• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.539-547
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the health status as determined by a self-assessment checklist was related to the nutritional status of elderly Korean women. We interviewed 59 female subjects living in the Daegu area aged over 55 years. Information on their dietary intake on two consecutive days was collected by the 24-hour Recall Method. Their body compositions were measured using a Bio-electrical Impedence Fatness Analyzer. Their zinc status was evaluated according to their dietary zinc intake and urinary zinc excretion in urine samples collected for 24 hours. Their heath status was determined by a NSI Checklist. While 50.9% of the total subjects belonged to a moderate nutritional risk group,23.7% of the subjects were at a high nutritional risk. It appeared that only 25.4% of the subjects were evaluated as being healthy. Therefore, the overall nutritional health status of the elderly females belonged to the moderate nutritional risk group. Except for vitamin C, the average daily nutrient intake of the subjects was below the level of the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for Koreans. The lower the nutritional health score, the better was their dietary intake of energy (p<.05), protein (p<.001), and zinc (p<.01). A positive relationship between their nutritional health score and body fat ratio was also observed (p<.05). Therefore, we suggest that the NSI Checklist could be used as a practical screening tool at the beginning of nutritional surveillance of the elderly in the community.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1737-1742
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• 2013

Early diagnosis has a major role in improving prognosis of breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to assess the risk status of women 35-69 years of age using risk assessment models and the prevalence of mammography in a community setting. The sample of this cross sectional study consisted of 227 women, 35-69 years of age residing in Izmir, a city located in western region of Turkey. A questionnaire was used to collect data and the Gail and Cuzick-Tyrer models were applied to assess the risk of breast cancer. In this study, 52.7% of women had mammography at least once, and 41.3% of the women over the age of 40 had mammography screening in the last two years. The five years risk for breast cancer was high in 15.8% of women according to the Gail model and ten years risk was high in 21.7% with the Cuzick-Tyrer model. In the present study, the breast cancer risk levels were assessed in a population setting for the first time in Turkey using breast cancer risk level assessment models. Being in 60-69 age group, having low education and not being in menopause were significant risk factors for not having mammography according to logistic regression analysis. Mammography utilization rate was low. Women must be educated about breast cancer screening methods and early diagnosis. The women in the high risk group should be informed on their risk status which may increase their attendance at breast cancer screening.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4005-4013
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• 2013

Background: Although breast cancer is a major public health worry among Asian women, adherence to screening for the disease remains an obstacle to its prevention. A variety of psycho-social and cultural factors predispose women to delay or avoidance of screening for breast cancer symptoms at the early stages when cure is most likely to be successful. Yet few interventions implemented to date to address this condition in this region have drawn on health behavior theory. Materials and Methods: This paper reviews the existing literature on several cognitive theories and models associated with breast cancer screening, with an emphasis on the work that has been done in relation to Asian women. To conduct this review, a number of electronic databases were searched with context-appropriate inclusion criteria. Results: Little empirical work was found that specifically addressed the applicability of health theories in promoting adherence to the current breast cancer prevention programs Among Asian women. However, a few studies were found that addressed individual cognitive factors that are likely to encourage women's motivation to protect themselves against breast cancer in this region of the world. The findings suggest that multi-level, socio-cultural interventions that focus on cognitive factors have much promise with this issue. Conclusions: Interventions are needed that effectively and efficiently target the personal motivation of at-risk Asian women to seek out and engage in breast cancer prevention. Concerning implications, personal motivation to seek out and engage in individual preventive actions for breast cancer prevention among Asian women is a timely, high priority target with practical implications for community development and health promotion. Further studies using qualitative, anthropologic approaches shaped for implementation in multi-ethnic Asian settings are needed to inform and guide these interventions.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.205-233
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• 1999

This study is an effort to make policy suggestions by analysing the current health examination program as a benefit service provided by the national health insurance system, including health screening for the insured, screening of cancer and chronic diseases for their dependents. Analyses found some issues being gave attention to; 1) The insured under the community health insurance system do not get the health examination benefit. A program for them should be set to have equity in benefit services. 2) Low rates of using screen services compromise purpose and the efficiency the services have first intended to. An immediate attention should be made to increase low rate of use of screen test to detect chronic diseases in particular. 3) Selection of diseases and test items covered by health examination program does not reflect the need of the insured, but to reflect financial resources of the national health insurance system. 4) Lack of health screening facilities and their geographical maldistribution is observed, which with preference of a general hospital as a screening post by the insured may lead to unreliable test. 5) A follow-up system should have been developed for the suspected classified by test results of carrying chronic diseases. They should be cared for within the health examination program. Public health care systems incorporate such a system, along with caring for those who are in need of having a health counselling on preventive care. In conclusion, the national health insurance system should be a medical insurance of giving a higher priority on preventive care benefits, health examination program in particular. That could be done by making rearrangements of test items, screening methods and system, rationalizing current reimbursement system of service fee, increasing accessibility to and utilization of the services, and making an establishment of follow-up system.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3179-3183
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• 2016

