• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.148-160
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• 2005

Presented here are policy alternatives for understanding home health care for the long-term health care insurance system which is being developed for elderly people starting 2007. The summary of issues concerning home health nursing care under the long-term care insurance system include; 1) absence of comprehensive and systematic policy in home health care deliverly systems; 2) absence of community based home health agencies that are considered as the community residents in general. In order to overcome these problems and Issues, policy alternatives of home health care should 1) establish a comprehensive home health care policy for homebound persons; 2) establish the foundations for home health care nurses and community based home health care systems; 3) establish home health care facilities and infrastructure; and 4) promote research and development concerning home health care. Conclusively, a home health care system should be built on a comprehensive policy vision based on health policy, especially long-term care insurance system in the near future. Every homebound residents service has to be constructed systematically under suitable facilities considering the consumer characteristics and health conditions. By doing this, the consumer based comprehensive community home health care delivery system can be constructed in view of the long-term health care insurance system for elderly people.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.263-268
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• 2022

Health care workers (HCWs) are more than ten times more likely to be infected with coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) than the general population, thus demonstrating the burden of COVID-19 among HCWs. Factors that expose HCWs to a differentially high-risk of COVID-19 acquisition are important to elucidate, enable appropriate public health interventions to mitigate against high risk and reduce adverse outcomes from the infection. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize and critically analyze the existing evidence on SARS-CoV-2 risk factors among HCWs. With no geographical limitation, we included studies, in any country, that reported (i) the PCR laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19 as an independent variable (ii) one or more COVID-19 risk factors among HCWs with risk estimates (relative risk, odds ratio, or hazard ratio) (iii) original, quantitative study design, and published in English or Mandarian. Our initial search resulted in 470 articles overall, however, only 10 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. Out of the 10 studies included in the review, inadequate/lack of protective personal equipment, performing tracheal intubation, and gender were the most common risk factors of COVID-19. Based on the random effects adjusted pooled relative risk, HCWs who reported the use of protective personal equipment were 29% (95% CI: 16% to 41%) less likely to test positive for COVID-19. The study also revealed that HCWs who performed tracheal intubations were 34% (95% CI: 14% to 57%) more likely to test positive for COVID-19. Interestingly, this study showed that female HCWs are at 11% higher risk (RR 1.11 95% CI 1.01-1.21) of COVID-19 than their male counterparts. This article presents initial findings from a living systematic review and meta-analysis, therefore, did not yield many studies; however, it revealed a significant insight into better understanding COVID-19 risk factors among HCWs; insights important for devising preventive strategies that protect them from this infection.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.73-89
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• 2008

Objectives: This research was conducted to suggest a recommendation for the Korean credentialing policy of health education specialist as the primary human resource in community health promotion activities from the special group perspective of the Korean Society for Health Education and Promotion. Methods: This research was conducted by the professional focus group discussion and descriptive literature review on health education and promotion. Results: This draft recommendation for Korean credentialing system development of health education specialist was based on the four background reasons for modifying health promotion related acts, for developing better policy of health education credentialing, for keeping the public and ethical responsibilities as the competitive professional society, and for improving health promotion activities in Korea. Theoretical background of the four reasons was Ottawa Charter. We classified three credentialing levels of health education specialist based on health education own competencies, coordiating competencies with environmental factors, and research competencies. Furthermore, we developed 10 major roles and categorized 53 sub-roles based on these competencies above. We recommended 10 classes required to take to become Health Education Specialist. These 10 classes were developed based on the credentialing systems in the United States and Japan. These 10 classes were about health education and promotion methods and strategies not health intervention topics. We also built the draft plan for continuing education to keep KCHES based on the NCHEC in the United States. Conclusions: Further research should be conducted to build better health education specialist credentialing systems modifing current communtiy-based health promotion activities in terms of modifying public regulation, developing KCHEC examination system, protecting job security both in public and private sectors, and creating professionalism in KCHEC.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.171-174
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• 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has not only caused significant challenges for health systems all over the globe but also fueled the surge of numerous rumors, hoaxes, and misinformation, regarding the etiology, outcomes, prevention, and cure of the disease. Such spread of misinformation is masking healthy behaviors and promoting erroneous practices that increase the spread of the virus and ultimately result in poor physical and mental health outcomes among individuals. Myriad incidents of mishaps caused by these rumors have been reported globally. To address this issue, the frontline healthcare providers should be equipped with the most recent research findings and accurate information. The mass media, healthcare organization, community-based organizations, and other important stakeholders should build strategic partnerships and launch common platforms for disseminating authentic public health messages. Also, advanced technologies like natural language processing or data mining approaches should be applied in the detection and removal of online content with no scientific basis from all social media platforms. Furthermore, these practices should be controlled with regulatory and law enforcement measures alongside ensuring telemedicine-based services providing accurate information on COVID-19.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.122-129
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• 2007

