• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.275-296
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• 2010

This study analyzed the state of battered women who drink at a dangerously high level and the factors that influence their hazardous drinking in order to promote their safety and their healthy adjustments. The researchers utilized the data from "Analysis of the Effectiveness of Intimate Partner Violence Offenders Correction and Treatment Program" funded by Ministry of Gender Equality, and thereby, sampled 124 battered women for interview over phone. The results of applying the WHO's standard for hazardous drinking based on frequency and quantity calculations showed that 15.7% of survey participants were classified as hazardous drinkers, either currently experiencing or having the risk of experiencing problems related to drinking. The result of carrying out a logistic regression analysis to identify the factors that influence hazardous drinking showed that household income and self-blame were factors that exerted statistically significant influence. Based on these results, clinical and practical intervention plans for helping battered women who drink hazardously were discussed.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.110-119
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the consumption of alcohol as well as to compare drinking refusal self-efficacy and mental health between an average drinking group and a problem drinking group of Korean nursing students. Methods: A questionnaire using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) measuring drinking refusal self-efficacy and mental health was given to 938 students of two universities in Gyeongsangnam-do. Results: Among the respondents 381 (40.6%) were problem drinkers. The score of alcohol consumption in the AUDIT were 3.38 for the average group and 12.50 for the problem drinking group. There were significant differences between the average group and problem drinking group in age, living place, smoking, parent's drinking, age of the first drink and reasons for first drink. Participants of the average group had significantly higher drinking refusal self-efficacy than the problem drinking group. Regarding mental health, there were differences between the two groups in attempted suicide. The risk factors significantly associated with problem drinking were living place, smoking and reasons for the initial drink. Conclusion: These results provide guidance for developing strategies, such as an educational program, to promote safe alcohol consumption in nursing students.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.232-237
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• 2004

Objectives : The study was designed to test if alcohol use and alcohol-related problems among adolescent females are related to their parents' level of alcohol problems. Methods : In 2001, a stratified sample of 2077 adolescent females, grades 10-11, from twelve female-only high schools located in a large metropolitan city in the Republic of Korea completed a questionnaire about alcohol use, parental attention, and parental alcohol consumption, and other risk and protective factors. Data were analyzed with chi-square and regression analyses. Results : Nearly 63% of the student drinkers had experienced at least one to two alcohol-related problems in their lives. Two-thirds of all 2077 students indicated that at least one of their parents had an alcohol-related problem and that approximately 29% had experienced several problems. Results of random effects ordinal logistic regression analyses suggest a dose-response relationship between parental and youth alcohol-related problems. Youth who report having parents with some and many alcohol problems were 30% (Odds Ratios [OR] = 1.30; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.10 - 1.53) and 55% (OR = 1.55; 95%CI = 1.23 - 1.95) more likely to experience alcohol-related problems than youth whose parents do not have alcohol problems, respectively, after statistically adjusting for important covariates. Conclusions : This study presents evidence that alcohol-related problems among adolescent female students is highly prevalent. Also, the study findings reveal a high percentage of parents with alcohol problems, as reported by students. This study presents evidence of what might be a hidden problem among adults and youths in the Republic of Korea that merits serious attention.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.143-150
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• 2018

Purpose: We have implemented a multi-disciplinary Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) protocol to prevent individuals who sustained alcohol-related traumatic injuries. We therefore conducted this single-center, prospective, randomized, controlled trial (RCT) to assess its efficacy. Methods: All the enrolled patients (n=30) were randomized to either the SBIRT group or the control group. In the current RCT, the proportion of the patients who reduced the amount of alcohol consumption and those who received a specialized treatment served as primary outcome measures. Moreover, changes in a 3-item version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption (AUDIT-C), Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-6) scores at 3 months from baseline served as secondary outcome measures. Results: At 3 months, the proportion of the patients who reduced the amount of alcohol consumption was significantly higher in the SBIRT group as compared with the control group (86.7% vs. 57.1%, p=0.02). Moreover, the proportion of the patients who received a specialized treatment was also significantly higher as compared with the control group (26.7% vs. 1.4%, p=0.01). Furthermore, there were significant differences in changes in the AUDIT, SDS and K-6 scores at 3 months from baseline between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, our results indicate that the SBIRT is effective in reducing hazardous and harmful levels of drinking, the degree of alcohol dependence and that of psychological distress in at-risk drinkers.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.55 no.6
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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.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4469-4475
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• 2016

