• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8877-8881
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• 2014

Background: Despite social gradients in adult smoking, the effects of socioeconomic position (SEP) on adolescent smoking is not well understood. This study examined effects of subjective SEP as well as the objective SEP on smoking among Korean adolescents. Materials and Methods: Data were obtained from the 2012 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, a nationally representative sample of middle and high school students (38,221 boys; 35,965 girls). SEP was assessed by the Family Affluence Scale (FAS) and the self-rated household economic status. Relationships between SEP and smoking were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Results: The low perceived SEP for either the high or low FAS grade was related to an elevated likelihood of smoking in both genders. A significantly higher risk of smoking was found in boys of low perceived SEP in middle school (odds ratio [OR] 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28-1.77 for high FAS, OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.21-1.98 for low FAS), and of low perceived SEP and high FAS in high school (OR 1.13; 95% CI 1.02-1.26). Among girls, an elevated risk of smoking was observed in middle school group with low perceived SEP and low FAS (OR 2.01; 95% CI 1.44-2.79) and in the high school group of low perceived SEP, regardless of FAS level (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.14-1.57 for high FAS, OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.04-1.65 for low FAS). Conclusions: The relationship of subjectively perceived SEP with smoking is as important as objective SEP and more significant in Korean high school adolescents.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.103-116
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• 2011

Objective: The study analyzed degrees of participation in physical activities, demographic and sociological characteristics of middle and high school students, and the relations to mental health related factors, based on "Korea youth risk behavior web-based survey." Therefore, the study can be used as preliminary data for establishing mental health promotion plans for youth and setting contents and directions of health education. Methods: The study analyzed the data, collecting from 75,066 middle and high school students, regarding their demographic and sociological characteristics, mental health, and relations to physical activities by using SPSS Win 15.0. Results: 19.1% of the students answered they had seriously contemplated suicide during the past 12 months, and 43.2% said they are usually under enormous pressure. 55.3% answered that academic achievements and the pressure from future paths are major factors of their stress. The students showed noteworthy differences in whether they think about suicide depending on whether the students live with their father or mother. The study found that the students whose parents' levels of education are low, or their academic records are low, or economic conditions are poor are more likely to think about suicide. The students tend to think more about killing themselves if they spend more time sitting to study than being engaged in physical activities, or spend little time walking. And they are more likely to think about committing suicide if they spend little time exercising, or are not engaged in physical activities on the playground or a gym in PE classes.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.193-201
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• 2018

Objectives: This study was conducted to measure the intake rate of SSBs (sugar sweetened beverages) and examine the relationship between health behavior factors and SSBs intake by adolescents. Methods: This study used data from the 2016 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, which included 65,528 study participants. SSBs intake frequency was measured by asking respondents if they consumed soda, high-caffeinated beverages, and sugary drinks during the previous week. Type of intake was categorized into three groups according to the number of consumed drinks [SSBs (0): None; SSBs (1-2): 1 or 2 consumed; SSBs (3): 3 consumed]. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine health behaviors that affected SSBs consumption. Results: Increased SSBs intake was significantly correlated with current smoking (OR=2.4, 95% CI=1.82-3.17), current drinking (OR=2.13, 95% CI=1.82-2.51), sedentary time increase (OR=1.31, 95% CI=1.15-1.49), three days or more physical activity per week (OR=1.12, 95% CI=1.02-1.24), <8 hours sleep (OR=1.6, 95% CI=1.43-1.78), increased internet usage time (OR=1.44, 95% CI=1.25-1.65). Conclusions: Sugar-sweetened beverages intake by Korean adolescents was associated with health behaviors such as smoking, drinking, sedentary time increase, more physical activity, poor sleeping time, and increased internet use time. Based on these results, it is necessary to recognize the influence of SSBs intake and to intervene to reduce consumption of SSBs.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.608-617
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze related factors in relation to usage of illicit substances for Korean adolescents. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, which used data from the Twelfth Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBWS). A total of 65,528 students in 2016 were included in this study. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used for analyzing related factors using illicit substances. Results: Overall, 553 (0.8%) students responded as having ever used illicit substances during their lifetime and 133 (0.2%) students responded as current illicit substance users. It was found that electronic cigarette (EC) use, conventional cigarette smoking, second hand smoking, sad/despair mood, and economic status were significantly associated factors with usage of illicit substances. Comparing 'current EC users' with 'never EC users', the adjusted odds ratios (OR) was 7.76 (95% confidence interval (CI): 5.56-10.82) for life-time use of illicit substances, and 18.74 (95% CI: 8.01-43.87) for current use of illicit substances among adolescents. Additionally, comparing 'students who ever were exposed to second hand smoking during the past week', with 'students who never were exposed to second hand smoking', the adjusted OR was 2.60 (95% CI: 2.13-3.17) for life-time use of illicit substances, and 2.85 (95% CI: 1.68-4.83) for current use of illicit substances among adolescents. Conclusions: Based on the results, electronic cigarette use, second hand smoking, conventional cigarette smoking, sad/despair mood, and economic status were significantly associated with increased odds of substance experience and current substance use. Therefore, the results of this study can provide a useful evidence about adolescent behaviors in predicting substance use.

