• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.193-204
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• 1998

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in Korea. Their risk factors can be classified as either modifiable or nonmodifiable and among modifiable factors are high bood pressure, elevated blood cholesterol, obesity and cigarette smoking. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for the cardiovascular diseases in a rural community and to get basic data for the development of a community-based rick reduction intervention program. Evaluation involved population-based, cross-sectional samples of adult residents in a rurual community. We measured blood pressure, body fat percent by bioelectric impedance fatness analyzer and serum cholesterol and interviewed adult residents over 20-year-old age. Blood pressure was checked twice and hypertension was classified by the sixth report of the Joint National Committee on Detection. Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. The Cutpoints for high blood cholesterol was used National Cholesterol Treatment Guidelines and those for obesity was 25% in male. 30% in female. The results were as follows: 1. Prevalence of definitive hypertension was 59.7% in males and 54.4% in female. 2. Prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was 14.3% in male and 18.2% in female. 3. Prevalence of obese was 10.7% in male and 41.1% in female. 4. Among definitive hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity 52.1% possessed one risk factor, 12.6% two risk factors and 2.5% three risk factors in males. In females 41.4% possessed one risk factor and 27.6%. 5.7% respectively. 5. The smoking rate was 65.8% in males and 5.2% in females. Our results are used effectively for the community-based intervention towards cardiovascukr diseases risk reduction. However, because of limitations in our study design, further datas are needed including other risk factors and in-person clinical datas.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.317-325
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• 2023

Background: Local anesthetic injections may induce pain in children, leading to fear and anxiety during subsequent visits. Among the various approaches recommended to reduce pain, one is the use of a Buzzy Bee^TM device that operates on the concept of gate control theory and distraction. The literature regarding its effectiveness during the deposition of local anesthesia remains limited; hence, the aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of extraoral cold and vibrating devices in reducing pain perception during the deposition of local anesthesia. Methods: A split-mouth crossover study in which 40 children aged 3-12 years requiring maxillary infiltration or inferior alveolar nerve block for extractions or pulp therapy in the maxillary or mandibular posterior teeth were included. The control intervention involved the application of topical anesthetic gel for one minute (5% lignocaine gel), followed by the administration of local anesthetic (2% lignocaine with 1:80,000 adrenaline) at a rate of 1 ml/ minute. Along with the control protocol, the test intervention involved using the Buzzy Bee^TM device for 2 minutes before and during the deposition of the local anesthetic injection. The heart rate and face, legs, arms, cry, and consolability revised (FLACC-R) scale scores were recorded by the dentist to assess the child's pain perception. Results: The mean age of the participants in Group A and Group B was 7.050 ± 3.12 years and 7.9 ± 2.65 years respectively. A reduction in the mean heart rate and FLACC-R score was observed during the deposition of local anesthetic solution in the tissues when the Buzzy Bee^TM was used in both groups at different visits in the same subjects (P < 0.05) The Buzzy Bee^TM device was effective in reducing the heart rate and FLACC-R scores when used during maxillary infiltration and inferior alveolar nerve block local anesthesia techniques (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The use of extraoral cold and vibrating devices significantly reduces pain perception during local anesthetic deposition in pediatric patients. Considering the results of this study, the device may be incorporated as an adjunct in routine dental practice while administering local anesthesia in children.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.407-413
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• 2022

Objectives: This study provides insights on the impact of a targeted intervention (TI) programme on behaviour change among injecting drug users (IDUs) in India. Methods: This paper examined the data from the Integrated Biological and Behavioural Surveillance 2014-2015 for IDUs in India. Logistic regression was performed to understand the factors (TI programme services) that affected injecting risk behaviours by adjusting for covariates. Propensity score matching was conducted to understand the impact of the TI programme on using new needles/syringes and sharing needles/syringes in the most recent injecting episode by accounting for the covariates that predicted receiving the intervention. Results: Participants who received new needles and syringes from peer educators or outreach workers were 1.3 times (adjusted odds ratio, 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09 to 1.53) more likely to use new needles/syringes during most recent injecting episode than participants who did not receive needles/syringes. The matched-samples estimate (i.e., average treatment effect on treated) of using new needles in the most recent injecting episode showed a 2.8% (95% CI, 0.0 to 5.6) increase in the use of new needles and a 6.5% (95% CI, -9.7 to -3.3) decrease in needle sharing in the most recent injecting episode in participants who received new needles/syringes. There was a 2.2% (95% CI, -3.8 to -0.6) decrease in needle sharing in the most recent injecting episode among participants who were referred to other services (integrated counselling and testing centre, detox centres, etc.). Conclusions: The TI programme proved to be effective for behaviour change among IDUs, as substantiated by the use of new needles/syringes and sharing of needles/syringes.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.275-283
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• 2021

