• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.238-245
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• 2004

Objectives : This study was conducted to examine the smoking behaviors and the relationship between smoking and other health behaviors among medical students. Methods : A self-administrated questionnaire was administered to a sample of 1,775 students from four medical schools between April and May 2003. Due to the small number of female smokers, the characteristics of smoking behaviors were analyzed only for males. Results : A total of 1,367 students (920 males and 447 females) completed the questionnaires, with an overall response rate of 77.7%. The smoking rates for males and females were 31.5, and 2.2%, respectively. Among the male smokers, 70.7% smoked daily, and 39.0% smoked one pack or more per day. Male students on medical course were more likely to smoke daily, and one pack or more per day, than those on premedical course. Male daily smokers desired to quit smoking less than occasional smokers, and 65.0% of male daily smokers were not ready to quit compared with 37.8% of the occasional smokers. Among the male daily smokers, 29.6% were severely nicotine dependent. The most common reason for not to quit smoking among male smokers was 'no alternative stress coping method' (44.4%), followed by 'lack of will power' (25.4%), and 'no need to quit' (19.4%). Compared with male non-smokers, male smokers were more likely to drink alcohol more often and in larger amounts, take coffee more often, eat breakfast less regularly, and be overweight or obese. Conclusions : The results of this study suggest that many male medical students were serious smokers, especially those on medical course. It is necessary to install a smoking prevention program for pre-medical students, provide effective smoking cessation methods for smokers, teach positive stress coping methods, and make the school environment suitable for coping with stress.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.425-432
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Food insecurity has been suggested as being negatively associated with healthy behaviors and health status. This study was performed to identify the associations between food insecurity and healthy behaviors among Korean adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The data used were the 2011 Community Health Survey, cross-sectional representative samples of 253 communities in Korea. Food insecurity was defined as when participants reported that their family sometimes or often did not get enough food to eat in the past year. Healthy behaviors were considered as non-smoking, non-high risk drinking, participation in physical activities, eating a regular breakfast, and maintaining a normal weight. Multiple logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to identify the association between food insecurity and healthy behaviors. RESULTS: The prevalence of food insecurity was 4.4% (men 3.9%, women 4.9%). Men with food insecurity had lower odds ratios (ORs) for non-smoking, 0.75 (95% CI: 0.68-0.82), participation in physical activities, 0.82 (95% CI: 0.76-0.90), and eating a regular breakfast, 0.66 (95% CI: 0.59-0.74), whereas they had a higher OR for maintaining a normal weight, 1.19 (95% CI: 1.09-1.30), than men with food security. Women with food insecurity had lower ORs for non-smoking, 0.77 (95% CI: 0.66-0.89), and eating a regular breakfast, 0.79 (95% CI: 0.72-0.88). For men, ORs for obesity were 0.78 (95% CI: 0.70-0.87) for overweight and 0.56 (95% CI: 0.39-0.82) for mild obesity. For women, the OR for moderate obesity was 2.04 (95% CI: 1.14-3.63) as compared with normal weight. CONCLUSIONS: Food insecurity has a different impact on healthy behaviors. Provision of coping strategies for food insecurity might be critical to improve healthy behaviors among the population.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.97-105
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• 2007

Objectives: This study examines the drinking behaviors and the relationship between drinking and smoking behaviors among some Korean university students. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted in May, 2006. A total of 1,163 students(715 male and 448 female) completed questionnaires, who were randomly selected in a university in Gyeongsangbuk-Do, Korea. Results: The overall drinking and smoking rates for male subjects were 88.7% and 37.2%, and those for females were 83.5% and 2.2%, respectively. Among the male drinkers 39.9% smoked, while 16.0% of the male non-drinkers were smokers. As male drinkers drink more often, heavier amount per drinking episode, even on a binge, their smoking rate was high. The subjects reported there was positive reinforcement between drinking and smoking behaviors. Conclusions: The drinking rate of students was relatively high, especially for male students drinking behavior was strongly correlated with smoking behavior. Health promotion programs should be targeted at university students considering drinking and smoking behaviors simultaneously.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.125-147
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• 1997

