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

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.53 no.5
• /
• pp.639-643
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness in children, which is usually mild and self-limiting. However, in recent epidemics of HFMD in Asia, enterovirus 71 (EV71) has been recognized as a causative agent with severe neurological symptoms with or without cardiopulmonary involvement. HFMD was epidemic in Korea in the spring of 2009. Severe cases with complications including death have been reported. The clinical characteristics in children with neurologic manifestations of EV71 were studied in Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital. Methods: Examinations for EV71 were performed from the stools, respiratory secretion or CSF of children who presented neurologic symptoms associated with HFMD by realtime PCR. Clinical and radiologic data of the patients were collected and analyzed. Results: EV71 was isolated from the stool of 16 patients but not from respiratory secretion or CSF. Among the 16 patients, meningitis (n=10) was the most common manifestation, followed by Guillain-Barre syndrome (n=3), meningoencephalitis (n=2), poliomyelitis-like paralytic disease (n=1), and myoclonus (n=1). Gene analysis showed that most of them were caused by EV71 subgenotype C4a, which was prevalent in China in 2008. Conclusion: Because EV71 causes severe complications and death in children, a surveillance system to predict upcoming outbreaks should be established and maintained and adequate public health measures are needed to control disease.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.1-16
• /
• 2004

The ultimate goal of health promotion programs is to improve the quality of life through promoting community health. Since the performance of health promotion programs are greatly affected by the quality of the planning and implementation process of the programs, the proper quality assessment of the program process is very important. According to existing literature, the tool for assessing the quality of the process and implementation as well as the outcome. However, no assessment tool for the quality of the process of health promotion programs has been developed in Korea. The purpose of the study is to develop a quality assessment tool for the process of health promotion programs being conducted at public health centers in Korea. The quality assessment tool developed in the study consists of the following four domains： strategic planning (14 items), program management (11 items), monitoring and evaluation (13 items), and resources and information (15 items). The strategic planning deals with the function of the planning staff and committees, community data analysis, the feasibility of the program, and the approach methods for attaining the goal of the program. The program management includes items on the qualification and power of the program staff. Monitoring and evaluation deals with the planning and education for monitoring, reporting and communication among program units, and feedback after monitoring. Finally, the resource and information covers the planning and activities for obtaining resources and information, community networking, beneficiaries' response, and consulting activity of the staff.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.57 no.2
• /
• pp.167-175
• /
• 2024

Objectives: Rural housewives are integral to household management and family care, yet their sedentary lifestyles present significant health risks. This study used the transtheoretical model (TTM) to investigate strategies that encourage and maintain regular exercise habits among rural housewives. Methods: A semi-experimental study was conducted in 2021 with 114 housewives aged 30 to 59 who attended rural health centers in Gorgan, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. Data collection involved a validated questionnaire that gathered demographic information and constructs of the TTM. The intervention group participated in a comprehensive educational program, which included four 60-minute sessions. Data were collected again 6 months post-intervention and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS version 21. Results: The study encompassed women with an average age of 39.75±6.05 years, the majority of whom had educational levels below a diploma, and over 90% were married. We observed strong correlations between the processes of change, self-efficacy, and decisional balance. At the outset, there were no significant differences in demographics or model structures between the 2 groups. However, 6 months post-intervention, the intervention group exhibited statistically significant differences in the mean scores of model structures, stages of change, and body mass index (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of physical activity training for rural housewives. The findings suggest that the educational intervention, which utilized the TTM, significantly impacted the participants' model structures and their stages of change.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.53 no.11
• /
• pp.942-950
• /
• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanisms and exact causes of injuries to children by analyzing the medical records of children who visited emergency medical centers. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 7,114 pediatric patients (aged below 15 years) who visited the emergency care center (ECC) of a Yeungnam university hospital in Daegu between January 2007 and December 2009. Results: Among the pediatric patients who visited the ECC, 1,526 (27.2%) were admitted for injuries (boys, 979 [64.2%] and girls, 547 [35.8%]); the boy-to-girl ratio in this study population was 1.8:1. The proportion of boys was higher than that of girls over all age ranges, except for children aged less than 1 year. The highest incidence of injury due to slipping (20.5%) was noted in the 1-year-old group, and nearly half the total number of cases (49.3%) involved children who were under 4 years of age. Of the sites of injury, 999 involved the head and face (73.7%) and 134 involved the hand and wrist (9.9%). Seventy-one injuries (5.7%) occurred on the bed, 70 (5.6%) at the door, and 67 (5.3%) on the stairs. Of the approximately 250 types of injuries classified by cause, 17 accounted for 50.4% of all the injuries. Conclusion: The cause of injury could be attributed to approximately 20 causes in more than half the cases of pediatric injuries. A classification of the types of injuries and the development of appropriate preventive strategies can help avoid such injuries.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.51 no.1
• /
• pp.23-32
• /
• 2018

