• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.250-261
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• 1997

In Korea, visiting nursing services in pubic health centers have been in place since 1991. The purpose of this study is to compare the job characteristics, job motivation and job performance between visiting nurses and other public health nurses. 196 subjects were sent mailed questionnaires from Aug. to Sep., 1997. The response rate was 65.3%. Data were analyzed by a SPSSWIN program with a t-test, $X^2-test$, ANCOVA. The results were as follows : 1. The level of job ability in visiting nurses was higher than that of other public health nurses, but it was an insignificant difference(t=1.5975, p=.2078). Among job characteristics, skill variety was significantly higher in other public health nurses(t=8.2121, p=.0046); autonomy and feedback were significantly higher in visiting nurses(t=8.1877, p=.0047/t=7.7026, p=.0085). 2. There was no significant difference in the level of job motivation(t=.6485, p=.4216) and in job performance between the two groups (t=2.7393, p=.0995). In job performance, general nursing and organizational jobs were significantly higher in other public health nurses (t=4.8486, p=.1288/t=9.4237, p=.0024). 3. It was reconfirmed that there was, a significant difference in the level of skill variety, autonomy and feedback in analyzing age and career as covariates. 4. Significant positive relationship was found in job characteristics and job motivation(r=.5488, p=.0000). No significant relationship was found in job characteristics and job performance(r=.0486, p=.498). Through these results, it was supported that there were differences in some of the job characteristics and job performance between visiting nurses and other public health nurses. Therefore, it is requested to redesign job standards, training programs and management styles focusing on the job characteristics of visiting nurses.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.5-18
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a client-centered integrated home nursing care model for rural areas by analyzing public health nursing, hospital-based home care services, and long-term nursing care in Korea. Methods: The literature review performed included data from the National Assembly Library, DBpia, RISS, and KISS, Google Scholar, the Ministry of Government Legislation, Statistics Korea, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Results: The client-centered and integrated home nursing care model in a rural area was opened as the Home Nursing Care Center in a public health center operating directly or on consignment. This model provides both a hospital-based home care services as well as long-term care, in accordance with the health status of the client and difficulty of nursing services. Moreover, the nurse who worked in a sub-organization (Centers for Supporting Healthy Living, Public Health Units, and etc.) of the public health center as care coordinator and case manager facilitates to connect home nursing care services and social welfare services. Conclusions: Our data indicates that the client-centered integrated home nursing care model in rural areas effectively combines professional services, regional accessibility, and social welfare services.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.780-788
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationship between famine exposure in early life and the risk of type 2 diabetes in adulthood during the 1959-1961 Chinese Famine. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 3,418 individuals aged 35-74 years free of diabetes from two studies in 2006 and 2009 were followed up prospectively in 2009 and 2012, respectively. Famine exposure was classified as unexposed (individuals born in 1962-1978), fetal exposed (individuals born in 1959-1961), child exposed (individuals born in 1949-1958), and adolescent/adult exposed (born in 1931-1948). A logistic regression model was used to assess the relationship between famine exposure and diabetes after adjustment for potential covariates. RESULTS: During a three-year follow-up, the age-adjusted incidence rates of type 2 diabetes were 5.7%, 14.5%, 12.7%, and 17.8% in unexposed, fetal-exposed, child-exposed, and adolescent/adult-exposed groups, respectively (P < 0.01). Relative to the unexposed group, the relative risks (95% confidence interval) for diabetes were 2.15 (1.29-3.60), 1.53 (0.93-2.51), and 1.65 (0.75-3.63) in the fetal-exposed, child-exposed, and adolescent/adult-exposed groups, after controlling for potential covariates. The interactions between famine exposure and obesity, education level, and family history of diabetes were not observed, except for the urbanization type. Individuals living in rural areas with fetal and childhood famine exposure were at a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, with relative risks of 8.79 (1.82-42.54) and 2.33 (1.17-4.65), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that famine exposure in early life is an independent predictor of type 2 diabetes, particularly in women. Early identification and intervention may help prevent diabetes in later life.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 2017

