• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1193-1196
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• 2012

Breast and cervical cancer are the most common causes of cancer mortality among women worldwide, but they are largely preventable. There are limited data on knowledge and practices on screening methods of breast and cervical cancers among female health care workers in Sri Lanka, in spite of having an organized screening programme islandwide. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 219 female health care workers including public health midwives (68.9%) selected from 6 districts in Sri Lanka using convenient sampling methods. A self-administered questionnaire was used as a pre-test in a capacity building training programme to collect the data. The mean (SD) duration of work experience of the respondents was 12 years and 52.5% were aged over 35 years. Most (76.7%) were married, and afamily history of cancer was reported by 24.2%. Over 98% knew about self breast examination. Even though 84.1% practiced it, only 47.9% practiced it on a monthly basis. Clinical breast examination and mammography were known by 94.1% and 64.3% respectively. Only 19.2% had undergone a clinical braest examination within one year and 3.6% had ever undergone a mamography. Only 76.3% knew that a Pap smear detects precancerous stage of cervical cancer. Among 169 married workers, 73.4% had never had a Pap smear and only 17.2% had got it done within the preceding 5 years. Among the reasons for not doing a pap smear within 5 years, 47.0% belived it as not nescessary, 17.3% due to fear/dislike, 23.2% as not having symptoms, 3% had not known about it and 3% not known about availability of services. The study findings suggest that the knowledge and practices on breast and cervical cancer screening methods among female health care workers need to be improved. Considering the role that health care workers play in communicating health behaviors to the general public, strengthening health education interventions for this group of females is essential.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7875-7878
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• 2014

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the awareness of breast cancer risk factors among female university students in 24 low, middle income and emerging economy countries. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 10,242 undergraduate university students (mean age 20.7, SD=2.9) from 25 universities in 24 countries across Asia, Africa and the Americas. Using anonymous questionnaires the awareness of links between breast cancer and heredity, diet, overweight, exercise, alcohol use, smoking and stress was assessed. Results indicated that 35.4% of the women were not aware that any of these risk factors could influence breast cancer, 43.8% were aware of a genetic link, and only 12.5%, 10.9% and 10.6% correctly identified alcohol use, overweight and physical inactivity, respectively, as factors causing breast cancer. Moreover, 13.3% rated dietary fat and 11.5% fibre as influencing breast cancer; both low-fat and high-fibre diets may be weakly protective against breast cancer, and smoking (19.4%) and stress (13.5%), the most commonly chosen breast cancer lifestyle risk factors, have less clear impact on breast cancer. There were marked country differences, e.g., in regards of being aware of genetic causes of breast cancer risk in female students from Ivory Coast, India, Madagascar, Nigeria and Laos below 30% and female students from Pakistan, Singapore, Turkey, Grenada and Philippines 60 or more percent. This study provides insight in the breast cancer risk perception of young women, which can be utilized in breast cancer awareness and prevention programmes.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.30-52
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• 1994

The purpose of this study is to look into the health behavior and utilization of health service, and the factors which have influence on both of them. In order to research them, it visited home and interviewed selecting randomly 300 subjects who can understand the purpose of this study, want to participate and are possible to interview. Questionnaries survey was administered during the period from April.6 to May.12. 1993. Collected materials analysis were dealt with a method of SPSS PC Program and used percentage. Mean, SD. t-test, $X^2-test$, Pearson's Correlation Coefficient, Multiple Regression and One-way ANOVA for hypothesis verification. The results of this study are as follows. 1. The hypothesis is that there will be a significant difference in performance degree of health behavior by general characteristics(sex, age, educational background, occupation, religion) of subjects. According to the results, it turned out that sex(P=.035), educational background(P=.0432), and occupation(P=.440) appeared to be a significant difference as P<.05. 2. The hypothesis that the more interesting degree on health of subjects have, the better they performance for health behavior was supported (r=.2552, P<.001). 3. The hypothesis that the healthier subjects are, the better they performance for health behavior was supported(r=.5262, P<.001). The highest correlation was seen between the healthier subjects and health behavior. According to the results of multiple regression analysis with interesting degree on health and healthier subjects as dependent variables, it turned out that R2 was 35% and had a significant difference. 4. The hypothesis is that there will be a difference in the utilization of health service by general characteristics(sex, age, educational background, occupation, religion). According to. the results, it showed that educational background (dental clinic), religion(pharmacy) had an influence on the frequency of utilization of facilities (P<.05).

