• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.49-57
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• 2010

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the occurrence and possible risk factors of enterobiasis among children in kindergartens. Methods: A total of 3,921 children were examined from 36 kindergartens in Ulsan, Korea. The parents were asked to complete questionnaires and to detect Enterobius vermicularis infection using the anal swab technique. Results: The overall rate of being positive for E. vermicularis egg was 7.8% ranged from 0 to 29.0%. The infection rate was related to age, gender, thumb sucking, pre-medication of anthelmintics, employment status of mother and number of siblings. The risk factors significantly associated with E. vermicularis infection were gender(OR 1.628), thumb sucking(OR 1.643), pre-medication of anthelmintics(OR 0.614), employment status of mother(OR 0.574) and number of siblings(OR 0.388). Conclusion: We propose that E. vermicularis infection screening among children in kindergartens should be continued on a regular basis. In addition, more intensive control program should be developed and applied to children.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1589-1593
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• 2016

Opisthorchis viverrini (OV) liver flukes are common parasites found in central and southern Laos and constitute a major public health problem in the country. Laos people continue to have the habit of extensively consuming raw or half-cooked fish which are intermediate hosts. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with OV infection in the population of Thakek district, Khammouane Province. This cross-sectional analytic study covered 237 subjects who filled out structured questionnaires. Fecal examination for OV infection was performed by Kato's thick smear method. Data analysis was carried out using STATA Version 10.0. Multiple logistic regression was applied. The results showed that the infection rate of OV was 54.8%. Factors associated with OV infections were gender, a habit of defecation in fields and raw fish (goi bplaa dip) consumption. Opisthorchiasis and associated cholangiocarcinoma development thus appear to remain as important concerns in Laos.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.621-626
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• 2011

Purpose: Implant-based breast reconstruction has multiple advantages such as decreased morbidity, shorter operative time and faster recovery. However, postoperative infection with tissue expander increases medical cost and causes a delay in concurrent antineoplastic treatment. To reduce tissue expander infection, it is important to identify related risk factors and minimize them when possible. Methods: A retrospective review of patient records in a single breast cancer center was performed. Eighty-six tissue expanders were placed in 80 women for postmastectomy breast reconstruction. Variables including patients'age, body mass index (BMI), preoperative breast volume, operation time, drain indwelling time, postoperative seroma/hematoma formation, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy were evaluated. Infection was defined as the status that shows any symptom of local inflammation and identification of pathogens. Representative values were compared through Student's t-test and univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: We examined 86 postmastectomy tissueexpanders which were placed between June 2004 and April 2010. Seven cases of tissue expander infection (8.1%) were identified. The infected tissue expander was removed in three of the cases. The relationship between BMI, and preoperative breast volume and that between infection and non-infection groups were significant ($p$ <0.05). Univariate analysis showed significant association between BMI ($p$=0.023) and preoperative breast volume ($p$=0.037). Multivariate analysis revealed that BMI and preoperative breast volume were independent variables regarding tissue expander infection. Conclusion: Certain characteristics of implant-based breast reconstruction patients increase infection rate of tissue expander. These risk factors should be monitored and evaluated before surgeries for more successful outcome.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.161-171
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate factors influencing influenza infection control compliance in nurses, including knowledge about, and awareness of infection control. Methods: The study participants were 168 nurses who worked at a hospital in J Province. Data were collected by self-reported questionnaires in April 2015. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 20.0 program. Results: Mean score for knowledge about droplet precaution was 12.16 out of 16.00. Mean score for awareness about droplet precautions was 3.49 out of 4.00, and mean score for droplet precaution compliance was 3.33 out of 4.00. There was a positive correlation among knowledge, awareness and compliance (p<.001). Awareness, knowledge and experience of seasonal influenza education were the significant factors affecting the level of compliance (37.8%). Conclusion: Study results indicate that an educational program focusing on strategies to change nurses' awareness would be effective in improving infection control of respiratory virus and droplet precaution compliance in hospitals.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.375-385
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• 2008

Purpose: This study is to identify factors affecting on the level of practice on nosocomial infection management of operating room nurses. Methods: The subjects of this study were 155 nurses who worked in operating rooms of six medical centers in located Gwangju and Chonanam area. Data were collected during October, 2006 by the questionnaire including a total of 124 questions. Data collected were analysed with use of SPSS 12.0 program. Results: There was a significant difference of the level of practice by marital status(t=3.957, p=.048), education level(F=3.691, p=.027), position(F=6.588, p=.002), type of hospital(t=4.857, p=.029), number of nurse(F=4.243, p=.007), education about nosocomial infection management(F=3.069, p=.030), management council(t=6.397, p=.012) and management manual(t=6.961, p=.009). There were significant correlations between knowledge and practice (r=.389, p=.000), and between awareness and practice(r=.389, p=.000). Knowledge on nosocomial infection management, awareness of hands washing and positions were affecting factors on the level of practice. Conclusion: This study suggests that knowledge and awareness on nosocomial infection prevention and management of operating room nurses should be improved through consistent education. and support of administrator's of hospitals is needed.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.531-538
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus infection control among nurses in intensive care units. Method: Data were collected from August 15 to October 14, 2007 from 188 nurses working in intensive care units. The nurses answered a 26 item-questionnaire, which included management of the cohort (14 items), hand washing (6 items) and management of the environment (6 items). Descriptive statistics, t or F test, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis were used with SPSS PC+ 14.0 to analyze the data. Results: The participant's level of awareness of Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus infection control was 3.87; that of compliance was 3.74. Significant factors influencing the level of compliance with Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus infection control were'the level of the awareness' and 'the type of intensive care unit'. These two variables accounted for 21.0% of variance for compliance with the Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus infection control among the participants. Conclusion: In order to develop a strategy to increase the compliance with Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus infection control, it is necessary to be concerned about 'the level of the awareness', 'the type of intensive care unit;', and 'experiences of caring for patients with Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus'.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.569-573
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• 2017

