• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.465-476
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between climacteric symptoms and depression of middle-aged women. Data were collected from Jul. 1 to Jul. 31, 2000 by a structured questionnaire. The Subjects were 102 middle-aged women who non-hysterectomized and ranged in age from 40 to 59. The instruments were the climacteric symptoms scale developed by Neugarten and depression scale developed by Zung. The Data were analyzed by the SPSS/PC+ program using t-test, ANOVA and Pearson Correlation Coefficient. The results of the study were as follows ; 1. Mean score of climacteric symptoms was 0.72. 2. There were statistically significant differences in the score of middle-abed women's self reported climacteric symptoms according to the age(F=3.13, P<0.05), and times of pregnancy(F=3.24, P<0.05). 3. Mean score of depression scale was 49.2. About 39% of the women displayed a variety depression symptoms. 4. Women's degree of climacteric symptoms showed a positive correlation with the degree of depression(r= 0.5393, P<0.001). This study shows possible implication for nursing intervention of middle-aged women's health to prevent and relieve climacteric symptoms.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.352-359
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• 2024

Background: Organizational downsizing may be significantly linked to depressive symptoms, yet research on this impact in Asian contexts is limited. This study investigates the association between downsizing during the COVID-19 pandemic and depressive symptoms across diverse employment statuses. Methods: This study used the data from 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey. Depressive symptoms were measured using WHO-5 well-being index with a cut-off of 50. Downsizing was defined as decrease in the number of employees during last three years. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for socio-demographic and occupational factors was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for depressive symptoms associated with downsizing, including subgroup analyses. Results: Among 26,247 Korean workers (mean age: 43.4, men: 47.5%), the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 29.5% (n = 7,751), and the proportion of downsizing was 15.2% (n = 3,978). The prevalence of depressive symptoms was significantly higher among the downsizing group (36.7%, n = 1,460) than among the no-downsizing group (28.3%, n = 6,291). The result of logistic regression revealed a significant association between downsizing and depressive symptoms (adjusted OR [95% CI]: 1.39 [1.29-1.50]), particularly pronounced among high socioeconomic status workers. Conclusion: This study underscores the significant association between depressive symptoms and organizational downsizing, especially high vulnerability of socioeconomically advantaged and stable workers. These findings highlight the necessity for targeted mental health support and further longitudinal research to clarify the relationship between employment changes and mental health within the Korean workforce.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.103-110
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• 2002

A Clinical study was done on 20 patients of chronic prostatitis who were treated by Takrisodokeum for 1 month in Dept. of Internal Medicine, Oriental Medicine Hospital, Daejon University, from 1 November. 2001 to 30 April 2002. The results were as Follows. 1. Therapeutic improvement of symptoms were distributed the voiding symptoms(81.3%), the Pain-neurological symptoms(80.0%), the others symptoms(77.6%) and the symptoms related with sexual punction(77.1%). 2. Therapeutic improvement rate of whole symptoms was 79.5%. 3. The voding symptoms was the most effectively improved and cured than any other symptoms. 4. The residual urine sensation was the most effectvely improved(93.7%) and the Urethral discharge was the less ineffectually improved(61.2%) than any other single symptoms. 5. Most symptoms of the voiding symptoms were improved over 80%. 6. According to the change of WBC counts on expressed prostatic secretion(EPS), improvement rate was 45.0% and cure rate was 15.0%.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess excavator drivers in order to determine the proportion showing subjective symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders and to evaluate the association between the symptoms and characteristics of the subjects. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect the information on participants' age, average working hours per day, duration of career (years), work-related musculoskeletal symptoms, and more. The final dataset included 141 excavator drivers. Frequency and percentage were summarized and then the associations between the characteristics of the subjects and symptoms were evaluated as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Seventy-six percent of the currently reported musculoskeletal symptoms. Those who have musculoskeletal symptoms attributed their symptoms to unstable posture at work, mental stress or vibrations. There was a significant association between symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders and career of excavator drivers (P for trend=0.04). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders may be high among excavator drivers and warrants well-designed studies on work-related disorders among excavator drivers.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.941-950
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• 2019