Objective : A pilot project entitled '50s mental health screening project' was conducted in Seoul. As a part of this project, we conducted surveys to obtain the opinions of psychiatrists regarding mental health screenings. Methods : A questionnaire was mailed to members registered with the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association, which enquired about the '50s mental health screening project'. Results: A majority (90.9%) of the subjects agreed on the purpose and implementation of the project. However, there were fewer individuals that actually showed the intent to participate (65.8%). The mean age of the group with the intention to participate was higher compared to the group with no intention to participate. The factors that negatively affected the intent to participate included prejudice and discrimination against psychiatry (3.795), low health insurance reimbursement (3.784), and inconvenience of reporting to public health centers (3.664). The most appropriate method that scored the highest for screening mental health was face-to-face consultation with a psychiatrist (3.889). Most of the participants agreed on the method of a self-reported survey along with an interview of psychiatrist (84.9%). Conclusion : Subjects were concerned about prejudice and discrimination against psychiatry, low health insurance reimbursement, and inconvenience of reporting to public health centers. These problems need to be supplemented. Face-to-face consultation with a psychiatrist may be considered an appropriate method for future mental health screening.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9753-9757
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• 2014

Purpose: To study the quality of life and to identify associated factors among breast cancer patients undergoing treatment in national cancer centers in Nepal. Materials and Methods: One hundred breast cancer patients were selected and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer EORTC-QLQ-C30 and EORTC-QLQ-BR23 were used to assess quality of life and modified Medical Outcome Study -Social Support survey(mMOS-SS) was used to assess social support. Only multi-item scales of EORTC C30 and BR23 were analyzed for relationships. Independent sample T-tests and ANOVA were applied to analyze differences in mean scores. Results: The score of global health status/quality of life (GHS/GQoL) was marginally above average (mean=52.8). The worst performed scales in C-30 were emotional and social function while best performed scales were physical and role function. In BR-23, most of the patients fell into the problematic group regarding sexual function and enjoyment. Almost 90% had financial difficulties. Symptom scales did not demonstrate many problems. Older individuals, patients with stage I breast cancer and thosewith good social support were found to have good GHS/GQoL. Of all the influencing factors, social support was established to have strong statistical associations with most of the functional scales: GHS/GQoL (0.003), emotional function (<0.001), cognitive function (0.020), social function (<0.001) and body image function (0.011). Body image was significantly associated with most of the influencing factors: monthly family income (0.003), type of treatment (<0.001), type of surgery (<0.001), stage of cancer (0.017) and social support (0.011). Conclusions: Strategies to improve social support of the patients undergoing treatment should be given priority and financial difficulties faced by breast cancer patients should be well addressed from a policy making level by initiating health financing system.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.73-92
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• 2014

Objectives: To provide basic data needed to develop national physical activity policy, this study was examined to identify the relationship among physical inactivity, physical activity, and chronic diseases. Methods: I have reviewed articles and research reports in relation to physical activity, health, and chronic disease published in national and international since 2005 through PubMed, RISS, and KISS. Results: physical activity should be the priority of public health for the prevention and management of chronic diseases as following reasons. 1) Prevalence of physical inactivity has been continuously increased. 2) There were strong evidences that sufficient physical activity could prevent and treat dozens of chronic diseases. Conclusions: Both central and local governments need to make the amount of physical activity to be increased by providing information and establishing a physical activity-friendly environment. Also, the local public health centers and the primary medical institutions are institutionally needed to counsel and prescribe every patient's exercise program at every visit.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2022