Objectives: To identify the associations of characteristics of the neighborhood environment with substance abuse among clients receiving treatment for drug abuse in Thailand. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted of 1128 drug addicts from 28 neighborhoods who were receiving treatment at all 7 compulsory drug detention centers in Thailand. A trained interviewer conducted structured interviews with the subjects about substance use and the perceived neighborhood environment in their community. A multilevel logistic regression model was applied to estimate the effects of the neighborhood environment on substance use. Results: The majority of participants, 53.8% only used methamphetamine pills, 31.3% used other illicit drugs as well as methamphetamine pills, and 14.9% used an illicit drug other than methamphetamine. Three neighborhood characteristics were associated with substance use. A 1-unit increase in the perceived neighborhood cohesion score was associated with a 15% reduction in methamphetamine pill use and an 11% reduction of the use of both methamphetamine pills and another illicit drug. Conversely, a 1-unit increase in perceived neighborhood crime predicted 19 and 14% increases in the use of methamphetamine pills and the use of both methamphetamine pills and another illicit drug, respectively. In addition, a 1-unit increase in the scores for stigma surrounding addiction corresponded to a 25% increase of the use of methamphetamine pills and a 12% increase in the use of both methamphetamine pills and another illicit drug. Conclusions: Substance use among drug addicts was influenced by characteristics of the neighborhood environment. Therefore, prevention and intervention strategies should be designed based on a consideration of the impact of neighborhood context on substance use behaviors.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.62-74
• /
• 2011

This study was designed to implement and evaluate a nutrition education program for hypertensive patients aged between 50 and over. Nutrition education consisted of four sessions and, 35 out of 51 patients completed all education sessions at the public health center. To assess program effectiveness (effectively), data about blood pressure, blood cholesterol, anthropometry, nutrition knowledge, eating behavior and dietary intake were collected before and after nutrition education. Data were analyzed using SAS package (ver. 9.2) and significant difference was evaluated by paired t-test, x2-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test. Blood cholesterol was significantly reduced from 200.7 mg/dL to 188.7 mg/dL after nutrition education, although there were not significant changes in blood pressure or blood triglyceride level. Weight (p < 0.05), % body fat (p < 0.001), BMI (p < 0.05) were significantly reduced, especially in women, after nutrition education. Nutrition knowledge was increased significantly (p < 0.05), and some eating behaviors such as 'having fruits & vegetables for snack' and 'having brown rice, barley rice than white rice' were improved after nutrition education (p < 0.05). Sodium intake was reduced from 3,888.9 mg/day to 3,157.4 mg/day after nutrition education (p < 0.05). Except protein and iron intakes, the nutrient intake of hypertensive patients was much below the recommended level for Koreans. Dietary intakes of most of nutrients were not significantly different between pre-test and post-test. It appeared that nutrition education for the aged hypertensive patients was effective in reducing the percentage of % body fat and BMI, increasing the nutrition knowledge and some dietary behaviors. This nutrition education can be implemented at public health centers or senior centers for hypertensive patients.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.283-296
• /
• 2009