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between depressive symptoms and oral health status in Korean middle-aged women. Methods: We analyzed data from the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VI). The final sample consisted of 2,691 adults aged 40-64 years. The Chi-squared test was used to assess the rate of depressive symptoms, oral health status, and relationship between oral health status and depressive symptoms. Moreover, logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between depressive symptoms and oral health status. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 program. Results: Overall, 15.1% of subjects experienced depressive symptoms. The rate of depressive symptoms in self-aware oral health, toothache, and mastication problem groups were 19.6%, 19.9%, and 25.3%, respectively. Compared to other groups, the likelihood (odds ratio) of having depressive symptoms was 1.47 (95% confidence interval [CI] : 1.16-1.88), 1.58 (95% CI: 1.22-2.04), and 1.73 (95% CI: 1.32-2.28) higher in self-aware bad oral health, toothache, and mastication problem groups, respectively. Conclusions: We found an association between depressive symptoms and oral health status. Thus, oral health status should be evaluated as a potential risk factor for depressive symptoms.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.409-420
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• 2018

Objectives: An outbreak of humidifier disinfectant-related respiratory disease has not only been a massive disaster for end users, but it is also a concern for the workers of the manufacturers. This study presents the results of a questionnaire survey on the health effects among workers involved in the manufacture of humidifier disinfectants. Methods: Seven sites where humidifier disinfectants were manufactured were identified. A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the physical symptoms experienced by workers related to humidifier disinfectants. Among a total of 177 workers, 42 subjects were available for the survey. Results: Twenty-one of the 42 respondents reported that they experienced respiratory or skin and mucosal irritation symptoms during work. Of the respondents who experienced symptoms, 14 believed that their symptoms were related to the work process and reported that the symptoms were experienced while working. However, no respondents reported ongoing symptoms or sequelae during the investigation period, and this result could not minimize selection bias due to low response rates. We then compared the characteristics of the group who experienced suspicious symptoms with those of the group without any symptoms. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups. Conclusions: We could not find significant health effects related to the humidifier disinfectant manufacturing process, although 21 respondents experienced stimulant symptoms and 14 respondents believed that the symptoms were related to the work process. Due to the long period of time after occupational exposure and the lack of data, there were many limitations to this study. However, this is one of the few follow-up investigations of workers related to this large-scale disaster in South Korea and the limitations of this study highlight the need to follow up with a nationwide database rather than an occasional survey.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.161-169
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to identify menstrual symptoms, coping and Relief of Symptoms used by female college students. A convenience sample of 202 students were obtained from two colleges in Seoul. Data were collected through questionnaires from September 10 to December 18, 2001, Three instruments were used in this study, the Menstrual Symptoms Questionnaire by Park K. R(1988) and Menstrual Coping Questionnaire and Relief of Symptoms by Billings & Moos(1981) modified for this study. 1)Part time instructor, Department of Nursing, Pochon CHA University The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA with the SPSS 10.0 program. The result of this study are as follows. 1. Prevalence rate of dysmenorrhea was 91.6%. 2. The total mean score for menstrual symptoms was 1.89 of a possible total of 5 and mean score for each category was, 2.26 for water retention, 2.11 for negative affect, 2.02 for pain, 1.83 behavioral change, 1.69 for autonomic reactions, and 1.53 for concentration. 3. According to the result of this study, statistical differences were found for age (F=3.76, p=0.01), menstrual fear (t=2.02, p=0.04), dysmenorrhea (t=7.73, p=0.02), and taking medication (t=5.95, p=0.00). 4. The coping mode with the highest scores were 'rest and go to bed (83.7%)', 'regard mensturation as a physiological and temporary phenomenon (68.3%)', 'take a warm shower(66.8%)'. The most frequently used methods to relief of symptoms were 'take pain killers (99.9%)', 'to apply hot water bag on painful parts of the body (96.6%)' and 'rest and go to bed (88.8%)'.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.332-347
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• 1998