• Healthcare Informatics Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.292-299
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• 2018

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the frequency of use, and preferences regarding information and communication technologies (ICTs) among Ecuadorian patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: We conducted an anonymous cross-sectional survey-based study from January 2016 to April 2017, involving 393 patients with end-stage renal disease from 9 hemodialysis centers, in which they rated their use and preferences of various ICTs through a modified version of the Michigan Questionnaire. The questionnaire collected information regarding demographics, patients' interest in obtaining health-related information through ICTs, and interest in using ICTs as a potential way to communicate with their healthcare providers. A chi-square test for association and adjusted regression analyses were performed. Results: Among all patients who participated, 64.3% reported owning a cellphone, with less than a third reporting active Internet connection. The most used ICT for obtaining information about CKD and/or hemodialysis was web-based Internet, followed by YouTube. SMS was rated the highest to receive and seek health-related information, followed by Facebook. Younger age and higher levels of education were associated with a higher overall usage of ICTs. Finally, more than half of the patients reported interest in using WhatsApp for communicating with their healthcare providers. Conclusions: Understanding the preferences of ICTs among patients with CKD undergoing hemodialysis could help to improve their outcomes through the potential uses and benefits of ICTs. Further research is needed to assess their role in improving the care of patients with chronic diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.75-91
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to clearly describe research trends on health life expectancy using oral health indicators that have been published from 2010 to 2020 then suggest the direction of future research. Methods: Online academic databases in English (PubMed, Web of Science and Embase) were used to find those articles by applying a variety of keywords, including terms (adjusted life year, adjusted life expectancy, dental and oral). We identified relevant articles based on the following classification method of Mathers: (1) health gaps, (2) health expectancies. Results: Among 1,728 articles from the online databases, the final 13 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria and were selected for analysis. Health life expectancy studies indicate that research growth was recently achieved overseas. Among the literature collected in this study, 10 studies using health gap indicators yielded seven Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY), and three calculated Quality-Adjusted Life Year (QALY), which differed in the nature of the survey data used in the study measuring DALY and QALY. There are only three health expectancies and the number of papers were smaller than the health gap study. Conclusion: Establishing a foundation to calculate health life expectancy indicators through the development and improvement of oral health level are needed. More studies in the area of health life expectancy estimation research is based on actual prevalence and oral health-related quality of life are also needed.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.118-128
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• 2023

Background: The use of heated tobacco products (HTP) causes many adverse health effects. Although the use of HTP by adolescents is prevalent worldwide, research related to it is very limited. There is a considerable lack of research related to the current HTP use rather than ever-HTP use. In particular, research related to predictive factors for current HTP use in adolescents is scarce. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze related characteristics according to the current use of HTP among South Korean adolescents. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that used data from the Seventeenth Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBWS). A total of 54,848 students in 2021 were included in this study. Chi-square-test, multiple logistic regression analysis, and chi-square test for trend were used for analyzing related characteristics according to use of HTP. Results: Overall, 715 (1.3%) students responded as having used HTP during the last 30 days among the 54,848 students. It was found that residence type, subjective body type recognition, subjective health recognition, alcohol use, habitual drug experience, close friend current smoking, and conventional cigarette smoking were significantly associated characteristics with the current use of heated tobacco products. Comparing 'very thin recognition' with 'very fat recognition', the adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 1.93 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29~2.87) for current use of HTP. Additionally, comparing 'very unhealthy recognition' with 'very healthy recognition', the aOR was 3.82 (95% CI: 2.40~6.07) for current use of HTP. Conclusions: Based on these results, residence type, subjective body type recognition, subjective health recognition, alcohol use, habitual drug experience, close friend current smoking, and conventional cigarette smoking were associated with significantly increased odds of current HTP use. Therefore, the results of this study can provide useful evidence about adolescent behaviors in predicting current HTP use.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 2024

Objectives: This study investigated the impact of socioeconomic factors and sexual orientation-related attributes on the rates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and infection among men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: A web-based survey, supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea, was conducted among paying members of the leading online portal for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer and questioning (LGBTQ+) community in Korea. The study participants were MSM living in Korea (n=942). COVID-19 vaccination and infection were considered dependent variables, while sexual orientation-related characteristics and adherence to non-pharmacological intervention (NPI) practices served as primary independent variables. To ensure analytical precision, nested logistic regression analyses were employed. These were further refined by dividing respondents into 4 categories based on sexual orientation and disclosure (or "coming-out") status. Results: Among MSM, no definitive association was found between COVID-19 vaccination status and factors such as socioeconomic or sexual orientation-related attributes (with the latter including human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] status, sexual orientation, and disclosure experience). However, key determinants influencing COVID-19 infection were identified. Notably, people living with HIV (PLWH) exhibited a statistically significant predisposition towards COVID-19 infection. Furthermore, greater adherence to NPI practices among MSM corresponded to a lower likelihood of COVID-19 infection. Conclusions: This study underscores the high susceptibility to COVID-19 among PLWH within the LGBTQ+ community relative to their healthy MSM counterparts. Consequently, it is crucial to advocate for tailored preventive strategies, including robust NPIs, to protect these at-risk groups. Such measures are essential in reducing the disparities that may emerge in a post-COVID-19 environment.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.1-27
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• 2017

