• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.273-281
• /
• 2012

Purpose: This study conducted a survey on the elderly of 65 years and over with physical debilities and ones capable of living at home residing in Jeju Special Self-Government Province to compare and analyze demo-sociological characteristics and factors influencing on oral health related living quality. And also this study intended to provide basic data for developing effective public medical policies and health promotion programs to increase oral health related living quality of the elder. Methods: The elderly of 65 years and over living in Jeju Special Self-Government Province were interviewed individually from 7 February 2011 to 18 April and interview results of a total of 220 subjects were analysed for this study. Results: Current status of the elderly including ones with & without physical debilities influenced functional limitation and behavioral aspects of GOHAI criteria used in this study. The elderly with physical debilities experienced less limitation in food chewing and swallowing, and pronunciation than ones capable of living at home. On the analogy of the previous study(by Park, N. G., 2010) in which oral health related quality and satisfaction of life of the elderly with physical debilities were different due to their physical, circumstantial and psychological limitations, the former's oral health conditions are worse than the ones capable of living at home and because of medical care accessability limitation they suffer from deteriorated oral condition. By the comparison of factors influencing on the living quality relating to the oral health of the elderly with physical debilities and ones capable of living at home, 2 factors, age and living area, were meaningful factors commonly influencing on the oral health related living qualities of both. The elderly of 75 years and over were more affected by psychological and behavioral aspects of oral health related living quality than the ones of 65-74 years, and the ones living in country suffered from functional limitations, pains and discomfort more than ones in city. Additionally, being different from the elderly capable of living at home, the ones with physical debilities were influenced by the factors of average monthly income and medical security type. Conclusion: Improvement of programs and systems to increase oral health related quality of life needs to be carried out preferentially for the elderly of 75 years and over, and dwelling in country. Also this study suggests that the policy of paying the denture insurance allowance in 2012 need effective planning considering the elderly's current status, age, living area, medical security type.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.74-90
• /
• 2021

Background: It is getting important to improve the oral health status of the elderly because oral health status may affect their health status of the whole body. In this respect, we aimed to explore the association of oral health status and behavior factors with self-rated health status by sex. Methods: Using the data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for health surveys and oral examinations (2016-2018), we analyzed a total of 3,070 people aged 65 or older (men: 1,329; women: 1,741). Our dependent variable, self-rated health status, was divided into two groups: not good (bad and very bad) and good (very good, good, and fair), whereas our independent variables of interest were oral health status and behavior factors. In addition to descriptive analysis and the Rao-Scott chi-square test, reflecting survey characteristics, we conducted hierarchical multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusted for socio-demographics and health status and behavior factors. All analyses were stratified by sex. Results: The proportion of people having 'not good' self-rated health was 36.5% in women but 24.5% in men. In a model adjusted for all covariates, the self-rated health status showed significant association with the self-rated oral health status. For example, in men, the risk of having 'not good' self-rated health was high in people having 'poor' (odds ratio [OR], 5.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.34-12.03) self-rated oral health status and in those having 'fair' (OR, 4.03; 95% CI, 1.68-9.70) in comparison with those having 'good' self-rated oral health status. Dental status regarding speaking difficulty seemed to be very important in influencing self-rated health status. For instance, in women, compared to people having 'no discomfort' speaking difficulty, the risk of having 'not good' self-rated health was high in people having 'not bad' (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.14-2.24) and 'discomfort' (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.30-2.47) speaking difficulty. The covariates significantly associated with the risk of having 'not good' self-rated health were: physical activity, chronic disease, stress, and body mass index in both sexes; health insurance type and drinking only in men; and economic activity only in women. Conclusion: Oral health status and behavioral factors were associated with self-rated health status among the elderly, differently by sex. This suggests that public health policies toward better health in the elderly should take their oral health status and oral health behaviors into account in a sex-specific way.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.15-32
• /
• 2013

Few public health researchers have paid research attention to the location of medical institutions in Korea. Previous studies were published in geography journals, and relied on limited data in terms of geographic regions and the type of medical institutions. This study utilized nationwide data covering 8 types of medical institutions. We obtained data from Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service and National Population and Housing Census. The correlation coefficients of resident, daytime, university-graduate population, and the population of different age groups (fewer than 15, 15~64, 65 or more) were compared to understand their relative association with the location of medical institutions. Medical clinic, dental clinic, oriental medical clinic, and pharmacy, all of which are almost completely operated by private sector, showed strong positive correlation with population. Hospital-level medical institutions, which are operated by both public and private sector, had moderate positive correlation. Daytime population and university-graduate population, rather than resident population, were more correlated with the location of medical clinics. The correlation coefficients of the population of 15~64 age group and the location of medical institutions were greater than that of other age groups. The results showed that daytime and university-graduate population are more important than resident population to explain the location of medicalrelated facilities. The results also suggests that the population of age groups (especially, 15~64) might be one of important influence factors in the location of medical institutions.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.23-29
• /
• 2008

