• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.196-206
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify health belief, subjective norms, social stigma, and sense of community affecting COVID-19 preventive behaviors among college students, and provide basic data for the development of preventive programs to improve COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional study design. The study recruited a total of 170 college students, through an online survey from three online communities which are mostly used by college students. Data were collected from July 24 to August 9, 2021. The SPSS 21.0 program was used to analyze the data using simple multiple regression. Results: In simple multiple regression, the perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits and subjective norms were found to have a significant association with COVID-19 preventive behaviors of college students. These variables explained the 55.1% variance in COVID-19 preventive behaviors of college students (p<.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and subjective norms were significant factors affecting COVID-19 preventive behaviors of college students. Based on the results of this study, it is expected to develop COVID-19 preventive programs and strategies that increase perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and subjective norms to improve the COVID-19 preventive behaviors of college students.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was to investigate the mediating effects of health concern and depression on the stress and fatigue of COVID-19 self-quarantine. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 227 people with COVID-19 self-quarantine experience were recruited during May 2021. Participants were invited to complete self-reported questionnaires that measure stress, health concern, depression, fatigue and demographic information. The data obtained were analyzed using multiple regression and dual mediation model applying the PROCESS macro with 95% bias-corrected bootstrap confidence interval. Results: This study analyzed the direct effects of COVID-19 stress on the health concern, depression and fatigue. And COVID-19 stress had indirect effects on their fatigue via health concern and depression. Both health concern and depression had dual mediating effects in the influence of COVID-19 stress on fatigue. In the relationship between COVID-19 stress and fatigue, the mediating effect of depression was significant. Conclusion: Fatigue due to prolonged COVID-19 can be alleviated by managing stress and mediating health concern and depression, and so therefore active nursing intervention is required.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.53-60
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to identify the subjective health status, COVID-19 risk perception, antibody knowledge, social influence, intention of acceptance of the COVID-19 antibody test for general adults and the factors affecting the acceptance of the COVID-19 antibody test. The subjects of the study were 147 adults, and the collected data were analyzed using the SPSS 27.0 program using the frequency, percentage, average and standard deviation, independent t-test, ANOVA, pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. The results, the acceptance of the COVID-19 antibody test has a significant static correlation with the social influence, the COVID-19 risk perception, and the negative correlation with the subjective health. The factor affecting the acceptance of the COVID-19 antibody test of the general adult was a social influence, and their explanatory power was 50.2%. As a result of this study, COVID-19 antibody tests may be used by preparing effective measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 infection.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.80-89
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• 2021

In order to combat the spread of COVID-19, on January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared that the spread of COVID-19 has met the criteria of a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" under Article 1 of the International Health Regulations(2005) and proposed a variety of preliminary recommendations to fight against the pandemic accordingly. All of a sudden, people are ordered to wear face-masks in public-which is forbidden for different reasons in many jurisdictions. Of course, the legal world was hit by the virus as well. Needless to mention that where economic and social life will change so drastically, the legal world will change(ex. virtual hearing) as well. Most probably, it will not ever be the same after COVID-19. And where the whole legal world will change, it is easy to state the obvious, namely that COVID-19 has and will have an impact on international arbitration as well. This paper will describe how international arbitration is dealing with this new challenge.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.7
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• pp.364-369
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• 2021

