• Health Policy and Management
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.368-379
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• 2022

Background: This study aimed to establish a strategy to improve the poor working environment and working conditions among long-term healthcare workers in Korea. Methods: A total of 600 questionnaires with which long-term health care workers participated in the targeted base areas of each city and province nationwide were distributed directly and 525 responses were collected and 506 responses were analyzed. Surveys, on-site field visits, and in-depth interviews were also conducted to understand the working environment as well as conditions and establish a strategy for improving the working environment among long-term healthcare workers to understand the demands of working conditions and working conditions. Results: Korean long-term care workers firstly and mostly enumerated their risk factors for ill-health when lifting or moving elderly recipients directly by hand (69.9%), followed by increased physical workload with old beds, tools, and facilities (42.3%) in the workplaces, shortage of manpower (32%), and source of infection (30%). To improve the working environment as well as conditions, Korean long-term care workers considered improving low-wage structures, ergonomic improvements to solve excessive physical loads, and increasing various bonus payments as well as implementing the salary system, positive social awareness, and increasing resting time. Of 506 responses, 92.3% replied that the long-term care insurance system for the elderly should be developed to expand publicization at the national level. Conclusion: This study proposes to improve the low-wage structure of Korean long-term care workers, automation and improvement of facilities, equipment, and tools to eliminate excessive physical loads (beneficiary elderly lifting), and reduction of night labor.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.173-189
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• 2023

This study aimed to determine foodservice and hygiene management statuses at welfare facilities catering to disabled persons by facility type to provide basic data for foodservice management guidelines. An online survey was distributed to workers at 1,984 welfare facilities for disabled persons in Korea, and 531 facilities responded, which represented a response rate of 26.8%. The survey requested general information about the facilities, facility users, meals, hygiene, and management. Statistical analyses were performed, and frequency analysis and the chi-square test were used to investigate responses by facility type. The survey results revealed that daycare centers were most common and accounted for 27.4% of responses. Residential facilities for the severely disabled and sheltered workshops accounted for 16.9% and 16.4%, respectively, and residential facilities by disability type accounted for 13.0%. The presence of dietitians at welfare facilities varied by facility type. Welfare centers for the disabled (94.7%) had the highest percentage of dietitians, followed by residential facilities for the severely disabled (87.8%). On the other hand, sheltered workshops and daycare centers for disabled persons had the lowest percentages of dietitians (10.3% and 4.1%, respectively). This study highlights the variations that exist in foodservice management across different welfare facilities for disabled persons and emphasizes the challenges faced by those responsible for managing foodservices and maintaining hygiene, particularly in large facilities with no dietitians. Therefore, we recommend tailored meal management guidelines be developed for each type of welfare facility for disabled persons.

• 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.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.115-124
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This is the first study to identify common genetic factors associated with the basal metabolic rate (BMR) and body mass index (BMI) in obese Korean women including overweight. This will be a basic study for future research of obese gene-BMR interaction. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The experimental design was 2 by 2 with variables of BMR and BMI. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was conducted in the overweight and obesity (BMI > $23kg/m^2$) compared to the normality, and in women with low BMR (< 1426.3 kcal/day) compared to high BMR. A total of 140 SNPs reached formal genome-wide statistical significance in this study (P < $1{\times}10^{-4}$). Surveys to estimate energy intake using 24-h recall method for three days and questionnaires for family history, a medical examination, and physical activities were conducted. RESULTS: We found that two NRG3 gene SNPs in the 10q23.1 chromosomal region were highly associated with BMR (rs10786764; $P=8.0{\times}10^{-7}$, rs1040675; $2.3{\times}10^{-6}$) and BMI (rs10786764; $P=2.5{\times}10^{-5}$, rs10786764; $6.57{\times}10^{-5}$). The other genes related to BMI (HSD52, TMA16, MARCH1, NRG1, NRXN3, and STK4) yielded P < $10{\times}10^{-4}$. Five new loci associated with BMR and BMI, including NRG3, OR8U8, BCL2L2-PABPN1, PABPN1, and SLC22A17 were identified in obese Korean women (P < $1{\times}10^{-4}$). In the questionnaire investigation, significant differences were found in the number of starvation periods per week, family history of stomach cancer, coffee intake, and trial of weight control in each group. CONCLUSION: We discovered several common BMR- and BMI-related genes using GWAS. Although most of these newly established loci were not previously associated with obesity, they may provide new insights into body weight regulation. Our findings of five common genes associated with BMR and BMI in Koreans will serve as a reference for replication and validation of future studies on the metabolic rate.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.217-226
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to quantitatively examine the perception of fire officials for college students who need to prepare and choose fire officials, and to identify and present practical and specific improvement measures along with raising awareness of fire officials. In order to achieve the basic purpose of the study set above, we tried to find out whether there are differences in the general level of awareness of fire officials, the working environment of fire officials, and group welfare according to the gender, major, grade, family or relative of college students. The subjects of the study were 600 students enrolled in a four-year university in the Department of Firefighting, and 513 valid questionnaires were used. The survey contents were divided into three categories of perceptions of firefighting officials and consisted of 20 questions, and the frequency and percentage were calculated and compared using the SPSS/win (Ver10.0) program. As a result, first, compensation for awareness improvement and the expansion of safety facilities and equipment are necessary. Second, it is necessary to improve working conditions, such as guaranteeing appropriate working hours and raising and replenishing wages. Third, the results of the establishment of a national fire hospital and the need for psychological counseling were derived. Based on these results, we suggest that national-level laws and systems, and administrative and legislative support should be provided for firefighters.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.205-231
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• 2024

