• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.113-128
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• 2009

Purpose: To explore the barriers and solutions of immunization programs for children among vulnerable classes in the position of service providers in Community health centers. Method: Data were collected through focus group interviews with 3 groups (17 providers), and were analyzed according to the analytic method of Morgan (1998) and Krueger (1998). Results: The following five categories were identified: difficulties in obtaining a list of children among vulnerable classes, difficulties in first contact with them, difficulties in up-to-date immunization, various difficulties according to the types of vulnerable family and suggestions of solution. These results indicated that there are many difficulties in providing expanded immunization service for children among vulnerable classes in terms of manpower, cooperation of departments in public health centers and linkages between health and welfare. Finally, the characteristics of the types of vulnerable family need to be elucidated. Conclusion: To increase immunization rates among children of vulnerable classes, policies need to be prepared at the public health organization itself and the linkages between health and welfare and need for hiring additional personnel.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.390-397
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore practice-based evidence for health promotion in vulnerable populations with hypertension in primary health care settings. Methods: Two methodological procedures were adopted for this triangulation study. In the first phase, the sample was obtained from the computerized clinical data repository of a community nursing center. A total of 286 clients were assessed for hypertension as an actual circulation problem as coded in the Omaha System. In the second phase, a qualitative focus group was surveyed through semi-structured interviews conducted by nine advanced practice nurses who had been serving the hypertensive patients. Results: The community nurses provided essential primary healthcare services including health teaching guidance and counseling, and surveillance to vulnerable populations living in medically underserved community. There was a significant positive correlation between knowledge and behavior (r=.53, p<.01), between knowledge and health status (r=.40, p<.05), and between behavior and health status (r=.48, p<.01). Conclusion: This triangulation study encompassed not only quantitative findings from the computerized records of clients but also other information acquired from advanced practice nurses. This study contributes to understanding the importance of health promotion nursing interventions even with populations already diagnosed with chronic diseases such as hypertension.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.125-129
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• 2009

The genetic diversity plays a significant role in determining a species' survival and perseverance. Endangered species often lack genetic variation, which makes them vulnerable to numerous dangers of extinction including selection, genetic drifts and human interference. Knowing an endangered species' genetic background greatly enhances conservation efforts since it reveals why, what and how to conserve that species. Cotoneaster wilsonii is an endangered plant species endemic to Ulleung island, but not enough genetic research has been done on this taxon for its effective conservation plans. In this study, three populations of C. wilsonii in Ulleung island underwent allozyme analysis through starch gel electrophoresis. 10 loci were analyzed and F-statistics was calculated. Overall data indicated that C. wilsonii possessed low genetic diversity with intense inbreeding, heterozygote deficiency and low differentiation among populations. These results implied that C. wilsonii was recently introduced to the Ulleung island from ancestor species, and did not have much time to differentiate. Current status of C. wilsonii habitats is very fragile and vulnerable, with increasing tourism constantly threatening the species' survival. It is very likely that C. wilsonii will become extinct in near future unless organized conservation protects its populations and genetic diversity.

• Proceedings of the Korea Institute of Fire Science and Engineering Conference
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• 2006.04a
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• pp.29-40
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• 2006

Everybody may be vulnerable to fires depending on the time, place, and circumstances. Fire statistics show that the occurrence of fire death depends not only on the severity of a fire itself, but also largely on the conditions of occupants such as physical functions, the environment around occupants, and the type of facility where are fire occurs. The review of fire safety from the viewpoint of vulnerable populations does not simply mean additional special attention and care only to high risk groups, but instead it means significant review of fire safety design and systems for all people from a more universal standpoint. Therefore, in order to examine the strategies of a fire death-reduction program, safety measures suitable for the relevant high-risk groups considering the type of vulnerable person, the type of fire, and the type of building in residential occupancies. Solutions will require strenuous multilateral effort and flexibility.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.386-396
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of social support, self - esteem, hope, and health conservation of the vulnerable elderly people with diabetes. Methods: Participants were 100 vulnerable elderly people with diabetes living in D or K cities. Data collection was done through interviews from February to March, 2016. Social support was measured with the MOS-SSS (Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey), self-esteem with Self-Esteem Scale, hope with the Nowotny Hope Scale, and health conservation with the Sung's Health Conservation Scale. IBM SPSS 20.0 was used to analyze descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, independent t-test, Pearson correlation, and stepwise multiple regression. Results: Factors affecting the health conservation of the vulnerable elderly people were social support, hope, education level and subjective health status. These factors explained 64.9% of the health conservation. Conclusion: It is necessary to construct a comprehensive nursing classification system for elderly people with diabetes in vulnerable class and to develop integrated health conservation program and nursing care as a new social support resource.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.292-302
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between health behaviors and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among vulnerable children in a community. Methods: Using data from 'The Obesity Prevention Framework for Vulnerable Children', a secondary analysis was conducted for 165 children (ages 8~12 years) and their parents who were recruited from 16 K-gu Community Child Centers in Seoul. Six types of health behaviors related to eating and activity were assessed. Each behavior was categorized into the non-recommended vs. recommended levels. The scores of the recommended levels of the six health behaviors were summed up for the composite score of health behaviors. HRQOL was measured by KIDSCREEN-52. Results: The groups with a non-recommended level of fast food intake and sedentary behavior had a significantly lower total score of KIDSCREEN-52 than those with a recommended level. Moreover, the lower composite score of health behaviors was significantly associated with the lower total score of KIDSCREEN-52. Conclusion: Among the vulnerable children, the six recommended health behaviors and their composite score were in significant positive associations with the HRQOL levels. Therefore, nursing strategies for enhancing the recommended levels of health behaviors are needed for vulnerable children.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.167-176
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• 2008

