• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.47-59
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• 2013

Objectives: To investigate the current status and challenges of research methodology for health promotion research (HPR), this study analyzed HPR funded by the Korea Health Promotion Foundation (KHPF) from 2005 to 2011. Methods: All of the research reports funded by the KHPF for the period were included in this study. From the literature reviewed, a framework of this study was developed. Results: Quantitative research was 67.7%. The most common quantitative research design was cross-sectional survey (46.6%). Only 7.3% of quantitative research employed theoretical frameworks, and more than a half (53.4%) used primary data. For qualitative research (2.8%), most cases were conducted together with quantitative research. No qualitative research employed a philosophical underpinning. Only 7.0% of research received consent form, and 2.1% was approved by institutional review board. The results of this study indicate that there is a need to employ various research methods to study key concepts of HPR more in-depth. Efforts should be made to reduce statistical errors and also employ newly introduced statistical methods. Conclusions: Overall, a lack of scientific evidence from the HPR reports analyzed in this study was observed. Therefore, the KHPF and the academia should work together to solve the problems indicated from this study.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.76 no.2
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• pp.66-74
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• 2014

Background: The increasing number of outpatients with multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens has led to a new category of pneumonia, termed healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP). We determined the differences in etiology and outcomes between patients with HCAP and those with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) to clarify the risk factors for HCAP mortality. Methods: A retrospective study comparing patients with HCAP and CAP at Jeju National University Hospital. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Results: A total of 483 patients (208 patients HCAP, 275 patients with CAP) were evaluated. Patients with HCAP were older than those with CAP (median, 74 years; interquartile range [IQR], 65-81 vs. median, 69 years; IQR, 52-78; p<0.0001). Streptococcus pneumoniae was the major pathogen in both groups, and MDR pathogens were isolated more frequently from patients with HCAP than with CAP (18.8% vs. 4.9%, p<0.0001). Initial pneumonia severity was greater in patients with HCAP than with CAP. The total 30-day mortality rate was 9.9% and was higher in patients with HCAP based on univariate analysis (16.3% vs. 5.1%; odds ratio (OR), 3.64; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.90-6.99; p<0.0001). After adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities, and initial severity, the association between HCAP and 30-day mortality became non-significant (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 0.94-4.18; p=0.167). Conclusion: HCAP was a common cause of hospital admissions and was associated with a high mortality rate. This increased mortality was related primarily to age and initial clinical vital signs, rather than combination antibiotic therapy or type of pneumonia.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.439-446
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• 2011

Purpose: Early diagnosis is the primary method aimed at controlling breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to analyze some factors affecting the performance of mammography screening among women with a family history of breast cancer in Korea. Methods: This study applied a descriptive design method through structured self-report questionnaires. The Care Seeking Behavior Theory provided a theoretical framework for the study. Factors measured in this study represent demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables including anxiety, barriers, utility, habits, perception, and facilitators. A total of 212 participants, of at least 20 years old, were sampled from April 8, 2010 to March 31, 2011. The data was analyzed by logistic regression method using the Statistical Package for the Social Science 18.0 software. Results: Of the 212 participants, 122 women (57.5%) went through mammography screening. The results of the analysis showed that (a) age (Odds Ratio [OR] =1.10, p<.001), (b) facilitating influences (OR=1.83, p=.008), (c) perception of mammography importance (OR=1.92, p=.011), (d) barriers to mammography (OR=0.60, p=.031), and (e) utility of mammography (OR=2.01, p=.050) significantly affect mammography screening. Conclusion: The results underscore the impact that psychosocial variables in obtaining mammography have on adherence to screening. Women with a family history of breast cancer should be given accurate information and recommendation about mammography by healthcare provider and a regular source of healthcare.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.536-543
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• 2021

