• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk factors of pressure injuries in patients after neurosurgery. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted using 273 patients undergoing neurosurgery admitted to a general hospital from 2015 to 2021. Data were collected from September 1 to 30, 2021. The data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 26.0 program. Results: Risk factors significantly influencing the occurrence of pressure injuries in the patients undergoing neurosurgery were hypertension (OR=3.12, p=.024), postoperative hypoalbuminemia (OR=0.30, p=.028), and prolonged operative duration (OR=1.00, p=.001). The regression model explained 86.0% of the variance of the outcome variable. Conclusion: In order to prevent surgery-related pressure injuries in patients undergoing neurosurgery, thorough blood pressure management, avoidance of hypoalbuminemia, and preventive nursing intervention considering operative duration are required.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.89-98
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• 2023

Purpose: This study proposes preventive strategies for factors affecting the work impairment of international medical tourism coordinators. Methods: Data for this study were collected via an online questionnaire survey involving 296 international medical tourism coordinators in South Korea, considering the impact coronavirus disease 2019. The survey was conducted from 25th April 2022 to 22nd July 2022 and data were analyzed SPSS/WINdows software version 22, including statistical, reliability, factor and regression analyses. Results: This study focused on occupational stress, health problems and job efficacy among international medical tourism coordinators in medical tourism research. The main objective was to examine the factors that influenced their work impairment. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of factors such as occupational stress, health problems and job efficacy in influencing work impairment among international medical tourism coordinators. The identified factors account for 30% of explanation power. An intervention program tailored to the characteristics of domestic and international medical tourism coordinators is recommended.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.39-50
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• 2023

Background: To promote and maintain oral health among adults, the relationship between oral health and obesity was examined, and the effects of oral health on obesity were investigated. Methods: A total of 4,270 Korean adults aged ≥20 years were selected as study subjects using raw data from the first year (2019) of the eighth period of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Complex sample Rao-Scott chi-square test and complex sample logistic regression analysis were performed using PASW Statistics ver. 18.0. Results: The prevalence of abdominal obesity was 1.3 times higher subjects with poor oral health than in those with good perceived oral health and 1.3 times higher in subjects who did not receive dental checkups compared to those that did. The frequency of brushing of teeth was 1.2 times higher for subjects who reported brushing 2~3 times per day compared to those who reported brushing four or more times per day. The risk of being overweight was 1.3 times higher in subjects with one or more dental implants than in those with none. Conclusion: To build an integrated health program, it is thought that a preventive approach through self and expert oral health care, considering the age-specific characteristics of adults, is necessary for the intervention process used to build customized obesity prevention projects at the national level.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.10
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• pp.537-544
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• 2023

The share of the population that is aging is growing rapidly. In an aging society, technologies and interventions that delay the aging process are of great interest. Dietary restriction (DR) is the most reproducible and effective nutritional intervention tested to date for delaying the aging process and prolonging the health span in animal models. Preventive effects of DR on age-related diseases have also been reported in human. In addition, highly conserved signaling pathways from small animal models to human mediate the effects of DR. Recent evidence has shown that the immune system is closely related to the effects of DR, and functions as a major mechanism of DR in healthy aging. This review discusses the effects of DR in delaying aging and preventing age-related diseases in animal, including human, and introduces the molecular mechanisms that mediate these effects. In addition, it reports scientific findings on the relationship between the immune system and DR-induced longevity. The review highlights the role of immunity as a potential mediator of the effects of DR on longevity, and provides insights into healthy aging in human.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.167-182
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• 2005

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis according to the criteria of diagnosing knee osteoarthritis in rural women and the factors related with this disease. Methods: The data obtained from 200 women older than 40 years of age residing in 5 Ri's in Goryeong-gun. Gyeongsanbuk-do by random cluster sampling from September to October 2002. Knee osteoarthritis was determined positive according to the Kellgren and Lawrence classification and knee pain. Results: Among these subjects, 71.0% showed more than grade 2 in radiologic finding and the rate of knee pain according to the survey was 67.0%. The rate of subjects meeting the criteria of knee osteoarthritis was 54.0%. According to univariate analysis, the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis increased with age and those farming people and people working in household industry was significantly high at 58.9% compared with others. The prevalence of knee osteoarthritis showed a significant relationship with the family history and past history of knee injury and knee surgery(p<0.01), and diabetes mellitus(p<0.05). The score of ADL was significantly different in the subjects with knee osteoarthritis compared with normal group(p<0.05). When the presence of knee osteoarthritis and the period of the life style of seating down on the floor were compared, a significant difference was present between the osteoarthritis group and normal group. As for metabolic factors, the blood sugar level, bone density, and body mass index(BMI) were significantly different in the osteoarthritis group compared with normal group. When multiple logistic regression analysis was performed with the presence of knee osteoarthritis as the dependent variable, the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis was significantly affected by older age, subjects farming or working in household industry, the history of knee injury, the history of surgery, higher blood sugar level, and higher BMI. Conclusions: These subjects need an intervention through self-care programs such as exercise for preventing osteoarthritis, weight control programs, other exercise programs strengthening knee joints, and guidelines when working in vinyl houses.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.25 no.4 s.40
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• pp.343-356
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• 1992

