• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.240-248
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• 2015

Background: Recovery from fatigue is important in maintaining night workers' health. This study compared the course of self-reported recovery after 2-week 12-hour schedules consisting of either night shifts or swing shifts (i.e., 7 night shifts followed by 7 day shifts) to such schedules consisting of only day work. Methods: Sixty-one male offshore employees-20 night workers, 16 swing shift workers, and 25 day workers-rated six questions on fatigue (sleep quality, feeling rested, physical and mental fatigue, and energy levels; scale 1-11) for 14 days after an offshore tour. After the two night-work schedules, differences on the $1^{st}$ day (main effects) and differences during the follow-up (interaction effects) were compared to day work with generalized estimating equations analysis. Results: After adjustment for confounders, significant main effects were found for sleep quality for night workers (1.41, 95% confidence interval 1.05-1.89) and swing shift workers (1.42, 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.94) when compared to day workers; their interaction terms were not statistically significant. For the remaining fatigue outcomes, no statistically significant main or interaction effects were found. Conclusion: After 2-week 12-hour night and swing shifts, only the course for sleep quality differed from that of day work. Sleep quality was poorer for night and swing shift workers on the $1^{st}$ day off and remained poorer for the 14-day follow-up. This showed that while working at night had no effect on feeling rested, tiredness, and energy levels, it had a relatively long-lasting effect on sleep quality.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.97-105
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• 2023

Background: Dispensing of prescription drugs is the most important task for community pharmacists. However, the public's satisfaction with pharmacist services is not high, and distrust due to dispensing by unqualified person and/or under unsanitary conditions led to demands for transparent dispensing room (TDR) in pharmacies. Objective: This study was conducted to investigate how pharmacy students perceive pharmacists' credibility and professional ethics in conjunction with the TDR issue. Methods: A survey using 20-items questionnaire was conducted from July 12 to 20, 2019 in pharmacy students nationwide. Results: Among 218 respondents, 84.1% attended pharmacy school located in the metropolitan area, 61.1% were the 3rd or 4th graders, and 81.2% had no practical training in community pharmacy. 56.2% were unaware of the TDR issue, and 66.8% agreed on the public's demand for TDR. 68.8% disagreed that TDR was the best way to solve the problem of unqualified dispensing, while 51.9% agreed that TDR was the best way in solving unsanitary dispensing problem. Publics' confidence level of community pharmacists was mean 5.84 (range 1-10). In a question asking how expertise and professional ethics affect pharmacist confidence, 50% said expertise was more important, 31.7% the same, and 18.3% said professional ethics was more important. Conclusions: To overcome the demand for TDR which began with public distrust in pharmacists, it is necessary to seek measures to increase the credibility of pharmacists, and as part of this, pharmacist ethics should be systematically educated at pharmacy school.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2323-2328
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• 2014

Background: Epidemiological findings are controversial relating to the relationship between dietary folate intake and the risk of breast cancer. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies to clarify this association. Materials and Methods: PUBMED, EMBASE, and MEDLINE databases were searched for all relevant literature published in English from January 1, 1966 to August 2013. Summary relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a fixed or random effects model. Results: Dietary folate intake was not significantly associated with the risk of breast cancer. The combined RR with 95%CI for the highest vs. lowest category dietary intake of folate [fifteen studies; 1,836,566 participants and 24,083 patients with breast cancer] was 0.98 (0.90-1.05). Among subgroup analysis by menstrual status, hormonal status and the consumption of alcohol, methionine and vitamin B12, no significant association was observed for the dietary intake of folate and the risk of breast cancer. Dose-response analysis showed that a 220 ${\mu}g/day$ increment in dietary folate intake was not associated with the risk of breast cancer. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that dietary folate intake has no significant effect on the risk of breast cancer.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.35-46
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• 2015

Purpose: This study is to research how New-Hanok R&D technologies of first stage are appearing and adapted to the New-Hanok style public buildings, especially in Daycare Center in Sunchang-gun, Korea. Unlike Hanok houses, public buildings which has special needs for the public and restricted by laws and regulations need not only new system of law incentives but also new components of New-Hnaok R&D technologies used only in Hanok house. Method: For this purpose, we checked the drawings for Daycare Center in Sunchang-gun. The drawings have been changed 6 times for the purpose of adopting New-Hanok R&D technologies of first stage and actual needs for current laws and regulations for public buildings and it reveals not only the possibilities for adapting new technologies in New-Hanok but also meetings the current and public needs for public buildings. Result: The result of this study as follows. Approximately 40-50 percent of New-Hanok R&D technologies in the first stage are adapted in Daycare Center in Sunchang-gun, and this means there are limitations in adapting New-Hanok R&D which are mainly for the Korean style houses. The main reasons are the costs still remaining high and lacking in confidence for using traditional structures and materials still under verification. Some are changed and proposed in another solutions suitable for public buildings as like truss structure system in roof.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.134-142
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• 2021