Indonesia is a developing country, in most of which the infection rates of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) have been reported to be high. However, the prevalence of H. pylori infection in Indonesia has been unexpectedly reported to be low. The purpose of our study was to confirm whether the prevalence of H. pylori infection is low among healthy inhabitants in Northern Jakarta by 13C-urea breath test (UBT), and to examine the association of their lifestyle/environmental factors with H. pylori infection and to identify potential routes of transmission. We recruited a total of 196 subjects from a low-income community in Northern Jakarta, Indonesia. Of them, 193 subjects who completed a questionnaire about their lifestyle/environment and had UBT were included in this study. Odds ratios (ORs) adjusted for sex and age with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using logistic regression model. The overall H. pylori infection rate was 15.0%. There was difference in H. pylori infection rates among Buginese (40.0%), Betawi (9.1%), Sundanese (3.7%), and Batak (9.1%). After multivariate analysis, the ORs of intake of soybean milk, cucumber more than one time a week, infrequent hand washing before meals, and alcohol consumption were 0.10 (95%CI: 0.01-0.97), 6.61 (95%CI: 1.87-23.3), 4.10 (95%CI: 1.15-14.6), and 61.9 for former drinkers (95%CI: 1.67-2300.8), respectively. Buginese (OR=7.84; 95%CI: 1.82-33.8) and Batak ethnic groups (OR=20.1; 95%CI: 1.90-213.2) were infected more frequently, compared with Javanese. The H. pylori infection rate in this study was low, as reported previously. After we scrutinized the factors, Buginese and Batak ethnic groups eat food using fingers more frequently than Javanese, Betawi, and Sundanese. In addition, infrequent hand wash practice before meal increased the risk. Our study indicated that person-person transmission was possible in this low prevalence area. The low infection rates of H. pylori among those of Javanese, Betawi, and Sundanese ethnicity could be partly due to sanitary practice.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.934-942
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting problematic drinking by university students in the Chuncheon area. Lifelong drinking rate of subjects was 98.1%. Problematic drinking rates according to AUDIT (alcohol use disorders identification test) were as follows: 21.3% 'no problem', 58.0% 'at-risk drinking', 10.0% 'alcohol abuse' and 10.7% 'alcohol dependence'. Research has shown that problematic drinking is more prevalent among freshmen, early drinkers, those with hypochondria, and students who are less satisfied with their campus life or whose own parents are frequent drinkers. It has been shown that more serious problematic drinking is associated with higher 'positive alcohol outcome expectancies' and 'coping motives for drinking', and 'recognition level of drinking cultures' is considered less desirable. Multiple regression analysis revealed that 'coping motives for drinking' was the most significant variable affecting the problematic drinking of university students. Developing and fostering various alcohol-reducing programs that largely focus on 'coping motives for drinking' will greatly contribute to solving problematic drinking.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.547-556
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between frequency of coffee consumption, metabolic biomarkers, and nutrition intake in adult participants in the combined 2007~2009 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Subjects (2,095 males and 3,297 females) were classified according to sex and frequency of coffee consumption (${\leq}1$ time/month, ${\geq}2$ times/month and ${\leq}6$ times/week, 1 time/day, 2 times/day, 3 times/day) using food frequency questionnaires. Nutrition intake was analyzed using 24 h recall data. The 3 times/day coffee consumption group had a significantly higher age, and frequency of smokers and drinkers compared to the ${\leq}1$ time/month coffee consumption group in both male and female participants. Males in the 3 times/day coffee consumption group had a significantly lower HDL-cholesterol level, but females had a higher waist circumference compared with the ${\leq}1$ time/month coffee consumption group. Males in the 3 times/day coffee consumption group had a significantly lower nutrient density of fiber, vitamin B2, vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus compared with the ${\leq}1$ time/month coffee intake group. Females in the 3 times/day coffee consumption group had a significantly higher nutrient density of fat and niacin, but lower nutrient density of carbohydrate, calcium, phosphorus, and iron compared with the ${\leq}1$ time/month coffee intake group. In males, the frequency of coffee consumption was not associated with the levels of metabolic biomarkers. In females, the frequency of coffee consumption was positively associated with diastolic blood pressure after adjustments for multiple confounding factors, including age, BMI, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity and energy intake. Coffee consumption was associated with decreased diastolic blood pressure in females. These findings suggest the importance of an awareness of the association between coffee consumption and metabolic risk.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7105-7112
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• 2014