Authors studied the workers' knowledge about the health problems detected through the previous workers' periodic health examination, content of follow-up management ana actions taken for their health problem detected on previous health examination. From June to September 1992, workers' periodic health examination was peformed on workers employed in 10 companies located in 2 middle-sized Korean cities. A questionnaire survey was done far 150 workers who reported to have $D_2$ result of either hypertension or liver disorder at the previous workers' periodic health examination done in 1991. The results are as follows; 1. Of 160 workers who had $D_2$ result of either hypertension or liver disorder in previous examination one year before, only 85 workers(51.3%, 43 workers with hypertension, 38 workers with live disorder) responded that they have such disorders. The other 65 workers responded to questionnaire were all those with C results. Respondents' knowledge about their diagnoses was relatively precise (95.2% in hypertension group, 94.6% in liver disorder group) but knowledge about classification of diseases was poor. 2. The main efforts to solve the health problem nab self management (20 spells, 55.3%), visiting clinic or hospital(6 spells, 12.8%), use of herb medicine (2 spells, 4.3%) and use of drug store(2 spells, 4.3%) in hypertension group. In liver disorder group, 30 spells (71.4%) relied on self management,6 spells (14.3%) on hospital or clinic and 9 spells (21.4%) had no effort to improve the health problem. Content of self management was low salt diet, quit smoking, regular exercise and quit alcohol drinking in order. Avoidance of salt in diet was high in hypertension group and quitting alcohol drinking was high in liver disorder group. In those with self management, 80.7% of hypertension group and 83.3% of liver disorder group continued previous effort. Those, however, who utilized clinic or hospital, only 16.7% and 50.0% were still visiting hospital or clinic. 3. Fifty seven percent of hypertension group and 64.3% of liver disorder group was presently smoking,8.5% and 11.9% reduced smoking and 21.3% and 14.3% stopped smoking. Forty nine percent of hypertension group and 28.6% of liver disorder group was presently drinking. Reduced alcohol intake was reported in 29.8% and 40.5%, 12.8ole and 23.8% stopped alcohol drinking. Sixty six percent of hypertension group and 73.8% of liver disorder group did no regular exercise, but 12.8% and 11.9% of each group increased their physical exercise far last one year. Forty three percent of hypertension group and 38.l% of liver disorder group was overweight (defined by bodymass index greater or equal than 25). Reduced body Weight was reported in 17.2% and 16.7% of each group. Reduced dietary salt intake was high in hypertension group (51.5%). The study results suggest that follow-up management after workers' periodic health examination is not satisfactory. In order to improve this situation, adequate information on the result of the workers' periodic health examination should be distributed to each worker group with health education and counselling.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.238-250
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the service needs of the beneficiaries who had enrolled in home-based management programs for cancer patients. Methods: From March to May 2009, 676 cancer patients who were registered in home-based cancer patient management programs were selected as subjects for this study. The data were collected using a questionnaire along with a face-to-face interview performed by officers in charge of the home-based care programs of 47 regional health centers. Fifteen patients were excluded due to incomplete data, leaving 661 subjects who were ultimately enrolled in the study. Results: The mean age of subjects was $64.0{\pm}2.5$ years, and males comprised 45.1% (298/661) of the sample. The results of factor analysis for service needs showed that there were five main categories and Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.593 to 0.890 for each factor. The service needs categories in order of importance were social support, information and education, psychological problems, physical symptoms and household chores. The service needs scores were significantly different when subjects were stratified by age, habitation, religion and disease classification. When we divided the subjects into complete remission, under treatment and terminally ill groups, the needs scores of the terminally ill patient group were significantly higher than those of the other groups (p<0.001). Conclusions: Service provision based on patient and beneficiary needs could be an effective intervention to reduce the economic burden of cancer management and to improve the quality of life of cancer patients receiving home-based care. Therefore, it is recommended that individual cancer patient care programs be developed and administered according to patient age, habitation and disease severity.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.158-170
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• 2015