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.316-331
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• 2000

This study was conducted using a descriptive correlational survey design to identify how patients with chronic low-back pain perceived family function and to examine the relationship between family function and depression. The participants of the study were 116 patients with chronic low-back pain patient who were having follow-up treatment in a local pain clinic, located in Daegu. A structured questionnaire was filled out participants themselves and the structured interview was given during January and February, 2000. The data collection instrument were FACE II-Korean version and Beck's Depression Inventory(1983). The data collected were analysed using mean, standard deviation(SD), t-test, F-test, Duncan test and Pearson correlation coefficient, done with SAS. The results are as follows; 1. The mean of the respondents' perceived family function was 3.47, with emotional bonding at 3.61, acceptability and sharing at 3.61, participation at 3.23, negotiation and satisfaction at 3.24 and responsibility and expectation at 3.76. 2. The mean of the respondents' perceived depression was $17.53{\pm}8.76$. 3. There was significantly negative correlation between family function and depression(r=-0.4817, p=.0001). 4. Research variables included demographic characteristics and showed that subjects who were aged 65 years or older showed significantly lower scores in patient's perceived family function than those who were aged 45 years or below(p=.0502). Perceived family function of females respondents were significantly lower than males(p=.0026). The illiterate showed significantly lower scores than other groups(p=.0001). Respondents with spouse and extended family tended to show significantly higher scores than those who were living with spouse only or by themselves alone(p=.0091). Those who had higher income showed significantly higher scores than in the lower income group(p=.0001). 5. For family function regarding pain characteristics, those who reported severe pain-related daily activity impediments showed significantly lower scores in family function than others with less pain(p=.0357).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.5053-5058
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• 2015

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the commonest cancers among women all over the world. The association of cervical cancer with human papilloma virus (HPV) is well established. Knowledge about the causal relationship between HPV and cervical cancer is important to make appropriate, evidence-based health care choices. In this context we conducted a community based study among women about the knowledge, attitude and practice about HPV infections and their health effects. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional interview based house to house survey was conducted with a validated data collection tool covering sociodemographic factors, knowledge, attitude and practice about HPV and its health effects, among 1020 women from a rural village, Perdoor, in Udupi district, Karnataka, India in 2013-14. Results: The mean age of participants was 38.9 years (SD=12.6). Study participants showed a high literacy rate (85.7%). Only 2.4% of sexually exposed women had undergone Pap smear testing. Partners of 4.4%women had undergone circumcision and they belonged to the Muslim community. Male condom usage was reported by 26 women (2.6%). However, none of the participants had heard of HPV and its health effects. Conclusions: This community based study found complete ignorance about HPV among rural South Indian women in spite of a high literacy level.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.940-946
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• 2015

The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin Tursiops aduncus commonly inhabits the coastal waters of Jeju Island, Korea. An investigation was conducted using data from vessel sightings and point sightings from land. During 40 days of vessel sighting surveys between 2007 and 2010, a total of 18 dolphin groups were encountered. The overall sighting rate was 0.01 group/n.m. Most Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins were sighted within 500 m of the northern coast of Jeju Island during surveys. Also, dolphin groups were observed 47 times during 109 days of shore-based surveys conducted between 2011 and 2015. The results of a dolphin distribution survey conducted in 2011 were generally similar to the results of previous surveys. However, there were no dolphin sightings from 2012 in Hanllim-eup, in the north-western part of the island, where dolphins were sighted frequently until 2011, whereas dolphin observations increased in the southern part of the island. The mean group size was 35.4 (SD=18.08) individuals. The most frequently sighted group size was 36-40 individuals. To conserve resident dolphins off Jeju Island, long term sighting surveys and environmental assessment are required to monitor their distribution patterns.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.97-104
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to evaluate sediment yield reduction under various field slope conditions with rice straw mat. The Vegetative Filter Strip Model-W (VFSMOD-W) and Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) were used for simulation of sediment yield reduction effect of rice straw mat. The Universe Soil Loss Equation Practice factor (USLE P factor), being able to reflect simulation of rice straw mat in the agricultural field, were estimated for each slope with VFSMOD-W and measured soil erosion values under 5, 10, and 20 % slopes. Then with the regression equation for slopes, USLE P factor was derived and used as input data for each Hydrological Response Unit (HRU) in the SWAT model. The SWAT Spatially Distributed-HRU (SD-HRU) pre-processor module was utilized, moreover, in order to consider spatial location and topographic features (measured topographic features by field survey) of all HRU within each subwatershed in the study watershed. Result of monthly sediment yield without rice straw mat (Jan. 2000 - Aug. 2007) was 814.72 ton/month, and with rice straw mat (Jan. 2000 - Aug. 2007) was 526.75 ton/month, which was reduced as 35.35 % compared without it. Also, during the rainy season (from Jun. to Sep. 2000 - 2007), when without vs. with rice straw mat, monthly sediment indicated 2,109.54 ton and 1,358.61 ton respectively. It showed about 35.60 % was reduced depending on rice straw mat. As shown in this study, if rice straw mat is used as a Best Management Practice (BMP) in the sloping fields, rainfall-driven sediment yield will be reduced effectively.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.56-61
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• 2015

