• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.262-274
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• 2023

Objectives: This study examined the evaluation and potential improvements of 'Integrated Healthcare and Social Welfare service model' based on the experiences of practitioners from institutions participating in the 'Dalgubeol Health Doctor Services' and the service recipients. Methods: Qualitative research was conducted from September to November 2022 in this study, focusing on 4 providers from the dedicated Dalgubeol Health Doctor Services Team, 5 contact partners from affiliated organizations, and 6 service beneficiaries. The data gathered underwent thematic analysis. Results: The evaluation indicated that Dalgubeol Health Doctor Services has proven to be effective in addressing the complex needs of vulnerable populations. By providing integrated services through quick and simple beneficiary selection and resource linkage, it has contributed to the resolution of complex demands, recovery of positive attitudes towards life, and improvement in quality of life for users who have fear the use of medical and welfare services. Dalgubeol Health Doctor Services has established an integrated health care system involving not only public but also private organizations, from the referral agency to the service provider. Centered around Daegu Medical Center and involving five tertiary hospitals, it has established a model that supports treatment appropriate to the severity of the patient, from mild to severe. Conclusions: These findings indicate an enhancement in health equity, achieved through the active identification and subsequent health and welfare issue resolution of individuals marginalized from medical benefits.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.241-251
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was to develop and evaluate a health promotion program for women with osteoarthritis. Methods: The research adopted the nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The subjects were 34 in the experimental group and 34 in the control group sampled among vulnerable women aged over 40. The independent variable was the health promotion program, and the dependent variables were perceived health status, balance, K-WOMAC, depression, life satisfaction and health promoting behavior. The health promotion program was performed for 50minutes each session, twice a week and for 8 weeks. Data were collected from July 1 to September 11, 2010. Results: The experimental group showed significant differences in perceived health status, balance, WOMAC pain, WOMAC difficulty of performing activity, depression, and health promoting behavior compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in WOMAC stiffness, waist, weight, and life-satisfaction. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the health promotion program can be applied in degenerative arthritis education to improve self-care.

• The Korean Journal of Medicine
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• v.99 no.3
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• pp.140-144
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• 2024

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation associated with various therapeutic interventions is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with current or resolved HBV infection. Since no curative treatment for HBV infection is currently available, a large number of individuals in the general population are at risk for HBV reactivation. Populations vulnerable to HBV reactivation include those currently infected with HBV or those who have had past exposure to the virus. The potential consequences of HBV reactivation are particularly concerning when these populations undergo anti-cancer chemotherapy, immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory therapies for managing various malignancies, rheumatologic diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, or undergo solid-organ or hematologic stem cell transplantation. This article aims to increase awareness of HBV reactivation and to elucidate the mechanisms and risks associated with HBV reactivation in various clinical settings.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.400-410
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that influenced the health-related quality of life of young-old (65-74 yr) men, old-old (75-84 yr) men, and oldest-old (85 yr or above) men in vulnerable aged received home care from public health center. Methods: The participants for this study were 318 aged Korean men living in D city. The data was collected from August to October, 2009 using structured questionnaires. Chi-square, One way ANOVA, Duncan test, Pearson's Correlation Coefficient and multiple regression with the SPSS WIN 14.0 program were used to analyze the data. Results: There were statistically significant differences among young-old, old-old, and oldest-old men regarding the health-related quality of life, health promoting behavior, IADL (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living), rehabilitation, depression, and social support. The model including variables related to physical, psychological, and social aspects of life, explained variance of the health-related quality of life of aged men differently, such as 39.6% of young-old, 35.4% of old-old, and 47.0% of oldest-old. Finally, IADL and social support were predictors in explaining the level of health-related quality of life among vulnerable old men regardless of age. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, nursing interventions should be developed to improve health-related quality of life of vulnerable aged men according to age differences.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.182-194
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to estimate the effects of a health mentoring program on fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglyceride, physical activity, self care behavior and social support changes among community-dwelling vulnerable elderly individuals with diabetes. Methods: A non-equivalent control group pre-post-test design was used. Participants were 70 community-dwelling vulnerable elderly individuals with diabetes. They were assigned to the experimental (n=30) or comparative (n=30) or control group (n=28). The experimental group participated in the health mentoring program, while the comparative group participated in health education program, the control group did not participate in any program. Data analyses involved a chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, a generalized linear model, and the Bonferroni correction, using SPSS 23.0. Results: Compared to the control group, the experimental and comparative groups showed a significant decrease in fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, and triglyceride. Compared to the comparative and control groups, the experimental group showed significant improvement in self care behavior. However, there were no statistical differences in physical activity or social support among the three groups. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the health mentoring program is an effective intervention for community-dwelling vulnerable elderly individuals with diabetes. This program can be used as an efficient strategy for diabetes self-management within this population.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2008

