• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.21-36
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• 2019

Objective: Using data from the Panel Study on Korean Children, this study investigated the influence of teacher'thoughts about the transition from ECEC to primary school in relation to learner-centered teaching methods and children's school adjustment. Methods: We analyzed the longitudinal data of 658 seven-year-olds from the 8th and 9th waves of the panel study of Korean children collected by the Korea Institute of Child Care and Education in 2015 and 2016. The main analysis method was Structural Equation Modeling(SEM). Results: First, theachers' thoughts about the transition from ECEC to primary school was noteworthy. Second, the more concern a theacher' had about transition, the higher their learner-centered teaching method. Third, teacher' concern about transition influenced children's school adjustment. Fourth, a teacher's learner-centered teaching method mediated concern about children's transition and school adjustment in the first year and the second year. Conclusion/Implications: According to the results of this study, 1st grade teachers' concern about the transition from ECEC to primary school has been found to be predictors of children's school adjustment.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.67-87
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• 2020

Objective: In order to provide basic data that can strengthen the recognition of continuity of early childhood and primary education, early childhood education and early childhood special education teachers at inclusive child care and education settings participated in this study. Methods: The researchers conducted a survey on 192 early childhood teachers and 167 early childhood special education teachers in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do province. The collected data were analyzed statistically. Results: First, early childhood special education teachers were higher than early childhood teachers statistically on the prerequisite elements of continuity. Second, early childhood education teachers were higher than early childhood special education teachers statistically regarding the prerequisite educational techniques required for continuity of early childhood and primary education. In particular, early childhood teachers put more of an emphasis on learning and sociality-communication than early childhood special education teachers did. Conclusion/Implications: It is necessary that in-service education on prerequisite elements be stressed, and there be more detailed activities and education about programming and its utilization for early childhood special education teachers.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.24-35
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• 2017

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the primary care quality of a public health center in a rural area using the Korean Primary Care Assessment Tool (KPCAT). It also examined some methodological issues in applying the KPCAT and interpreting its results. Methods: Seventy-nine patients who had visited their doctor more than four times responded to the KPCAT questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and a radar chart were used in analyzing data. Sign test was used to test the KPCAT score difference by don't know option scoring methods. Results: Median and interquartile range of the public health center's KPCAT scores were forty-five and sixteen points, respectively. Only the median of the first contact domain reached the expected value of seventy-five points. The proportions of those who scored under the expected value were under fifty percent in two of four comprehensiveness items, all of three coordinating function items, two of five personalized items and all of four family/community orientation items. There were some methodological issues including, how to score don't know option and make sure response scale consistency. Conclusions: There was much room to improve the primary care quality of the rural public health center. Especially, improvement is needed in the domain of coordinating function and family/community orientation. We also hope that methodological improvement of the KPCAT contributes to more valid and reliable primary care assessment.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.92-99
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• 2014

Background: Korea's primary care clinics are seeking increase in consultation fees by expanding supply within the frame of the health insurance system, but inequality of physician income between regions and individuals is exacerbating. The purpose of this study lies in analyzing the distribution of patients of primary care clinics, their specialized field, and the degree of inequality between medical fee income according to region. Data was acquired from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service on charged bills made by clinic-size medical institutions from 2008 to 2011. Methods: By comparing the outpatient number per clinic according to the clinic's specialized field, results showed that ophthalmology, otolaryngology, dermatology, orthopedics, and internal medicine showed high numbers whereas plastic surgery, neuropsychiatry, cardiothoracic surgery had fewer outpatients. The number of outpatients for clinic according to region showed Chuncheonnam-do, Jeju-do, Gangwon-do, Chungcheongbuk-do, Ulsan to have higher numbers of outpatients. For those four years, clinics in the Seoul area had a rather lower number. Results: As a result of comparing the decile hierarchy distribution ratio between specialized fields according to primary care clinics income from National Health Insurance, the inequality degree showed that obstetrics and gynecology and general medicine were each 0.130, 0.280 for the decile distribution ratio, which was the highest degree of inequality within the specialized field. Their Gini coefficient were also relatively high at 0.691, 0.528 respectively. On the other hand, the decile distribution ratio for otolaryngology and orthopedics were 0.510, 0.468, respectively, while their Gini coefficient each at 0.318, 0.314 makes their inequality degree relatively lower than other fields. Conclusion: This study is limited in that the data used was the health insurance charges submitted by clinics, which does not provide total information of the doctors' income. However, because most clinics are largely dependant on their income to come from health insurance reimbursements. Therefore, the results of this study can be used effectively. In the future, research that includes data on non-covered service income should be conducted to closely examine policy plans with a new medical fee policy which can resolve the medical fee income inequality issue between clinics as well as revitalize primary medical care.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.115-123
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• 2019

