• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.20-32
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate factors affecting handwashing practice among elementary school students by assessing the perception of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) and characteristics related to knowledge, attitude, and practice of handwashing. Methods: The cross-sectional study design and an online self-reported survey were used in this study. The subjects were 211 elementary students at a school located in G province, Korea. Data were collected from January 4 to 8, 2021. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: Mean scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice of handwashing were 17.09 (out of 20), 21.15 (out of 24), and 27.51 (out of 33), respectively. There were significant positive correlations between the perception of COVID-19 and knowledge of handwashing (r=.23, p=.001), between knowledge and attitude toward handwashing (r=.45, p<.001), between knowledge and practice of handwashing (r=.18, p=.010), and between attitude and practice of handwashing (r=.28, p<.001). The factors influencing handwashing practice were handwashing frequency at home (β=.39, p<.001), handwashing frequency at school (β=.18, p=.006), and attitude toward handwashing (β=.15, p=.026), which explained 34.2% of the variance. Conclusion: These results suggest a need to raise awareness of the importance of handwashing and develop an education program for infectious disease prevention.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.105-115
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aims to determine the factors that affect the breastfeeding of late preterm infants (gestation age 34⁺⁰~36⁺⁶) in South Korea. Method: A cross-sectional and questionnaire-based survey was conducted on 178 mothers of 209 late preterm infants discharged from a university hospital. We collected data on participants' demographics, breastfeeding-related characteristics and current status of breastfeeding and analyzed them using SPSS. Results: Breastfeeding duration varied significantly according to the number of babies born (t=3.691, p<.001), birth order (F=6.416, p=.002), type of feeding planned (F=8.691, p<.001), planned breastfeeding period(F=24.779, p<.001), previous baby's breastfeeding type(F= 8.510, p<.001), previous baby's breastfeeding duration(F=10.589, p<.001). The mothers with incomes of 3-5 million won a month were less likely to continue breastfeeding than those with incomes over 5 million won (CI: 0.049-0.086: p=0.035). Conclusion: Our results are meaningful in that we revealed that mother's monthly income influenced breastfeeding continuation, first-time mothers and mothers of multiples were at risk of breastfeeding difficulties. Interventions for helping late preterm infants' mothers establish breastfeeding and maintain an adequate milk supply are vital.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.15-26
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• 2022

Purpose: There has been a consistent failure of businesses that are run by a single person. Most of these collapse at infancy prematurely and those that survive continue to operate at minimal capacity. The study thus sought to enhance growth of sole proprietors from being small entities to large corporates. Financial determinants of business growth were earmarked for research as they were amongst the grey areas of business growth research. Research design, data and methodology: The target population of the study was made up of groceries retail sole proprietors operating in Epworth, Zimbabwe. Questionnaires were used in a once-off cross-sectional survey using stratified random sampling. Through a deductive research approach, four financial determinants of business growth were established namely financial availability, financial management, financial evaluation and financial investment (AMEI). These constructs formulated the basis for the development of the model which linked financial factors to business growth. Results: The study found out that all four financial determinants were statistically significant (P < 0.05) in predicting business growth. Conclusions: The study concludes that the model tested was useful in explaining sole proprietor's business growth. Sole proprietors should have access to funding, manage received funds in an appropriate manner, invest into the business and evaluate their business processes.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.53-67
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• 2022

