• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.54-60
• /
• 2013

Objectives : Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is classified as an anxiety disorder. PTSD occurrence is known to be increased in middle-aged and older people, female, and individuals with a previous history of psychiatric disorders, lower education levels, low socioeconomic status, and severely injured patients. Anxiety symptoms are also related to later development of PTSD. In this study, we investigate the influences of injury severity and sociodemographic factors on severe anxiety in PTSD patients with no previous history of psychiatric disorders. Methods : Forty-one PTSD patients without previous history of psychiatric disorders were recruited from the psychiatric clinic at Chosun University Hospital. Subjects underwent psychiatric and physical examinations including the Injury Severity Score (ISS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Korean-Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (K-WAIS). We defined severe anxiety as a BAI scores of 30 or more. Logistic regression analyses and multi-step model selection were applied to identify predictive factors for severe anxiety. Results : In univariate analysis, age, ISS, and socioeconomic status were found to be significant factors. Through multivariate logistic regression analyses and a stepwise model selection, we found the combination of age and ISS to be the best-fitted model for affecting severe anxiety in PTSD patients without a previous history of psychiatric disorders. Conclusion : Our findings suggest that the combination of age and ISS could develop severe anxiety in PTSD patients with no previous history of psychiatric disorders.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.183-193
• /
• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence and risk factors of sleep disturbance among community dwelling adults in Korea. Methods: Data were collected from nine hundred fifty nine adults dwelling in a metropolitan city in Korea. Subjects were older than 45 years, did not take medication for sleep problems on a regular basis, and did not work at night. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to collect data about sleep disturbance. Sociodemographic, life style, and health related factors were included as risk factors. Chi square test and logistic stepwise regression were used to identify the risk factors. Results: The prevalence of sleep disturbance was 13.1%. The significant risk factors were being female, age, number of toilet use at night, perceived health, and pain. Risk factors were somewhat different by gender. Emotional and job status were the risk factors only for men and menopausal status were for women. Conclusion: Prevalence of sleep disturbance in community dwelling adults in Korea was not greater than those dwelling in other countries. Females, older adults, the number of toilet use at night, perceived health, and pain were the most important risk factors for sleep disturbances. Gender was a factor in reported sleep disturbances. It might be useful to investigate the factors that contribute to the number of toilet use at night as this might have some underlying factors that could be corrected.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.447-454
• /
• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influenza vaccination rate and vaccination-related factors in adult diabetics in Korea using the Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS). Data on 228,261 adults aged 19 years and over were derived from the KCHS, which was conducted in 2015. Sociodemographic factors, health behavior, comorbid diseases, and subjective health status were analyzed for their relationships with influenza vaccination by the chi-squared test and multiple logistic analysis. As a result, the level of influenza vaccination rate among adult diabetics in Korea was as low as 62.4%. For those with diabetes, Influenza vaccination was related with age, gender, education level, residency, marital status, occupation, smoking, health screening, and comorbid diseases (p<0.05). In conclusion, in order to increase the influenza vaccination rate among diabetic patients, systematic education and publicity are essential to raise awareness of vaccination. At the same time, the government should support them with their policies such as free vaccination expansion.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.26 no.3 s.43
• /
• pp.412-429
• /
• 1993

For the purpose of promotion of mental health in the rural elderly, the author surveyed 558 elderlies aged 60 years or more, and assessed the prevalence rates of depression and cognitive impairment by using self-rating depression scale of Zung (SDS) and the Korean version of mini-mental state examination (MMSEK). Also the association between depression or cognitive function and socio-environmental factors were investigated. The major findings were as follows ; 1. The prevalence rates of severe depression and cognitive impairment were 20.9% and 14.9% in all the elderly of both sexes, respectively. 2. The rates of depression and cognitive impairment increased with increasing age in both sex groups. The mean scores of SDS increased and the mean scores of MMSEK decreased significantly among them (p<0.01). 3. Those being female, widows or widowers, and those having low levels of physical activity, showed significantly high the mean scores of depression and had significantly low the mean scores of cognitive impairment (p<0.01). 4. The depression scores relating to decreased libido, confusion, psychomotor retardation, hopelessness and indecisiveness were relatively high in both sexes. 5. All the items of mini-mental state examination were significantly correlated with depression. 6. In stepwise multiple regression analysis on depression, MMSEK, level of physical activity, chronic disease, marital status and family income were selected as highly correlated variables, and the $R^2$-value for these variables was 33.7%. 7. In stepwise multiple regression analysis on cognitive function, level of physical activity, age, depression, sex and marital status were selected as highly correlated variables, and the $R^2$-value for these variables was 62.6%. The depression and cognitive impairment of the elderly were positively correlated with nearly all sociodemographic variables.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.100-106
• /
• 2013

