• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.293-301
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• 2016

Objectives: This paper presents the current development progress of environmental health indicators (EHIs) in the Republic of Korea and discusses the utilization, limitations and prospects of EHIs. Methods: The development process and assessment criteria of EHIs were established based on the DPSEEA (Driving force-Pressure-State-Exposure-Effect-Action) framework with reference to that of the World Health Organization-Europe. In order to explore the applicability of EHIs, a case study was performed to compare the atmospheric environmental health status between the Republic of Korea and European region countries using six indicators. Results: Through the development process, 23 indicators in five areas including air quality, indoor air quality, climate change, chemicals, and water quality were developed, mostly using national statistical data. As a result of the case study comparing environmental health indicators in air quality between the Republic of Korea and Europe, it could be useful to understand the different situation of air pollution source, emission, exposure and health effects. Conclusion: In order for EHIs to compare environmental health status and be used as an environmental health policy development tool for vulnerable areas and related factors, it is necessary to develop further indicators for various issues other than air quality and conduct additional research on their interpretation and related implications, such as policy implementation effects.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.72-111
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• 1996

Background: Group occupational health program by non-for-profit agency, started five years ago, for management of health problems in small and medium sized industries, is one of the measures to cope with limited human and financial resources in occupational health. The program has been rapidly expanding to include 54 participating institutions, private as well as public, all over the country. In spite of its potential impact on health of employees and practice of occupational health in small and medium sized industries, comprehensive evaluation in terms of quality has not been tried. Objectives : The aim of this study are to develop and apply criteria to assess quality of newly developed Korean group occupational health program. Methods : By defining occupational health services, in particular for small and medium sized industries, as one of the primary health care, we included followings as core elements of sound occupational health program; accessibility, continuity, intersectoral collaboration, comprehensiveness, community participation, technical quality, adequacy, focus on preventive services, acceptability, and workers' satisfaction. Again we divided each elements into five major components of national health system infrastructures developed by World Health Organization; development of health resources organized arrangement or resources, delivery of health care, economic support, and management. In turn, we categorized each component into input, process and outcome aspects. After discussions in expert panel, several criteria were selected for evaluation of program. The criteria were modified according to each group of interviewees. Results: We developed five sets of questionnaire that evaluate the quality of 'Group occupational health program'. Conclusion : The refining of the measurement tool and the continuing evaluation process for the 'Group occupational health institute' should be done further.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.229-244
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• 2001

The purposes of this study are to do surveys of the state of health and dental health behaviors of higher grade students in elementary school and their mothers, to investigate the relationship of students' dental health, and to apply those results to the systematic and efficient dental health care. The subjects were totally 618 people, including 309 elementary school students in 4th, 5th, or 6th grades and their mothers in Pusan. The questionnaires were used as instruments, which were made by the researcher and related with other preceeding studies. The content validity of the instruments was tested by two professors of nursing. Dental checking were conducted by an expert of dental sanitation, according to the standard of the World Health Organization. The period of collecting data was 20 months from October 20th to December 20th in 2000 and the collected data were analyzed by SAS program and classified as the real number, the percentage, the mean, the standard deviation, t-test, and F-test. In conclusion, there is no significant correlation between grades and treated or treatment-needed permanent teeth. There is the highest significant correlation between treated or treatment-needed permanent teeth and students' dental health behaviors. There is high significant correlation between mothers' dental health behaviors and students' dental health behaviors. Also, There is significant correlation between mothers' state of dental health and students' state of dental health. From the results of this study, the students' dental health behaviors are the most important variables in the students' state of dental health. But both boys(9.48) and girls(9.97) get the low marks on the total mark 15 about brushing, which can be self-controlled. Therefore, the developments of dental health guidance in education about dental health by mothers or the educational courses in schools, such as brushing educations by the experts, dental health education, brushing after lunch, or the various equipments in brushing, should be accomplished. Above all, behavior-centered education should be conducted instead of knowledge-centered education.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.79-88
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• 2023