The Gold-spotted pond frog, Rana plancyi chosenica, designated as a vulnerable species by IUCN Red list. This species is a typical example facing local population threats and extinction due to human activities in South Korea. A strategic conservation plan for this endangered species is urgently needed. In order to provide information for future conservation planning, accurate information on the genetic diversity and taxonomic status is needed for the establishment of conservation units for this species. In this study, we used a molecular genetic approach using the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and control region sequences to find the genetic diversity of gold-spotted pond frogs within South Korea. We sequenced the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene and control region of 77 individuals from 11 populations in South Korea, and one from Chongqing, China. A total of 15 cytochrome b gene haplotypes and 34 control region haplotypes were identified from Korean gold-spotted pond frogs. Mean sequence diversity among Korean gold-spotted pond frogs was 0.31% (0.0-0.8%) and 0.51% (0.0-1.0%), respectively. Most Korean populations had at least one unique haplotype for each locus. The Taean, Ansan and Cheongwon populations had no haplotypes shared with other populations. There was a sequence divergence between Korean and Chinese gold-spotted pond frogs (1.3% for cyt b; 2.9% for control region). Analysis of genetic distances and phylogenetic trees based on both cytochrome b and control region sequences indicate that the Korean gold-spotted pond frog are genetically differentiated from those in China.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2006.06a
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• pp.90-110
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• 2006

In the natural course of events, most human exposure to MeHg is through fish/shellfish consumption. The methylmercury exposure levels depends on the amount and species of fish/shellfish consumed daily. The developing brain in the late gestation period is known to be most vulnerable. Further, more methylmercury accumulates in the fetuses than in mothers. Therefore, efforts must be made to protect the fetuses from the risk of methylmercury, especially in populations which consume a lot of fish/shellfish.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.253-259
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• 2012

The genetic variation in populations of Eranthis byunsanensis, an endemic and rare species of Korea, was studied using starch gel electrophoresis. All five known populations were sampled for allozyme electrophoresis of nine enzymes coded by 10 loci. The overall genetic variation of E. byunsanensis population was shown to be considerably high within the populations (A = 2.4, P = 90.0, $H_E$ = 0.311). A positive $F_{IS}$ value of E. byunsanensis indicated an overall deficiency of heterozygotes, and a low $F_{ST}$ value (0.131) showed little differentiation among populations. The high genetic variation, less genetic differentiation among populations, and a significant amount of heterozygote deficiency propose the hypothesis that they have an experience of recent isolation and fragmentation of their habitat. Thus, the rate of gene flow has been drastically reduced, and the rate of inbreeding in E. byunsanensis populations has increased. Current habitats in Mai-san and Naro-do are vulnerable due to their small population size and the levels of anthropogenic activity in the region constantly threatening survival of this species. Because of the high genetic variation and low levels of differentiation among populations in E. byunsanensis, it is not issue which populations have a priority for protection, but we may concern the plan to maintain population continuously and diminish the rate of inbreeding.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.362-373
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the costs and benefits of individual home visiting health care using secondary data and literature review. Methods: The total number of subjects was 1,008,837. A specific program was classified into disease management, care of infant, child and women, or elderly care. The costs and effects of a program were identified from a societal perspective, and the effects were converted into monetary terms or benefits. The total cost was calculated in the way that medical expenses, travel costs and productivity losses were offset by the decrease in benefits and thus only the program budget was included in the total cost. Results: The total program cost was 47.6 billion won per year and the total annual benefit was estimated at 435.6 billion won. The benefits of arthritis management were the biggest among disease management programs. The net benefit was 388.0 billion won per year and the benefit/cost ratio was 9.16. Conclusion: Home visiting health care was validated to be economically effective. It made a positive contribution to improving the health status of vulnerable populations and reducing medical expenses. These results suggest that home visiting care should be extended more broadly to vulnerable populations.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.49-56
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between types of self-care activities and demand of agro-healing services in adults with disabilities. Data were obtained from a survey of 160 adults with disabilities dwelling in Korea and SPSS 25.0 software was used for frequency, descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis. The main results applying the Behavioral Model for vulnerable populations were as follows: 1) among the different types of their self-care activities, the mean of passive perceptions score was 1.13(SD=0.81), the mean of physical behaviors score was 3.01(SD=1.04), the mean of social relationships score was 1.40(SD=1.42) and the mean of agro-healing services utilization per year was 4.30(SD=2.55), 2) passive perceptions and social relationships in their self-care activities positively affected demand of agro-healing services, 3) age, perceived physical health, perceived mental health, region of adults with disabilities were also significantly associated with demand of agro-healing services. Based on these results, practical and political implications for promoting self-care activities and agro-healing services in adults with disabilities were discussed.