Background: From 2018 to 2020, the Expert Study on Public Understanding after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident (the Expert Study Group) identified and analyzed activities designed to promote public understanding of science and radiation since the Fukushima accident, and held discussions on how to achieve public understanding in the situation where public confidence has been lost, and how experts should prepare for dealing with the public. This panel session was held at the 53^rd meeting of the Japan Health Physics Society on June 30, 2020. Materials and Methods: First, three subgroup (SG) leaders reported their research methods and results. Then, two designated speakers, who participated as observers of the Expert Study Group, commented on the activities. Next, the five speakers held a panel discussion. Finally, the rapporteur summarized. Results and Discussion: SG leaders presented reports from researchers and practitioners in health physics and environmental risks who provided information after the Fukushima accident. During the discussion, experts in sociology and ethics discussed the issues, focusing on the overall goals of the three groups, local (personal) and mass communication, and ethical values. Many of the activities instituted by the experts after the accident were aimed at public understanding of science (that is, to provide knowledge to residents), but by taking into account interactions with residents and their ethical norms, the experts shifted to supporting the residents' decision-making through public engagement. The need to consider both content and channels is well known in the field of health communication, and overlaps with the above discussion. Conclusion: How to implement and promote the public engagement in society was discussed in both the floor and designated discussions. Cooperation between local communities and organizations that have already gained trust is also necessary in order to develop relationships with local residents in normal times, to establish an information transmission system, and to make it work effectively.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.455-464
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• 2020

Objectives: The distribution of hospitals in Korea is unbalanced in terms of accessibility. Many local public health centers (PHCs) exempt out-of-pocket payments (OOPs) based on local government laws to increase coverage. However, this varies across administrative regions, as many make this exemption for the elderly, while others do not. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the OOP exemption at local PHCs among elderly individuals. Methods: This study used online data on Korean national law to gather information on individual local governments' regulations regarding OOP exemptions. Individual-level data were gathered from the 2018 Community Health Survey and regional-level data from public online sources. Results: The study analyzed 132 regions and 44 918 elderly people. A statistical analysis of rate differences and 2-level multiple logistic regression were carried out. The rate difference according to whether elderly individuals resided in areas with the OOP exemption was 1.97%p (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07 to 2.88) for PHC utilization, 1.37%p (95% CI, 0.67 to 2.08) for hypertension treatment, and 2.19%p (95% CI, 0.63 to 3.74) for diabetes treatment. The regression analysis showed that OOP exemption had an effect on hypertension treatment, with a fixed-effect odds ratio of 1.25 (95% CI, 1.05 to 1.48). Conclusions: The OOP exemption at PHCs can affect medical utilization in Korea, especially for hypertension treatment. The OOP exemption should be expanded to improve healthcare utilization in Korea.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.153-163
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• 2014

Background: This study aims to explore the effects of quality of care, image, and role performance perceived by community residents on medical service satisfaction to public hospitals. Methods: The subjects of this study were selected in the community residents around 39 district public hospitals. The questionnaire were included 4 factors and 16 items. The data were collected utilizing call-interview by a survey company. Results: The community satisfaction was positively correlated with quality of care, image, and role performance of public hospitals (p<0.001). As the results of multiple logistic regression, the significant variables of community satisfaction were quality of care (odds ratio [OR], 1.353; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.211 to 1.511), image (OR, 1.487; 95% CI, 1.280 to 1.727), role performance (OR, 1.240; 95% CI, 1.085 to 1.416) among subjects having use experience of public hospitals. The significant variables of community satisfaction were quality of care (OR, 1.240; 95% CI, 1.175 to 1.309), image (OR, 1.328; 95% CI, 1.232 to 1.432), age (OR, 3.051; 95% CI, 1.385 to 6.724), monthly incomes (OR, 0.420; 95% CI, 0.198 to 0.892) among subjects not-having use experience of public hospitals. Conclusion: Public hospitals have to effort to improve image and satisfaction of community through providing quality of care, and role performance. It is possible to support them by the central and local government.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.34-49
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• 1988