It is known that the economic sentiment index and macroeconomic indicators are closely related because economic agent's judgment and forecast of the business conditions affect economic fluctuations. For this reason, consumer sentiment or confidence provides steady fodder for business and is treated as an important piece of economic information. In Korea, private consumption accounts and consumer sentiment index highly relevant for both, which is a very important economic indicator for evaluating and forecasting the domestic economic situation. However, despite offering relevant insights into private consumption and GDP, the traditional approach to measuring the consumer confidence based on the survey has several limits. One possible weakness is that it takes considerable time to research, collect, and aggregate the data. If certain urgent issues arise, timely information will not be announced until the end of each month. In addition, the survey only contains information derived from questionnaire items, which means it can be difficult to catch up to the direct effects of newly arising issues. The survey also faces potential declines in response rates and erroneous responses. Therefore, it is necessary to find a way to complement it. For this purpose, we construct and assess an index designed to measure consumer economic sentiment index using sentiment analysis. Unlike the survey-based measures, our index relies on textual analysis to extract sentiment from economic and financial news articles. In particular, text data such as news articles and SNS are timely and cover a wide range of issues; because such sources can quickly capture the economic impact of specific economic issues, they have great potential as economic indicators. There exist two main approaches to the automatic extraction of sentiment from a text, we apply the lexicon-based approach, using sentiment lexicon dictionaries of words annotated with the semantic orientations. In creating the sentiment lexicon dictionaries, we enter the semantic orientation of individual words manually, though we do not attempt a full linguistic analysis (one that involves analysis of word senses or argument structure); this is the limitation of our research and further work in that direction remains possible. In this study, we generate a time series index of economic sentiment in the news. The construction of the index consists of three broad steps: (1) Collecting a large corpus of economic news articles on the web, (2) Applying lexicon-based methods for sentiment analysis of each article to score the article in terms of sentiment orientation (positive, negative and neutral), and (3) Constructing an economic sentiment index of consumers by aggregating monthly time series for each sentiment word. In line with existing scholarly assessments of the relationship between the consumer confidence index and macroeconomic indicators, any new index should be assessed for its usefulness. We examine the new index's usefulness by comparing other economic indicators to the CSI. To check the usefulness of the newly index based on sentiment analysis, trend and cross - correlation analysis are carried out to analyze the relations and lagged structure. Finally, we analyze the forecasting power using the one step ahead of out of sample prediction. As a result, the news sentiment index correlates strongly with related contemporaneous key indicators in almost all experiments. We also find that news sentiment shocks predict future economic activity in most cases. In almost all experiments, the news sentiment index strongly correlates with related contemporaneous key indicators. Furthermore, in most cases, news sentiment shocks predict future economic activity; in head-to-head comparisons, the news sentiment measures outperform survey-based sentiment index as CSI. Policy makers want to understand consumer or public opinions about existing or proposed policies. Such opinions enable relevant government decision-makers to respond quickly to monitor various web media, SNS, or news articles. Textual data, such as news articles and social networks (Twitter, Facebook and blogs) are generated at high-speeds and cover a wide range of issues; because such sources can quickly capture the economic impact of specific economic issues, they have great potential as economic indicators. Although research using unstructured data in economic analysis is in its early stages, but the utilization of data is expected to greatly increase once its usefulness is confirmed.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.779-795
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• 2002

Internet, a world wide network of computers, is considered as a sea of information because it allows people to share information beyond the barriors of time and space. However, in spite of the unmeasurable potential applications of the internet, its use in the field of biology education has been extremely limited mainly due to the scarcity of good biology-related sites. In order to provide useful guidelines for constructing user-friendly study sites, which can help high school students with different intellectual levels to study biology, comparative studies were performed on selected educational sites. Initially, hundreds of related sites were examined, and, subsequently, four distinct sites were selected not only because they are well organized, but also because each is unique in its contents. Also, a survey was carried out against the users of each site. The survey results indicated that the high school students regard the web-based biology study tools as effective teaching methods although there might be some bias in criteria for selecting target sites. In addition to the detailed biology topics and the related biology informations, multimedia data including pictures, animations and movies are found to be one of the important ingredients for desirable biology study sites. Thus, the inclusion of multimedia components should also be considered when developing a systematic biology study site. Overall, the role of the cyber space is expected to become more and more important. Since the development of the user-satisfied and self-guided sites require interdisciplinary collaborational efforts which should be made to promote extensive communication among teachers, education professionals, and computer engineers. Furthermore, the introduction of good biology study sites to the students by their teachers is also important factor for the successful web-based education.