• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제5권4호
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• pp.210-215
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• 2014

Background: The ongoing economic crisis in Greece has affected both stress and quality of life (QoL) at all socioeconomic levels, including professionals in the police force. The aim of this study was to examine perceived stress, job satisfaction, QoL, and their relationships in a sample of police officers in Greece. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the first trimester of 2011 in 23 police stations in the greater Athens area. A total of 201 police officers agreed to participate (response rate 44.6%). The General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) was used to assess general health, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF Questionnaire and Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS-14) questionnaires were used to assess QoL and perceived stress, respectively. Results: The PSS and GHQ subscales and total scores exhibited strong, positive, and significant correlations coefficients (r): 0.52 for somatic disturbances, 0.56 for stress and insomnia, 0.40 for social dysfunction, and 0.37 for depression, yielding an r equal to 0.57 for the total GHQ score. A higher level of perceived stress was related to a lower likelihood of being satisfied with their job; in this regard, male participants and higher ranked officers reported lower job satisfaction. The PSS and GHQ scores were inversely, consistently, and significantly related to almost all of the QoL aspects, explaining up to 34% of their variability. Parenthood had a positive effect on QoL related to physical health, and women reported lower QoL related to psychological health. Conclusion: Higher levels of stress are related to an increased risk of reporting suboptimal job satisfaction and QoL. The magnitude of these associations varied depending on age, gender, and rank, highlighting the need for stress-management training.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제54권3호
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• pp.161-165
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• 2021

Objectives: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spreads heterogeneously, disproportionately impacting poor and minority communities. The relationship between poverty and race is complex, with a diverse set of structural and systemic factors driving higher rates of poverty among minority populations. The factors that specifically contribute to the disproportionate rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection, however, are not clearly understood. Methods: We evaluated SARS-CoV-2 test results from community-based testing sites in Los Angeles, California, between June and December, 2020. We used tester zip code data to link those results with United States Census report data on average annual household income, rates of healthcare coverage, and employment status by zip code. Results: We analyzed 2 141 127 SARS-CoV-2 test results, of which 245 154 (11.4%) were positive. Multivariable modeling showed a higher likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 test positivity among Hispanic communities than among other races. We found an increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 positivity among individuals from zip codes with an average annual household income

• 한국화재소방학회논문지
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.15-22
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• 2019

최근 상가에서 사용되는 온장고에서 저장된 기호음료들의 유출로 인한 절연파괴로 화재가 발생한 사례가 자주 보고되고 있다. 하지만 기호음료의 전기적 특성과 음료 유출로 인한 화재 발생 원인에 대한 연구는 미비한 상태이다. 이에 본 연구에서는 이에 대한 인과 관계를 밝히고자 기호음료 32종을 선별하여 전도도 및 총 용존 고형물질(TDS)의 농도를 측정하였다. 그리고 이를 바탕으로 음료를 선별하여 전극 간 절연파괴 시험과 회로에 소자와 음료를 같이 배치한 후 모의실험을 실시하였다. 그 결과 화재 발생 가능성은 전도도가 높은 음료는 물론 낮은 음료라도 발화 가능성이 있다는 사실을 실험적으로 확인하였다. 또한, 기호 음료의 유출로 회로상에서 불꽃 방전을 일으키는 여러 조건을 발견할 수 있었다.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제52권3호
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• pp.179-187
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• 2019

Objectives: In the USA, certain races and ethnicities have a disproportionately higher gastric cancer burden. Selective screening might allow for earlier detection and curative resection. Among a USA-based multiracial and ethnic cohort diagnosed with non-cardia gastric cancer (NCGC), we aimed to identify factors associated with curable stage disease at diagnosis. Methods: We retrospectively identified endoscopically diagnosed and histologically confirmed cases of NCGC at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Demographic, clinical, endoscopic and histologic factors, as well as grade/stage of NCGC at diagnosis were documented. The primary outcome was the frequency of curable-stage NCGC (stage 0-1a) at diagnosis in patients with versus without an endoscopy negative for malignancy prior to their index exam diagnosing NCGC. Additional factors associated with curable-stage disease at diagnosis were determined. Results: A total of 103 racially and ethnically diverse patients were included. Nearly 38% of NCGC were stage 0-Ia, 34% stage Ib-III, and 20.3% stage IV at diagnosis. A significantly higher frequency of NCGC was diagnosed in curable stages among patients who had undergone an endoscopy that was negative for malignancy prior to their index endoscopy that diagnosed NCGC, compared to patients without a negative endoscopy prior to their index exam (69.6% vs. 28.6%, p=0.003). A prior negative endoscopy was associated with 94.0% higher likelihood of diagnosing curable-stage NCGC (p=0.003). No other factors analyzed were associated with curablestage NCGC at diagnosis. Conclusions: Endoscopic screening and surveillance in select high-risk populations might increase diagnoses of curable-stage NCGC. These findings warrant confirmation in larger, prospective studies.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.160-164
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• 2021

Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a group of rare genetically heterogeneous disorders, characterized by hypopigmentation of the eyes, skin, and hair, which result in ocular abnormalities and a risk of developing skin cancer. Currently, there is no ophthalmologic procedure or drug that prevents the clinical features of OCA. Here, we report a new type of OCA in two, unrelated Korean families with the same OCA2 mutation. Affected individuals in this study are different from those of previous reports in two aspects: an inheritance pattern and clinical presentation. All reported patients with OCA have shown an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, while our patients showed an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Small amounts of pigment can be acquired with age in OCA, but there is no substantial variation from adolescence to adulthood in this regard. A case where the patient attained normal pigmentation levels has never been reported. However, our patients displayed completely normal pigmentation in their late twenties. Whole exome sequencing and in-silico analysis revealed a novel mutation, OCA2 c.2338G>A p.(G780S) (NM_000275) with a high likelihood of pathogenicity. Sanger sequencing of p.G780S identified the same mutation in the affected individuals, which was not found in the family members with normal phenotype. We hypothesize that OCA2 G780S not only acts as a pathogenic variant of OCA but also induces pigmentation by enhancing the melanogenesis gene expression of other modifier genes, such as SLC45A2 and TPC2. These findings may provide further understanding of melanin biosynthesis and new treatment methods for OCA.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.59-65
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• 2022

Background: Healthcare workers' attitudes toward vaccination have been widely described in the literature, but a restricted amount of studies assessed healthcare students' knowledge, attitudes, and opinions on this issue. This study aimed to estimate the influence of a degree course on knowledge and immunization behavior among healthcare students and to compare medical students with students from other health profession degree programs to identify possible differences. Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional study was performed in 2018 in 14 Italian Universities (3,131 students were interviewed). A validated questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, attitudes, and opinions toward vaccinations, with a specific focus on influenza vaccine and attitudes toward mandatory vaccination policies. Statistical software STATA® 14 was used. Results: Significant differences were recorded between medical students and other healthcare students. The intention to get vaccinated against influenza during the next season and having been vaccinated in the previous season was higher in the medical group (p < 0.001). In the group of students of other health professions, we registered a lower probability of identifying themselves as a high-risk group for contracting infectious diseases as a consequence of their profession and health status (aOR 0.49; CI95%: 0.40-0.60) and an increased likelihood of defining their level of knowledge on vaccine-preventable diseases and related vaccinations as "insufficient/sufficient/fair" (aOR 1.31; CI95%: 1.11-1.56). Conclusions: Results show several differences between medical students and students of other health professions when it comes to vaccination knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions, as well as a general low tendency to be vaccinated against influenza.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제60권5호
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• pp.327-338
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• 2022

This study determined the recent status and trend of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PcP) in the non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (non-HIV-PcP) and HIV (HIV-PcP) infected populations using data from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). SaTScan and Join-point were used for statistical analyses. Non-HIV-PcP cases showed an upward trend during the study period from 2010 to 2021, with the largest number in 2021 (551 cases). The upward trend was similar until 2020 after adjusting for the population. Seoul had the highest number of cases (1,597) in the non-HIV-PcP group, which was the same after adjusting for the population (162 cases/1,000,000). It was followed by Jeju-do (89 cases/1,000,000). The most likely cluster (MLC) for the non-HIV-PCP group was Seoul (Relative Risk (RR)=4.59, Log Likelihood Ratio (LLR)=825.531), followed by Jeju-do (RR=1.59, LLR=5.431). An upward trend was observed among the non-HIV-PcP group in the Jeju-do/Jeollanam-do/Jeollabuk-do/Gyeongsangnam-do/Busan/Daejeon/Daegu/Ulsan joint cluster (29.02%, LLR=11.638, P<0.001) located in the southern part of Korea. Both women and men in the non-HIV groups showed an overall upward trend of PcP during the study period. Men in the 60-69 age group had the highest annual percentage change (APC 41.8) during 2014-2019. In contrast, the HIV groups showed a falling trend of PcP recently. Men in the 60-69 age group had the most decrease (APC -17.6) during 2018-2021. This study provides an analytic basis for health measures and a nationwide epidemiological surveillance system for the management of PcP.