Objective: This study was conducted to examine the effects of a health promotion program on the health condition of rural elderly women implemented at primary health care posts using Korean Frailty Index. Methods: The research was designed a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest setting. The participants in this study were 50 residents (intervention group: 25, control group: 25) selected from 4 villages 2 primary health care posts in J city Gyeongsangnam-do. The health promotion program was conducted at the primary health care posts twice a week for 12 weeks. This program consisted of basic exercises(Gukseondo + Theraband muscle strength training) and additional activities(including modified Theraband activity, rubber ball exercise, ball massage, nutrition class, singing class). Collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA with SPSS 21.0. Results: Results of the health promotion program showed that the health conditions(measured by perceived health status, frailty score, upper/lower flexibility, maximum grip strength, dynamic balance test Timed Up and Go) of the experimental group(25) all statistical significantly improved. Conclusion: Study findings indicate that the health promotion program implemented at primary health care posts on rural elderly women is effective and can contribute to a developed health promotion program for local residents in the future.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.256-266
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• 2017

Background: Primary health care (PHC) plays a major role to ensure the basic right and equal distribution of the essential health care services. This study presents comparative analyses of PHC in Korea and Uzbekistan, discusses the existing scenario and the challenges, and provides recommendations. Methods: This study reviewed secondary data from Korea's National Statistical Information Service and the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistic, regulatory legislation, research reports, and policy papers by research and international institutions. We focus on comparing input and outcome health data, PHC structure, and health expenditure. Results: Overall health status of the population in Korea is better than in Uzbekistan; both countries achieved more than 95% immunization coverage. The reforms implemented in both countries provide initial health care service delivery. However, there are several challenges such as the distribution of the staff between urban and rural areas and interest of the graduates on specialization rather than working in PHC system. Conclusion: PHC plays an important role in the provision of medical services to the population, addressing both health and social problems; it is the best tool for achieving universal coverage for basic health needs of the population. The community health practitioners in Korea and nurses in Uzbekistan plays main role in universal coverage through providing essential health care services. Continuous reform of the PHC system should be directed to strengthen the capacity of the PHC staff in health promotion knowledge and activities as well as to encourage population to improve their own health.

• Journal of Korean Academic Society of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.199-209
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine factors affecting the positive feelings and care burden of elderly residents' primary caregivers in long-term care facilities. Methods: The survey was conducted between November and December 2018. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, and 148 individuals voluntarily participated. The collected data were examined through descriptive statistical analysis using SPSS WIN ver.24.0, t-test, one-way Anova $Scheff{\acute{e}}$ test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression. Results: Factors that significantly affected caregivers' positive feelings included caregivers' education level(${\beta}=-.32$, p<.001), social support(${\beta}=.31$, p<.001), care burden(${\beta}=-.29$, p=.001), and total support fee(not more than 1.5million won)(${\beta}=-.18$, p=.012). The explanation power was as high as 40.0%(Adj $R^2=.40$). Factors that significantly affected caregivers' burden included social support(${\beta}=-.25$, p=.002), positive feelings(${\beta}=-.25$, p=.002), elderly individual's religion(${\beta}=-.17$, p=.007), and elderly individual's marriage status(${\beta}=.17$, p=.021). The explanation power was as high as 45.0%(Adj $R^2=.45$). Conclusion: Our results suggest that it is necessary to increase social support for elderly residents' primary caregivers in long-term care facilities. This can be helpful to decrease burden and enhance positive feelings in caregivers. We should also collect caregivers' information as well to provide appropriate assistance.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.278-289
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was a survey to provide basic data about nursing interventions for improving the quality of life among family caregivers for the elderly by examining their care burden, burnout, and quality of life, and by confirming the correlation between each of them. Method: The subjects were 215 people in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province who understood the purpose of this study and participated voluntarily from April 1 to June 4, 2007. Data was analyzed by the SAS program. Result: 1. Concerning primary caregivers of the elderly, it was found that their care burden was slightly high, burnout was high and quality of life was good on the whole. 2. When it comes to the correlation among care burden, burnout, and quality of life among family caregivers, it was found that burnout increases in proportion to care burden, quality of life decreases as care burden increases, and bigger burnout leads to a lower quality of life. Conclusion: The quality of life among primary caregivers should be improved by reducing their care burden and burnout. Thereby, a priority might be considered for admission to nearby, comfortable nursing homes or failing that, home visiting services, rather than family support in the home.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.52-59
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• 2013