In this study, we investigated oxidative stress and tumor marker levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in 136 coke oven workers and in 60 control subjects, and evaluated the correlation between oxidative stress and tumor marker levels. Questionnaires on basic demographic information were also administered. Significant differences in employment time and percentages of alcohol drinkers were observed between the control and exposed groups. PAH exposure was assessed using urinary 1-hydroxy-pyrene (1-OHP) levels and was found to be significantly higher in workers than in the controls. Significant differences (P<0.001) of MDA, GST, LDH, NSE, Cyfra21-1, and of SCC and TNF-a (P<0.0001 and P<0.05, P<0.001, respectively) levels were observed among controls and coke-oven workers, except for bottom coke oven workers. Associations between age and risk of increased TNF-a, smoking and increased GST activities, and drinking with increased MDA concentrations, were marginal (P=0.055, P=0.048, P=0.057, respectively). The association between smoking with MDA (P=0.004), NSE (P=0.005), SCC (P=0.004) andTNF-a (P<0.001), and drinking with TNF-a levels was significant (P=0.012). In addition, a significant positive correlation between oxidative stress and tumor markers was found in the present study. These results suggest that a synergistic increase of oxidative stress and tumor markers induced by PAHs may play a role in toxic responses for PAHs in coke oven workers.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.724-734
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to determine the health behaviors and nutritional status related to dyslipidemia in Korean middle-aged adults (between 50 and 64 years old) from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examinations Survey data (2007~2010). A total of 4,721 subjects were analyzed in this study. The subjects were divided into three groups (normal, borderline, and dyslipidemia) according to serum lipid levels. Parameters included in this study were drinking and smoking, anthropometric parameters, blood and nutritional parameters. The latter parameter included food/nutrients intake. All data was adjusted by sex, region, education level, and age. General linear model and logistic regression model were used for statistical analysis. The dyslipidemia group was comprised of more men than women. By contrast, the borderline group was comprised of more women than men (p<0.001). No significant differences were observed for other general characteristics. There were more smokers and drinkers(drinking per time) in the dyslipidemia group (p<0.05). Anthropometric data showed significant difference, ie, height (p<0.05), weight, body mass index, waist circumference, percent body fat, and blood pressure were higher in the dyslipidemia group (p<0.001). Only blood urea nitrogen showed no significant difference among groups. The HbA1c (p<0.01), fasting blood glucose, GOT, GPT, creatinine levels were higher in the dyslipidemia group (p<0.001). So it is required for the management of obesity in dyslipidemia group. The dyslipidemia group ate less sea food (p<0.05). The nutrients intake of energy and protein, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, phosphorus were lower in the dyslipidemia group (p<0.05). Therefore, to lower dyslipidemia prevalence rates, it is necessary to increase the intake of foods containing ${\omega}-3$ fatty acids. We also suggest a meal management program and nutritional education to recognize the risk of dyslipidemia, especially for people such as the individual in the borderline and dyslipidemia study groups.