Objective : This study was to apply a cognitive rehabilitation group program based on sensory activity in patients with dementia living in a facility and to check its effectiveness on cognitive function, depression, and quality of life (QOL). Methods : Sensory-based cognitive rehabilitation group programs (20 sessions) were conducted for eight elderly with dementia over the age of 65 living in a nursing facility located in H-gun, Gangwon-do. The participants' cognitive function, depression level, and QOL were evaluated before and after the program. Results : The mean of Mini-Mental State Examination-Dementia Screening increased; however, there was no statistically significant difference. In contrast, the mean post-test score of the Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire decreased, and there was a statistically significant difference (p < .05). The mean post-evaluation score of Short Geriatric Depression Scale measured to confirm the decrease in depression compared to the pre-evaluation score, but there was no statistically significant difference. Finally, the mean post-evaluation score of the World Health Organization QOL assessment instrument-Brief confirmed the change in the QOL, and there was a statistically significant difference (p < .001). Conclusion : This study will provide the basis for suggesting the usefulness of developing a sensory activity-based cognitive rehabilitation group program for dementia patients living in facilities.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.232-235
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• 2018

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the heat stress and semen quality among male workers in a steel industry in Iran and investigate the relationship between heat stress indices and semen parameters. Methods: The study was conducted on workers exposed (n = 30) and unexposed (n = 14) to heat in a steel industry. After obtaining a brief biography of the selected employees, scrotal temperature, oral temperature, and environmental parameters were measured, and their semen samples were analyzed according to the procedure recommended by the World Health Organization. The heat stress indices, including wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and predicted heat strain (PHS), in their workplace were calculated according to environmental parameters (ISO 7243:1989 and 7933:2004, respectively). Results: Time-weighted averages of WBGT and PHS ($35.76^{\circ}C$ and 491.56 $w/m^2{\frac{w}{m^2}}$, respectively) for the exposed group were higher than threshold limit values. The mean difference of environmental, physiological, and semen parameters (exception: pH of semen), and also WBGT and PHS indices were statistically significant (p < 0.05) between the two groups. Mean semen parameters were in the normozoospermic range. WBGT and PHS indices showed significantly "negative" correlation with physiological parameters (scrotal and oral temperature) and most semen parameters (semen volume, sperm morphology, sperm motility, sperm count; p < 0.05); moreover, the correlation of WBGT with these parameters was stronger than PHS. Conclusion: Semen parameters of the studied workers exposed to heat were in the borderline level of normozoospermic range, and their semen parameters were significantly lower than controls. For better assessment of occupational environment concerning physiological and semen parameters in steel industries, WBGT can be a more useful index.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2015

The Japan National Committee for the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and UICC-Asia Regional Office (ARO) organized a Roundtable Discussion as part of the official program of the UICC World Cancer Congress 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. The theme for the Roundtable Discussion was "Looking Toward the Realization of Universal Health Care 'UHC' for Cancer in Asia" and it was held on December 5, 2014. The meeting was held based on the recognition that although each country may take a different path towards the realization of UHC, one point that is common to all is that cancer is projected to be the most difficult disease to address under the goals of UHC and that there is, therefore, an urgent and pressing need to come to a common understanding and awareness with regard to UHC concepts that are a priority component of a post-MDG development agenda. The presenters and participants addressed the issue of UHC for cancer in Asia from their various perspectives in academia and international organizations. Discussions covered the challenges to UHC in Asia, collaborative approaches by international organizations, the need for uniform and relevant data, ways to create an Asia Cancer Barometer that could be applied to all countries in Asia. The session concluded with the recognition that research on UHC in Asia should continue to be used as a tool for cancer cooperation in Asia and that the achievement of UHC would require research and input not only from the medical community, but from a broad sector of society in a multidisciplinary approach. Discussions on this issue will continue towards the Asia-Pacific Cancer Conference in Indonesia in August 2015.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.417-424
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between oral health conditions and their subjective oral health perception in the elderly in Gimcheon. Methods: The study subjects were 214 elderly aged over 65 years old in Gimcheon. The study was carried out by direct interview method of from February 20 to 24, 2014. The oral examination was performed by the dentist base on the World Health Organization criteria including direct examination and observation. The questionnaire consisted of sex, type of family, use of medical services, and oral health behavior, The independent variable included three questions of the general characteristics of the subjects, two questions of use of medical services, and two questions of oral health behavior. The subjective oral health perception was composed of heathy and unhealthy. The objective oral health condition was evaluated by number of residual teeth, FT index, MT index, and DMFT index. Results: In the elderly, the number of residual tooth was $8.89{\pm}9.72$ and the number of decayed teeth was $0.03{\pm}0.20$. The numbers of missing teeth and filled teeth were $19.26{\pm}9.65$ and $0.28{\pm}1.01$, respectively. The DMFT index was $19.57{\pm}9.28$. In relation to the subjective oral health perception, 76.6% answered 'good' and 23.4% answered 'bad'. The subjective oral health perception showed a weak quantitative linear relationship of r=0.235 with the number of residual tooth. the subjective oral health perception showed a weak negative linear relationship(p<0.01) of r=-0.225 with the number of missing teeth and r=-0.217 with DMFT(number of decayed missing and filled teeth) index.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.2
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• pp.140-147
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• 2021