This study was conducted in order to identify the extent to which Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs explain the likelihood of taking preventive behaviors for AIDS among the young adolescents in Korea. HBM was applied as the theoretical framework for developing questionnaire items in this study. The survey instrument included all of the constructs of Health Belief Model, namely, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefit, perceived barriers, cue to actions for preventive behaviors concerning AIDS. Additionally, demographic characteristics of the respondents, their sexual experiences, and AIDS Knowledge Test were included in the study. Each of HBM constructs were developed with a 5-point Likert type scale from l(never agree) to 5 (absolutely agree). The survey was conducted with a total of 247 military men in a city on September 18, 1996, using self-reported questionnaire. The results of the study were summarized as follows: 1. Because the subjects for this study were military soldiers, their demographic characteristics were limited to all men, young age, and ummarried. Educational status was evenly distributed between high school graduates and university students. 2. On the average, the respondents started their first sexual relationship at 18 years old and 82.6% of them did not use condom when having their first sexual experience. Thirty-one percent of the subjects had sexual contact with prostitutes and the average number of sexual contact with prostitutes was 5 times during the past 2 years. 3. The results of AIDS Knowledge Test scores demonstrated that the respondents had a high level of knowledge about AIDS. However, some misconceptions about transmission of AIDS through casual contact were still prevailed. Sixty-six percent of the respondents expressed that people infected with HIV should be isolated from the society in order to protect the general public. 4. All the respondents expressed that they had heard about AIDS before. TV was found to be the source which provided information on AIDS most frequently. 5. Among fundamental constructs of Health Belief Model, scores of perceived benefit of taking preventive action against AIDS marked the highest score, while scores of perceived susceptibility were the lowest. As a result of Multiple Stepwise Regression analysis, 13 variable groups were found to predict the preventive action by 25%. Among them, only perceived benefit variables was the most significant factor to explain preventive behaviors by 17%.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.340-351
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• 2021

Objectives: To develop and investigate the effectiveness of an integrative counseling intervention for enhancing social intelligence and reducing bullying behaviors among lower secondary school students in Bangkok, Thailand. Methods: An interventional mixed-method design was employed in 2 phases. Phase 1 involved the development of a qualitative method-based integrative counseling program from key informants using the eclecticism technique. In phase 2, a randomized controlled trial with a wait-list control was conducted and qualitative research was performed with students who demonstrated bullying behaviors. Demographic data, Social Intelligence Scale (SIS) scores, and Bullying-Behavior Scale (BBS) scores were collected at baseline. Changes in SIS scores and qualitative findings obtained from in-depth interviews were examined after counseling ended, and BBS scores were collected again 1 month later. Results: The developed social intelligence counseling program included eight 1-hour weekly sessions consisting of 3 components: (1) social awareness, (2) social information processing, and (3) social skills. After receiving this intervention, scores for the SIS overall (p<0.001) and all of its components (p<0.05) were significantly enhanced in the experimental group compared to the control group. Moreover, the mean BBS scores in the experimental group significantly decreased 1 month after counseling (p=0.001). With regard to the qualitative research results, the experimental students demonstrated improvements in all components of social intelligence. Conclusions: The results indicated that a preventive counseling program may enhance social intelligence, decrease bullying behaviors among lower secondary school students, and prevent further incidents of school violence. However, further studies in various population subgroups should also be performed.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.364-372
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• 2000

Objectives : Cancer is the second most frequent cause of death in Korea. Cancer screening tests can save lives through early detection. Enhancing the cancer screening rate is an important strategy for reducing cancer mortality. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the screening rate and related factors in a rural area. The study investigated relationships between sociodemographic characteristics, several preventive behaviors, and the experience of several cancer screening behaviors. Materials and Methods : The study population was recruited voluntarily from the three rural areas(Myen) in Chungju city. The participants completed structured questionnaire from July 21, 1990 to July 26, 1998. Results : The proportions of the study population who had previously received stomach, liver, breast, or cervix cancer screening tests were 24.5%, 18.5%, 27.0%, 59.2% respectively. The 1-year screening rates of stomach, liver, breast, and cervix cancer were 7.4%, 6.8%, 8.6%, 15.6% respectively. In multivariate logistic analysis, some sociodemographic variables, preventive behaviors, or psychological variables were significantly associated with several cancer screening tests. Those who had previously received a stomach cancer screening test were significantly associated with the presence of chronic disease, physician's recommendation, use of alcohol family history of cancer, or previous liver cancer screening test. Those who had previously received a liver cancer screening test were associated with education level, physician's recommendation and previous stomach cancer screening test. Those who had received a cervix cancer screening test were significantly associated with education level, presence of a transportation vehicle, physician's recommendation use of alcohol and previous breast cancer screening test. And those who had received a previous breast cancer screening test were significantly associated with age, marital status, and earlier cervix cancer screening test. Conclusion : Based on the results of this study a strategy to promote cancer screening and health objectives at the district level can be made.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.137-144
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• 2023

