• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2008

Thirty two of bathroom water samples from public bathroom in Seoul areas were examined using acid-fast staining, Lowenstein-Jensen (L-J) medium culture and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). In 6.25% (2/32) bathroom water samples, acid-fast bacilli were detected by AFB stain, and in 21.9% (7/32) bathroom water samples, acid fast bacilli grew on L-J media. Of them, six acid-fast bacilli were identified as Mycobacterium avium, and the other AFB as Mycobacterium szulgai by PCR-RFLP. These results are suggested that accidental nontuberculosis mycobacterial infection to a weakness person will be possible in public area.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.120-123
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• 2011

A total of 30 water samples were collected from 30 different public baths in Seoul, Korea. Contamination of public bath water by waterborne pathogens can cause disease outbreaks and contribute to increase background rates of disease. Pathogens in water was filtered by nitrocellulose membrane with $0.45{\mu}m$ pore size. The membrane filters were analyzed by both cultivation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of partial 16S rRNA gene. Various microorganisms including 4 Escherichia coli/Shigella spp. 1 Salmonella spp. 3 Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 2 Mycobacterium spp. were identified by reverse blot hybridization assay (REBA). PCR-REBA was able to identify many bacterial genera in one assay. Our results suggest that appropriate hygiene practice and continuous monitoring is needed for reducing health risk associated with public bath houses.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2008

Throughout the analysis of field data from water distribution system, valid parameters were determined that can be included in the water service and design plan. This study investigates water consumption patterns to understand the variation of water-demand structures utilizing the pattern analysis of domestic purpose water. Water use data were collected by a public water resources management firm in Korea, Kwater, for 140 houses monitored during three years. Flow meters were installed at the faucet for drinking water, the shower booth, the laundry machine, bathroom sink, toilet, and garden faucet. Data was filtered using multiple physically meaningful criteria to improve analysis credibility. Mann Kendall and Spearman's Rho tests were used to carry out the analysis. Distinct factors of water consumption patterns can be determined for both increasing and decreasing trends of water use. Throughout the data analysis, the characterization of terms was classified and analyzed by the condition of the location of water-demand. Analysis of this data provide a physical basis for the parameter configuration of a reasonable design for a domestic water demand prediction model.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.26 no.2 s.42
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• pp.192-201
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• 1993

Epidemiologic investigation was conducted on January, 1993 in Seoul to identify the cause of an infant methemoglobinemia. Field investigation of the area of outbreak, survey of household and family members, analysis of ground water, and blood tests of involved family members were performed. Following results were obtained On analyzing the quality of the ground water on patient's household high levels of nitrate was found indicating contamination of water as the cause of a methemoglobinemia outbreak. On analysing the quality of the ground waters on seven other places within the neighborhood five were contaminated by nitrate in concentration that exceeded the permissible limit implying presence nearby source of contamination. Sources of contamination were thought to be originating from human waste in conventional bathroom facilities, chicken manure used in nearby orchards and plant fields or fertilizers. But the results of water analysis with presence of bacteria or E.coli, concentration of potassium, phosphate and the past history of diarrhea among family members, chicken manure suggested the most possible source of contamination. To evaluate the health status of members in the neighborhood past history was reviewed revealing no prior existence of patient with cyanosis and 65 people in the neighborhood had normal levels of methemoglobin concentration in their blood. Conclusively, the ground water on patient's household was contaminated with nitrate and despite provision of adequate water supply, family members of the patient along with their distrust in the water supply system had used ground water as their source of drinking water resulting of methemoglobinemia. Many suburban area of Seoul and country side thought to be having similar problems concerning contaminated ground water supply and dormant outbreak of patients as a result of the drinking of the contaminated water. Epidemiologic investigation and water analysis of ground waters are advised.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.176-184
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• 2024

Objectives: The dengue prevention program known as "One House One Mosquito Larva Inspector" involves health volunteers who play a crucial role in the surveillance of mosquito larvae and reporting their findings to local public health officials. This study aimed to identify factors related to the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of dengue prevention behavior among these health volunteers. Methods: A study was conducted in 5 sub-districts in Malang, an urban area in Indonesia. We employed a cross-sectional design and utilized a semi-structured questionnaire to assess the KAP of 400 health volunteers. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Results: Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that individuals with a more positive attitude (odds ratio [OR], 1.69; p<0.05) and those with family sizes greater than five persons (OR, 1.90; p<0.05) were more likely to engage in effective dengue prevention practices. Additionally, possesing good knowledge was significantly assocated with more positive attitude (OR, 2.24; p<0.001). Furthermore, 40% reduction in positive attitude was observed in those over 45 years (OR, 0.60; p<0.05). The best practices most frequently reported by the majority of respondents included always reporting their surveillance activities (75.8%) and cleaning the water container in the bathroom at least once a week (65.2%). However, only 52.2% of respondents regularly checked for mosquito larvae in their neighborhood. Conclusions: Sustainable promotion and training for the "One House One Mosquito Larva Inspector" initiative are necessary, particularly among young health volunteers, to improve dengue prevention behaviors both within their own homes and in the surrounding environment.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Interior Design Conference
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• 2005.05a
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• pp.106-109
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• 2005

The awareness of ecological friendliness has been emerging in the recent years, and the application to housing is quite notable. The purpose of this study was to examine multi-family housing that has recently developed with the idea of ecological friendliness, and to investigate the residents' attitudes toward and their preferences for the features. The research utilized in-depth interviews and site visits, and seven residents in the studied housing developments participated in the study. The analytical tool used in the interview was reviewed by a panel of professionals and included five aspects of ecologically friendliness: residential comfort, energy saving, open housing, storage, and safety and security. The respondents pointed out that south-facing housing in relation to residential comfort was most favorable. With regard to energy-saving, water-saving features and dehydrator of food waste were most needed features. As for open housing-related features, flexibility in spatial configuration was necessary, and efficient storage was regarded as important. Also, the respondents mentioned the preference for flooring preventing slippery in bathroom for the safety of family member.