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between workplace bullying and defensive silence/acquiescent silence, and to examine a mediation model of job burnout. Design/methodolgy/approach - The survey questionnaires were distributed to 974 employees of a public R&D institute, financial industry, and public officials in Daejeon and Chungnam, and a total of 322 surveys were collected. 288 valid responses were used for the final data analysis using SPSS 21.0 and Amos 22.0. Descriptive statistics were used to identify demographic characteristics of the sample. Reliability analysis of the measurement was conducted using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to check the validity of the measurement. Hierarchical regressions were used to examine the relationship between the variables including the moderating effect of job calling. The mediating effect of job burnout and the moderated mediation effect of job calling was analyzed using bootstrapping with PROCESS Macro installed on SPSS 21.0. Findings - The findings of the study are as follows: First, workplace bullying had a significant positive effect on both defensive silence and acquiescent silence. Second, workplace bullying had a significant positive effect on job burnout. Third, job burnout had a significant positive effect on both defensive silence and acquiescent silence. Fourth, job burnout significantly mediated the relationship between workplace bullying and defensive silence, and between workplace bullying and acquiescent silence. Research implications or Originality - The results of this study show that workplace bullying is an important variable that must be managed, because workplace bullying leads to job burnout that can hinder the performance improvement and innovation activities of the organization, which in turn leads to organizational silence. On the other hand, in the research model, the job calling was used as a moderating variable to alleviate the positive effect of workplace bullying and job burnout on the defensive and acquiescent silence, but there was no significant moderating effect. In addition to the job calling, which is the moderating variable used in this study, it is judged that it is necessary to consider specific measures to prevent members from reaching job burnout and reduce silent behavior by investing appropriate job resources such as supporting colleagues, supervisors and leadership in the workplace.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.132-146
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• 2001

Purpose: This study was to analyze the trends and content of all the research (171 research papers) published in the Journal of Fundamentals of Nursing from 1994, when it began to 2000 using an objective tool developed by the researches, and to identify the direction for the future research in Fundamentals of Nursing. Method: Research published in the Journal of Fundamentals of Nursing from 1994 were reviewed. Result: Most of research (94.2%) was non-degree based and funded research was very limited. The average number of researchers per research study was 2.2 and collaborative research has been gradually increasing. The total number of key words was 331 and the average was 2.6 per research. The major key words were not different from other nursing departments and included home care nursing (10 times), health promotion (8 times), self-care (7 times). self-efficacy (7 times), and homo-dialysis (6 times). Eighty seven percent of the research was quantitative research. and there were very few qualitative studies. Considering theory level, it was found that 40% were factor related research For study design, non-experimental studies were most frequent (66%), and the rate, especially of surveys, has remarkably decreased. Selection of subjects by convenience sampling, was most frequent and there were very few studies that provided the rationale for the calculation of sample size. The major subjects of study were patients (44.8%) with various diagnoses. The subjects usually gave oral consent to take part in that study. Giving information (46.9%) and exercise (26.5%) were common nursing interventions, and physiological indices (16.5%). vital signs (10.3%), physical functioning (8.2%), level of knowledge/skill (7.2%) and level of activity (6.2%) were frequently measured as outcome. Variables questionnaires were the major approach used to collect data, and 57.8% of the research provided the Cronbach alpha to guarantee internal consistency of study instruments. Data were analyzed with computerized statistical packages using, ANOVA (42.0%), T test(39.5%), and chi-square test. For the last seven years, nursing research in Fundamentals of Nursing has gradually improved in both quantify and quality. Conclusion: It was difficult to find any uniqueness or difference compared to other departments of nursing. In fact, because the history of the Journal of Fundamentals of Nursing is rather short, we can expect that there will be further improvement in qualify and content in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.97-108
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• 2018