Background: As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak continues to evolve, it is crucially important for pediatricians to be aware of the differences in demographic and clinical features between COVID-19 and influenza A and B infections. Purpose: This study analyzed and compared the clinical features and laboratory findings of COVID-19 and influenza A and B infections in children. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated the medical data of 206 pediatric COVID-19 and 411 pediatric seasonal influenza A or B patients. Results: COVID-19 patients were older than seasonal influenza patients (median [interquartile range], 7.75 [2-14] years vs. 4 [2-6] years). The frequency of fever and cough in COVID-19 patients was lower than that of seasonal influenza patients (80.6% vs. 94.4%, P<0.001 and 22.8 % vs. 71.5%, P<0.001, respectively). Ageusia (4.9%) and anosmia (3.4%) were present in only COVID-19 patients. Leukopenia, lymphopenia, and thrombocytopenia were encountered more frequently in influenza patients than in COVID-19 patients (22.1% vs. 8.5%, P=0.029; 17.6% vs. 5.6%, P=0.013; and 13.2% vs. 5.6%, P=0.048, respectively). Both groups showed significantly elevated monocyte levels in the complete blood count (70.4% vs. 69.9%, P=0.511). Major chest x-ray findings in COVID-19 patients included mild diffuse ground-glass opacity and right lower lobe infiltrates. There were no statistically significant intergroup differences in hospitalization or mortality rates; however, the intensive care unit admission rate was higher among COVID-19 patients (2.4% vs. 0.5%, P=0.045). Conclusion: In this study, pediatric COVID-19 patients showed a wide range of clinical presentations ranging from asymptomatic/mild to severe illness. We found no intergroup differences in hospitalization rates, oxygen requirements, or hospital length of stay; however, the intensive care unit admission rate was higher among COVID-19 patients.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.1-7
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• 2021

[Purpose] Recent studies have shown that COVID-19 is often associated with altered gut microbiota composition and reflects disease severity. Furthermore, various reports suggest that the interaction between COVID-19 and host-microbiota homeostasis is mediated through the modulation of microRNAs (miRNAs). Thus, in this review, we aim to summarize the association between human microbiota and miRNAs in COVID-19 pathogenesis. [Methods] We searched for the existing literature using the keywords such "COVID-19 or microbiota," "microbiota or microRNA," and "COVID-19 or probiotics" in PubMed until March 31, 2021. Subsequently, we thoroughly reviewed the articles related to microbiota and miRNAs in COVID-19 to generate a comprehensive picture depicting the association between human microbiota and microRNAs in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. [Results] There exists strong experimental evidence suggesting that the composition and diversity of human microbiota are altered in COVID-19 patients, implicating a bidirectional association between the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 encoded miRNAs and host cellular microRNAs modulated by human microbiota can interfere with viral replication and regulate host gene expression involved in the initiation and progression of COVID-19. These findings suggest that the manipulation of human microbiota with probiotics may play a significant role against SARS-CoV-2 infection by enhancing the host immune system and lowering the inflammatory status. [Conclusion] The human microbiota-miRNA axis can be used as a therapeutic approach for COVID-19. Hence, further studies are needed to investigate the exact molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of miRNA expression in human microbiota and how these miRNA profiles mediate viral infection through host-microbe interactions.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.221-230
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• 2023