Background: For generations, cigarette smoking has presented an important public health concern. This study aimed to compare the health-promoting behavior, exercise capacity, physical activity level, health literacy, and knowledge level of smoking-related diseases between smokers and non-smokers. Methods: The study included 71 smokers (mean age, 32.69±8.55 years) and 72 non-smokers (mean age, 31.88±9.94 years) between the ages of 20 and 60 years. Assessments included a 6-minute walking test (6MWT), Godin Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire, Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II), Cardiovascular Risk Factors Knowledge Level Scale (CARRF-KL), Asthma/COPD Awareness Questionnaire, the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref questionnaire (WHOQoL-Bref [TR]), and Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ). Results: The results from the study show that the number of coronary artery disease risk factors measured significantly higher among the smoker group members when compared to that of the non-smoker group members (p=0.001). Smokers had significantly lower %6MWT distance than non-smokers (84.83±4.72 and 93.45±7.16, respectively; p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences between the smokers and non-smokers in terms of physical activity, CARRF-KL, HLQ, WHOQoL-Bref, and HPLP-II subscales or total scores (p>0.05). Additionally, while only forty-one smokers (57.7%) were active, 48 of the non-smoker group was active (66.7%). Conclusion: Smokers suffer greater negative effects to their exercise capacity in comparison to non-smokers. Although smokers and non-smokers have similar levels of health literacy and similar levels of knowledge about cardiovascular disease risk factors and obstructive lung diseases, health professionals could continue to further increase individuals' awareness of smoking-related risk factors and continue to emphasize the importance of physical activity and exercise for protecting cardiopulmonary health.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.768-772
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• 2006

To assess the dietary exposure to 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) from soy sauces, the levels of 3-MCPD in commercial soy sauces were analyzed with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Sixty nine out of the 72 soy sauces tested contained a level of 3-MCPD below $0.3\;{\mu}g/g$, the maximum limit in Korea. The average concentration of the 72 samples was $0.080\;{\mu}g/g$ and the highest concentration was $3.131\;{\mu}g/g$. On the basis of the consumption data, 3-MCPD concentration and body weight, the estimated daily exposures to 3-MCPD were ranged from 0.037 to $0.146\;{\mu}g/kg$ body weight (bw)/day for 95th percentile exposed population groups. Our estimated daily exposures are significantly lower than the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) of $2\;{\mu}g/kg$ bw/day, which was established by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.179-187
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• 2007

An International Nonproprietary Name (INN) identifies a pharmaceutical substance or active pharmaceutical ingredient by a unique name that is globally recognized and is of public property. Also known as the generic or common names, the official INNs are provided by national and international nomenclature bodies such as United States Adopted Names (USAN), British Approved Names (BAN), Japanese Accepted Names (JAN) and World Health Organization (WHO). Due to the increasing interest on the development of biotechnological products in Korea, needs for the formulated nomenclature body in Korea are arising for systemic management of newly developed biotechnological products. This study investigated and analyzed nomenclature systems and procedures for the selection of recommended INN for biotechnological products in WHO, USAN and JAN. Based on these documents from advanced countries, we suggested a Korean INN nomenclature organization named KAN (Korean Adopted Names or Korean Agreed Names). Composition and roles of KAN and KAN expert committee and a working process for INN selection/approval were also proposed. Taken together, this study provides a detailed information on INN system recognized worldwide and suggests guidelines for establishment of INN nomenclature system for biotechnological products in Korea.