• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.136-143
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• 2021

Objectives : The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is a global medical crisis imposing particular burden on public sector employees. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychiatric distress among public sector workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods : We conducted a cross-sectional study with 531 public sector workers in Gwangmyung city who completed Korean versions of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Impact of Event Scale-Revised-Korean (IES-R-K). Results : The results revealed more than moderate levels of stress (85.2%), depressive symptoms (22.2%), and posttraumatic stress symptoms (38.8%). PSS total score was significantly correlated with PHQ-9, IES-R-K total scores as well as IES-R-K subscale scores. Total scores on the PSS, PHQ-9, and IES-R-K were all inversely correlated with age. Conclusions : COVID-19-related workers experience considerable stress and depressive symptoms, with self-rated stress correlating significantly with depression scores. Age may serve as a protective factor against occupational stress and burnout. These findings highlight the need for adequate psychiatric screening and intervention for public sector workers.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.389-397
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the self-rated oral health status of industrial workers and influential factors for their work loss caused by dental care in an effort to prepare some information on policy setting about the promotion of the oral health of industrial workers and on the prevention of their oral diseases. The married industrial workers experienced work loss due to dental care more commonly than did the unmarried workers ($x^2=5.10$, p<0.05). In addition, the workers who found themselves to be in worse health experienced significantly more work loss ($x^2=29.69$, p<0.001). The workers who received treatment for oral diseases experienced significantly more work loss than those who did not receive treatment ($x^2=14.60$, p<0.001). In addition, the workers who had oral symptoms requiring treatment experienced more work loss than the others who not ($x^2=11.08$, p<0.01). The experience of not receiving treatment for a perceived oral disease was more dominant among the workers who found themselves to have an oral disease but did not receive treatment than among those who received treatment (p<0.001). Regarding factors affecting the work loss of the industrial workers caused by dental care, the workers whose monthly mean income was larger and who found themselves to be in worse health had significantly more experience of absenting themselves from the office or of leaving work early (p<0.001).

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.580-589
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the food insecurity status and dietary behavior and examine the association between the food insecurity status and consumption of processed beverage for secondary school students in Vientiane, capital city of Lao PDR. Methods: The study subjects are 714 students (boys = 307 and girls = 407) in four secondary schools (Chao_Anouvong, Phiavat, Saysetha, and Chansavang) of Vientiane, Lao PDR. Data on study subject's demographic characteristics, dietary behavior, food insecurity, and Mini Dietary Assessment (MDA) index were collected. A "Self-Administered Food Security Survey Module for Children Aged 12 Years and Older" developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) was used for the food insecurity assessment. Results: As a result, 72.7% of the subjects were in a state of food insecurity, and food security was associated with higher socioeconomic status (higher life satisfaction, higher parent's education attainment, higher item ownership, fewer number of siblings, and having more lunches at the school restaurant than at home). Compared to the food insecurity group, the frequency of breakfast, self-rated diet, and the total score of MDA index were higher in the food security group. On the other hand, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that 'food security' was also associated with a higher consumption of processed beverages (OR 1.544; 95% CI 1.078-2.213; p = 0.018). Conclusion: Improving the quality of the diet is essential for adolescents in both the food insecurity and food security groups in Lao PDR. Therefore, it is necessary to provide well organized nutrition education and establish adequate nutrition policy for adolescents in Lao PDR.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.235-243
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine the oral symptoms, self-rated systemic health state and oral health status of industrial workers in a bid to provide some information on oral health education geared toward industrial workers. The subjects in this study were 294 workers who got a medical checkup in Korea Industrial Health Association in North Gyeongsang Province. Those who felt less inconveniences in the oral cavity led a better quality of life related to oral health in every area except physical handicaps (p<.001, p<.01). The men's OHIP-14 was higher than the women's, and the younger workers led a better quality of life related to oral health in the area of social separation(p<.01), and the married ones did in the area of physical handicaps, mental disorder and social separation(p<.05). And the workers whose household income was larger lived a better quality of life related to oral health in the areas of Psychological discomfort, physical handicaps, mental disorder, social disorder and social separation(p<.05). Those who found themselves to be generally in good health(p<.001, p<.05) and whose subjective oral health state was led a better quality of life in every area(p<.001, p<.05). The findings of the study showed that there were differences in the quality of life according to awareness of oral symptoms, general health status and oral health state.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.116-129
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• 2013

