• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.417-430
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a respiratory infection prevention program for the rural elderly in the post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era. Methods: The Delphi method was used to validate the contents of the program. Two rounds of Delphi surveys and one individual interview were conducted on four subjects and 16 categories with nine experts. Content validity was calculated using the content validity ratio (CVR) and coefficient of variation (CV). Results: This study verified the content validity of the existing program components, such as respiratory infection prevention characteristics, cough etiquette, correct hand washing, oral hygiene, correct tooth brushing, and exercise by walking. The study comprised 28 categories covering seven subjects, including the provision of knowledge and information about COVID-19, environmental management for respiratory infection prevention, and exercise training for immunity enhancement. Conclusion: This Delphi study examined the respiratory infection prevention program that was redesigned for the post-COVID-19 era and confirmed the validity of the educational contents. The findings of this study suggest that the program can be used practically for the prevention of respiratory infection among the rural elderly.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.194-201
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• 2024

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease associated with systemic inflammation and increased prevalence of various comorbid conditions. This study investigates the prevalence of non-respiratory comorbidities among adult asthma patients in South Korea, aiming to elucidate potential correlations and impacts of asthma on overall health, thereby affecting patients' quality of life and healthcare systems. Methods: This retrospective cohort study utilized the National Health Insurance Service data (HIRA-NPS-2020) and included adults diagnosed with asthma. Non-respiratory diseases were identified using the Korean Standard Disease Classification (KCD-8) codes, with exclusions applied for other respiratory conditions. The prevalence of comorbidities was analyzed and compared between asthma and non-asthma patients, adjusting for confounders such as age, gender, and insurance status through inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW). Results: The analysis revealed that asthma patients exhibit significantly higher rates of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal conditions, and mental health issues compared to the control group. Notably, conditions such as heart failure, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and anxiety were more prevalent, with odds ratios (OR) ranging from 1.18 to 3.90. These results demonstrate a substantial burden of comorbidities associated with asthma, indicating a broad impact on health beyond the respiratory system. Conclusion: The findings highlight the systemic nature of asthma and the interconnectedness of inflammatory processes across different organ systems. This comprehensive analysis confirms previous research linking asthma with an increased risk of various non-respiratory diseases, providing insights into the multifaceted impact of asthma on patient health.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.81 no.2
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• pp.163-165
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• 2018

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.82-88
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• 2020

Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify individual and institutional factors associated with the prescription of systemic steroids in patients with acute respiratory infections and to investigate the role of a policy measure aimed to reduce inappropriate prescriptions. Methods: We used data from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort from 2006 to 2015 and focused on episodes of acute respiratory infection. Descriptive analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to identify individual-level and institution-level factors associated with the prescription of systemic steroids. In addition, steroid prescription rates were compared with antibiotic prescription rates to assess their serial trends in relation to Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) Prescription Appropriateness Evaluation policy. Results: Among a total of 9 460 552 episodes of respiratory infection, the steroid prescription rate was 6.8%. Defined daily doses/1000 persons/d of steroid increased gradually until 2009, but rose sharply since 2010. The steroid prescription rate was higher among ear, nose and throat specialties (13.0%) than other specialties, and in hospitals (8.0%) than in tertiary hospitals (3.0%) and other types of institutions. Following a prolonged reduction in the steroid prescription rate, this rate increased since the HIRA Prescription Appropriateness Evaluation dropped steroids from its list of evaluation items in 2009. Such a trend reversal was not observed for the prescription rate of antibiotics, which continue to be on the HIRA Prescription Appropriateness Evaluation list. Conclusions: Specialty and type of institution are important correlates of steroid prescriptions in cases of acute respiratory infection. Steroid prescriptions can also be influenced by policy measures, such as the HIRA Prescription Appropriateness Evaluation policy.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.247-258
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• 2023

Purpose : This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a sea breeze walking program by analyzing the metabolic disease-related, immune-inflammation-related, and respiratory health-related variables of the test subjects associated with improved respiratory health. Methods : In the experiment, 30 patients with metabolic diseases were divided into an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). The experimental group walked on the Namparang-gil, Geoje trail, while the control group walked on the Hoeya-cheon, Yangsan trail. Both groups participated in the same walking program for two hours, twice a week for four weeks. Thereafter, the metabolic disease-related, immune inflammation-related, and respiratory health-related variables were measured and compared between the two groups. Results : After the four-week sea breeze walking program, in terms of changes in the metabolic disease-related variable, a statistically significant interactive effect was found in waist circumference (p<.001). The experimental group showed a significant decrease in waist circumference after the program. After the four-week sea breeze walking program, the control group showed a statistically higher increase in lactic acid (p.<05), whereas the experimental group exhibited a decrease in lactic acid. For the respiratory health-related variables, no statistically significant differences were found after the sea breeze walking program. However, the experimental group showed an increase in FEV1,while the control group showed a decrease in FEV1. For the maximum oxygen intake, no statistically significant interactive differences were found but there was a statistically significant effect in time (p<.05). The two groups exhibited an increase in maximum oxygen intake. Conclusion : After the sea breeze walking program, positive physical changes were observed in the metabolic disease-related and immune inflammation-related variables.

