• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.412-420
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between empowerment and performance of infection control by emergency department nurses. Method: Participants were 190 nurses working in emergency departments in 14 hospitals located in Busan. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation coefficients with SPSS PC+ WIN 12.0 were used to analyze the data. Results: There were significant differences in empowerment by years in ED (emergency departments) and position. There was a significant differences in performance of infection control by position. There were significant differences in empowerment by infection control-related characteristics and by regular conference for infection control. There was a significant and positive relationship between empowerment and performance of infection control in ED nurses. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that improvement in the level of ED nurse's empowerment would lead to an increase in the performances of infection control.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2002

The air ventilation system of operation rooms has been studied to prevent the cross infection during the operation. Operation rooms and air ventilation systems of three University hospitals were investigated. The distribution of microbe was measured by cultivating air samples in the operation room. A two-dimensional model for the cross-section of an operation room was developed for the CFD(Computational Fluid Dynamics) analysis. The characteristics of air flow in the empty operation room and in occupied operation room were calculated by using a CFD program. The current diffuser location of an old hospital did not deliver the clean air to the operation part efficiently. A new method to locate diffusers that improve air venting with little increase of the cost of equipment was suggested.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.307-316
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• 2022

Purpose: This study investigated the vulnerability to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and associated factors among married women in northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey (n=657) was conducted from April 1 to 15, 2020, in Metema District, northwest Ethiopia, in four randomly selected kebele administrations (the lowest level of local government). The inclusion criteria were married women aged ≥18 years residing with their husbands. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with married women's vulnerability to HIV infection. Results: Participants were on average 33.70±9.50 years and nearly one-fourth (n=148, 22.5%) were identified as vulnerable to HIV infection (i.e., experienced sexually transmitted disease symptoms or an extramarital affair of either spouse within the past 12 months). Only 18.9% reported sexual communication with their husband. Respondents who did not discuss the risk of HIV infection with their husbands had fivefold odds of vulnerability (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 5.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43-17.5). Those who did not have premarital sex (AOR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.05-0.77) had no worries about HIV infection (AOR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.08-0.94), sufficient income (AOR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.16-0.86), and less than four children (AOR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.50-0.97) had decreased odds of being vulnerable to HIV than their counterparts. Conclusion: Not discussing risk of HIV infection with husband was a major factor of vulnerability to HIV infection as was premarital sex, worry about HIV, income, and number of children. Measures to strengthen couple's sexual communication and support economical stability is important for decreasing HIV vulnerability.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.167-177
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to provide basic data necessary to develop a program to improve infection control by examining nurses' perception of accreditation and by identifying its relationship with awareness and performance of infection control. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed using questionnaires. Data were collected from 210 nurses who were working at one hospital between May 14 and May 19, 2015. Data were analyzed using SPAW. Results: The mean score for nurses' perception of accreditation was 3.10 points out of 5 points. Score for awareness of infection control was $4.63{\pm}0.39$ points and for performance of infection control, $4.39{\pm}0.39$ points. There were significant positive correlation among perception of accreditation, awareness of infection control, and performance of infection control. In the regression analysis, performance of infection control was influenced by awareness of infection control which accounted for 42.6% of the variance. It also showed additional improvement of 1.4% of the variance by when perception of accreditation was added. Conclusion: The result of this study show that nurses' perception of accreditation is relatively positive and that performance of infection control is highly enhanced according to nurses' positive recognition of accreditation as well as attaching importance to accreditation.

• Journal of Korean Academic Society of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.155-165
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing health workers' infection management behavior in long-term care facilities. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted with 180 health workers who are employed in long-term care facilities. The data were collected from April, 25 until July, in 2016. Results: Infection management behavior positively correlated with the perceived importance of infection management (r=.77, p<.001), but role conflict negatively correlated with infection management behavior (r=.28, p<.001). The hierarchical regression model with general characteristics (first step) and perceived importance of infection management, work environment, and role conflict (second step) against infection management behavior was statistically significant (F=31.93, p<.001). This model could explain 62.8% of infection management behavior ($R^2=.62$, ${\Delta}R^2=.39$). Particularly, perceived importance of infection management was identified as factors influencing infection management behavior(${\beta}=.70$, p<.001). Conclusion: The findings of this study imply that systemic education about infection control and monitoring should be considered, so as to encourage proper infection management behaviors among health workers in long-term care facilities.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.269-276
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• 1992

