• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup3
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• pp.191-195
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• 2016

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in females. Its incidence is higher in developed countries than in developing ones partly due to variation in risk exposure and partly due to better detection methods. Scattered evidence in Basrah, Iraq, suggests that breast cancer has been increasing at a significant pace in recent years. This study aimed to measure the current level of risk of breast cancer among females in Basrah and to describe the time trend over almost a decade of years. Data on breast cancer cases from all sources of cancer registration in Basrah governorate were compiled for the years 2005-2012. The data for each year were first checked separately for duplicate reporting of cases among various sources. Then the eight files were pooled together and checked again for any duplicate cases among years of registration. The final set of data contained 2,284 cases of breast cancer (2,213 female cases and 71 male cases). All patients were inhabitants of Basrah governorate at the time of diagnosis. Figures on the Basrah population were obtained from various sources including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Planning and Developmental Collaboration and local household surveys. It was possible to have total population estimates for each year and by age and sex. The data were imported into SPSS (version 17) software. Age specific and year specific incidence rates were calculated. The age standardized incidence rate was also calculated using world population as the standard population to be 34.9 per 100,000 females. Age-wise, no case was reported among children aged less than 15 years and the incidence increased with advancing age reaching a peak of 123.8/100,000 females at the age range of 50-54 years. The time trend of the crude incidence rate showed only modest increased risk with passage of years and no age shift could be documented in this study. Breast cancer in females in Basrah is a significant health problem. The current incidence rate (crude, 23.7/100,000, age-standardized, 34.9/100,000) is high and justifies intensive efforts to improve early detection of cases, provide better treatment amenities and introduce long term preventive measures. Using the age standardized incidence rate as reported in this paper, it is possible to put the risk in Basrah within a regional and international context.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.27-43
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• 2010

The present study was conducted to assess relative importance of hospital attributes considered by patients with spinal diseases in choosing specialty or general hospitals. A total of 230 patients hospitalized with spinal diseases in sampled study sites, including 2 specialty and 2 general hospitals, participated in a self-administered questionnaire survey from April 26 through May 8 2007. Patients were asked to rate the degree of agreement on each of the 15 attributes on a 5-point Likert-type scale (1 : strongly disagree, 5 : strongly agree) for which they chose the hospital because of that specific attribute. Based on a Factor analysis, the attributes were grouped into 4 : facility and environment, accessibility, interpersonal factor, and credibility. Both patient groups from specialty (mean scale score ; 3.75) and general hospitals (3.62) commonly considered 'credibility' to be the most important attribute, followed by 'facility and environment (3.05 and 3.21).' Logistic regression analysis showed that men(Odds ratio(OR)=0.333) and those with monthly income of $\geq$ 4 million won (OR=0.298) were less likely to choose specialty hospitals. Age groups of 30 to 39 years old (OR=5.140) and $\geq$ 60 years old(OR=4.761), and professionals (OR=5.207) tended to choose specialty hospitals. Patients expressing more importance on 'facility and environment' attribute were less likely to use specialty hospitals (OR=0.571), whereas those emphasizing 'accessibility' were more likely to use specialty hospitals(OR=1.487). The findings of significant difference in patient's demographic characteristics and consideration in hospital attributes would contribute to have a better understanding on patient's choice behaviour and to develop strategy to improve patient's satisfaction.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.762-771
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• 2003

Purpose: This study was undertaken in order to determine factors affecting health promoting lifestyle of elderly women. Method: The subjects were 299 elderly community residing women over the age 65 living in 2 large cities. The instruments used for this study were a survey of general characteristics, health promoting lifestyle(47items), perceived health status(6 items), self-efficacy(l7 items), and social support(18 items). The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and Stepwise Multiple Regression. Result: The result of the study are as follows: The average item score for the health promoting lifestyle was 2.46, the highest score on the subscale was interpersonal support(M=2.83). A significant difference between age, education level, income, experience of smoking, alcohol, exercise, and health promoting lifestyle were found. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the most powerful predictor of health promoting lifestyle was social support(55%). Conclusion: Social support accounted for 54% of the variance in health promoting lifestyle in the elderly women. Therefore, health promoting programs that increase social support should be developed to promote a healthy lifestyle of the elderly women.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.147-158
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• 2006