Objectives: The workplace is an ideal place for encouraging health-promoting behaviors. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the effect of an empowerment program on the health-promoting behaviors of women workers. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted with 80 women workers employed at a food packaging facility in 2020. The subjects were selected using convenience sampling and were classified into intervention and control groups using block randomization. An empowerment program for women workers was conducted across 6 sessions based on an empowerment model. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire and the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II, which participants completed both before the program and 8 weeks after the last session. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 16 using descriptive analysis and inferential statistics. Results: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in various health-promoting behaviors before the program. However, the intervention group's scores for nutrition (34.92±1.09 vs. 27.87±4.23), physical activity (24.40±2.94 vs. 17.40±5.03), stress management (26.35±2.60 vs. 23.05±4.27), spiritual growth (34.02±3.00 vs. 30.22±5.40), interpersonal relationships (30.82±2.38 vs. 27.60±4.61), and health responsibility (31.60±2.71 vs. 28.22±4.59) were significantly higher than the control group's 8 weeks after the program had ended. Moreover, there was a significant difference in the total score of health-promoting behaviors for the intervention group compared to the control group (179.00±9.22 vs. 151.42±20.25, p=0.001). Conclusions: An empowerment program for women workers led to significant improvements in the health-promoting behaviors of the participants. Similar programs can ultimately improve women's health in the workplace.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.121-131
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• 2024

Objective: This study is to design an intervention model for local residents to manage their oral health on their own. By establishing an autonomous participatory network without the intervention of external experts, it is possible to actively practice toothbrushing and use preventive services. Method: This is a case report study, and oral health education was conducted after interviews with 8 members of the Health Plus Village Committee in the N region of Hongcheon-gun and 156 residents of the senior center. Result: To foster oral health guardians in the community and to change behavior by actively sharing information and communicating with residents. It was confirmed that the Health Plus Village Committee was influential in spreading information, means, and interest about toothbrushing practices and preventive dental services to neighbors. Conclusion: In order to implement continuous resident-led oral health projects, resident-led village projects led by the Health Plus Village Committee should be activated through repeated empowerment education.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2000

Objectives . In large-scale field trials, randomization by cluster is frequently used because of the administrative convenience, a desire to reduce the effect of treatment contamination, and the need to avoid ethical issues that might of otherwise arise. Cluster randomization trials are experiments in which intact social unit, e.g., families, schools, cities, rather than independent individuals are randomly allocated to intervention groups. The positive correlation among responses of subjects from the same cluster is in matter in cluster randomization. This thesis is to compare the results of three randomization methods by standard error of estimator of treatment effect. Methods : We simulated cholesterol data varing the size of the cluster and the level of the correlation in clusters and analyzed the effect of cholesterol-lowering agent. Results : In intra-cluster randomization the standard error of the estimator of treatment effect is smallest relative to that in inter-cluster randomization and that in individual randomization. Conclusions : Infra-cluster randomization is the most efficient in its standard error of estimator of treatment effect but other factor should be considered when selecting a specific randomization method.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.173-182
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• 2013

Obesity during childhood is a dominant risk factor for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and is itself considered a disease that needs to be treated. Recently, the growth in childhood obesity in Korea has become stagnant; however, two in every ten children are still overweight. In addition, 60% or more of overweight children have at least one metabolic syndrome risk factor. Thus, childhood obesity should be controlled through lifestyle modification. This paper reviews studies of the modifiable risk factors of obesity in Korean children. According to the life-course approach, preschool-aged children (<5 years) are influenced by their parents rather than individual habits because they are under mostly parental care. Elementary school-aged children (6 to 11 years) are affected by overlapping individual and parental effects. This may mean that the establishment of individual behavior patterns begins during this period. The conditions of poor eating habits such as skipping meals, eating out, and high fat intake, along with low physical activity, facilitate increased obesity among adolescents (12 to 18 years). Notably, adolescent girls show high rates of both underweight and obesity, which may lead to the development of NCDs in their offspring. Therefore, the problem of NCDs is no longer limited to adults, but is also prevalent among children. In addition, early intervention offers cost-effective opportunities for preventing NCDs. Thus, children need primary consideration, adequate monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment to reduce the burden of NCDs later in adulthood.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.61-83
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• 2021

