• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.431-439
• /
• 2017

Purpose: This study aims to examine the factors influencing sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Korean adolescents 12 to 18 years. Methods: Using statistics from 10-11th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, secondary analysis was conducted. The study sample consisted of 4,886 boys and 1,998 girls who had reported initiating sexual intercourse. Results: The proportion of adolescents who had a sexually transmitted infection was 8.8% of boys and 11.0% of girls. In multiple regression analysis, grade, smoking, first intercourse before middle school, intercourse after drinking alcohol, living without family, large amounts of pocket money were factors associated with sexually transmitted infection for both boys and girls. Use of condom is related to STI contraction of boys only. Formal sex education was not associated with reducing risk of STI. Conclusion: The results of this study show the factors associated with STI among Korean adolescents. Gender-related effective interventions should be taken into consideration in school-based sex education programs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.2997-3004
• /
• 2012

Background: This cross-sectional observational study was undertaken to identify the epidemiological characteristics of patients with gynecological malignancies in India, in relation to gynecological cancer risk. Methods: In the gynecology out-patient clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Kolkata, India, the patients with suggestive symptoms of gynecological malignancies were screened. One hundred thirteen patients with histopathologically confirmed gynecological malignancies were interviewed. Results: More than two-thirds of the cases (69.0%) occurred in the age range of 35-64 years and the same proportion of patients was from rural areas. Almost all the patients were "ever-married" (96.5%). More than half (54.9%) were illiterate/just literate. Nearly two-thirds (64.6%) were parity 3 or higher. Among the 18 patients with history of multiple sexual partners of the husband, 94.4% (17) were suffering from cervical malignancy, along with all the 3 patients with history of STD syndromes (sexually transmitted diseases) of their husbands. No one had given a history of condom use by her husband. Most of the patients (91.1%) used old / reused cloth pieces during menstruation. Conclusions: There is a need to increase awareness among women and the broader community about different epidemiological factors that may be responsible for increased risk of gynecological malignancies.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.1093-1096
• /
• 2012

Background: Cervical cancer is common among women worldwide. A multitude of risk factors aggravate the disease. This study was conducted to: (1) determine the prevalence and (2) make a comparative analysis of the socio-demographic and behavioural risk factors of cervical cancer and knowledge, attitude and practice between rural and urban women of North Bengal, India. Study Design: Community-based cross-sectional study. Methods: A survey (first in North Bengal) was conducted among 133 women in a rural area (Kawakhali) and 88 women in an urban slum (Shaktigarh) using predesigned semi-structured questionnaires. The respondents were informed of the causes (including HPV), signs and symptoms, prevention of cervical cancer and treatment, and the procedure of the PAP test and HPV vaccination. Results: The prevalence of risk factors like multiparity, early age of marriage, use of cloth during menstruation, use of condom and OCP, early age of first intercourse was 37.2%, 82%, 83.3%, 5.4%, 15.8% and 65.6% respectively. Awareness about the cause, signs and symptoms, prevention of cervical cancer, PAP test and HPV vaccination was 3.6%, 6.3%, 3.6%, 9.5% and 14.5% respectively. Chi-square testing revealed that in the study population, significant differential at 5% exists between rural and urban residents with respect to number of children, use of cloth/sanitary napkins, family history of cancer and awareness regarding causes of cervical cancer. Regarding KAP, again using chi-square tests, surprisingly, level of education is found to be significant for each element of KAP in urban areas in contrast to complete absence of association between education and elements of KAP in rural areas. Conclusions: A large number of risk factors were present in both areas, the prevalence being higher in the rural areas. The level of awareness and role of education appears to be insignificant determinants in rural compared to urban areas. This pilot study needs to be followed up by large scale programmes to re-orient awareness campaigns, especially in rural areas.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.13
• /
• pp.5415-5420
• /
• 2015

Background: The present study was designed to ascertain knowledge about HPV, cervical cancer (CC) and the Pap test among female dental students of Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Hyderabad, India. Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire covering demographic details, knowledge relating to human papilloma virus (HPV) (8 items), cervical cancer (4 items) and the Pap smear (6 items) was employed. Responses were coded as "True, False and Don't Know". Mean and standard deviation (SD) for correct answers and levels of knowledge were determined. Results: Based on the year of study, significant differences in knowledge of HPV werenoted for questions on symptoms (p=0.01); transmission from asymptomatic partners (p=0.002); treatment with antibiotics (p=0.002); start of sexual activity (p=0.004); and recommended age for HPV vaccination (p=0.01). For knowledge regarding CC, significance was observed for the age group being affected (p=0.008) and symptoms of the disease in early stages (p=0.001). Indications for Pap smear tests like symptoms' of vaginal discharge (p=0.002), marital status (p=0.01) and women with children (p=0.02) had significant difference based on the year of study. Based on religion, transmission of HPV via pregnancy, HPV related diseases except CC and preventive measures except condom use and oral contraceptives showed significant differences. However, significant variation with religion was observed only for two preventive measures of CC (Pap test; p=0.004) and HPV vaccination (p=0.003). Likewise, only the frequency of Pap test showed a significant difference for religion (p=0.001). Conclusions: This study emphasizes the lack of awareness with regard to HPV, CC and screening with pap smear even among health professionals. Hence, regular health campaigns are essential to reduce the disease burden.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.125-147
• /
• 1997

