• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.562-571
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• 2016

Purpose: In this study the costs and benefits of a home health care program were examined to evaluate the economic feasibility of the program. Methods: The study participants included 349 patients in the community who had been registered at a home health care center for 5 years. The costs and benefits of the program were analyzed using performance data and health data. The benefits were classified as the effects of pressure ulcer care, skin wound care and catheters management. The program effect was evaluated on the change of progress using transition probability. Benefits were divided into direct benefit such as the savings in medical costs and transportation costs, and indirect benefits which included saving in productivity loss and lost future income. Results: Participants had an average of 1.82 health problems. The input cost was KRW 36.8~153.3 million, the benefit was KRW 95.4~279.7 million. Direct benefits accounted for 53.4%~81.2%, and was higher than indirect benefits. The net benefit was greater than 0 from 2006 to 2009, and then dropped below 0 in 2010. Conclusion: The average net benefit during 5 years was over 0 and the benefit cost ratoi was over 1.00, indicating that the home health care program si economical.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Broadcast Engineers Conference
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• 2019.11a
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• pp.148-150
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• 2019

이 연구에서는 현 재난 경보에서 재난 약자가 가질 수 있는 취약성에 대해 알아보았다. 그리고 해당 취약성에 대한 해결 방안과 해결을 위해 적용할 수 있는 기술적 요구사항도 함께 알아보았다. 재난 약자는 경보 수신 공백, 맞춤형 서비스 부족, 단독 대응 불가 등과 같은 공통적 재난 경보 취약성과 함께 어린이, 노인, 외국인, 장애인 집단 별로 차별적 취약성을 가지는 것으로 나타났다. 이를 보완하기 위해서는 단말기에 이동통신 수신 모듈과 ATSC 3.0 수신 모듈 모두 탑재, ATSC 3.0 방송망을 통해 재난 약자 유형에 맞춘 복수의 메시지 전송, 단말기의 수신자 프로파일 설정에 의한 메시지 표출, 기존의 AEAT 개선 등이 공통적으로 필요하다. 그리고 어린이, 노인, 외국인, 장애인 집단 별로 차별적 취약성을 보완할 수 있는 차별적 기술도 필요하다.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.270-281
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to understand low-income elders' experiences of community-based u-Health services. Methods: Qualitative data were collected from 11 participants. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcribed data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Three themes and eight sub-themes emerged as a result of analysis. The three main themes were 'recovered confidence and health condition,' 'trial and error in change,' and 'hope.'The eight sub-themes were 'the burden and efforts to overcome it in using bio-signal device,' 'ambivalence due to changing lifestyle,' 'increase of care time, decrease of pressure', 'conflict under environmental constraints,' 'difficulty in prioritizing health management,' 'discouragement in handling new devices,' 'desire not to be a burden to their children-gradual fulfillment of learning needs,' and 'long for broadening coverage range of services.' Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate that low-income elders among the participants have different needs in using u-Health services. Therefore, health professionals need to give personalized education to deal with their conflicts and requirements, especially emotional and environmental support in order for them to successfully accept the u-Health services for self-care.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.331-341
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• 2012

Using data sets for Japan as a whole, as arranged with approximately $10{\times}10$ km squares (a secondary grid), we investigated the relationship between population density and the habitats of threatened vascular plants listed in the Japanese Red Data Book; depopulated areas in the present and future, areas where under-use may be serious, and those with a predominance of elderly people; and the present state of the habitats in terms of a characteristic land use pattern. Regarding the habitats of threatened vascular plants, the progress of deterioration [$(N_{CR}+N_{EN})/(N_{CR}+N_{EN}+N_{VU})$] in depopulated areas has been confirmed, where $N_{CR}$, $N_{EN}$, and $N_{VU}$ are the numbers of species classified as critically endangered, endangered, and vulnerable, respectively. Moreover, in grid squares used by a human such as farmland, the progress of the deterioration simply increases when population density becomes low. However, for many vascular plants, they are particularly endangered in populous areas. Local populations will decrease throughout Japan with the rate of depopulation in and around large cities being relatively slow. We also propose some issues that need further study. The deterioration by human activity may be reduced. On the other hand, some vascular plants may be adversely influenced by depopulation. Additionally, we should keep a close watch on grasslands and water areas in large cities to preserve vascular plants.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.106-114
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this review was to describe a psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) framework for postpartum depression (PPD) and discuss its implications for nursing research and practice for postpartum women. Methods: This study explored the role of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and inflammation as possible mediators of risk factors for PPD through literature review. Results: From this PNI view, human bodies are designed to respond with the reciprocal interactions among the neuro-endocrine and immune system when they are faced with physical or psychological stressors. Chronic stress induces alterations in the function of HPA axis, and a chronic low-grade inflammatory response is associated with depression. The dysfunctions of cytokines and HPA axis have been observed during the postpartum period. Stress promotes glucocorticoid receptor resistance, which can promote inflammatory responses. This, in turn, can contribute to the pathophysiology of depression. This can especially affect populations at vulnerable time-points, such as women in the postpartum. Conclusion: From a PNI perspective, well-designed prospective research evaluating the role of stress and inflammation as an etiology of PPD and the effect of stress reduction is warranted to prevent PPD.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1460-1467
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• 2004