According to the Statistics Korea, in 2011, people over the age of 65 years old accounted for 11.8% of Korea's population. This number is expected to rise to 15.0% by 2019, making Korea an "aged society". As age increases, physical ability degrades to the point that the workload must be adjusted limitations. However, workloads are given regardless of workers' ages or abilities. In addition, a decline in work efficiency due to aging also increases the risk of work-related injuries. Furthermore, the cases of stress related diseases along with musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs) rise as main factors of industrial disasters and excessive job stress gives negative influence not only on mental health but also on physical health so that job stress becomes a hot issue as a main cause of work ability falloff and turnover. The purpose of this research is to examine how the sociodemographic characteristics, MSDs symptoms and musculoskeletal workload of workers in the manufacturing industry of automobile parts influence work ability and job stress. As a result of the research, job ability showed significant differences statistically according to age, working year, sex, marital status and musculoskeletal workload and job stress showed significant differences statistically according to age, working year, marital status and musculoskeletal workload. In addition, it showed that as the worker's job ability decreases, job stress increases.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
• /
• v.33 no.47
• /
• pp.302.1-303.10
• /
• 2018

Background: A considerable amount of research has shown that knowledge and appropriate awareness are essential for encouraging positive behaviors and promoting health. In Korea, the roles that behavioral changes play in the prevention of cancer have been an important issue since the introduction of the 10 codes for cancer prevention in 2006. Thus, the present study investigated the associations of tobacco-related knowledge with awareness and attitudes towards positive smoking-cessation behaviors. Methods: The present study analyzed data from the 2010 national questionnaire survey (n = 1,006). This study evaluated sociodemographic characteristics, smoking status, self-rated health status, health-related interests, and the accuracy of 12 tobacco-related statements to determine knowledge level and to investigate its impact on awareness and behaviors related to smoking. These parameters were examined and staged using the Precaution Adoption Process Model. Results: A higher level of tobacco-related knowledge was significantly associated with a positive attitude towards smoking cessation (5-8 correct answers: odds ratio [OR], 2.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57-4.08; ${\geq}9$ correct answers: OR, 3.90; 95% CI, 2.22-6.82; reference: ${\leq}4$ correct answers). Interestingly, among current smokers, only those who correctly responded to ${\geq}9$ of 12 tobacco-related statements were significantly associated with a positive attitude towards smoking cessation. Conclusion: This study found that having a higher level of tobacco-related knowledge had a significant impact on positive attitudes towards smoking cessation. This suggests that there is a need to disseminate appropriate knowledge to the general population to encourage positive attitudes and promote healthful behaviors in terms of smoking.

• Korean Journal of Family Medicine
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.355-359
• /
• 2018

Background: Body image is associated with the perception of people on themselves. Influencing factors are generated internally and/or externally. The most common issue pertaining to body image is body weight and weight loss. This study aimed to determine the association between body weight perception and weight loss practices among college students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 297 college students from private nursing colleges in the state of Kelantan, Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographic characteristics, body weight perception, and weight loss methods. Weight and height were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated based on weight and height measurement. The World Health Organization BMI cutoffs were applied in the study. Results: More than half (54.2%) of college students perceived their weight correctly as per actual measured BMI. A total of 51.5% of participants had tried various methods to reduce their weight. Body weight perception is associated with weight loss practices (odds ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.19-0.50; P<0.001) adjusted for sex, marital status, and status of having obese family members. Those who had correct body weight perception were less likely to engage in weight loss practice. Food intake restriction (42.4%) is the most popular weight reduction method among students in nursing colleges. Over a quarter of the participants chose physical exercise (25.3%) to reduce their weight, and a small number engaged in unhealthy weight loss practices. Conclusion: Body weight perception is an important factor that influences the practice to reduce weight especially among young adult group and college students.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.743-752
• /
• 2019