Purpose: Health examination centers of regional public hospitals are essential facilities for strengthening preventive medical services in local communities. This study is to organize architectural planning data related to function, space, and area composition of health examination center by the size of the regional public hospitals. Methods: The literature review on the function and spatial composition of the health examination center and the drawings of the regional public hospitals were analyzed. Results: The result of this study can be summarized into several points. 1) The function of the health examination center consists of a diagnostic area, patient area, and staff area based on general examination and comprehensive examination. 2) The type of spatial composition of the 300-bed public hospital examination center is a spatial linkage type with examination rooms of the other departments where general examination and comprehensive examination are undifferentiated. 3) The examination center of public hospitals with 500 beds or more is composed of an independent space-separated type with self-installed examination rooms, and general examination and comprehensive examination are divided. 4) The examination center of public hospitals with 300 beds around, the diagnostic area occupies most of the total area, around 80%, but in public hospitals with 500 beds or more, the proportion of diagnostic area drops to 50-60%, and patient area increases to 30-40%. Implications: The examination center planning of public hospitals requires an architectural planning approach to the function and spatial composition according to the size of the hospital.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.485-494
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• 2022

Objectives: The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in changes in the instructional methods used in kindergartens and daycare centers to prevent viral infections. This study aimed to investigate the changes in oral health care for children before and during COVID-19 and the perceptions of kindergarten and daycare center teachers about oral health care. Methods: The study subjects were 189 teachers of kindergartens and daycare centers in charge of children aged 3 to 5. The data for the analysis were collected through an online survey. Frequency analysis and the chi-squared test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Compared to before COVID-19, the frequency of tooth brushing after lunch, the number of oral health education and regular oral examinations, and the rate of childcare teachers' experiences with oral health education had decreased during COVID-19. In addition, educators in kindergarten and daycare centers responded that an oral health officer at a public health center was the most desirable oral health educator. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the oral health care of children in kindergartens and daycare centers has declined. Efforts are needed to restore it by educating people about oral hygiene care and oral health education, both at home and in kindergartens and daycare centers.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.25 no.4 s.40
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• pp.399-412
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• 1992

This study was designed to investigate factors relating to fiscal deficit for regional health insurance. The financial statements for the fiscal year 1990 of nationwide 254 regional medical insurance societies were analyzed. Important findings are summarized below: 1. There were differences in the main reason fur the financial deficit among regions when deficit and surplus societies were compared by regions. The total revenue per enrollee, especially revenue from the premium contribution of a deficit society was significantly smaller than that of a surplus society in large cities and counties. On the other hand, the total expenditure per enrollee of a deficit society was larger than that of a surplus society in small cities. 2. Both low premium rate at the beginning of health insurance program and less effort to increase the premium rate were main factors for the smaller revenue from the contribution of a deficit society in large cities and counties. 3. Larger expenditures per covered person of a deficit society in small cities were explained with larger medical expenditures especially for out-patients services rather than larger administrative expenses. 4. A regression analysis showed that utilization rates in out-patient services were significantly associated with income and numbers of total medical care institution per capita within a region where a health insurance society located. Also expenses paid by insurer per visit were associated with the proportion of utilization for tertiary care hospitals as well as the proportion of utilization of public health centers.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.365-373
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• 2008

This study examined the needs and practice willingness for the health promotion program of restaurant industry among Seoul residents. Using structured self-administered questionnaires, data on subjects' general characteristics, health status, and eating out behavior characteristics, the needs and practice willingness of the health promotion program for restaurant industry were collected from 765 adults above the age of 19. The needs for nutrition labeling such as fat, calorie, sodium, fiber, and the practice willingness for consuming nutrition labeled food were high. Results showed that gender, restaurant's management status, and food quality status were significant indicators for needs for health promotion program. Education duration, food quality status, and the frequency of eating out were significant variables for practice willingness. The results imply that health promotion program for the restaurant industry should be based on the consumer's characteristics. Also, the results imply the necessity of several activities such as social marketing to inform the benefit of participation in the health promotion program for consumers, guidance to maintain the food quality and improve the ambiance of restaurant for suppliers, and the new establishment of research centers to validate the labeled information on meals and analyze the nutrients of the meals for agencies.