Purpose. This study examined the predictive factors enabling access to children's oral health care at the level of financial barriers, beliefs, and the provider. Methods. In-depth interviews were conducted with 320 immigrant mothers of low-income families regarding their use of oral health services for children aged four to eight years old. Access to oral health care was measured with frequency of planned dental visits, continuity of care, and age at first visit to dentist. Results. The mother took her child to the dentist at a younger age if she received referrals to a dentist from pediatrician. Regular dental visits were significantly related to household income, provider availability on week-ends, and insurance coverage. The extended clinic hours in the evenings, and the belief in the importance of the child's regular dentist visits increased the likelihood of continuing care. The mothers perceiving a cost burden for the child's dental care were also less likely to return to the dentist. Conclusion. The available care delivery system, coordinated medical care, and health beliefs were among important predictors of the health service use. The study findings suggest need for culturally competent dental health interventions to enhance access to oral health care among particularly vulnerable populations such as low-income children in Korean communities.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2010

Purpose: The study compared the hypertension care efficacy of a case management intervention program for registered clients. Methods: The nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design involved 53 registered hypertensive patients of a customized visiting health care service in S-city(n=28 experimental group, n=25 control group). Data collection and case management intervention were carried out from April to July, 2009. The experimental group had six home visits and two phone calls, and the control group had two home visits during the 8-week period. Outcome variables for test hypotheses were changes in physiologic index (blood pressure and total cholesterol) and degree of self-management performance and confidence. Results: Repeated measure ANOVA and t-test of means revealed significant differences before and after program for systolic and diastolic blood pressure and self-management performance and confidence, but no significant difference concerning total cholesterol. Conclusion: A case management program can have positive effects on blood pressure control and self management. However, research is needed to create a more effective case management for vulnerable patient populations.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.119-122
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• 2008

Clinical research is a necessity, not an option, for developing better and new medicines and therapeutic modalities. But in the course of clinical research, there are rules and guidelines that should be followed to ensure the due respect for persons, beneficence, and justice for persons who voluntarily participate in the research as described in the Belmont Report. Good Clinical Practice (GCP) is an "international scientific and ethical quality standard for designing, conducting, recording, and reporting" clinical trials. The main purposes of GCP would be to protect rights, safety, and well-being of trial subjects, in compliance with the principles of Declaration of Helsinki, and to assure that the data obtained from clinical trials are credible. In order to achieve these, investigators must be fully aware of the meanings as well as actual procedures involved in the research and should make the best effort to comply with GCP. For those individuals who belong to vulnerable populations, such as neonates, in addition to the general principles of GCP, further measures to ensure added protection should be implemented. It is our duty to develop and provide better care through clinical research even for neonates. But in doing so, we have to make sure that the importance of protecting the rights, safety, and well-being of the subjects supersede the interests of science and society.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.5-10
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• 2003

This paper explores not only emerging scientific problems but also the difficulties communicating air quality issues into an increasingly sensitive the public and policy arena. The public understanding and trust in air pollution information and indices may be very different to the notions of validity or accuracy that are important for a scientist. We operate in a world where openness requires us to reveal both the difficulties and disagreements in our understanding of the polluted atmosphere. Yet this can be confusing and increase complexity in situations where clear political and social decisions are required. I am going to examine these issues, starting with questions of what substances we regard as pollutants and the difficulties of getting the correct balance of concern given the broadening the base of chemicals emitted to the environment. There are also questions of exposure particularly in terms of vulnerable populations, who may spend large amounts of time indoors, where air is rarely monitored. In contemporary society there are pollution problems that extend far beyond urban areas and we have to consider regional issues such as windblown dusts, smoke from forest fires along with issues of the emission of green house gases and ozone depleting substances. Finally I will discuss the issues of communicating with a concerned public and sceptical politicians and the troubling interface between technological and sociological control. Such complexity is often missed in a maze of seemingly stronger political and social needs.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships of social networks to health status among the urban low income elderly. Method: Using a sample of 598 elderly aged 65 years and higher, social networks, health status were measured by the Social Networks Scale (LSNS), Perceived Health Status, GDSSF-K, K-ADL respectively. The t-test, ANOVA and Tukey-test and Pearson's correlation analyses were performed using SPSS 18.0. Results: 41% of subjects didn't contact with relatives at least once a month. 56% of subjects saw or heard less than monthly from relative with whom they have the most contact. 47% didn't have relatives who one can rely on private matters. Social networks among the low income elderly significantly differed by marital status, health insurance type, economic status, regular exercise, living with family. Social networks were significantly correlated with perceived health status (r=.201), cognitive function (r=-.154) and depressive symptoms (r=-.301). Conclusion: Poor social networks were found in urban low income elderly. Poorer social networks were related to worse health status and more depressive symptoms. Interventions targeting at increasing social networks are urgently needed for low income elderly.