• Journal of Practical Engineering Education
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.449-457
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• 2023

The purpose of this descriptive research study was to investigate health beliefs and self-efficacy in respiratory infection management as factors that affect the respiratory infection prevention behavior of college students. The subjects were 178 students attending a university in K city of Gyeongsangbuk-do. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire from September 1st to October 16th of 2020. The results of this study are as follows; Health belief was significantly different from participant's gender (t=-2.86, p=.005), major classification (F=2.95, p=.034), and taking any medications (t=2.18, p=.030). Self-efficacy in respiratory infection management was significantly different from university students' gender (t=-3.56, p=<.001) and major classification (F=4.59, p=.004). Health belief (r=.276, p<.001) and self-efficacy in respiratory infection management (r=.660, p<.001) had a positive correlation with respiratory infection preventive behavior. Multiple regression analysis results show that self-efficacy in respiratory infection management (β=.66, p<.001) significantly affected respiratory infection preventive behavior. The model had an explanatory power of 43%. The findings demonstrate that the major factor influencing the respiratory infection preventive behavior of university students is self-efficacy in respiratory infection management. Therefore, in order to promote behavior to prevent respiratory infection in college students, a program that can strengthen self-efficacy in respiratory infection management should be developed.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 2019

Purpose: This prospective study was conducted to determine the incidence and related characteristics of respiratory medical device-related pressure ulcers (MDRPU) in children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Methods: The participants were 184 children who were admitted to the PICU of P University Hospital from April 2016 to January 2017. Data were collected on the occurrence of respiratory MDRPU and characteristics regarding the application of respiratory medical devices. Results: Respiratory MDRPU occurred in 11.9% of participants (58.3%: stage I ulcers, 37.5%: mucosal ulcers). The devices associated with respiratory MDRPU were endotracheal tubes (54.2%), high-flow nasal cannulas (37.5%), and oximetry probes (8.3%). Respiratory MDRPU associated with an endotracheal tube were significant differences according to the site and strength of fixation, the use of a bite block and adhesive tape, skin dryness, and edema. In high-flow nasal cannulas, significant differences were found according to the site of fixation, immobility after fixation, and skin dryness. Conclusion: The occurrence of respiratory MDRPU is significantly affected by the method and strength of fixation, as well as skin dryness and edema. Therefore, appropriate consideration of these factors in nursing care can help prevent respiratory MDRPU.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.80 no.3
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• pp.221-225
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• 2017

Since 2015, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) has performed annual qualitative assessments of asthma management provided by all medical institutions that care for asthma patients in Korea. According to the third report of qualitative assessment of asthma management in 2017, the assessment appears to have contributed to improving the quality of asthma care provided by medical institutions, especially primary clinics. However, there is still a gap between the ideal goals of asthma management and actual health care policies/regulations in real clinical settings, which leads to the state of standstill with respect to the quality of asthma management despite considerable efforts such as the qualitative assessment of asthma management by national agencies such as the HIRA. At this point, a harmonized approach is needed to raise the level of asthma management among several components including medical policies, efforts of academic associations such as education and distribution of the guideline for management, and reliable financial support by the government.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.428-436
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• 2019

Background: Metalworking fluids (MWFs) are mixtures with inhalation exposures as mists, dusts, and vapors, and dermal exposure in the dispersed and bulk liquid phase. A quantitative risk assessment was performed for exposure to MWF and respiratory disease. Methods: Risks associated with MWF were derived from published studies and NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluations, and lifetime risks were calculated. The outcomes analyzed included adult onset asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, pulmonary function impairment, and reported symptoms. Incidence rates were compiled or estimated, and annual proportional loss of respiratory capacity was derived from cross-sectional assessments. Results: A strong healthy worker survivor effect was present. New-onset asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, at 0.1 mg/㎥ MWF under continuous outbreak conditions, had a lifetime risk of 45%; if the associated microbiological conditions occur with only 5% prevalence, then the lifetime risk would be about 3%. At 0.1 mg/㎥, the estimate of excess lifetime risk of attributable pulmonary impairment was 0.25%, which may have been underestimated by a factor of 5 or more by a strong healthy worker survivor effect. The symptom prevalence associated with respiratory impairment at 0.1 mg/㎥ MWF was estimated to be 5% (published studies) and 21% (Health Hazard Evaluations). Conclusion: Significant risks of impairment and chronic disease occurred at 0.1 mg/㎥ for MWFs in use mostly before 2000. Evolving MWFs contain new ingredients with uncharacterized long-term hazards.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.250-257
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• 2017

Background: Tasks involved in traditional charcoal production expose workers to various levels of charcoal dust and wood smoke. This study aimed to identify specific tasks influencing lung function and respiratory symptoms. Methods: Interviews, direct observation, and task/symptom checklists were used to collect data from 50 charcoal-production workers on 3 nonwork days followed by 11 workdays. The peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was measured four times per day. Results: The PEFR was reduced and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms increased over the first 6-7 workdays. The PEFR increased until evening on nonwork days but not on workdays. Loading the kiln and collecting charcoal from within the kiln markedly reduced the PEFR and increased the odds of respiratory symptoms. Conclusion: Tasks involving entry into the kiln were strongly associated with a short-term drop in the PEFR and the occurrence of respiratory symptoms, suggesting a need for the use of protective equipment and/or the operation of an effective kiln ventilation system.