This study was conducted in order to identify the extent to which Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs explain the likelihood of taking preventive behaviors for AIDS among the young adolescents in Korea. HBM was applied as the theoretical framework for developing questionnaire items in this study. The survey instrument included all of the constructs of Health Belief Model, namely, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefit, perceived barriers, cue to actions for preventive behaviors concerning AIDS. Additionally, demographic characteristics of the respondents, their sexual experiences, and AIDS Knowledge Test were included in the study. Each of HBM constructs were developed with a 5-point Likert type scale from l(never agree) to 5 (absolutely agree). The survey was conducted with a total of 247 military men in a city on September 18, 1996, using self-reported questionnaire. The results of the study were summarized as follows: 1. Because the subjects for this study were military soldiers, their demographic characteristics were limited to all men, young age, and ummarried. Educational status was evenly distributed between high school graduates and university students. 2. On the average, the respondents started their first sexual relationship at 18 years old and 82.6% of them did not use condom when having their first sexual experience. Thirty-one percent of the subjects had sexual contact with prostitutes and the average number of sexual contact with prostitutes was 5 times during the past 2 years. 3. The results of AIDS Knowledge Test scores demonstrated that the respondents had a high level of knowledge about AIDS. However, some misconceptions about transmission of AIDS through casual contact were still prevailed. Sixty-six percent of the respondents expressed that people infected with HIV should be isolated from the society in order to protect the general public. 4. All the respondents expressed that they had heard about AIDS before. TV was found to be the source which provided information on AIDS most frequently. 5. Among fundamental constructs of Health Belief Model, scores of perceived benefit of taking preventive action against AIDS marked the highest score, while scores of perceived susceptibility were the lowest. As a result of Multiple Stepwise Regression analysis, 13 variable groups were found to predict the preventive action by 25%. Among them, only perceived benefit variables was the most significant factor to explain preventive behaviors by 17%.

• Korea journal of population studies
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.117-132
• /
• 1982

During the period of 1962 through 1981, a total of 11. 7 million cummulative acceptors have received contraceptive services under the national family planning program. The number of annual acceptors have steadly increased from 151, 200 in 1963 to 842, 200 in 1975, and since then it has maintained the range of 600, 000 to 800, 000 acceptors per year. From the beginning of the program, the IUD had been the principal method of contraception provided by the government program until 1976, at which time the government made female sterilization services available thorough the introduction of the laparoscopy method. The popularity of female sterilization has increased very rapidly during the last few years. Out of 614, 200 program acceptors in 1981, the proportion of female sterilization and IUD acceptors were virtually the same(26.8% and 27.2% respectively). Considering various anticipated problems such as a large proportion of contraceptive users for the fertility termination and the high discontinuation rates of IUD and other traditional method, the government has emphasized the distribution of female sterilization and deemphasized condom and pill contraceptives since 1978. However, the recent service statistics has revealed that the acceptance rate of female sterilization has steadly declined since 1979. Thus, the purpose of this analysis is to review the current government policy on contraceptive distribution with emphasis of female sterilization by estimating the prospect of sterilization acceptablilty. According to the Fifth Five-Year Plan for Family Planning Program(1982-1986) the annual average target of sterilization was set up to secure 230, 000 acceptors by the government sector during the period. If the sterilization target is to be met as planned, about 80 percent of exposed women aged 30-44 will be remained as sterilized women in 1985. This means the the high acceptance rate of sterilization shown in the past years can not be expected, unless the acceptors' age of sterilization is drastically lowered below 30 years. Accordingly, the current policy on contraceptive distribution with emphasis on sterilization should be gradually changed to encourage target population to use contraceptives for birth spacing by increasing access to such contraceptives as IUDs, pills, and condoms, and to improve continuation rates through better program management system including target setting, acceptors' follow-up, supervision, and evaluation system.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.113-128
• /
• 2001

The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence and correlates of three types of risk-taking behavior among high school students in Korea in a cross-sectional national sample. A sample of 636 male and 622 female high school students is analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Three types of risk-taking behavior are examined: drinking alcohol, smoking, and premarital sex. The results are as follows: Forty-three percent of students in the sample have ever drunk alcohol, 32% have ever smoked, 11% have experience premarital sex. Risk-taking behavior is more prevalent among boys than among girls. Boys and girls in Seoul are much more likely to have experienced three types of risk-taking behavior. Not having two parents in the family and having lived away from immediate family increase the likelihood of some risk-taking behavior. Students who have a friend with premarital sexual experience are much more likely to have experienced premarital sex themselves. Among sexually active students, having multiple sexual partners is common and prevalence of condom use is low. Reproductive health education at school has no effect on students' sexual behavior. The prevalence of risk-taking behavior among adolescent in Korea is likely to rise in the future. Substantial proportion of adolescents are exposed to the risks of STDs and substantial proportion of adolescent girls risk premarital pregnancy. Current health education programs are inadequate in protecting students from risk-taking behavior. Students whose families do not include both parents and students who live away from their immediate families need special programs to protect them from risk-taking behavior.