Background: Sickness absenteeism is an area of concern in nursing and is more concerning given the recent impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare. This study is one of two meta-analyses that examined sickness absenteeism in nursing. In this study, we examined demographic, lifestyle, and physical health predictors. Methods: We reviewed five databases (CINAHL, ProQuest Allied, ProQuest database theses, PsycINFO, and PubMed) for our search. We registered the systematic review (CRD de-identified) and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Additionally, we used the Population/Intervention/Comparison/Outcome Tool to improve our searches. Results: Following quality testing, 17 articles were used for quantitative synthesis. Female employees were at higher risks of sickness absenteeism than their male counterparts (OR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.33-2.25). Nursing staff who rated their health as poor had a greater likelihood of experiencing sickness absence (OR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.19-1.60). Also, previous sick leave predicted future leaves (OR = 3.35; 95% CI: 1.37-8.19). Moreover, experiencing musculoskeletal pain (OR = 2.41 95% CI: 1.77-3.27) increased the likelihood of sickness absence with greater odds when it is a back pain (OR = 3.05; 95% CI: 1.66-5.62). Increased age, physical activity, and sleep were not associated with sick leave. Conclusion: Several variables were statistically associated with the occurrence of sickness absenteeism. One primary concern is the limited research in this area despite alarming rates of sick leave in healthcare. More research is required to identify predictors of sickness absence, and thereby, implement preventative measures.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.11-20
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• 2021

Objectives The purpose of the study is to evaluate the safety of the Allium Fistulosum extract in children and its effectiveness in height growth. Methods This study is randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The participants are children between the 3rd and 25th percentiles in height, and between the ages of 5 and 12 years. They are randomly assigned to treatment group or control group. The treatment group will take 5 g (1 g as Allium Fistulosum extract) for 24 weeks, 1 time a day. The control group will take the 5 g (0 g as Allium Fistulosum extract) of placebo for 24 weeks, 1 time a day. The primary outcome is change in height, and the secondary outcomes are growth rate, height standard deviations, Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), IGF1-1/IGFBP-3 ratio, growth hormone, bone age, osteocalcin, and Z-score for growth. Results This protocol has been approved by the institutional review board (IRB) of Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University (IRB No. DJDSKH-20-BM-15), and registered in the Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS) (Registry No. KCT0005981). Conclusions This study will provide clinical information about the effectiveness and safety of Allium Fistulosum extract in children for their growth.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 2022

Objective : To study the factors relating to operative treatment for spinal metastasis in Thailand during 2005-2014 and to determine the hospital costs, mortality rate, and incidence of perioperative complication. Methods : Inpatient reimbursement data from 2005 to 2014 was reviewed from three national healthcare organizations, including the National Health Security Office, the Social Security Office, and the Comptroller General's Department. The search criteria were secondary malignant neoplasm of bone and bone marrow patients (International Classification of Diseases 10th revision, Thai modification codes [ICD 10-TM], C79.5 and C79.8) who underwent spinal surgical treatment (ICD 9th revision, clinical modification procedure with extension codes [ICD 9-CM], 03.0, 03.4, 03.09, and 81.0) during 2005-2014. Epidemiology, comorbidity, and perioperative complication were analyzed. Results : During the study period, the number of spinal metastasis patients who underwent operative treatment was significantly increased from 0.30 to 0.59 per 100000 (p<0.001). More males (56.14%) underwent surgical treatment for spinal metastasis than females. The most common age group was 45-64 (55.1%). The most common primary tumor sites were the unknown origin, lung, breast, prostate, and hepatocellular/bile duct. Interestingly, the proportion of hepatocellular/bile duct, breast, and lung cancer was significantly increased (p<0.001). The number of patients who had comorbidity or in-hospital complication significantly increased over time (p<0.01); however, the in-hospital mortality rate decreased. Conclusion : During the last decade, operative treatment for spinal metastasis increased in Thailand. The overall in-hospital complication rate increased; however, the in-hospital mortality rate decreased.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2022