The study's goal is to look at the factors that influence people's willingness to whistleblow in the Malaysian public sector by applying two elements from the Moral Intensity Theory: the magnitude of consequences and societal consensus with professional commitment as an additional variable. The cross-sectional study used primary data collection through questionnaires adopted from previous studies. The survey questionnaires were distributed to target respondents from 27 ministries in Malaysian public sectors selected based on their grade positions in the departments ranging from Grade 29 and above. The findings revealed that societal consensus and professional commitments significantly impact the intention to whistleblow. The findings imply that closed people's opinions may have certain persuasive elements that influence the act of whistleblowing as a moral and ethical activity, thereby increasing their whistleblowing intention. The results also suggest that when individuals are more committed to their career and organization, they will act ethically and under the professional norm, hence, they will be inclined to whistleblow. On the other hand, the magnitude of consequences suggested an insignificant relationship with the intention to whistleblow. The results could facilitate the government in curbing the whistleblowing issue by defining its root before the implementation of necessary policies.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.224-234
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the practitioner and organizational characteristics that either detracted from or encouraged the use of evidence-based practice (EBP) by physical therapists. Design: A cross-sectional survey study Methods: Participants were 260 physical therapists currently practicing in South Korea. They completed a questionnaire designed to determine attitudes, beliefs, interest, self-efficacy and barriers to EBP, as well as demographic information about themselves and their practice settings. Logistic regression was used to examine relationships between socio-demographic and work environment characteristics and each practitioner factor. Results: Respondents agreed that the use of evidence in practice was necessary. Although 80% of them agreed that research findings are useful, 71% felt that a divide exists between research and practice. In terms of confidence in their skills, the ability to interpret results of statistical procedures ranked lowest. Despite internet access at work for 63% of respondents, only 14% were given protected work time to search and appraise the literature. Only 2% of respondents stated that their organization had a written requirement to use current evidence in their practice. The primary barrier to implementing EBP was a reported lack of time. Conclusions: In conclusion, most physical therapists stated they had a positive attitude toward EBP and were interested in learning or improving the skills necessary for implementation. Most recognized a need to increase the use of evidence in their daily practice, but a lack of ability to understand the results of research represents a significant barrier to implementing EBP.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.296-304
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the association of COVID-19 vaccine attitudes and cognitions of COVID-19-related stigma with vaccine hesitancy among college students. Methods: This cross-sectional study using a web-based survey was conducted with 242 college students in April 2021 before Korea's national COVID-19 vaccination program had begun. Data were analyzed using multinominal logistic regression analyses. Results: Of the participants who were unsure of their intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, 66.0% had less experience with flu vaccinations and were 1.43 times more likely to report a mistrust of vaccine benefits (OR=1.43, CI=1.22, 1.68). Those with no intention of receiving the vaccine were 25.0% less likely to be aware of COVID-19 stigma (OR=0.75, CI=0.65, 0.86), 2.08 times more likely to mistrust vaccine benefits (OR=2.08, CI=1.62, 2.68), and 1.53 times more likely to worry about an unforeseen future negative side effects from vaccination (OR=1.53. CI=1.16, 2.00). Conclusion: Nurses could play an important role in educating college students about vaccination benefits, including reviewing vaccines' side effects with evidence, to reduce vaccine hesitancy. College students who have less empathy for others regarding COVID-19 infection might have higher COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Accordingly, explaining to students the necessity of their vaccination in preventing transmission to the surrounding community and vulnerable populations is critical.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.67-75
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined the level of awareness of the guidelines of the physical therapist specialization system. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional survey of 364 clinical physical therapists working in hospitals. A structured questionnaire consisting of 17 questions was used. The questionnaire consisted of standards and management for the institutionalization of physical therapist specialization, intentions to acquire specialized physical therapist qualifications, specialized fields, and general information of the research subjects. RESULTS: At least five years of clinical experience and a bachelor's degree or higher were required to obtain a specialized physical therapist qualification. Many physical therapists said they would accept the qualification of a specialized physical therapist. Training and examination were appropriate for acquiring specialized physical therapist qualifications, and it was desirable to manage qualifications at the national level or the association of physical therapists. As for the specialized fields of physical therapy, musculoskeletal physical therapy, pediatric physical therapy, and nervous system physical therapy were prioritized, and electrotherapy was not recognized as a specialized field. CONCLUSION: A detailed discussion is needed on the system and cost for acquiring a specialized physical therapist qualification and economic benefits after acquiring the qualification.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2021

Purpose: In adults with chronic diseases, unmet healthcare needs are likely to increase the risk of worsening the illness and complications. This study was conducted to explore factors affecting unmet healthcare needs among adults with chronic diseases. Methods: A cross sectional study was performed using the data from the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VII), 2016-2017. The sample of this study consisted of 6,104 adults with chronic diseases. The data were analyzed by Rao-Scott 𝑥² test and logistic regression using complex samples analysis. Results: The proportion of subjects who experienced unmet healthcare needs was 10.9% of adults with chronic diseases. The factors affecting unmet healthcare needs of adults with chronic diseases were age, gender, employment status, household income, subjective health status, activity limitation, and perceived stress. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that various factors may be associated with their unmet healthcare needs. Finally, the development of strategies to reduce unmet healthcare needs for people with chronic diseases should consider the associated factors presented in the study.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.329-334
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to provide basic evidence on the need to approach osteoarthritis patients through a psychological factors-considering rehabilitation program by understanding how activity restrictions in osteoarthritis affect health-related quality of life and depression. Methods: This study assessed 3,761 osteoarthritis patients from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The subjects were divided into two categories: with and without activity restriction. Results: The prevalence of osteoarthritis in women was higher than that of men (men: 19.7%; women: 80.3%), and high BMI increased the prevalence of osteoarthritis. The EQ-5D index of subjects with activity restriction was 0.84±0.18 (points), while in those without activity restriction was 0.93±0.12, and the diagnosis of depression was 15.8%, 8.2%. There was a statistically significant difference in the odds ratio for each item in the EQ-5D. Moreover, the odds ratio for depression with activity restriction was 2.098 compared with no activity restriction. Conclusion: Activity restriction of osteoarthritis patients significantly decreases the health-related quality of life and increase the probability of depression. Therefore, early diagnosis of depression symptoms to prevent deterioration of symptoms in patients with osteoarthritis and to increase compliance with rehabilitation treatment, and to provide arbitration, including treatment that can alleviate depression.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.41-51
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• 2020

Objectives: Eight Constitution Medicine (ECM) categorizes individuals into eight constitutions based on physiological differences in organ relations and recommends different diets for different constitutions. This study presents a preliminary analysis of the effect of following constitutional food regimens on quality of life and health outcomes for different constitutions. Methods: This cross-sectional, comparative study used subjects recruited from Essen University Hospital Traditional Chinese Medicine Center in Germany. From a convenience sample of 243 Germans, those in the groups Hepatonia/Cholecystonia (n = 95) and Pulmotonia/Colonotonia (n = 26) were analyzed for health outcomes in relation to their dietary habits of either including or avoiding meat. Health outcomes were measured with SF-36, self-reported survey. Results: The two groups had no significant differences in the health outcomes of SF-36. However, subjects in Hepatonia/Cholecystonia who had followed their dietary habit for more than 20 years had significantly better scores on general health, social functioning, mental health, emotional role functioning, and mental component scores than those in Pulmotonia/Colonotonia, regardless of their meat intake. Conclusions: This study established initial groundwork for considering patients' constitutions when evaluating health outcomes and their relation to diet. Further studies are warranted on the effects of regulating food intake according to individual constitution.