per week on MVPA and 55.3 minutes (95% CI=36.4-64.6) on sitting time per day. In adults, sitting time was significantly associated with employed status (B=28.0, p=0.046), smoking (B=-47.4, p=0.020), and number of comorbidity conditions (B=-13, p=.037). MVPA was significantly associated with marital status (B=134.9, p<0.001), employment status (B=98.12, p=.046), and years since cancer diagnosis (B=104.7, p=0.015). Older adults spent 162.2 minutes (95% CI=119.5-204.8) per week on MVPA and 63.0 minutes (95% CI=45.0-89.5) on sitting time per day. Their significant correlates were sex (B= -45.2, p=0.014), smoking (B=-70.14, p<0.001), and years since cancer diagnosis (B=37.0, p=0.024). Age (B=5.8, p=0.042) and marital status (B=83.8, p=0.033) were also significantly associated with MVPA in older adults. Conclusion: A majority of Korean cancer survivors do not sufficiently participate in physical activity. In general, older, unhealthier, non-working, and being unmarried were risk factors for physical inactivity. While this study informs public health policy makers and practitioners about physical activity intervention demand for cancer survivors, future investigations should address psychosocial mediators to better inform intervention programs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.1836-1843
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• 2019

Objective: Social genetic effects (SGE) are an important genetic component for growth, group productivity, and welfare in pigs. The present study was conducted to evaluate i) the feasibility of the single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP) approach with the inclusion of SGE in the model in pigs, and ii) the changes in the contribution of heritable SGE to the phenotypic variance with different scaling ${\omega}$ constants for genomic relationships. Methods: The dataset included performance tested growth rate records (average daily gain) from 13,166 and 21,762 pigs Landrace (LR) and Yorkshire (YS), respectively. A total of 1,041 (LR) and 964 (YS) pigs were genotyped using the Illumina PorcineSNP60 v2 BeadChip panel. With the BLUPF90 software package, genetic parameters were estimated using a modified animal model for competitive traits. Giving a fixed weight to pedigree relationships (${\tau}:1$), several weights (${\omega}_{xx}$, 0.1 to 1.0; with a 0.1 interval) were scaled with the genomic relationship for best model fit with Akaike information criterion (AIC). Results: The genetic variances and total heritability estimates ($T^2$) were mostly higher with ssGBLUP than in the pedigree-based analysis. The model AIC value increased with any level of ${\omega}$ other than 0.6 and 0.5 in LR and YS, respectively, indicating the worse fit of those models. The theoretical accuracies of direct and social breeding value were increased by decreasing ${\omega}$ in both breeds, indicating the better accuracy of ${\omega}_{0.1}$ models. Therefore, the optimal values of ${\omega}$ to minimize AIC and to increase theoretical accuracy were 0.6 in LR and 0.5 in YS. Conclusion: In conclusion, single-step ssGBLUP model fitting SGE showed significant improvement in accuracy compared with the pedigree-based analysis method; therefore, it could be implemented in a pig population for genomic selection based on SGE, especially in South Korean populations, with appropriate further adjustment of tuning parameters for relationship matrices.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.45-56
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• 2012

Objective : This study was done to investigate the correlation between general quality of life(QOL) and disease specific QOL of tinnitus patients. Methods : 2009 National health and nutrition survey(NHNS) data were employed for analyzing the mean estimates of total population and tinnitus sub-group patients, and predicting the regression equation of mapping between EQ-5D and disease severity. Baseline statistical analyses and normality tests were done by using Student t-test, Chi-square test, Shapiro-Wilk test and ladder test. Hierarchial regression analyses were performed using related variables and predicted the optimal regression equations. Statistical significance was achieved if the probability was less than 5%. Results : Firstly, the standardized prevalence of tinnitus patient in South Korea was 18.69% and over 90th age-group was relatively higher than other groups. Mean value of domestic QOL measured by EQ-5D was estimated as 0.9486 and QOL of tinnitus subgroup(0.9169) was lower than the non-tinnitus subgroup(0.9559), significantly. Stratified by age and sex, QOLs of all sub-groups with tinnitus were lower than without tinnitus sub-groups significantly. Regression equations from 2009 NHNS data were developed using hierarchial regression analysis which is as follows. $$Y_{EQ-5D}=0.9224-0.0079{\times}T1-0.0261{\times}T2-0.0951{\times}T3+\sum_{i=1}^{n}{\beta}_i{\times}X_i\\{\hspace{95}}(0.0106){\hspace{3}}(0.0037){\hspace{30}}(0.0072){\hspace{30}}(0.0038)$$ ($X_i$=Other explanatory variables except Tinnitus QOL1, 2, 3, ${\beta}$= Regression Coefficient of Model 4) Conclusion : We confirmed the correlation among THI and EQ-5D and HUI-III, and developed the inference for regression equation of EQ-5D.