Objectives : This study was conducted to analyze the Korean medicine treatment on panic disorder in Korean clinical studies. Methods : The literatures were searched from 4 Korean databases(OASIS, SCIENCEON, KISS, RISS). We analyzed the publication year, study type, type of panic disorder, demographic information of participants, treatment periods, intervention type and details, outcome measurements and treatment results of selected studies. Results : 19 studies have been collected. 'Series of Ondam-tang', acupuncture at 'LI4·PC6', Moxibustion at 'ST36·CV4·CV12', 'Li-Gyeung-Byun-Qi' and 'Breathing Retraining' were most commonly used in treatment on panic disorder. 'Beck Depression Inventory(BDI)' and 'Subjective Investigator's Assessment(IA)' were most commonly used in outcome measurements. Most of the studies showed that Korean medicine treatment could improve the symptoms of panic disorder. Conclusions : We analyzed the research trends of Korean medicine treatment on panic disorder. Further studies are needed to establish the evidence for the treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.90-103
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• 2017

Objectives: This study was designed to confirm the effects of the Korean Medicine health promotion program targeting young children. One important aspect of the Korean Medicine health promotion program for children is to bring awareness of health benefits of introducing Korean Medicine methods to young children and to promote incorporating such methods in children's daily activities to develop healthy habits. Methods: The following experiment was conducted for 6 weeks, and the participants were in the age between 2 to 6 years old from 6 child care centers in Wonju and Chungju. 268 participants were in the intervention group, and 277 in the control group. To measure the outcomes of the Children Korean Medicine health program, the intervention group received Korean Medicine prevention programs (children education, parent education, growth exercises, common cold prevention scarf, and pear herb tea), control group did not. This research collected and compared the following data as the children's health indicators to measure the outcomes before and after the program: medical services usage, the number of absences, early leaves, and tardiness to the child care centers due to the participant's health condition. Results: After applying the children's health promotion programs on children between the age of 2-6, there was a decrease in the overall medical services usage, absences, early leaves, and tardiness to the child care center. This health promotion program was purely based on Korean medical theories and Korean Medicine resources without any conventional medical mediation. Conclusions: It can be concluded that a positive change was noted in raising awareness of Korean Medicine through educating both the parents and children. By learning to incorporate Korean Medicine prevention practices to daily habits, not only was there a reduction in the Medical services usage, but the children also became familiar and comfortable with Korean Medicine and its treatment procedures; the overall satisfaction level of the program was also high.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.260-268
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• 2024

Objectives: Regional disparities in cardiovascular care in Korea have led to uneven patient outcomes. Despite the growing need for and access to procedures, few studies have linked regional service availability to mortality rates. This study analyzed regional variation in the utilization of major cardiovascular procedures and their associations with short-term mortality to provide better evidence regarding the relationship between healthcare resource distribution and patient survival. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using nationwide claims data for patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), stent insertion, or aortic aneurysm resection in 2022. Regional variation was assessed by the relevance index (RI). The associations between the regional RI and 30-day mortality were analyzed. Results: The RI was lowest for aortic aneurysm resection (mean, 26.2; standard deviation, 26.1), indicating the most uneven regional distribution among the surgical procedures. Patients undergoing this procedure in regions with higher RIs showed significantly lower 30-day mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.55 to 0.96; p=0.026) versus those with lower RIs. This suggests that cardiovascular surgery regional availability, as measured by RI, has an impact on mortality rates for certain complex surgical procedures. The RI was not associated with significant mortality differences for more widely available procedures like CABG (aOR, 0.96), PCI (aOR, 1.00), or stent insertion (aOR, 0.91). Conclusions: Significant regional variation and underutilization of cardiovascular surgery were found, with reduced access linked to worse mortality for complex procedures. Disparities should be addressed through collaboration among hospitals and policy efforts to improve outcomes.