The purpose of this paper is to review the empirical study results of conversion factors(unit prices) for relative values of health care services in the national health insurance system and establish optimal classification of health care institutions for feasible contract of conversion factors between National Health Insurance Corporation(NHIC) and provider groups, based on legal backgrounds and types of health care service delivery system. some empirical research evidences shows the validity of applying multiple conversion factors to annual contract for reimbursement in the national health insurance. Policy recommendations suggest that clinic, hospital, general hospital, tertiary hospital, dental clinic, oriental medical clinic, pharmacy, and public health centers would be a basic category of provider groups for a meaningful price contract between the NHIC and providers.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.127-147
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing health promoting behavior and satisfaction of life in female undergraduate students, to provide the basic data for health promoting intervention in order to improve satisfaction of life. The subjects of this study were 345 female undergraduate students living in Jecheon city who were selected by convenience sampling. The data was collected through self-reported questionnaires from Oct. 2 to Dec. 20, 2001. Research instruments used in this study were the health promoting lifestyle profile developed by Walker et al(1987), satisfaction of life developed by Pavot and Diener(1993), perceived health status by Lawston et al(1982), self-esteem by Rosenberg(1965), self-efficacy by Becker et al(1993), health locus of control by Wallston et al(1978). The data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics, pearson correlation coefficient, stepwise multiple regression with SPSS/Win program. The results of this study were as follows； 1) The mean score of health promoting behavior was 2.31 point out of 4. Among the sub-levels of health promoting behavior, the order of importance was the following self-actualization(2.76), interpersonal support(2.75), stress management(2.31), nutrition(2.06), health responsibility(1.83), exercise(1.76). The mean score of satisfaction of life was 4.11 point out of 7. 2) The health promoting behavior showed significant positive correlation with perceived health status, self-esteem, self-efficacy, internal health locus of control, powerful others health locus of control. The satisfaction of life showed significant positive correlation with perceived health status, self-esteem, self-efficacy, internal health locus of control, health promoting behavior. 3) In the relationship between general characteristics and health promoting behavior, there was a significant difference in majors(F＝8.50, p＝.000). In the relationship between general characteristics and satisfaction of life were significant differences in a grades(F＝2.67, p＝.04) and economic status of parents(F＝8.59, p＝.000) 4) The most powerful predictor of health promoting behavior was self-efficacy. A combination of self-efficacy, self-esteem and powerful others health locus of control accounted for 34.7% of the variance in health promoting behavior. The most powerful predictor of satisfaction of life was self-esteem. A combination of self-esteem, health promoting behavior, perceived health status, economic status of parents and grade accounted for 34.0% of the variance in satisfaction of life. In conclusion, we need a health promotion program focusing on exercise, health responsibility and nursing strategies enhancing self-efficacy and self-esteem should be developed to promote a healthy lifestyle and satisfaction of life in female college students.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.295-300
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• 2012