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of oral exercise on oral function and denture satisfaction of the elderly using dentures. Methods: The study was conducted with targets of the elderly in the 13 senior community centers in Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do from September 2013 to April 2014. The study subjects were divided into two groups, the intervention group provided with 8 week oral exercise program and the control group without exercise. The data on oral function, denture satisfaction and oral health related quality of life (OHIP-14) were analyzed among the 79 subjects from the intervention group and the 71 subjects from the control group. Results: For oral function, salivary flow rate, mouth opening, pronunciation and salty taste were significantly improved in the intervention group (p<0.01). There were significant differences in salivary flow rate, mouth opening, pronunciation and salty taste between the two groups (p<0.01). For denture satisfaction, there were significant differences in masticatory function, fixing function, general treatment satisfaction and total denture satisfaction between the two groups (p<0.05). There were significant differences between the two groups in the total points of oral health related quality of life. Conclusion: Oral exercise was effective in improving oral function and denture satisfaction of the elderly using dentures. To improve oral health related quality of life of the elderly further researches and programs will be necessary.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.163-173
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• 2013

Objectives: There has been an increase in the use of mind-body therapies to control cardiovascular risk factors recently. This trial was designed to determine whether the 'jeol'(Korean Buddhists' prostration) meditation program, as a new mind-body intervention, was effective in managing stress, depression and controlling cardiovascular risk factors in women working at a geriatric hospital. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial to determine whether the 'jeol' meditation program could improve stress, anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular risk factors in women. We randomly assigned 57 participants to the intervention(29 participants) or control(28 participants) group. The subjects in the intervention group participated in a group Jeol meditation program once weekly, and practiced at home. The following variables were assessed: stress(Psychosocial Wellbeing Index), depression(Beck's Depression Inventory), body mass index(BMI), waist circumference, hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c), homeostasis model assessment(HOMA), low-density lipoprotein(LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol, and triglyceride were assessed. Results: After the 8-week program, 2 participants from the intervention group and 1 from the control group dropped out. The subjects in the intervention group exhibited decreased scores for stress(t=5.102, p<0.01), depression(t=5.259, p<0.01), BMI(t=2.942, p=0.007), and waist circumference(t=2.582, p=0.016); however these scores did not demonstrate a significant decrease in participants of the control group. The other variables showed no significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: The 'jeol' meditation program evidently reduced stress, anxiety, depression, body weight, and waist circumference in women, which suggests that this program could be employed as a mind-body therapies.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7459-7466
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• 2013

Background: Some 60 years after introduction of the Papanicolaou smear worldwide, cervical cancer remains a burden in developing countries where >85% of world new cases and deaths occur, suggesting a failure to establish comprehensive cervical-cancer control programs. Effective interventions are available to control cervical cancer but are not all affordable in low-income settings. Disease awareness saves lives by risk-reduction as witnessed in reducing mortality of HIV/AIDS and smoking-related cancers. Subjects and Methods: We initiated a community-based awareness program on cervical cancer in two low-income Muslim Uyghur townships in Kashi (Kashgar) Prefecture, Xinjiang, China in 2008. The education involved more than 5,000 women from two rural townships and awareness was then evaluated in 2010 and 2011, respectively, using a questionnaire with 10 basic knowledge questions on cervical cancer. Demographic information was also collected and included in an EpiData database. A 10-point scoring system was used to score the awareness. Results: The effectiveness and feasibility of the program were evaluated among 4,475 women aged 19-70 years, of whom >92% lived on/below US$1.00/day. Women without prior education showed a poor average awareness rate of 6.4% (164/2,559). A onetime education intervention, however, sharply raised the awareness rate by 4-fold to 25.5% (493/1,916). Importantly, low income and illiteracy were two reliable factors affecting awareness before or after education intervention. Conclusions: Education intervention can significantly raise the awareness of cervical cancer in low-income women. Economic development and compulsory education are two important solutions in raising general disease awareness. We propose that implementing community-based awareness programs against cervical cancer is realistic, locally affordable and sustainable in low-income countries, which may save many lives over time and, importantly, will facilitate the integration of comprehensive programs when feasible. In this context, adopting this strategy may provide one good example of how to achieve "good health at low cost".