Background: We evaluated the long-term effects of domiciliary noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV) used to treat patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: Databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials of COPD with NIPPV for longer than 1 year. Mortality rates were the primary outcome in this meta-analysis. The eight trials included in this study comprised data from 913 patients. Results: The mortality rates for the NIPPV and control groups were 29% (118/414) and 36% (151/419), suggesting a statistically significant difference (risk ratio [RR], 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65-0.95). Mortality rates were reduced with NIPPV in four trials that included stable COPD patients. There was no difference in admission, acute exacerbation and quality of life between the NIPPV and control groups. There was no significant difference in withdrawal rates between the two groups (RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.72-1.36; p=0.94). Conclusion: Maintaining long-term nocturnal NIPPV for more than 1 year, especially in patients with stable COPD, decreased the mortality rate, without increasing the withdrawal rate compared with long-term oxygen treatment.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.63-74
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to present an evacuation performance analysis model that can derive vulnerable evacuation spaces with considering the movement behavior as per the elderly groups in the event of a fire in a geriatric hospital. Methods: The evacuation characteristics of geriatric hospital users were investigated through the review of precedent studies. First, the occupant conditions and the evacuation scenario were set to analyze a study target hospital. Then, the evacuation simulation was carried out considering the group types and the density of each group. Finally, an evacuation performance analysis model according to the group type was presented based on the simulation results. Results: The results of this study are as follows: (1) The evacuation performance according to the group type is to be clarified through the suggested study model. (2) It is necessary to secure a ramp or an emergency elevator to distribute the evacuation personnel at the design stage because congestion occurs due to collisions between evacuees on the stairs and delays the evacuation time. (3) It is necessary to consider the evacuation stairs and openings of sufficient size by analyzing the frequency of congestion occurrence and the escape routes of occupants in advance to identify the space where the evacuation flow overlaps. Implications: It is expected that the study result is to be used as primary data for studies that consider the elderly and clustering evacuation behavior in the event of a fire in a geriatric hospital.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.71-87
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• 2022

Purpose: This study examines the daylighting design factors of Korean dementia nursing homes, in order to realize a therapeutic environment based on the therapeutic effect of light in the rapidly aging trend with an huge increase in the population of dementia in Korea. Methods: Through literature reviews, this study aims to theoretically examine the therapeutic light environment for the elderly with dementia, derive daylighting design factors of Korean dementia nursing homes, and analyze their detailed design factors. Results: The result of this study can be summarized into two points. The first one is that the daylighting design factors reflected in dementia nursing homes are derived into six factors: building layout, windows, glazing, shading devices, spaces, and interior finishings that determine the availability of daylight. The second one is that the detailed daylighting design factors are shown as primary and secondary detailed design factors, and the main values to be considered when applying these factors into dementia nursing homes are analyzed as maximizing daylight availability, optimization of the possibility of therapeutic view, and anti-glare. Implications: The daylighting design factors will contribute to maximizing the availability of daylight, optimizing the possibility of view, and minimizing the glare in the living spaces of dementia nursing homes in Korea.

• Korean Medical Education Review
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2022

South Korea is not a wasteland of publicly funded health care-instead, it has a good medical social security system known as the national health insurance (NHI). The NHI of Korea has three unique features; (1) low premiums, low insurance fees, and low coverage; (2) obligatory designation of medical institutions; (3) and allowance of non-benefit services. These features have made hospitals and doctors interested in profit-seeking. However, the commercialization of medical institutions has taken place in both private- and public-established sectors. A basic problem of commercialization is the co-existence of the obligatory designation of medical institutions and non-benefit services. The problem became worse in the Kim Dae-Jung government because it officially permitted non-benefit services. Since 2000, the Korean government has consistently pursued benefit extension policies, but the coverage rates of the NHI have stagnated. In addition, premiums and current medical expenses have markedly increased because policy-makers have emphasized accessibility to the NHI, while ignoring important principles of medical social security such as a needs-based approach and patient-referral system. In order to resolve the commercialization problem, the obligatory designation of medical institutions to the NHI should be changed to a contract system, and non-benefit services should be prohibited at NHI institutions. We must re-establish the patient-referral system via a needs-based approach. We also need to build a primary healthcare system and public health policies. We should make a long-term plan for healthcare reform.