This study examined food safety management at preschool establishments in Daegu and Gyeongbuk province, to provide data that can be used for food safety improvements. Field assessments of 60 foodservice establishments were executed from July to October, 2007. Statistical analyses of the data were conducted using the SPSS package program (version 14.0 for windows). The results are summarized as follows: 93.3% of the preschool foodservices were self-operated, and 24.1% of the child care centers and 96.7% of the kindergartens had employed dietitians. According to the averaged food safety evaluation scores the kindergartens (80.73) had a significantly higher score than the child care centers (50.37), and the public centers (85.00) had a significantly higher score than the private centers (54.29). While the average score of facilities that employed dietitian (73.58) was significantly higher than that of facilities that did not employ a dietitian (52.65). In addition, the average score of facilities that served meals in a dining room (80.83) was significantly higher than that of facilities that served meals in a classroom (59.33). The highest scoring food safety items included verifying employee health inspection reports (1.87), utilizing non-municipal water and routinely cleaning and well-maintaining the water storage tank (1.85), and disposing small amounts of leftovers in a vat after serving (1.83). In contrast, the lowest scores were for physical separation of clean areas and unclean areas to prevent cross-contamination (0.52), and physical separation between staff and food material entry areas (0.62). In conclusion, the preschool foodservice evaluated in this study required improvements in food safety management, and many of the child care centers were in need of immediate attention. To improve food safety at these establishments, administrators should implement prerequisite food safety programs.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.80-87
• /
• 2004

Objectives: To evaluate the learning achievement and satisfaction levels for the Field Epidemiology Specialist Training Program (FESTP), on infectious disease control between March 19 and October 31, 2002. Methods : The FESTP was designed as a set of 84 hours curricula including lectures, discussions, self-studies, and field practicals, and organized both centrally and locally by the Division of Communicable Disease Control of the National Institute of Health and 11 universities. Before and after the program, a questionnaire survey on the educational need (49 items) and satisfaction (15 items) was conducted on 484 trainees, who were responsible for communicable disease control and immunization at 242 regional health centers. The data were analyzed with paired t-tests for comparison of the educational needs between the pre and post scores. Results : The average score for satisfaction was 3.06 out of 5.0; with relatively higher scores for sincerity (4.10) and professionalism (4.01) of the tutors, adequacy (3.54) and clearness (3.51) of the evaluation criteria, usefulness (3.54) and fitness (3.52) of the contents, but with relatively lower satisfaction for schedule (2.96) and self-studies (2.91). The average for requirement for education improved, as shown by the decrease from 2.72 to 2.22 (p<.0001) with the biggest decrease in the outbreak investigation from 2.60 to 2.08. Conclusion : The FESTP was evaluated as being effective, the trainees showed moderate satisfaction and decrease educational needs. However, the actual schedules and self-studies should be rearranged to improve the satisfaction level.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.5-18
• /
• 1999

The aim of this study is the development of a fee - based model day care center for the elderly by inquiring into the current condition of facilities in America and in Korea, and in surveying the opinion of domestic elderly about day care facilities. A field trip to U.S. day care services was held between July 5 and July 15 in 1997, and an on-the-spot study for domestic facilities took place during March in 1998. Our research reveals that the overall supply of day care facilities can not meet future demand in terms of quality and quantity. Therefore a model must be created for day care centers of a that consists of a director from a professional group. an adequate environment, and a standardized in order to offer a qualified public health service linked to the home and community in Korea. The director of a day care center is a critical variable in determining the quality of service. Professional skills related to the needs of the elderly and the person's quality of service should be considered in appointing director for the center. This study belleves that a professional nurse should be the director of a day care center. The operating environment of a day care facility should be made up of considerable space comparable to the number of residents, should be in a comfortable and safe location, and should have equipment that provides a qualified, safe service to the elderly. Our model is designed for 20 persons and allocates 4 Peng per person. This model is comprised of a reading room. a craft room, a health room, a room for physical therapy, a dining room, a staff office, and a multi -purpose room connected to other rooms. Day care service should be a comprehensive service program meeting the multidimensional needs of the elderly. A comprehensive service program needs a team of various professionals made up of the elderly family, participants, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, nutritionists, and medical doctors. The program will also include health care service, physical therapy, speech therapy. diet, occupational therapy, transportation service, health and an education program, etc. In conclusion, a model of a day care center is developed with the following components: a professional director and an environment and program, that considers the physical, mental, and social characteristics of the elderly. A model should also motivate self-reliance self-fulfillment in the elderly in order to fulfill their health needs and to prevent isolation from society and mental depression. Furthermore, This facility will be a beneficial factor in reducing a family's burden on caring for the elderly that includes unnecessary hospital expenses. The following is a suggestion based on results this study: A service program should be developed to fit the conditions of the elderly in Korea by specifically analyzing the needs of the elderly.