• 산업융합연구
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.87-96
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• 2022

본 연구는 알레르기 질환을 가진 청소년들의 실태와 정신건강과 관련된 요인을 파악 하고자 한다. 질환 관리를 위한 기초자료를 제공 하고자 함이다. 연구방법은 제16차 청소년 건강행태 조사 빅데이터를 이차분석 하였으며, SPSS 25 프로그램을 이용하여 x²-test를 사용하고 연관 정도를 파악하기 위해 오즈비와 95% 신뢰구간을 구하였으며, 다중 로지스틱 회귀분석을 시행하였다. 연구 결과 알레르기 질환을 가지고 있는 청소년의 37.1%가 스트레스 인지가 있는 것으로 나타났으며, 우울감 경험률이 27.6%, 자살 생각률이 12.5% 처럼 알레르기 질환을 가지고 있는 청소년의 스트레스 인지, 우울감 경험 및 자살생각의 가능성이 알레르기성 질환을 가지고 있지 않은 청소년에 비해 높았다. 본 연구 결과로 청소년의 알레르기 질환 유무에 따라 정신건강에 많은 영향을 미치는 것을 알 수 있었고 정신질환을 초래할 수 있는 질환 및 청소년 정신건강 관련 예방과 연구에 기초 자료로 삼고자 한다.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제55권6호
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• pp.568-577
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• 2022

Objectives: Many studies have shown that social distancing, as a non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPI) that is one of the various measures against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is an effective preventive measure to suppress the spread of infectious diseases. This study explored the relationships between traditional health-related behaviors in Korea and social distancing practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2020 Community Health Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (n=98 149). The dependent variable was the degree of social distancing practice to cope with the COVID-19 epidemic. Independent variables included health-risk behaviors and health-promoting behaviors. The moderators were vaccination and unmet medical needs. Predictors affecting the practice of social distancing were identified through hierarchical multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Smokers (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.924) and frequent drinkers (aOR, 0.933) were more likely not to practice social distancing. A greater degree of physical activity was associated with a higher likelihood of practicing social distancing (aOR, 1.029). People who were vaccinated against influenza were more likely to practice social distancing than those who were not (aOR, 1.150). However, people with unmet medical needs were less likely to practice social distancing than those who did not experience unmet medical needs (aOR, 0.757). Conclusions: Social distancing practices were related to traditional health behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and physical activity. Their patterns showed a clustering effect of health inequality. Therefore, when establishing a strategy to strengthen social distancing, a strategy to protect the vulnerable should be considered concomitantly.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제60권4호
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• pp.261-271
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• 2022

This study provides an overview of the current status of clonorchiasis and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), and their relationship in Korea during 2012-2020. Data were obtained from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service of Korea. Cluster, trend, and correlation analyses were performed. Gyeongsangnam-do and Seoul had the highest average number of cases (1,026 and 4,208) and adjusted rate (306 and 424) for clonorchiasis and CCA, respectively. The most likely clusters (MLC) for clonorchiasis and CCA were Busan/Gyeongsangnam-do/Ulsan/Daegu/Gyeongsangbuk-do (Relative Risk; RR=4.55, Likelihood Ratio; LLR=9,131.115) joint cluster and Seoul (RR=2.29, LLR=7,602.472), respectively. The MLC for clonorchiasis was in the southeastern part of Korea, while that for CCA was in the southern part. Clonorchiasis showed a decreasing trend in the southeastern districts, while increased in the southwestern districts. Cities in the central region had a decreasing trend, while the western districts had an increasing trend. In most adults (30-59), infection rate of clonorchiasis showed a significant decrease until 2018, while thereafter increased, although not significant. CCA showed a sharply decreasing tendency. The incidence of clonorchiasis and CCA were positively correlated. In general, the correlation was weak (r=0.39, P<0.001), but it was strongly positive around the 4 river basins (r=0.74, P<0.001). This study might provide an analytic basis for developing an effective system against clonorchiasis and CCA.