Objectives : We examined the association between alcohol consumption and incidence of colorectal cancer in elderly Koreans. Methods : The cohort members (n=14,304) consisted of 4,834 males and 9,470 females derived from the Korea Elderly Pharmacoepidemiologic Cohort (KEPEC), a population-based dynamic cohort. They were aged 65 years old or older and lived in Busan between 1993-1998; they were beneficiaries of the Korean Medical Insurance Corporation (KMIC). Baseline information was surveyed by a self-administered, mailed questionnaire. This study population was restricted to 14,304 participants who reported alcohol drinking habits on the questionnaire and had not been diagnosed with colorectal cancer at baseline. The adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) of status, type, frequency and daily average amount of alcohol consumption were computed with Cox's proportional hazard model, with the never-drinkers as a reference group and controlling for age and gender. Results : After 4.82 person-years of mean follow-up 112 cases of colorectal cancer occurred. The incidence densities of colorectal cancer were 161 (95% CI=123-200) for never-drinkers, 219 (95% CI=125-339) for ex-drinkers, and 137 (95% CI=84-189) for current-drinkers per 100,000 person-year. The status, type, frequency, and daily average amount of alcohol consumption were not significantly related to the incidence of colorectal cancer after controlling for age and gender. Conclusions : There was no significant association between alcohol consumption and colorectal cancer among elderly people after controlling for age and gender.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.21 no.9
• /
• pp.199-209
• /
• 2020

This study was a descriptive study performed to identify factors affecting medical satisfaction in multicultural members. The survey participants were 301 multicultural members in A city. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Independent t-tests, One-way ANOVA, and Stepwise multiple regression analysis with the SPSS 14.0 program. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the predictors of satisfaction among the medical staff were satisfaction with age and health insurance, which accounted for 28% of all variance. Predictors of satisfaction with the medical environment were age and jobs, which accounted for 17% of all variance. Predictors of satisfaction with medical expenses were multicultural form, educational level, and jobs, which accounted for 33% of all variance. These results suggest that we need to develop and implement strategies and programs that can enhance satisfaction with medical use among multicultural members.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.85-108
• /
• 2012

One of the ways to achieve the principle of equal access for equal needs, availability and geographical accessibility of health care resources regardless of resident sites is important. The purpose of this paper is to measure socioeconomic inequities in distribution of health care resources among regions in the Republic of Korea (hereafter Korea). Data were extracted from regional statistics of National Health Insurance, Community Health Survey, Korea Social Science Data Archive, and Korean Statistical Information Services at the same period of 2009. The dependent variables were the number of health workforce and health care facilities in each region. The proxy indicator of regional socioeconomic status was local tax per person. To identify whether inequalities among regions, we examined the concentration index(CI) and indirectly standardized CI by controlling each region's demographics and need factors. Total observations were 232 districts in nationwide, and we analyzed separately Seoul(25 districts) and non-Seoul areas(207 districts). The standardized CI values of health care resources were positive(favoring the rich region) across the nation in almost all kinds of resources. Especially the number of specialist, dentist, dental clinics, clinics, oriental medical clinics, pharmacists, and pharmacies were statistically significantly favoring the rich region. But the CI for the number of long-term care hospitals, public health centers were negative(favoring the poor region). The tendency of CI presenting positive values were increased in Seoul area. But in the case of non-Seoul, the CI indexes were nearly zero. The results suggest that except the Seoul area, little regional socioeconomic-related inequalities were observed in the distribution of health care resources in Korea.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.134-140
• /
• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Excessive sugar consumption may increase the risk for development of several diseases. Although average dietary sugar intake of Koreans is within the recommended level, an increasing trend has been found in all age groups. This study aimed to evaluate the population attributable fractions (PAF) to dietary sugar for disease and death in Korea, and to estimate the socioeconomic effects of a reduction in dietary sugar. MATERIALS/METHODS: The prevalence of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) overconsumption (${\geq}20g$ of sugar from beverages) was analyzed using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015. Disease-specific relative risks of excessive SSB consumption were obtained through reviewing previous studies. Using the prevalence of SSB overconsumption and each relative risk, PAFs for morbidity and mortality were calculated. Socioeconomic costs of diseases and death attributable to SSB overconsumption were estimated by using representative data on national medical expenditures, health insurance statistics, employment information, and previous reports. RESULTS: Disease-specific PAF to SSB consumption ranged from 3.11% for stroke to 9.05% for obesity and dental caries, respectively. Costs from disease caused by SSB overconsumption was estimated at 594 billion won in 2015. About 39 billion won was estimated to be from SSB consumption-related deaths, and a total of 633 billion won was predicted to have been saved through preventing SSB overconsumption. CONCLUSIONS: Sugars overconsumption causes considerable public burdens, although the cost estimates do not include any informal expenditure. Information on these socioeconomic effects helps both health professionals and policy makers to create and to implement programs for reducing sugar consumption.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.60 no.4
• /
• pp.442-452
• /
• 2022