Purpose: The goal of this study was to find out factors influencing the health promotion behavior of low-income vulnerable 4th, 5th and 6th-grade elementary school students. The specific goals were: first, to find out difference in health knowledge, self-esteem and health promotion behavior according to general characteristics; second, to investigate the correlations among health knowledge, self-esteem and health promotion: and, third, to analyze factors influencing health promotion behavior. Methods: The subjects of this study were 137 low-income vulnerable 4th, 5th and 6th-grade elementary school children who were participating after-school programs in Seoul. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in health knowledge, self-esteem and health promotion behavior between girls and boys. In the sub categories, differences were observed in personal hygiene and health responsibility, stress management and personal relationship. The correlation of health promotion behavior with self-esteem and health knowledge was statistically significant. Regression analysis revealed that the influencing factor is self-esteem with the other variables under control. Conclusion: Health promotion education requires low-income vulnerable elementary children to increase their self-esteem. We recommend that it should be one of the most effective ways to split boys and girls to educate them in disparate classrooms.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.206-220
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• 2016

Propose: This study was to identify the factors affecting the oral health status in vulnerable elders receiving home visiting health care service. Methods: A total of 444 elderly people over the age of 65 at 33 public health centers in Daegu and Gyungbuk areas were included in this survey. The data were collected by personal interview with nurses using oral health knowledge, behavior, and status questionnaires from the $10^{th}$ to $22^{nd}$ of July, 2012. The data were analyzed with t-test, one-way ANOVA, $Scheff{\acute{e}}$ test, and stepwise multiple regression, using SPSS program. Results: Factors affecting the oral health status were chewing satisfaction with denture 14.5% (${\beta}=.391$, p<.001), denture care (wash with water) 3.2% (${\beta}=-.187$, p<.01), and types of health insurance (medical aid type1, 2) 1% (${\beta}=-.111$, p<.05). The factors explained 18.7% of variance in the oral health status of vulnerable elderly subjects. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that in order to improve the oral health status of vulnerable elders, it is necessary to provide oral health education that includes the proper usage of denture to elders who receive home-visiting care.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.149-161
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• 2017

Purpose: This phenomenological study was conducted to describe and understand the experience of vulnerable elderly individuals with diabetes by identifying the meanings and structures of the experience. Methods: The data were collected through in-depth interviews of six vulnerable elderly individuals with diabetes aged over 65 years. The interview data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and checked for accuracy. The Colaizzi's method of phenomenology was used to analyze the data. Results: Four theme clusters were extracted as follows: 'Life adversity', 'Adaptability to the life', 'Replacement of absence of family with social support', 'Difficulty of self-care'. Conclusion: The results provide an in-depth understanding of life experiences of vulnerable elderly individuals with diabetes. The findings will be useful to nurses caring for this population.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was to investigate the factors affecting the self-rated health of vulnerable elderly in community. Methods: The subjects were 2,328 elderly over 65 years who were enrolled in the Visiting Health Care Center in J-gu of S-city from Apr. 2007 to Sep. 2008. Data were collected using questionnaires including general characteristics, health related behavior and health status by nurse at the time of enrollment. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, test and multivariate logistic regression. Results: 47.2% of the male subjects and 57.2% of the female subjects rated their health "poor". Gender differences were observed in the factors affecting on Self-Rated Health. ADL, depression and the number of diseases played a major role for men, whereas depression, IADL, the number of diseases, ADL, regular exercise and education played a major role for women. These factors explained $17{\sim}29%$ of variance in Self-Rated Health. Conclusion: Gender-specific programs for vulnerable elderly may be developed based on this study. Both physical and psychological functions need to be integrated into the programs to improve self-rated health of vulnerable elderly.