• 한국노년학
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.481-499
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of smartphone use on structured social network types in the Korean elderly population. Data was derived from the 2014 survey of living conditions and welfare needs of Korean older persons collected by Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs. A total of 4,180 participants were selected for the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) analysis. Based on propensity score estimates, the 491 smartphone users (treatment group) and 491 featurephone users (control group) were matched. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between smartphone use and structural social network types. The results showed that among retired older adults, people using smartphone had significantly better structured social networks than those using featurephone even after controlling for covariates. Smartphone users had the higher levels of social contact and social activity. These findings suggested empirical evidence that using smartphone positively affects structured social networks, which might be used as the basis for designing intervention programs to promote social networks and social engagement of retired older adults.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.550-556
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• 2020

Over the past years, the role of ports in the global network of supply chains has becoming increasingly important, not merely as a physical location for loading and unloading goods, but also as an essential center of economic activity where additional value is added to cargo. Due to the overall growing importance of ports, each country has chosen to adopt hub growth as a primary economic strategy. Northeast Asia in particular, due to its high population density, experiences intense competition between its ports. Busan's port, as a result, has used the establishment of Distripark in order to attract high and stable trade volume, and compete more effectively with other ports in the region. This study estimates the unit cost of the logistic process for the all principal cargos handled at Busan New Port, with the findings revealing that unit cost increases gradually starting with chemical products, LME bulk goods, automobile parts, LME containers, general cargoes, and LME inland transportation goods coming in last. Future research will look more closely at all all categories of cargo handled in the Distrpark of Busan New Port, thereby enabling us to better understand the value created by the port, and how to best implement effective trade volume-attraction strategy.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.122-132
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• 2021

We reviewed the methods employed in Korean tidal flat surveys to measure the local abundance of the endangered wildlife and marine protected species, the fiddler crab, Austruca lactea. A complete census for infinite population is impossible even in a limited habitat within a tidal flat, and density estimates from samples strongly vary due to diverse biological and ecological factors. The habitat boundaries and areas shift with periodicities or rhythmic activities of organisms as well as measurement errors. Hence the local abundance calculated from density and habitat areas should be regarded as transient. This conjecture was valid based on the spatio-temporal variations of the density averages, standard error ranges, and spatial distribution of the crab, A. lactea observed for 3 years (2015-2017) in Songdo tidal flat in Incheon. We proposed the potential habitat areas using the occurrence probability of 50% from logistic regression model, reflecting the importance of habitat conservation value as an alternative to local abundance. The spatial shape of potential habitat predicted from a generalized model would remain constant over time unless the species' critical environmental conditions change rapidly. The species-specific model is expected to be used for the introduction of desired species in future habitat restoration/creation projects.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.263-268
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• 2022

Health care workers (HCWs) are more than ten times more likely to be infected with coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) than the general population, thus demonstrating the burden of COVID-19 among HCWs. Factors that expose HCWs to a differentially high-risk of COVID-19 acquisition are important to elucidate, enable appropriate public health interventions to mitigate against high risk and reduce adverse outcomes from the infection. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize and critically analyze the existing evidence on SARS-CoV-2 risk factors among HCWs. With no geographical limitation, we included studies, in any country, that reported (i) the PCR laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19 as an independent variable (ii) one or more COVID-19 risk factors among HCWs with risk estimates (relative risk, odds ratio, or hazard ratio) (iii) original, quantitative study design, and published in English or Mandarian. Our initial search resulted in 470 articles overall, however, only 10 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. Out of the 10 studies included in the review, inadequate/lack of protective personal equipment, performing tracheal intubation, and gender were the most common risk factors of COVID-19. Based on the random effects adjusted pooled relative risk, HCWs who reported the use of protective personal equipment were 29% (95% CI: 16% to 41%) less likely to test positive for COVID-19. The study also revealed that HCWs who performed tracheal intubations were 34% (95% CI: 14% to 57%) more likely to test positive for COVID-19. Interestingly, this study showed that female HCWs are at 11% higher risk (RR 1.11 95% CI 1.01-1.21) of COVID-19 than their male counterparts. This article presents initial findings from a living systematic review and meta-analysis, therefore, did not yield many studies; however, it revealed a significant insight into better understanding COVID-19 risk factors among HCWs; insights important for devising preventive strategies that protect them from this infection.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.729-738
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• 2023