Objectives: This study was performed to identify the associations of social capital with suicidal thoughts and attempts in Korean communities with poor health. Methods: We used the data from community health interviews conducted at 40 administrative sections (dong, eup, or myeon) with high mortality from August to October in 2010, 2011, and 2012 as part of the Health Plus Happiness Plus Projects in Gyeongsangnam-do Province. The 8,800 study subjects composed of 220 adults systematically sampled from each administrative section were asked if they had thought about suicide or had attempted suicide within 1 year. The social participation was measured with 'participation in formal and/or informal group' and trust using responses to three questions about trust of others. Results: The prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempt within 1 year were 10.4% and 0.8%, respectively. The logistic regression analysis revealed that those who participated in only informal groups, or had highest trust level reported less suicidal ideation, or attempt after adjusting for socio-demographic factors (sex, age, marital status, occupation, and food affordability), self-rated health, and health behaviors (smoking, alcohol drinking, and exercise). Conclusions: This study suggested social capital such as social participation and trust was associated with less suicide ideation and attempt. More studies are warranted for the association of social capital with suicidal behavior.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.868-877
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• 1996

This study was done to analyze research trends and to suggest future perspectives for nursing research on fatigue. The author reviewed 31 Korean and foreign research papers which have been published in the literature since 1970. An analysis of the study focused on the type of research subjects, type of study design. measurement instrument, and its correlated parameters. The results of the study are summarized as follows : First, within all of the studies analayzed, 14 studies were publised in Korea and 17 were published abroad. The number of studies done abroad have been increasing rapidly since 1991. Second, an analysis of the research design of the studies showed, eight studies each, Korean and foreign used survey design. Two Korean studies and seven foreign studies used a correlational design. Four comparative studies were done in Korea, but only two experimetal studies were performed abroad. Therefore, it was found that the trend of the study design used is survey design and there are more correlational studies done abroad than in Korea. Third, the type of the study subjects ; 11 Korean and three foreign studies dealt with healthy people. In addition, three Korean and 14 foreign studies investigated patients with various illnesses. It was found that patients with various illnesses were studied more frequently in foreign studies than in Korean studies. Fourth, the measurement tool used in the Korean studies ; 13 studies used a testible tool to assess patients' subjective symtoms or complaints of fatigue. The most commonly used tool used in 10 studies, was the Fatigue Self-Perception Scale, which was designed by the Labor and Health Institute of Japan. The Visual Analogue Scale was used in two studies, and Piper Fatigue Scale, addtional with physiologic parameters, was used in one study. In the foreign studies, subjective measurement tools were used in 16 studies. A combination of a subjective measurement tool with objective parameters was used in ten studies. For the subjective measurement tool used in the foreign studies, a specific measurement tool developed by the researcher which was used in seven studies. Either Rhoten Fatigue Scale or the Visual Analog Scale were used in three studies. Additionally, in order to identify the relationship between fatigue and psychological factors, The Profile of Mood State was used in three studies. Beck Depression Inventory was used in two studies. The Self Rated Depression Scale, developed by Zung, was used in one study and other measurement tools were used to measure various psychological parameters. Rhoten fatigue Checklist was also used to observe behavior patterns. Lastly, nine studies identified correlations between fatigue and other parameters. A significant correlation was found between fatigue and psychological factors such as depression, and pain. As a result of the above findings, it can be said that research trends on fatigue are increasing internationally. The selected study designs are survey studies both in Korea and abroad. There are more correlational studies abroad than in Korea. In addition, subjective measurement tools and objective parameters are used variously and combined with each other. had, there is a significant correlation between fatigue and psychological factors such as depression, and pain. More survey and correlational studies need to be done to identify the relationship of fatigue in patients with various condition or diagnoses and to suggest a scientific basis for nursing interventions with fatigue. Also, a tool to assess patient's subjective, objective, and behavioral aspects on fatigue needs to be developed.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.518-527
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• 2013