During the last decade, genomic cohort study has been developed in many countries by linking health data and genetic data in stored samples. Genomic cohort study is expected to find key genetic components that contribute to common diseases, thereby promising great advance in genome medicine. While many countries endeavor to build biobank systems, biobank-based genome research has raised important ethical concerns including genetic privacy, confidentiality, discrimination, and informed consent. Informed consent for biobank poses an important question: whether true informed consent is possible in population-based genomic cohort research where the nature of future studies is unforeseeable when consent is obtained. Due to the sensitive character of genetic information, protecting privacy and keeping confidentiality become important topics. To minimize ethical problems and achieve scientific goals to its maximum degree, each country strives to build population-based genomic cohort research project, by organizing public consultation, trying public and expert consensus in research, and providing safeguards to protect privacy and confidentiality.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.649-659
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate working time of nurses in urban public health center branch, especially for nurses for visiting health service and chronic disease management. Method: Daily note. which was developed by this research team. was distributed to nurses at 7 urban public health center branches to be filled out them for 2 weeks during 2 month from June 2007 to August 2007. We analyzed 121 daily notes recorded by visiting nurses and 65 daily notes written by chronic disease management nurses were analyzed. Result: The total working time for visiting nurses at urban public health center branches was 589.85 minutes per day on the average. They spent 147.13 min in actual visiting nursing services, 149.36 min in documenting, 66.94 in preparing, 77.69 min in transferring, and 11.84 min in referring. The total working time for chronic disease management nurses at urban public health center branches was 582.92 minutes per day on the average. They spent 148.77 min in actual chronic disease management services, 120.62 min in documenting, 42.46 min in group education, 37.38 in preparing, and 10.38 min in referring. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it is recommended to improve documenting systems and to increase community resources linkage were recommended through the results of this study. The results of this study are expected to be used to plan staffing at urban public health center branches in the future.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2015

Purpose: This study attempted to estimate the need for home visiting nurse at public health centers. Methods: A model was generated to estimate a community's home visiting health service needs in 16 regions and a workload analysis was adopted to estimate the number of required Nurses. Data were collected from 16 public health centers using the South Korean government's open-information systems. Subjects were divided into three groups: vulnerable social group, bottom 10% income group, and bottom 20% income group. Results: The analysis revealed that 2,158 and 6,667 nurses were needed to provide home visiting health service for the bottom 10% and 20% income groups, respectively. It was estimated that for the vulnerable social group, 10,336 nurses were needed to provide home visiting health service, implying that the need-based demand for nurses is well over 5 times the number currently employed. Conclusion: The results indicate that the number of currently employed nurses is insufficient for the health management of vulnerable social groups. The government should consider active employment policies to encourage nurses to apply for home visiting health service.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.71-81
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• 2012

Objectives: Effective and efficient response for public health crisis necessitate planning how to respond and mobilize the resources in schools. We preformed this study to develop the strategies to improve efficiency of school health education in an outbreak of pandemic disease. Methods: We tried to review the policies, regulations and response systems of all related sectors, and advanced cases associated with pandemic disease control measures by searching databases and on-line networks connected with the Korean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Results: It was important to implement a consistent and systematic approach for educational offices and schools to prevent confusion resulted from the inaccurate information. First, the systems and action plans for school health should be established to prepare and respond to an outbreak of pandemic disease. Secondly, the strategies to improve the efficiency of school health education in public health crisis should be in place. Finally, the personnel pool would be needed to provide the crisis management programs. Conclusion: In order for staffs and students to have abilities to respond in an outbreak of pandemic disease, comprehensive school health approaches and efficient educational efforts should be prepared in collaboration with related sectors.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.5-16
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• 2003

This policy alternatives for establishment of rehabilitation health care delivery system for the disabled in the community were developed based on the data of current health status and situations of health care management for disabled persons in Korea. This research was conducted with secondary data analysis for identifying health status and current situations of managing health of disabled persons, and discussed current issues for establishing rehabilitation health care delivery systems in the community. Observing the health status and current situations of managing health of disabled persons, scope and target population of disabled person extended. so prevalence rates increased. and the severity of disability intensified and specified. The summary of issues of health management for disabled persons included; 1) absence of comprehensive and systematic policy in rehabilitation health care systems. 2) absence of consumer based rehabilitation health care facilities and delivery systems that are considered as the characteristics of disabled persons 3) fixed form of projects based on the provider and lack of variety in the programs. Hereafter. to overcome these problems. policy alternatives should 1) establish a comprehensive rehabilitation health care policy for disabled persons. 2) establish comprehensive and specific community based rehabilitation health care delivery systems that can promote preventing disability. providing medical care for disabled persons, establishing rehabilitation management for disabled persons and health care when returning to society. 3) provide training and secure manpower for rehabilitation, but the training case managers who will take the roles as an expert rehabilitation nurse mediators for multidisciplinary team work are needed immediately. and 4) include efficient connection and provision of independent services for welfare rehabilitation service and health care. Conclusively. a community based rehabilitation health care delivery system should be comprehensive policy vision of the government on rehabilitation health care delivery System rehabilitation service has to be constructed systematically under suitable facilities con consumer characteristics and rehabilitation health care policy. By doing this, consumer comprehensive community rehabilitation health care delivery system could be constructed disabled person.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.126-132
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• 2009

Legionella spp. is the causative agent of Legionellosis, which induces a potentially fatal form of pneumonia. With a concentrated performance during the summer of 2008, we secured 73 isolates from the water systems of 25 wards in Seoul. We analysed serotypes, pathogenic genes (Dot/Icm), and patterns of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) in an attempt to confirm relationships among them. Different from the previous year's pattern (2007), among the isolates, 69 were Legionella pneumophila and 4 were Legionella spp. The serotype distribution of Legionella pneumophila was sg1 43, sg6 9, sg5 8, sg3 8, and sg2 1. The serotype for the 4 Legionella spp. was Legionella nautarum. Most of the Legionella pneumophila had several pathogenic genes. On the other hand, the 4 Legionella spp. were defective in pathogenicity in genomic terms. The PFGE patterns of the serotypes showed a tendency for diversity of Legionella pneumophila and a close correlation with genetic pathogenicity.