Objective: When multiple surveillance mammograms are performed within an annual interval, the current guidance for oneyear follow-up to determine breast cancer status results in shared follow-up periods in which a single breast cancer diagnosis can be attributed to multiple preceding examinations, posing a challenge for standardized performance assessment. We assessed the impact of using follow-up periods that eliminate the artifactual inflation of second breast cancer diagnoses. Materials and Methods: We evaluated surveillance mammograms from 2007-2016 in women with treated breast cancer linked with tumor registry and pathology outcomes. Second breast cancers included ductal carcinoma in situ or invasive breast cancer diagnosed during one-year follow-up. The cancer detection rate, interval cancer rate, sensitivity, and specificity were compared using different follow-up periods: standard one-year follow-up per the American College of Radiology versus follow-up that was shortened at the next surveillance mammogram if less than one year (truncated follow-up). Performance measures were calculated overall and by indication (screening, evaluation for breast problem, and short interval follow-up). Results: Of 117971 surveillance mammograms, 20% (n = 23533) were followed by another surveillance mammogram within one year. Standard follow-up identified 1597 mammograms that were associated with second breast cancers. With truncated follow-up, the breast cancer status of 179 mammograms (11.2%) was revised, resulting in 1418 mammograms associated with unique second breast cancers. The interval cancer rate decreased with truncated versus standard follow-up (3.6 versus 4.9 per 1000 mammograms, respectively), with a difference (95% confidence interval [CI]) of -1.3 (-1.6, -1.1). The overall sensitivity increased to 70.4% from 63.7%, for the truncated versus standard follow-up, with a difference (95% CI) of 6.6% (5.6%, 7.7%). The specificity remained stable at 98.1%. Conclusion: Truncated follow-up, if less than one year to the next surveillance mammogram, enabled second breast cancers to be associated with a single preceding mammogram and resulted in more accurate estimates of diagnostic performance for national benchmarks.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.509-513
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• 2007

Parametric and nonparametric coupled with bootstrap simulation technique were used to reevaluate previously defined reference intervals of serum chemistry parameters. A population-based study was performed in 100 clinically healthy dogs that were retrieved from the medical records of Kangwon National University Animal Hospital during 2005-2006. Data were from 52 males and 48 females(1 to 8 years old, 2.2-5.8 kg of body weight). Chemistry parameters examined were blood urea nitrogen(BUN)(mg/dl), cholesterol(mg/dl), calcium(mg/dl), aspartate aminotransferase(AST)(U/L), alanine aminotransferase(ALT)(U/L), alkaline phosphatase(ALP)(U/L), and total protein(g/dl), and were measured by Ektachem DT 60 analyzer(Johnson & Johnson). All but calcium were highly skewed distributions. Outliers were commonly identified particularly in enzyme parameters, ranging 5-9% of the samples and the remaining were only 1-2%. Regardless of distribution type of each analyte, nonparametric methods showed better estimates for use in clinical chemistry compare to parametric methods. The mean and reference intervals estimated by nonparametric bootstrap methods of BUN, cholesterol, calcium, AST, ALT, ALP, and total protein were 14.7(7.0-24.2), 227.3(120.7-480.8), 10.9(8.1-12.5), 25.4(11.8-66.6), 25.5(11.7-68.9), 87.7(31.1-240.8), and 6.8(5.6-8.2), respectively. This study indicates that bootstrap methods could be a useful statistical method to establish population-based reference intervals of serum chemistry parameters, as it is often the case that many laboratory values do not confirm to a normal distribution. In addition, the results emphasize on the confidence intervals of the analytical parameters showing distribution-related variations.