The present study was performed to reveal the current status and risk factors of Strongyloides stercoralis infections in the villages of Kenethao district, Xayaburi Province, Lao PDR. Fecal specimens were collected and examined for S. stercoralis using Koga-agar plate culture technique. Among 516 individuals, the prevalence of S. stercoralis and hookworm infection was 44.2% and 17.1%, respectively. Co-infection was detected in 13.2% of the cases. The prevalence did not significantly differ between males and females (P=0.193). However, the prevalence of S. stercoralis infection increased significantly with age (P=0.041). Of the risk factors examined, both performing farming activities (P=0.001) and walking barefoot when going outside of the house (P=0.003) showed significant correlations with S. stercoralis infections. Our results suggest that S. stercoralis is highly endemic in this area. The National Helminth Control Program of Lao PDR should take actions to control S. stercoralis infection. In addition, provision of health education about the benefits of wearing shoes would be important for reducing infection in the study area. Moreover, the application of high-sensitivity diagnostic approaches is needed to obtain the true impact of S. stercoralis infections in all rural communities in order to provide surveillance activities in Lao PDR.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.249-254
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• 2021

The study of the impact of weather on viral respiratory infections enables the assignment of causality to disease outbreaks caused by climatic factors. A better understanding of the seasonal distribution of viruses may facilitate the development of potential treatment approaches and effective preventive strategies for respiratory viral infections. We analyzed the incidence of human mastadenovirus infection using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in 9,010 test samples obtained from Cheonan, South Korea, and simultaneously collected the weather data from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2018. We used the data collected on the infection frequency to detect seasonal patterns of human mastadenovirus prevalence, which were directly compared with local weather data obtained over the same period. Descriptive statistical analysis, frequency analysis, t-test, and binomial logistic regression analysis were performed to examine the relationship between weather, particulate matter, and human mastadenovirus infections. Patients under 10 years of age showed the highest mastadenovirus infection rates (89.78%) at an average monthly temperature of 18.2℃. Moreover, we observed a negative correlation between human mastadenovirus infection and temperature, wind chill, and air pressure. The obtained results indicate that climatic factors affect the rate of human mastadenovirus infection. Therefore, it may be possible to predict the instance when preventive strategies would yield the most effective results.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.190-199
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• 2021

Purpose: The study aims to identify factors that influence university students' compliance with infection prevention behaviors in the early stage of COVID-19. Methods: A survey was conducted online from July 29 to August 2, 2020, involving 261 students enrolled in general universities. Frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, correlation, and multiple regression analysis were carried out on the collected data using SPSS 24.0. Results: The average score of university students' risk perception of COVID-19 was 3.80, while the average score of health risk communication was 3.92. The average score of efficacy beliefs was 4.42 and the average score of practicing infection prevention behaviors was 4.54. Factors influencing the level of infection prevention behaviors were efficacy of preventive behaviors (β=.48 p<.001), health risk communication (β=.16, p=.003), subjective health status (β=.12, p=.015), and the type of college (β=.11, p=.041). Conclusion: In order to improve college students' infection prevention behaviors related to COVID-19, consideration should be given to providing interventions that focus on accurate knowledge and dissemination of accurate information about new infectious diseases and effectiveness of infection preventive behaviors.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.267-280
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the status of infection control nurses (ICNs) and their activities, and to identify the factors affecting the level of infection control activities. Methods: Data were collected from 199 hospitals from June 24 to July 26, 2016. The structured questionnaires included status of infection control nurses, type and level of infection control activities. Results: Most participating hospital were advanced general hospital (20.1%) and general hospital (67.8%). Among the hospitals, 86.4% had an infection control department (ICD). The average hospital work experience of ICNs was 14.62 years, and their average infection control career was for 4.94 years. Among the ICNs, 85.6% worked in full time and the average number of beds per ICN was 311.21. There were significant differences in the existence of ICD, infection control activities including surveillance, outbreak investigation, negative pressure room, hand hygiene monitoring, disinfection, and sterilization according to hospital size. The level of infection control activities was higher with more number of ICNs, ICN employment as full time, and healthcare institution accreditation status. The explanatory power was 37.5%. Conclusion: These results of this study which reflect infection control status of healthcare facilities with more than 150 beds in 2016 will provide baseline data to establish infection control system in small to medium sized hospitals after the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in 2015.