Frozen food processing workers work under a cold environment which can cause several adverse health effects.This study explored factors affecting workers' health in the frozen food industry in Thailand. Participants comprised 497 workers exposed to a cold working environment and 255 office workers who served as the controls. Data were collected by a survey on the work environment, and the interview of workers for abnormal symptoms. The exposed group had the following characteristics: 52.7% male, overall average age of 27 (SD 6.6) years old, attained elementary education (Grade 4 and Grade 6) (54.1%), married (48.9%), smokers (21.3%), alcohol consumption (31.0%), duration of work was between 1 and 5 years (65.2%), working 6 days a week (82.7%), 1-5 hours of overtime per week (33.8%), office workers (33.9%); work category: sizing (6.9%), peeling (28.3%) dissecting (22.2%), and in the warehouse (8.6%). The temperature in the work environment ranged from $17.2^{\circ}C$ to $19.2^{\circ}C$ in most sections, $-18.0^{\circ}C$ in the warehouse, and $25^{\circ}C$ in the office areas. Warehouse workers had more abnormal symptoms than controls including repeated pain in the musculoskeletal system (OR 11.9; 95% CI 6.12-23.45), disturbance throughout the body (OR 4.60; 95% CI 2.00-10.56), respiratory symptoms (OR 9.73; 95% CI 3.53-26.80), episodic finger symptoms (OR 13.51; 95% CI 5.17-35.33). The study results suggest that workers' health should be monitored especially with regard to back and muscle pain, respiratory symptoms, episodic finger symptoms, and cardiovascular symptoms. Health promotion campaigns such as antismoking and reduction of alcohol consumption should be established because smoking and alcohol consumption are contributing factors to the pathogenesis of Raynaud's phenomenon and peripheral vascular disorders such as hypertension and heart disease.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Educational Facilities
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2015

Currently, the group study becomes the most popular method and common custom for learning in public that is distinctly different from the preferred way of self-study in the last decades. As a result, the college and public facilities have been significantly changed to provide more and more new spaces for discussion, learning and sharing information with others as one of the remarkable improvements and advantages. On the other hands, library is one of the all-important public sites to obtain information and knowledge for students. Moreover, we can split out an individual space from the reading rooms to take part in the group activities such as group meetings and academic exchanges. Recently, several universities begin to recognize the value of group study and try to meet the research needs. Also, needs for students, and the group study rooms are applied into the new buildings and rebuilt ones under this background. In this study, It focuses on analyzing of the 134 group study rooms to investigate the variations in universities and classify the types of buildings with site researches through 14 indicators of indoor environments. To investigate different types of group study rooms, we use the SD method to analyze the findings. So far there is no research focusing on the study rooms, especially for the analysis of their types and indoor environments features. Therefore, this article can provide a theoretical basis and evidence to related researches; also can help us to improve indoor environments to offer a better learning environments for the students in the future.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.181-194
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• 2013

Purpose: Examining current status of nursing intershift handover practice would provide opportunity to identify areas in need of improvement. The aim of this study was to describe nursing intershift handover practice in Korean hospitals. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using questionnaire was used to collect data. A total of 788 nurses working in general hospitals had participated. Results: More than half of the nurses participated responded that they used kardex for verbal handover (51.8%). The average time took for handover was 40.2 minutes (SD=14.7). Only 5.8% of nurses were satisfied with intershift handover practice. 72.9% of respondents did not have manuals for handover and 86% of nurses considered intershift handover manuals were necessary. Most nurses considered intershift handover pratice as an important component for patient safety (99.2%). The causes of handover error were interruption during handover, high work load, and stress/fatigue of nurses. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated a need to develop handover practice guidelines which outline pertinent details. Intershift handover practice guidelines could provide consistency and structure to the information that is handed over.