This study was performed for the purpose of analyzing the relationship of menopausal symptoms of midlife women between urban area and rural area. A total of 129 midlife women who have lived in seoul, Kyeung ki and Kangwon were selected conveniently and data were collected by structured questionnaire from May to June, 1998. The instruments were the menopausal symptoms scale developed by Neugarten, Ci Sung-Ai & Kim Hy-Eun. Data analysis was done by Chi-square test, ANOVA, t-test. The results of this study were summarized as follows ; 1. The mean score for the menopausal symptoms of midlife women was 2.12. Serious menopausal symptoms which could be found in this study were "joint pain and numbness of arm and leg"(2.63), "fatigue and powerlessness"(2.58), "nervousness"(2.44). Over 97.8% of women complained menopausal symptoms. 2. In the relationship between social demographic variables and menopausal symptoms of midlife women were significant difference in urban area and rural area(t=-4.569, P=.000), marriage status(F=4.809, P=.010), education(F=7.359, P=.000), married son and daughter(F=7.359, P=.000), mensturational status(F=5.993, P=.003), and satisfaction to husband(F=9.093, P=.000). 3. In the relationship of menopausal symptoms of midlife women between two groups were statistically significant differences(t=-4.569, P=.000). The mean score of menopausal symptoms of rural women(2.34) were higher than those of urban women(1.85). This study shows the possible implication for nursing intervention of midlife women's health to prevent and relieve menopausal symptoms.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.49-60
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• 2024

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had significant physical and psychological impacts on registered nurses (RNs). This study aimed to identify long COVID symptoms and their associated factors specifically among RNs. Methods: This descriptive correlational study's sample comprised 189 nurses (31.57±5.98 years, 93.7% female) in Korea. Self-reported long COVID symptoms were assessed using the COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale. Data were collected from December 31, 2022, to January 13, 2023, using the online survey method and were analyzed using independent t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and a multiple linear regression analysis with the IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0 program. Results: A total of 179 participants (94.7%) experienced one or more long COVID symptoms. The most prevalent symptoms were weakness (77.8%), fatigue (68.3%), breathlessness (67.7%), cough/throat sensitivity/voice change (50.3%), and sleep problems (50.3%). The factors related to long COVID symptoms were marital status, type of institution, working time, acute COVID-19 symptoms, and vaccination status. The quarantine period (β=.26, p<.001) and the nursing workforce after COVID-19 (β=-.17, p=.018) were significantly associated with long COVID symptoms (Adjusted R² =.33). Conclusion: Providing comprehensive recognition is necessary for the understanding of long COVID symptoms and their associated factors among nurses and could promote a long COVID symptom management education program targeted at nurses. Moreover, it could facilitate effective nursing care and education plans for long COVID patients.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.13-26
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• 2003

Objectives： The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence depressive symptoms, and the correlates of depressive symptoms, and to propose countermeasures for individual depression risk factors among college students. Methods： One university and three colleges in Jeju-do were selected as the study population and a total of 1000 students were selected by multiphasic cluster sampling to represent each department and year within each college. Of the 945 total respondents, 421 were men and 524 were women. The Beck Depression Inventory was used to evaluate depression and the BDI STEN score was used to assess depressive symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed for comparisons. Results： 1. The prevalence of depressive symptoms among men was 14.4%, while among women the level rose to 26.8%. 2. Those with poor life satisfaction scores were significantly more likely to have depressive symptoms than those with good life satisfaction (odds ratio (OR) ＝ 2.62； (95% confidence interval (95%CI), 1.483-4.629). 3. Students over 23 years old were significantly more likely to have low levels of depressive symptoms than those under 18 (OR ＝ 0.439； 95%CI, 0.247-0.779). 4. Groups with poor body image satisfaction had higher levels of depressive symptoms when compared to respondents who had good body image (OR = 2.847; 95%CI, 1.341-6.045). 5. Students with poor perceived health status were significantly more likely to have high levels of depressive symptoms than those with good perceived health status (OR ＝ 2.029； 95%CI, 1.157-3.557). Conclusion： Universities and colleges should provide education programs, such as health education that facilitates the development of a healthy body image. In addition, they should focus on various scholarships that could improve satisfaction with student life, especially for alienated students. Furthermore, colleges should help direct students towards engagement in more productive work, and lead social policies away from the dominance of appearance.