Objectives: Grip strength is a measure for assessing overall muscle strength, muscle mass, and nutritional status, and is a useful tool for early examination of a person's general health. Thus, this study analyzed the association between oral health-related factors and grip strength, using the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data. Methods: Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS version 25.0 (IBM Co., Armonk, NY, USA) software with a complex sampling analysis of stratified and clustered variables, all with weighted values, applied for every analysis conducted. From the 6th KNHANES data, a total of 26,101 people were selected as the study population. A complex sample generalized linear model analysis was performed for participants' sociodemographic characteristics, health status, use of oral care products, and factors such as adult mastication and speaking habits. Results: Grip strength was found to be higher among men compared to women. Grip strength was the highest in the 20-39 year old group. Furthermore, grip strength was statistically significantly higher among married and employed individuals, and in the right hand (p<0.001). Grip strength was statistically significantly higher among people who perceived themselves to have good health and among those who did not have health-related problems in the past two weeks (p<0.001). It was also higher among those who used interdental brushes and electronic toothbrushes (p<0.001), but decreased with greater discomfort in mastication and speaking among adults (p<0.05). Conclusions: Grip strength was found to be associated with oral health-related factors and therefore, these could be helpful tools in evaluating both general and subjective health statuses. In general, oral care products are small in size with oral care involving the use of hands and certain precise motions and actions to remove foreign substances in the oral cavity. As shown in the findings, grip strength declines with increased age and as a result, the use of oral care products should be strongly recommended in order to promote better general health.

• Journal of the Korean society of biological therapies in psychiatry
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.209-217
• /
• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of suicidality among community-dwelling elderly. Methods : The participants were 2,201 elderly people whose ages were over 65. The participants were asked to complete questionnaires, including Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview(MINI), module C, Short Geriatric Depression Scale of Korean version(SGDS-K), Korean Geriatric Anxiety Inventory(K-GAI), The Korean Health Status Measure for Elderly V 1.0, Korean version of Mini-Mental Status Examination for Dementia Screening(MMSE-DS). Their sociodemographic factors were investigated. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test and the logistic regression test to examine the relationship between suicidality and participants' risk factors. Results : The prevalence rate of suicidality was 23.3%. In multiple logistic regression, depressive symptoms (OR=3.301, 95% CI : 2.453-4.440), anxiety symptoms(OR=3.289, 95% CI : 2.515-4.303), low physical function (OR=1.606, 95% CI : 1.229-2.098), no spouse(OR=1.571, 95% CI : 1.037-1.690), elderly aged 80 years or older (OR=1.506, 95% CI : 1.094-1.740) were independently associated with suicidality. Conclusion : Suicidality in community-dwelling elderly was quite high, particularly related to depressive symptoms. The results of this study can be useful for development of community-based prevention and management programs for suicidality.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.31 no.spc
• /
• pp.525-533
• /
• 2020

Purpose: Workers in special employment relationship (WSERs) are workers in nonstandard employment arrangements who lack worker protection accorded in standard employment arrangements. This study aimed to describe self-rated health (SRH) and depressive symptoms (DS) among Korean WSERs in comparison to regular wage workers (RWW) and identify associations between working conditions and those outcomes. Methods: In this study, secondary data analysis using the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey was used. The sample totaled 29,120, including 1,538 WSERs and 27,564 RWWs. Sociodemographic and work-related characteristics were employed as explanatory variables and SRH and DS as dependent variables. Using multiple logistic regression, the determinants of fair/poor SRH and DS were identified. Results: The prevalence rates for fair/poor SRH and DS in WSERs were 25.2% and 28.3%, respectively, and 20.7% and 25.0% in RWWs, respectively. Compared to RWWs, WSERs had 31% (aOR=1.31, 95% CI=1.14~1.49) and 20% (aOR=1.20, 95% CI=1.06~1.36) higher odds of SRH and DS, respectively. Some factors, such as a lack of rest guarantee and sickness presenteeism, had a larger influence in the WSER than in the RWW group. Conclusion: Compared to RWWs, WSERs reported having poorer working conditions and were more likely to report poor general and mental health. Therefore, in Korea, public health policymakers should consider measures to protect the working conditions and health of WSERs, a growing segment of the working population. The study produced new epidemiological evidence regarding the relationships between employment arrangements and health.