Cardiomyopathy (CMP) is a heterogeneous disease caused by a functional abnormality of the cardiac muscle. CMP is of 2 major types, dilated and hypertrophic, and is further classified as either primary or secondary. Secondary CMP is caused by extrinsic factors, including infection, ischemia, hypertension, and metabolic disorders. Primary CMP is diagnosed when the extrinsic factors of secondary CMP are absent. Furthermore, the World Health Organization, American Heart Association, and European Cardiology Association have different systems for clinically classifying primary CMP. Primary CMP is rare and associated with a family history of the disease, implying that genetic factors might affect its incidence. In addition, the incidence of CMP varies widely according to patient ethnicity. Genetic testing plays an important role in the care of patients with CMP and their families because it confirms diagnosis, determines the appropriate care for the patient, and possibly affects patient prognosis. The diagnosis and genetic identification of CMP in patients' families allow the possibility to identify novel genes that may lead to new treatments. This review focuses on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of CMP, with the aim of providing pediatricians with insights that may be helpful in the early identification and management of idiopathic CMP in children.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1209-1214
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• 2016

Background: Cigarette smoking constitutes a major threat to the health and wellbeing of teenagers. While smoking has been on decline in the developed countries, the reverse is the case in developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine the age of initiation, determinants and prevalence of cigarette smoking among teenagers in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos state, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 475 teenagers selected by multistage sampling. A pre-tested, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The study was carried out in November, 2014. Results: Response rate was 84.6%. Mean age of the respondents was $16.4{\pm}1.65years$. Range and mean age of initiation of cigarette smoking were 7 to 17 years and $12.0{\pm}3.32years$ respectively. Teenagers who were above 15 years (OR:5.13, 95%CI: 0.87-30.26), males (OR:5.19, 95%CI: 1.57-17.18), married (OR:8.41, 95%CI: 1.04-63.35), had ${\leq}$primary school education(OR:4.31, 95%CI: 1.07-17.33), influenced by friends(OR:308.84, 95%CI:84.87-1123.81), and influenced by advertisements (OR:27.83, 95%CI: 3.92-197.64) were more likely to have initiated cigarette smoking. Furthermore, teenagers who were males (OR:12.77, 95%CI: 2.90-56.28), married (OR:19.24, 95%CI: 2.05-180.45), had ${\leq}$primary school education(OR:7.85, 95%CI: 2.37-26.01), influenced by friends(OR:28.56, 95%CI: 10.86-75.07), and influenced by advertisements (OR:5.95, 95%CI: 1.72-20.61) were more likely to be current cigarette smokers. In addition, 24.9% had initiated cigarette smoking while 14.7% were current smokers of cigarette. Conclusions: Mean age of initiation of cigarette smoking was $12.0{\pm}3.32years$. Determinants of cigarette smoking were age, gender, marital status, educational background, friends and advertisements. Life time prevalence of cigarette smoking was higher than prevalence of current cigarette smokers. Cigarette smoking reduction programs should take these factors into consideration.