The aim of this study was to assess the rate of uptake of a customised annual Colorectal Cancer Awareness, Screening and Treatment Project (CCASTP) using faecal immunohistochemical test (FIT) kits in low income communities in Malaysia. The immediate objectives were (1) to evaluate the level of adherence of CRC screening among low-income groups, (2) to assess the knowledge and awareness of the screened population and (3) to assess the accuracy of FIT kits. A total of 1,581 FIT kits were distributed between years 2010 to 2015 to healthy asymptomatic participants of the annual CCASTP organized by Empowered - the Cancer Advocacy Society of Malaysia. Data for socio-demographic characteristics, critical health and lifestyle information of the registered subjects were collected. Findings for use of the FIT kits were collected when they were returned for stool analyses. Those testingd positive were invited to undergo a colonoscopy examination. A total of 1,436 (90.8%) of the subjects retuned the FIT-kits, showing high compliance. Among the 129 subjects with positive FIT results, 92 (71.3%) underwent colonoscopy. Six cases (6.5%) of CRC were found. Based on the data collected, the level of awareness of stool examination and knowledge about CRC was poor amongst the participants. Gender, age group, ethnicity and risk factors (i.e. smoking, lack of exercise and low consumption of fresh fruits) were associated with positive FIT-kit results. In conclusion, CRC screening can be performed in the community with a single FIT-kit. Although CRC knowledge and awareness is poor in low-income communities, the average return rate of the FIT kits and rate of colonoscopy examination were 91.2% and 70.3%, respectively.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.100-112
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• 2022

Purpose: This study is a qualitative analysis of Korean-American (K-A) women's cancer prevention in the US. Methods: Qualitative research was conducted. Fifteen K-A women in four states were interviewed. Content theme analysis was used to analyze verbatim transcriptions of interviews. Results: Participants experienced difficulties in utilizing cancer screening programs. Factors include unfamiliarity with the US health care system, high health care costs or lack of health insurance, language barriers, and irregular and sporadic cancer screening participation. Participants also actively pursued non-institutional approaches to cancer prevention. They engaged in word-of-mouth informational exchanges in K-A communities, sought cancer screening in hospitals in Korea, conducted internet searches, autonomously decided on their health issues, and adopted healthy practices including better diets, physical exercise, and spiritual practices. Conclusion: It is necessary to implement measures to increase K-A women's utilization of the US cancer screening services and to encourage their active engagement in hands-on cancer prevention practices. K-A women should be empowered through increased familiarity with US cancer screening services and through the establishment of improved K-A community social services.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.254-267
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed at identifying the factors affecting the service satisfaction of urban elderly, focusing on the outreach community health service in Seoul, and suggesting policy directions for the successful implementation of community care. Method: Individuals aged 65 and 70 who used the outreach community health service from July 2017 to June 2019 were eligible for the survey. A total of 2,028 people were sampled using a proportional allocation method for each autonomous district in the survey which covered 25 districts. A multi-level logistic regression analysis was conducted, taking into account the individual's socioeconomic level, health status, type of service provided, and the healthcare-related environment and service provision period of the autonomous district. Result: The results revealed that the health status of the urban elderly, the type of services provided (health screening, linkage to community health center and clinic/hospital, medical checkup results counseling, frailty evaluation), and personal experience of the service were the major factors associated with the satisfaction with the outreach health services. Conclusion: The development of customized health services based on the close relationship between visiting nurses and the elderly may be considered to promote a sustainable community health care model.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10053-10056
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• 2015

The human papilloma virus (HPV) is the main aetiological agent for cervical cancer, one of the most frequent cancers observed in women throughout the world. There are effective programs for reducing the incidence of cervical cancer with HPV vaccination. The objective of this study was to discuss the applicability of the HPV vaccination and the role of nurses in prevention of cervical cancer. Use of bivalent and quadrivalent vaccines has been initiated against the types of HPV which are the primary cause of cancer. The quadrivalent HPV vaccination has entered into the routine vaccination schedule in many European countries for use in children and adolescents between 9-15 years of age and for women between 16-26 years of age, whereas it has been proposed that the bivalent vaccination should be given to girls between 9-18 years of age. While cervical cancer is among the cancers that can be prevented, it is essential to continue screening tests while introducing vaccination in a systematic manner for protection. On this subject, among the most important roles of nurses is to implement the screening programs by fulfilling the caregiving, training and consultancy roles for the society and especially, for high risk groups and to increase the awareness of the people.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.11-20
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• 2016

Korea has 17,500 irrigation dams and facing variety of causes that jeopardize dam safety. With limited resources available to manage large inventory, a portfolio risk analysis application method for numerous irrigation dam safety is essential. The purpose of this study is to find an optimum way to adopt the risk analysis to the large number of irrigation dams in Korea and to propose the portfolio risk analysis process for irrigation dams. In this study, the necessity of the risk analysis for reservoirs safety has been suggested and a phased process using pre-screening and screening methodology has been proposed. This proposed procedure will help to effectively introduce the risk analysis for reservoirs safety in Korea.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.177-185
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• 2017

Background: The mental problems of the elderly are at issue as a serious social phenomenon. The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors affecting the mood disorders of the elderly. Methods: The subjects were 1,779,236 aged ${\geq}65$ and participated in health screening. Dependent variable was mood disorders. Independent variables were consisted of community level (regional deprivation index and healthcare resources) and individual level (sex, age, insurance type, disability, smoking, alcohol, physical activity, body mass index, and healthcare utilization). Multilevel logistic regression was performed. Results: At the individual level, women, employed insured, severely disabled people, heavy alcohol drinkers, high-intensity physical activity, body mass index, and patients who had chronic disease and severe disease were significantly associated with mood disorders. As the age has increased, it has let increase of mood disorders. At the community level, as the regional deprivation index has increased by 1, mood disorders has been increased by 1.005 times. The intra-class coefficient was 7.04%. Conclusion: We found individual and community level factors are associated with mood disorders. Systematic approach is essential to reduce mood disorders.