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.173-185
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate dental technicians' awareness of infections and to enhance their interest and commitment towards infection prevention. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire survey was conducted among dental technicians. Total of 195 responses were used for analysis. A cross-tabulation analysis was used to compare dental technicians' awareness of infections according to their levels of education on infection prevention (α=0.05). Results: Dental technicians were educated on infection prevention (40.5%). Most participants received infection prevention education from school (29.8%). Dental laboratories had an infection control guideline (34.9%). Dental technicians were not aware of infection risks at their workplaces or believed that they were not at risk of infections at their workplaces (59.3%). Conclusion: Dental technicians must be consistently educated on infection prevention and control through systematic education at school and wider promotion through media. Research is needed to economically and efficiently improve equipment used by dental technicians and to protect them from infectious diseases. A budget for infection prevention must also be determined. Institutional measures such as providing support for dental technicians at the policy level and developing a basic infection prevention manual are necessary. Solving these issues not only protects dental technicians from infections but also allows them to provide high-quality medical services.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.330-341
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• 2015

Objectives: Emergency medical personnel (EMPs) are pre-hospital emergency responders who are at risk of exposure to infections and may also serve as a source for the transmission of infections. However, few studies of infection control have specifically addressed EMPs in the Republic of Korea (hereafter Korea). The goal of this study was to assess the current status of infection prevention and control programs (IPCPs) for EMPs in Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to quantitatively assess the resources and activities of IPCPs. A total of 907 EMPs in five metropolitan cities completed a structured questionnaire from September 2014 to January 2015. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multi-response analysis, and the chi-square test. Results: The mean age of the participants was $34.8{\pm}15.1years$. IPCPs were found to have weaknesses with regard to the following resources: the assignment of infection control personnel (ICP) (79.5%), hand hygiene resources such as waterless antiseptics (79.3%), the use of paper towels (38.9%), personal protective equipment such as face shields (46.9%), and safety containers for sharps and a separated space for the disposal of infectious waste (10.1%). Likewise, the following activities were found to be inadequately incorporated into the workflow of EMPs: education about infection control (77.5%), post-exposure management (35.9%), and the decontamination of items and spaces after use (88.4%). ICP were found to have a significant effect on the resources and activities of IPCPs (p<0.001). The resources and activities of IPCPs were found to be significantly different among the five cities (p<0.001). Conclusions: IPCPs for EMPs showed some limitations in their resources and activities. IPCPs should be actively supported, and specific IPCP activities for EMPs should be developed.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.976-985
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• 2007

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the present situation of hospital infection and route of infection by clarifying the transmission aspect of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) in a Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit by analysing genotype. Methods: MRSA was cultured from twenty five patients with a tracheostomy, twenty five health care workers, and environments in the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit of one hospital in D city. Data was collected from December 21, 2004 to November 5, 2005. MRSA isolates representing each genotype were analyzed by spaA typing and a multiplex PCR method capable of identifying the structural type of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec(SCCmec) carried by the bacteria. Results: As the same genotype and gene sequence were found among health care workers, patients, and environments, it was assumed that there was cross transmission among them. Conclusion: This study suggests that first, as the hospital infection by MRSA between health care workers and patients in the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit was due to result of cross transmission and the relevance of transmission between them was verified, it is necessary to take preventive measures and conduct education. Secondly, development of nursing interventions and study of infection are needed. Thirdly, consistent investment in prevention against hospital infections and environmental renovation is needed.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.173-180
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• 2008

The influence of temperature and relative humidity in infection and cross-infection of Nosema bombycis and N. mylitta respectively in mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori L. on larval mortality, multiplication of pathogens, larval weight and growth rate in three different seasons were studied. Seasons were selected in such condition, when very less fluctuations between minimum and maximum temperature and minimum and maximum relative humidity ($25{\sim}28^{\circ}C$ and $65{\sim}72%$ R.H) was observed i.e., season-1. Fluctuations between minimum and maximum temperature were less ($28.05{\sim}34.50^{\circ}C$) but R.H % was more ($55{\sim}81%$) in season-2. Fluctuations between minimum and maximum temperature and R.H % were more ($20.00{\sim}40.5^{\circ}C$ and $64.00{\sim}90.00%$) in season-3. Growth rate of microsporidian-infected silkworm is directly related to the prevailing temperature and relative humidity in silkworm. Silkworm can tolerate slight variation of temperature but slight variation of relative humidity disfavours the development of silkworm and favours the multiplication of pathogens.