Implant-assisted removable partial denture (IAPRD) can be considered as a simple and cost-effective treatment approach for an edentulous patient with anatomical or financial limitations. Recently, it was reported that the application of IARPD with implant supported fixed prostheses covered by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) were increasing. This case report describes the treatment of maxillary fully edentulous patient with anterior four-implant-supported fixed prosthesis and distal extension IARPD. This treatment approach may be advantageous over maxillary implant overdentures in some circumstances. The patient was satisfied with improved function and esthetics in the anterior area and financial benefit from the NHIS. Further long-term clinical studies are needed to establish clinical validity of the treatment approach described in this case report.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.71-77
• /
• 2023

Background: This study investigated the relationship between trauma exposure and suicidal ideation. Moreover, this study examines the moderating roles of organizational climate on the association between trauma exposure and suicidal ideation in Korean male firefighters. Methods: A total of 15,104 male firefighters who completed a questionnaire were analyzed. The data were obtained using an online self-administered questionnaire from the Firefighter Research on Enhancement of Safety and Health Study. Poisson regression analysis was performed to determine the effects of trauma exposure on suicidal ideation and the moderating effect of organizational climate. Results: The results showed that 389 firefighters (2.6%) responded that they had experienced suicidal ideation. In the final model, trauma exposure was positively related to suicidal ideation (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 1.076; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.051-1.103), and organizational climate was negatively associated with suicidal ideation (aRR, 0.772; 95% CI: 0.739-0.806). Additionally, the interaction term (trauma exposure × organizational climate) was related to suicidal ideation (aRR, 1.016; 95% CI: 1.009-1.023). Conclusions: This study suggests that trauma exposure might play a significant role in developing suicidal ideation and that positive organizational climate moderates the negative effects of trauma exposure on suicidal ideation among firefighters. It is necessary to perform a follow-up study of various intervention strategies to maintain a healthy organizational climate or work environment. Such interventions should promote lasting trust within teams, provide social support and belonging, and nurture job value.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.333-340
• /
• 2017

The prevalence of periodontal disease was steadily increased. The best prevention methods for periodontal disease are teeth brushing and scaling. The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of scaling experience and related factors among some workers. Total 455 workers in 5 manufacturing companies in Gwangju were selected using convenience sampling method. General characteristics, work-related characteristics, oral health-related characteristics and scaling experience were collected by self-reported questionnaires. Chi-square tests, t-tests and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to investigate the factors influencing the scaling experience using SPSS software. Statistical significance was defined as a p-value<0.05. The proportion of scaling experience during the past year was 47.0%. In simple analysis, age, current working position, number of oral disease, interest in oral health, use of secondary oral products, oral health screening use, oral health education experience and awareness of scaling inclusion in the National Health Insurance (NHI) coverage were associated with scaling experience. Finally, the odds ratios (ORs) for scaling experience were significantly higher in younger subjects (adjusted OR [aOR], 3.09; 95% confidence internal [CI], 1.60~5.96), assistant manager (aOR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.55~4.63), subjects with high interest in oral health (aOR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.02~4.52), subjects with oral health screening use (aOR, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.50~5.11) and awareness of scaling inclusion in the NHI coverage (aOR; 2.91, 95% CI, 1.80~4.72) in multiple logistic regression analysis. Scaling experience was relatively low (47.0%). The related factors with scaling experience were age, working position, use of screening and awareness of scaling inclusion in the NHI coverage. Considering these factors will increase the utilization rate of scaling.