Breast self-examination (BSE) is important for early diagnosis of breast cancer (BC). However, the majority of Turkish women do not perform regular BSE. We aimed to evaluate the effects of education level on the attitudes and behaviors of women towards BSE. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 413 women (20-59 years), divided into university graduates (Group I, n = 224) and high school or lower graduates (Group II, n = 189). They completed a 22-item scale assessing the knowledge level, attitudes and behaviors regarding BSE, and the Turkish version of the Champion's Revised Health Belief Model. A significantly higher number of women in Group II did not believe in early diagnosis of BC. A significantly higher number of Group I had conducted BSE at least once, and their BSE frequency was also significantly high. Moreover, a significantly lower number of Group I women considered themselves to not be at risk for BC and the scores for "perceived susceptibility" and "perceived barriers" were significantly higher. Logistic regression analysis identified the university graduate group to have a higher likelihood of performing BSE, by 1.8 times. Higher educational levels were positively associated with BSE performance. Overall, the results suggest that Turkish women, regardless of their education level, need better education on BSE. Consideration of the education level in women will help clinicians develop more effective educational programs, resulting in more regular practice and better use of BSE.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence and microbiological characteristics of urinary tract infection in infants aged younger three months and to compare with other infection with positive urine culture. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 425 infants with a tympanic temperature >$37.6^{\circ}C$, aged younger than three months, who were admitted to Cheil General Hospital in Seoul, Korea, from January 2013 to December 2016. Demographic and clinical features, laboratory findings, respiratory virus PCR and the pathogens of a urine culture were analyzed. Results: A total of 88 infants (63 males, 25 females) had urinary pathogens detected in the urine culture test. The incidence of UTI in febrile infants aged younger 3 months was 11%. The most common pathogen which causes UTI was E. coli as same as in previous studies. They were divided into a UTI group (n=48) and a non-UTI group (n=40). In comparison of both group, leukocytosis, C-reactive protein level, Absolute neutrophil count level, peak temperature is statistically significant. In both group, there were co-infections with viral pathogens in some cases, and the odd ratio of non-UTI group with viral infection was 3.28. Conclusion: The study determined the incidence and pathogen of UTI in febrile infants, aged younger three months. E. coli was responsible for the majority UTI. There were some viral co-infections in febrile infants with bacteriuria and incidence was higher in non-UTI group. WBC count, ANC count and CRP level were the differentiating factors of UTI from non-UTI group.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.102-109
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the association between sleep disturbances and personality type. Methods: Five hundred twenty-four college students in Gyeonggi-do completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and a questionnaire and collected data were analyzed by SAS 9.4 program. Results: Extroversion (E) type, sensation (S) type, and perceiving (P) type had significantly higher prevalence of insomnia than introversion (I) type (p<0.05), intuition (N) type (p<0.05), and judging (J) type (p<0.001), respectively. Tooth grinding, snoring and insomnia appeared to occur more frequently in feeling (F) type than in thinking (T) type. Tooth clenching, tooth grinding and snoring seemed to occur more frequently in S type than in N type. Insomnia occurred significantly the most frequently in sensation-feeling (SF) type (p<0.05). Tooth grinding and snoring seemed to occur the most frequently in SF type. A significantly increased percentage of sensation-perceiving (SP) type demonstrated insomnia (p<0.001). Tooth clenching, tooth grinding and snoring seemed to occur the most frequently in sensation-judging (SJ) type. Sensitive or nervous type of personality had significantly higher prevalence of insomnia than relaxed or general type of personality (p<0.01). A significantly increased percentage of subjects with bad general health status showed insomnia (p<0.0001). Tooth clenching and snoring seemed to occur the most frequently in subjects with bad general health status. A significantly decreased percentage of normal weight subjects demonstrated tooth grinding (p<0.05). Snoring occurred significantly the most frequently in overweight subjects (p<0.001). Tooth clenching showed significant correlation with stress (p<0.01) and personality (p<0.05). Snoring showed significant correlation with stress (p<0.05) and body weight (p<0.001). Insomnia showed significant correlation with stress (p<0.0001), personality (p<0.01), and general health status (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Sleep disturbances including tooth clenching and insomnia were associated with personality type and it is desirable to manage them considering personality type.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.45-66
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to analyze related factors affecting profitability on general hospitals(300-499 beds). The data were derived from survey by the Korean Hospital Association on 33 hospitals during 10 years (from 1993 to 2002). Profitability was measured by 3 ratios - net profit to total assets, normal profit to total assets and operating margin to gross revenue - as dependent variables. Independent variables were classified by general factors (ownership, number of bed, period of establishment, region), financial factors (total asset turnover, current ratio, liabilities to total assets, personnel costs per operation profit, material costs per operation profits), productivity index(number of daily patient per nurse), the score of quality assurance activity and the time lag score. Multiple regression model was used in this study. First, Number of bed, region was not statistically significant for profitability. But ownership was affect positively to normal profit to total assets and operating margin to gross revenue. Private hospitals had higher profitability than that of public hospitals Second, the score of quality assurance activity was not statistically significant to profitability. Third, Those hospitals having more daily patient per nurse had significantly higher profitability than the others. Fourth, Those hospitals having higher proportion in total asset turnover had significantly higher profitability than other hospitals. But liabilities to total assets and liquidity ratio had no difference to the profitability. Those hospitals having higher proportion in personnel costs and material costs per operation profits had significantly lower hospital profitability than others.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.44-51
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• 2002

Purpose: Surgical Site Infection(SSI) is the third most common cause of nosocomial infection, so that it results in serious socioeconomic impact such as extra hospitalization, mortality and health care cost. The aim of this study was to analyses the SSI that based on the degree of wound contamination and patient risk index after general surgery and to generate a reference data for the effective management and reducing SSI. Method: From July, 1999 to June, 2000, 1080 cases which presented with surgical site infection after general surgery at S hospital in chunchon city were included in this study. The data were collected by review of the medical records retrospectively. The collected data, in accordance with the test purpose, is analyzed by SPSS/PC+ program, using real numbers, percentage, $X^2$ test, Pearson's correlation and stepwise logistic regression. Result: The overall wound infection rate was 4.7%(51 cases out of 1,080). The infection rate of clean wounds was 1.4%. Surgical site infection rate for patient risk index scores of 0, 1, 2 and 3 was 1.9%, 8.0%, 13.1% and 20.0%, respectively and increased significantly according to patient risk index(p=.000). Sixteen of the fifty one(31.4%) surgical site infections were found during an outpatient visit after discharge. Multivariate analysis, identified two independent variables : duration of postoperation stay(p=.000), age(p=.037). The most frequent isolated organisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa(21%) and Staphylococcus aureus(21%). Also Staphylococcus aureus were all MRSA(Methicillin Resistant S. aureus). Conclusion: In this study, SSI was analysed according to the degree of wound contamination and patient risk index after general surgery. The data that obtained from this study is expected that it would be available for surveillance and control of SSI.