Objectives: This survey was conducted to investigate the satisfaction level of the project of providing free herbal medicines to mothers living in Suncheon who gave birth to more than three. Methods: Using the online survey tool Survey Monkey, the mother was sent a questionnaire in a cell phone text to answer the questions on their cell phones. The mothers' contact information was based on the application form for a woman with three or more children, and a total of 27 people were surveyed and 20 responded. Results: The lowest level of satisfaction was 51 percent, the highest level of satisfaction was 100 percent, and the average was 86 percent. Conclusions: As the satisfaction level of the free herbal medicine support program is generally high, it is necessary to maintain the business continuously. And if other oriental medicine treatment is applied, more positive effect can be expected.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.288-303
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• 2021

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is an intractable pain disease with various symptoms. Here, we investigated the disease status, work life, sleep problems, medical insurance, economic status, psychological problems, and quality of life (QOL) of CRPS patients. Methods: CRPS patients from 37 university hospitals in South Korea were surveyed. The survey questionnaire consisted of 24 questions on the following aspects of CRPS patients: sex, age, occupation, cause of injury, activities of daily living (ADL), pain severity, sleep disturbance, level of education, economic status, therapeutic effect, and suicidal ideation. Additionally, the abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire, consisting of 26 questions, was used to identify the status of QOL. Results: A total of 251 patients completed the questionnaire. According to the survey, 54.2% patients could not perform ADL on their own. Over the previous week, the mean pain score was 7.15 ± 1.78 (out of a total of 10 points); 92.1% of patients had sleep disorders and 80.5% had suicidal ideation, with most patients suffering from psychological problems. The average for each domain of WHOQOL-BREF was as follows: 21.74 ± 14.77 for physical, 25.22 ± 17.66 for psychological, 32.02 ± 22.36 for social relationship, and 30.69 ± 15.83 for environmental (out of a total of 100 points each). Occupation, ADL, sleep time, therapeutic effect, and suicidal ideation were statistically correlated with multiple domains. Conclusions: Most patients had moderate to severe pain, economic problems, limitations of their ADL, sleep problems, psychological problems, and a low QOL score.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.119-135
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• 2021

Background and objective: This study was conducted to identify the components of kindergartener horticultural education by deriving objective components of horticultural education using the Delphi survey method, and then to provide basic data that can be used when creating horticultural programs in the regular curriculum. Methods: A total of 32 experts including professors of early childhood education, kindergarten directors, horticultural therapy professors, and horticultural therapists were selected as the Delphi panel. Of the 32 selected, only 29 answered all three rounds of the surveys. For the first round of the survey, an open-ended questionnaire, was used, and in the second and third rounds closed-ended questionnaires were used. Results: Results indicated that under the category of the goals of horticultural education, there were 7 items related to the current problems of horticultural education, 16 items related to the need for horticultural education in the smart age, 18 items related to the direction of horticultural education, and 5 items related to the areas most suitable for horticulture education for young children in the Nuri Curriculum. Results in the category of the implementation of horticultural education indicated that 2 items related to horticultural education hours, 3 items related to the venue for horticultural education, 2 items related to the activity types applicable to the Nuri Curriculum, and 4 items related to the objects of horticultural activities were derived. As the current problems of horticultural education, the following items were identified: event-oriented activity (M = 4.24) and lack of kindergarten teachers' opportunities for systematic gardening education (M = 4.21). The results related to the necessity of horticultural education indicated the following items: education on respect for life through caring (M = 4.59), emotional intelligence and stability (M = 4.55), directly experience of the growth process of plants (M = 4.55), and development of the five senses (M = 4.55). Finally, within the direction of horticultural education: nurturing the desire to live with nature (M = 4.50), and learning about life (M = 4.44) was identified, which had higher averages. Within the areas of the Nuri Curriculum, which is most consistent with horticultural education, nature exploration (M = 4.69) and the integration of all areas (M = 4.59) were derived as priorities. Also, regarding the implementation of horticultural education, the following items were derived as the priority from the expert group: 30-40 minutes (M = 4.14) and 40-50 minutes (M = 4.14) for class periods, outdoor garden in a kindergarten(M = 4.66) for the venue of gardening education, outside play (M = 4.59) for the activity type, and vegetable crops (M = 4.55) for the objects of gardening activities. Conclusion: It is significant that the goal and implementation of kindergartner horticultural education were objectively derived through collecting opinions of expert panels. Based on the results of this study, a horticultural education program for kindergarten teachers should be implemented.