• Women's Health Nursing
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.317-327
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study investigated the influence of cervical cancer knowledge, human papillomavirus (HPV) knowledge, self-efficacy, and uncertainty on the intention to engage in cervical cancer preventive behavior in HPV-infected women. Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted among 129 adult women aged 20 to 65 years who received positive HPV results at a general hospital in Changwon, Korea. The dataset was analyzed using descriptive statistics, the independent t-test, analysis of variance, the Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression. Results: The mean score for the intention to engage in cervical cancer preventive behavior was high (4.43±0.65). This intention was significantly different according to age at first sexual intercourse (F=7.38, p=.001), HPV type (F=4.79, p=.010), vaccination (t=3.19, p=.002), and condom use (t=3.03, p=.003). The intention to engage in cervical cancer preventive behavior showed significant, weak-to-moderate positive correlations with HPV knowledge (r=.22, p=.012) and self-efficacy (r=.42, p<.001). Self-efficacy (β=.46, p<.001), first sexual intercourse at <20 years (β=.45, p<.001), first sexual intercourse at 20-24 years (β=.29, p=. 018), HPV high- and low-risk group infection (β=.26, p=.019), HPV high-risk group infection (β=.26, p=.026), and vaccination (β=.21, p=.007) significantly influenced the intention to engage in cervical cancer preventive behavior. These variables explained 34.6% of variance in intention. Conclusion: Study findings support the need to develop a program that effectively conveys accurate information about cervical cancer prevention to HPV-infected women and helps them enhance self-efficacy to boost the intention to engage in cervical cancer preventive behavior.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.27-32
• /
• 1976

In recent years, explosive increase in population has been damaging mankind in terms of deprivation of natural resources and more of economical demands. Therefore, we have thought about problems as to counter-balance the increasing population, and reached a resolution of artificial methods of controlling birth. In the past, though now used in some of contraceptive methods, extravaginal ejaculation, condom were commonly used. But recently, pills, IUD and several kinds of operative procedures are quite popular. Though the recent methods are known to be effective compared with the traditional methods, a certain unwanted side effects as well as limited value of usages now must be discussed. On this aspect, we are trying to research for a ideal methods such as symptom free, more of natural way of family planning and try to zero the failure rate. And also it has been suggested that only if those scientific methods of controlling birth can be base on religious concepts of moral being, it will be enlightened. At the Happy Family Planning Clinic of St. Mary's Hospital, we apply Billing's ovulation method to out-patients who want contraception and usually advise them to use it on a self-care basis. For a retrospective study of the presurvey data analysis and use-effectiveness of the ovulation method from April 1, 1975 to Nov., 30, 1975, we have dealt with a total of 1,383 women (urban areas 465, rural areas 918). The results of preliminary survey were as follows; 1) Among 465 women in Seoul areas, the failure rate was 10.3, which signified unplanned pregnancies of 32 women. 27 of the 32 women were pregnant due to the users own failure and the remaing 5 due to the failure of the method. Therefore, the failure of the method accounted for 1.6. 2) Among 918 women in rural areas, the failure rate was 15.2 signifing unplanned pregnancies in 93 women. The cause of the failure in 81 of the 93 women was attributable to the user's own mistake and that in the remaing 12 to the default of the method. Therefore, the failure attributable to the method accounted for 2.0.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.147-156
• /
• 2007

Purpose: Any battery impacted in the esophagus must be removed urgently because of the possibility of serious complications such as perforation, fistula, and mediastinitis. The use of endoscopic procedures was compared to find the most rapid, effective, and safe method to remove disk batteries. Methods: The cases of 24 children (9 males, mean age, 1.5 years) that had accidentally ingested disk batteries were reviewed. The patients had visited the Department of Pediatrics, Kyungpook National University Hospital from July 1997 to June 2007 for the removal of disk batteries. Endoscopic removal was attempted using a retrieval net or a magnetic extractor with a balloon (condom). The procedure times for removing the ingested battery were compared. Results: Children that ingested batteries with a larger diameter (20 mm) had a greater chance to have esophageal impaction with serious injury, such as esophageal mucosal necrosis or ulcers, as compared to the ingestion of smaller diameter batteries (10 mm) (p<0.01). Endoscopic removal of disk batteries was attempted either using a retrieval net in 10 children or by using a magnetic extractor with a balloon in 6 children. Endoscopic removal using a retrieval net was more effective (mean procedure time: 1.5 min) as compared to using a magnetic extractor with a balloon (mean procedure time: 3.3 min) (p<0.05). Conclusion: Both procedures, either using a retrieval net or a magnetic extractor with a balloon were effective in removing ingested disk batteries. Based on our experience, an endoscopic procedure using a retrieval net was a more effective method for foreign body removal.