The purpose of this study is to identify the status of school health and analyze affecting factors of school nurses' self confidence and nursing activities of the secondary school in Seoul. The data was collected from 13th of August to 30th of October. The self reported questionairs were distributed during one of the school nurses seminars held in Seoul and 93 secondary school nurses answered. Analysis of the data was done utilizing SPSS for percentage, mean, T-test ANOVA and Pearson Correlation Coefficients. The results of study are summerized as follows; 1. General Characteristics The mean age of the subjects was 33.4 and mean length of experience as a school nurse was 7.3 years. 79.5 percent of them had clinical experiences and the mean clinic experience was 2.1 years. The majority of them were graduate of the baccalaureate nursing programs and 82.8 percent of them were married. 72.0 percent of the sample had religion, and 60.2 percent of them were in the national or public schools. 90.3 percent of them had independent duty. 2. The status of school health resources In average, there were 2,445 students, 37 classes and 63 teachers per school nurse. 48.4 percent of them were aware of the school budget. The budget for school health was 585,000 won per school in average. 30.0 percent of the schools had school health organization. The schools whose health clinics were on the first floor consisted of 79.3 percent, among them 42.9 percent were on the center of the building office. 3. Activities of school health nursing The average number of students using health clinic were 430 per month. The majority of the problem was digestive problem. There were 7.5 times of mean correspondences with parents per year. The activities of the school nurses were clinic management (29.0%), health care services (23.5%) and health education (14.1%). 4. The degrees of self confidence of the school nurse and nursing activities Self confidence measured by 6 items of self-reported questionaires scored by 4 point Likert Scale revealed. The nurses' self-confidence was 2.922 in clinic management, 2.909 in health education, 2.759 in program planning and evaluation, 2.757 in health care services, 2.692 in management of school environment, and 2.250 in operation of school health organization. The nursing activities scored by 2 point. The nursing activities was 1,870 in program planning and evaluation, 1.853 in health education, 1.843 in clinic management, 1.739 in health care services, 1.696 in management of school environment and 1.265 in operating of school health organization. 5. Factors affecting self confidence and nursing activities of school nurses The general characteristics of the school nurses and the school health resources were related to self confidence and nursing activities. The most significant variable to nurses' self confidence was type of the school ownership and the presence of school health organization was the most significant factor to nursing activities.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.465-475
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• 2020

Objectives: This study was conducted to examine the association between birth patterns (defined in terms of birth order and interval) with delayed breastfeeding initiation in Indonesia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using data from the Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey 2017. The weighted number of respondents was 5693 women aged 15-49 years whose youngest living child was less than 2 years old. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to evaluate associations between birth patterns and delayed breastfeeding initiation after adjusting for other covariates. Results: This study found that 40.2% of newborns in Indonesia did not receive timely breastfeeding initiation. Birth patterns were significantly associated with delayed breastfeeding initiation. Firstborn children had 77% higher odds of experiencing delayed breastfeeding initiation (adjusted odds ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 3.04; p<0.05) than children with a birth order of 4 or higher and a birth interval ≤ 2 years after adjusting for other variables. Conclusions: Firstborn children had higher odds of experiencing delayed breastfeeding initiation. Steps to provide a robust support system for mothers, especially first-time mothers, such as sufficient access to breastfeeding information, support from family and healthcare providers, and national policy enforcement, will be effective strategies to ensure better practices regarding breastfeeding initiation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4467-4474
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• 2014

Background: We aimed to comprehensively review the evidence for using sputum DNA to detect non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: We searched PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Chinese Biological Medicine (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, Vip Databases and Google Scholar from 2003 to 2013. The meta-analysis was carried out using a random-effect model with sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odd ratios (DOR), summary receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC curves), area under the curve (AUC), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) as effect measurements. Results: There were twenty-two studies meeting the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. Combined sensitivity and specificity were 0.62 (95%CI: 0.59-0.65) and 0.73 (95%CI: 0.70-0.75), respectively. The DOR was 10.3 (95%CI: 5.88-18.1) and the AUC was 0.78. Conclusions: The overall accuracy of the test was currently not strong enough for the detection of NSCLC for clinical application. Dscovery and evaluation of additional biomarkers with improved sensitivity and specificity from studies rated high quality deserve further attention.