The purpose of this study attempted to investigate the degree and relationship of health knowledge, health beliefs, and preventive health behavior of public health center officials and provide basic data to develop measures to promote preventive health behavior of public health center officials. Factors affecting health behavior were identified as sub-factors of health beliefs: benefit (β = . 298), severity (β = . 193), and trigger for action (β = . 183). The explanatory power of preventive health behaviors between these variables was found to be 33.9%. This study was attempted in the absence of research on COVID-19 knowledge, health beliefs, and preventive health behaviors among public health center officials, and objective observation or qualitative research that could supplement the limitations of self-reported questionnaires was conducted to 19 Research exploring the meaning of preventive health behaviors is needed.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.67-77
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• 2003

This study is to compare health related behaviors among Chinese, Korean Chinese in a Yanbian Province with a population of mainly Korean descendents and Koreans in Kangwon Province, Korea. Cross-sectional surveys were used to identify self-rated health, smoking, alcohol use, exercise and other lifestyle variables. A total of 739 Chinese, 663 Korean Chines, and 639 Koreans were surveyed using self-administered questionnaires. Few Korean Chinese(13.9%) reported they were healthy compared with Chinese(38.7%) and Koreans(36.3%). There was no difference in the prevalence of smoking by ethnic groups. More Koreans(48.5%) and Chinese Koreans(44.5%) reported drinking alcohol compared with Chinese(37.2%)(p < .001). Compared Chinese and Korean Chinese, fewer Koreans reported regular diet, exercise, health screening, and deep sleeping patterns. The lifestyle variables that affect the prevalence of disease were different by ethnic groups. In conclusion, ethnicity was shown to be an independent factor in relation to self-rated health, alcohol use, and other health lifestyle behaviors.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.209-216
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effect of knowledge and attitudes of preventive behavior plans (PBPs) on Zika virus infection among university students. Methods: Participants included 130 students from H University in Korea. Electronic self-reported questionnaires were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and regression analysis with SPSS/WIN 23.0. Results: The mean percentile score for knowledge was 35.52±20.63. The mean scores for attitudes and PBPs were 3.31±0.47 and 3.07±0.72, respectively, out of 5 points. Knowledge (t=-5.79, p<.001), attitudes (t=-3.17, p=.002), and PBPs (t=-2.67, p=.009) differed significantly with respect to awareness concerning Zika virus infection. The factor 'attitudes' significantly affected PBPs, with an R² value of 12.0% (β=.27, p<.001). Conclusion: Developing a correct attitude toward Zika virus infection may be key to improving preventive behaviors. Health education messages should be tailored to increase preventive behaviors against Zika virus infection. Nursing educators will benefit from partnerships with health educators and by using internet media to speed up the dissemination of Zika virus information.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.209-218
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was conducted among older women to (1) identify their levels of knowledge, self-efficacy, and health behavior in dealing with osteoporosis and falls and (2) explore the relationships between the study variables based on a health-beliefs model. Methods: With a cross-sectional survey design, we recruited 94 older women of ages from 65 to 74 at a community setting via convenience sampling. The study participants completed two sets of structured questionnaires (on osteoporosis and fall prevention). Results: The general characteristics of the study participants demonstrated that the women were at high risk for osteoporosis and falls. Overall, the levels of knowledge about osteoporosis and falls, their self-efficacy, and their preventive behaviors were average or slightly above. The relationships between the study variables showed that self-efficacy and healthy behavior, such as doing osteoporosis exercise, eating an osteoporosis diet, and avoiding falls, were related (r=38, p<.001; r=.33, p<.05; r=.26, p<.05). In addition, there were statistically significant relationships between osteoporosis and fall prevention knowledge (r=.37~.46, p<.001), self-efficacy (r=.50~.53, p<.001), and preventive behaviors (r=.50, p<.001). Conclusion: The women's scores on osteoporosis and fall knowledge, self-efficacy, and preventive behaviors suggest an urgent need for the implementation of educational programs for older women. A close relationship between self-efficacy and health behaviors implies a need for transformation of a traditional one-way lecture form.