Objectives: The second wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Indonesia, during which the Delta variant predominated, took place after a vaccination program had been initiated in the country. This study was conducted to assess the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on unfavorable clinical outcomes including hospitalization, severe COVID-19, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death using a real-world model. Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study involved patients with COVID-19 aged ≥18 years who presented to the COVID-19 emergency room at a secondary referral teaching hospital between June 1, 2021 and August 31, 2021. We used a binary logistic regression model to assess the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on unfavorable clinical outcomes, with age, sex, and comorbidities as confounding variables. Results: A total of 716 patients were included, 32.1% of whom were vaccinated. The elderly participants (≥65 years) had the lowest vaccine coverage among age groups. Vaccination had an effectiveness of 50% (95% confidence interval [CI], 25 to 66) for preventing hospitalization, 97% (95% CI, 77 to 99) for preventing severe COVID-19, 95% (95% CI, 56 to 99) for preventing ICU admission, and 90% (95% CI, 22 to 99) for preventing death. Interestingly, patients with type 2 diabetes had a 2-fold to 4-fold elevated risk of unfavorable outcomes. Conclusions: Among adults, COVID-19 vaccination has a moderate preventive impact on hospitalization but a high preventive impact on severe COVID-19, ICU admission, and death. The authors suggest that relevant parties increase COVID-19 vaccination coverage, especially in the elderly population.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.144-152
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the social and policy determinants of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection across 23 countries. Methods: COVID-19 indicators (incidence, mortality, and fatality) for each country were calculated by direct and indirect standardization. Multivariable regression analyses were used to identify the social and policy determinants of COVID-19 infection. Results: A higher number of doctors per population was related to lower incidence, mortality, and fatality rates of COVID-19 in 23 countries (β=-0.672, -0.445, and -0.564, respectively). The number of nurses/midwives per population was associated with lower mortality and fatality rates of COVID-19 in 23 countries (β=-0.215 and -0.372, respectively). Strengthening of policy restriction indicators, such as restrictions of public gatherings, was related to lower COVID-19 incidence (β=-0.423). A national Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination policy conducted among special groups or in the past was associated with a higher incidence of COVID-19 in 23 countries (β=0.341). The proportion of the elderly population (aged over 70 years) was related to higher mortality and fatality rates (β=0.209 and 0.350, respectively), and income support was associated with mortality and fatality rates (β=-0.362 and -0.449, respectively). Conclusions: These findings do not imply causality because this was a country-based correlation study. However, COVID-19 transmission can be influenced by social and policy determinants such as integrated health systems and policy responses to COVID-19. Various social and policy determinants should be considered when planning responses to COVID-19.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.523-532
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• 2023

Objectives: During the second coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surge, cases increased sharply due to low awareness and compliance with measures to limit disease spread. Health literacy (HL) is an important component of public health initiatives, and schools are potential sources of health education to increase HL via the presentation of COVID-19 educational modules. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved an online questionnaire administered to students from 5 high schools in Surabaya and Sidoarjo, Indonesia, 6-7 weeks after the start of government-issued directives restricting public gatherings. We collected data on each respondent's age, gender, parental education, and socioeconomic variables. HL was determined by the Health Literacy Measure for Adolescents. We additionally measured their attitudes and behaviors related to preventing the spread of COVID-19. The students were asked if they watched the COVID-19 module at school, their feelings about vaccination, and preferred online sources of COVID-19-related information. Results: Most of the 432 respondents had viewed COVID-19 modules at school. Module exposure was associated with significantly higher total and domain-specific HL and more positive attitudes toward government-issued COVID-19 restrictions on travel and public gatherings (p<0.05). However, behaviors to prevent COVID-19 spread and vaccine acceptance were not associated with module exposure. Most students chose social media as their source of COVID-19-related information. Conclusions: Schools can provide information to increase adolescents' HL and the public's support for health initiatives to prevent or limit the spread of COVID-19.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.370-378
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• 2024

Objectives: Comorbidities increase susceptibility to severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, but limited information has been published regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and COVID-19 co-infections. This study explored the relationships among socioeconomic characteristics, sexual behaviors, and COVID-19 infection rates among Korean men who have sex with men (MSM) who are also living with HIV. Methods: Data were collected through a web survey aimed at members of the largest gay portal site in Korea, supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (n=1005). The primary independent variables included COVID-19-related vaccinations and sexual behaviors. The dependent variable was the incidence of COVID-19 infection among respondents during the pandemic. For statistical analysis, hierarchical multiple logistic regression was performed, controlling for potential confounding variables. Results: Model I indicated that older MSM were less likely to contract COVID-19 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96 to 0.99). Model II demonstrated that HIV-positive MSM were nearly twice as likely to be infected with COVID-19 compared to their HIV-negative counterparts (aOR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.14 to 3.41). Furthermore, even after accounting for COVID-19 vaccination status in model III, HIV-positive MSM continued to show a higher risk of infection (aOR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.12 to 3.35). Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that HIV-positive MSM are at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19, even when their vaccination status is considered. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize the prevention of COVID-19 infections in HIV-positive individuals by administering appropriate antiretroviral therapy and ensuring adherence to public health guidelines.