In 2011, South Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare started a national tooth brushing room program without a pilot project. This study aimed to assess the effect of the implementation of this program in Gangneung, Korea. One-year outcomes of oral health behavior and self-reported oral symptoms in the study group after installation of the tooth brushing room were evaluated and compared with those of the control group using chi-square test. The prevalence rate of good self-rated oral health in grade 1-3 students increased from 35.7% immediately after installation to 48.9% after 6 months (p=0.031) compared to 37.3% in the control group (p=0.051). Immediately after installation of the tooth brushing room, 53.5% of grade 1-3 students in the study group brushed their teeth every day, but after 6 months, only 35.5% of students brushed daily (p<0.001) compared to 28.6% in the control group (p=0.007). The prevalence rate of bad breath in grade 1-3 students was 26.2% for the study group immediately after installation compared to 25.5% in the control group (p=0.065), but it declined 16.5% after 6 months (p=0.055). The prevalence rate of bad breath in grade 4~6 students was 14.7% for the study group after 6 months compared to 25.3% in the control group (p=0.016). We recommend the creation of a healthy school environment through a school-based tooth brushing program under the active supervision of classroom teachers and the continuous monitoring of program processes in order to promote children's oral health.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.4467-4474
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the factor of the quality of elderly women's sleep. The subjects in this study were 198 elderly women who were at the age of 60 and up. One instrument used to assess their quality of sleep was Buysse, et. al.(1989)'s Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI), and the other used to check their urinary incontinence was Jackson, et. al.(1996)'s Urination Symptom Inventory. The collected data were analyzed by the statistical package SPSS 18.0. The elderly women got $7.09{\pm}4.29$ in the quality of sleep of the PSQI, and 67.7 percent suffered from sleep disorders. Among the subfactors of the PSQI, their subjective quality of sleep was low, and the quality of sleep during, sleep latency was low as well. And their sleep disturbance was great. In contrast, the effectiveness of their habitual sleep was relatively good, and they didn't take medicine such as a sleep pill a lot, and their functional sleep disorder in the daytime wasn't great. There were differences in the quality of sleep according to their education, financial state, self-rated health status and family relations, and whether they worked out on a regular basis or not made a difference to that as well. No differences were found according to age, religion, occupation and having a coffee or not. There was a positive correlation between their quality of sleep in the PSQI and urinary incontinence(r=.51, p=.000). Out of the subfactors of the PSQI, the sleep disturbance factor was most closely linked to urinary incontinence(r=.465, p=.001). Finally, urinary incontinence and subjective health status were identified as the variables that exerted a statistically significant influence on the quality of sleep. Those variables made a 31% prediction of it.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.369-376
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• 2015

The purposes of this study were to assess dental fear and anxiety level of patients attending a dental clinic using the dental fear survey (DFS) scale, to apply interventions chosen by patients for reducing dental fear and anxiety and measure their effects. This study surveyed 34 patients who visited a dental clinic in Seoul about their self-rated health and their experience of dental fear, and measured the level of dental fear using DFS. Trained dental hygienists applied interventions desired by the patients for reducing dental fear and anxiety and, for each intervention, examined the patients' satisfaction (very helpful [5 point]~not helpful at all [1 point]). Collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 21.0 through independent t-test or one-way ANOVA for difference in level of fear according to related characteristics, and through Wilcoxon signed rank test for comparison between before and after the intervention. The subjects' mean level of fear (DFS score) was 44.53, which was an average level, and the level of dental fear was relatively high for stimulus-response (2.72). The level of dental fear was higher in those who had experienced pains or indirect dental fear from dental treatment in the past, and those whose subjectively perceived health state was poor (p<0.05). With regard to the applied dental fear intervention, 'Helpful (3.57)' was the most common answer. Overall satisfaction before and after the application of dental fear intervention was generally high as 4.37 and 4.35, respectively, but it decreased slightly after the intervention. In order to lower the level of dental fear, it is considered effective to survey not only the level of dental fear but also patients' need of dental fear interventions and to apply a suitable intervention. It is also required to educate dental workers and to develop related manuals.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.721-727
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of stress on the habits of temporomandibular disorder in college students. The subjects in this study were 396 male and female students who were in their first to fourth years at five different colleges located in Jeollabuk-do. The findings of the study were as follows: As for the degree of bad oral habits, "sleeping on one side" was the most common bad oral habit, followed by "enjoying caffeinated beverages," "resting the chin on the hand or a thing" and "chewing food in one side of the mouth only." As a result of analyzing their stress by general characteristics including gender, there were significant differences according to gender in stress about school life problems, one's own problems and economic difficulties, and only stress about one's own problems statistically significantly varied with academic year. When the correlation of the factors was analyzed, perceived stress about school life problems and one's own problems had a significant positive correlation with bad oral habit scores. When a multiple linear regression analysis was made to determine the influence of general characteristics and perceived stress on bad oral habit scores, gender, academic year, self-rated oral health status, stress about school life problems and stress about one's own problems were identified as significant variables. The findings of the study illustrated that there was an organic relationship between the bad oral habits and stress of the college students.