• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2018

The health status of menopause and its correlates among middle aged 160 rural and urban women was studied during 2015. The women who attained menopause and belonging to 40-55 years age range were selected from 8 villages of 4 talukas of Dharwad and Bagalkot Districts. The health status of women was evaluated by using standardized questionnaire, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI). The structured interview schedule was used to collect personal information like name of the family members with their age, relationship with respondent. The Socio Economic Status (SES) of family was assessed by using Socio Economic Status scale developed by Agarwal (2005). The results revealed that 53.75 per cent respondents shown moderately affected followed by 26.25 per cent mildly affected and 20 per cent of women indicated severely affected health status. The mean value of health status in rural women is higher ($23.67{\pm}7.02$) than mean value of ($21.50{\pm}6.89$) urban women means the rural women had more health problems than urban women. Health status were high negatively significantly related with SES, education and occupation means women belonged to better SES category, literate and working women experienced less health problems compared to women who had poor SES, illiterate and non-working.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.53-61
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• 2012

Objectives: Improving public capability to obtain, understand, and use health information is important for decision-making and communication. This study attempts to measure adults' literacy of the information provided by a public health institution. Factors affecting different health literacy level are also investigated. The relation between public risk perception and health literacy is examined as well. Methods: A total of 800 korean adults were surveyed. To provide the participants health literacy questions, health messages of heavy metals released by KFDA as well as literacy questions developed by NIKL were used. A total of eight questions were developed to measure health literacy. The dimensions of risk perception proposed by Brewer et al.(2008) were modified to measure risk perception. Results: The average percentage of correct answer for all literacy questions was only 65.57%. Individuals at the older age, and with lower education/ income level were more likely to be low literate. In addition, health literacy was strongly associated with risk perception. Conclusions: Public literacy of health information is influenced by socio demographic factors. This study suggested a possibility that low health literacy may affect unrealistically high risk perception. Further studies with sophisticated methodologies to measure health literacy need to be developed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.4715-4718
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• 2015

Background: Patient delay can contribute to a poor outcome in the management of head and neck cancers (HNC). The main objective of the present study was to investigate the factors associated with patient delay in our population. Materials and Methods: Patients with cancers of the head and neck attending a regional cancer center of North East India were consecutively interviewed during the period from June 2014 to November 2014. The participation of patients was voluntary. The questionnaire included information on age, gender, residential status, educational qualification, monthly family income, any family history of cancer, and history of prior awareness on cancer from television (TV) program and awareness program. Results: Of 311 (n) patients, with an age range of 14-88 years (mean 55.4 years), 81.7% were males and 18.3% females (M:F=4.4). The overall median delay was 90 days (range=7 days-365 days), in illiterate patients the median delay was 90 days and 60 days in literate patients (P=0.002), the median delay in patients who had watched cancer awareness program on TV was 60 days and in patients who were unaware about cancer information from TV program had a median delay of 90 days (p=0.00021) and delay of <10 weeks was seen in 139 (44.6%) patients, a delay of 10-20 weeks in 98 (31.5%) patients, and a delay of 20-30 weeks in 63 (20.2%) patients. Conclusions: Education and awareness had a significant impact in reduction of median patient delay in our HNC cases.

• International Area Studies Review
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.75-98
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• 2012

This study seeks to address concerns, such as measurement and analysis in financial literacy, and also offers comparative evidence of financial literacy among Korean-Japanese, Japanese and Korean high school students. A robust measure of financial literacy amongst young people will provide information that can indicate whether the current approach to financial education is effective. Comparative results could be summarized as follows: First, the mean percentage of correct answers in a Korean school in Tokyo was lower than that in Japan, Korea, and U.S. Second, in income, saving & investing, spending & credit areas, Japanese students were more literate financially than those in the U.S., Korea, and a Korean school in Tokyo. And, in money management area, Korean students had higher score than those in the U.S., lower than those in Japan. Third, while the financial literacy in academic preparation was the highest area, that in household management was the lowest among other areas for all studies in Japan, Korea, U.S., and a Korean school in Tokyo.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 2024

Objectives: Protecting people against financial hardship caused by illness stands as a fundamental obligation within healthcare systems and constitutes a pivotal component in achieving universal health coverage. The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence and determinants of catastrophic health expenditures (CHE) in Iran, over the period of 2013 to 2019. Methods: Data were obtained from 7 annual national surveys conducted between 2013 and 2019 on the income and expenditures of Iranian households. The prevalence of CHE was determined using a threshold of 40% of household capacity to pay for healthcare. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify the determinants influencing CHE. Results: The prevalence of CHE increased from 3.60% in 2013 to 3.95% in 2019. In all the years analyzed, the extent of CHE occurrence among rural populations exceeded that of urban populations. Living in an urban area, having a higher wealth index, possessing health insurance coverage, and having employed family members, an employed household head, and a literate household head are all associated with a reduced likelihood of CHE (p<0.05). Conversely, the use of dental, outpatient, and inpatient care, and the presence of elderly members in the household, are associated with an increased probability of facing CHE (p<0.05). Conclusions: Throughout the study period, CHE consistently exceeded the 1% threshold designated in the national development plan. Continuous monitoring of CHE and its determinants at both household and health system levels is essential for the implementation of effective strategies aimed at enhancing financial protection.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.209-224
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• 1999

I have practiced this reserch for the purpose of proposition of basic data for amendment and addition of computer system after I surveyed the degree of abilities and satisfaction on the computerization in nursing\ practice. Subjects were collected from September 1 to September 30, 1998. Study subjects are 151 clinical nurses who are working at university hospital in Chonbuk area. Study instrument consists of 116 questionnaire which was developed by Kim H. K(1998). The data were analized number, mean ,t-test, ANOVA by using SPSS. The study results are as follows: 1. Most of the nurses who answered the questions were educated computerizing(96%). The abilities of computer program utilities were the most in inputting data(74%). The program nurses wanted computerizing education was wordprocess, dealing internet and statistics. 2. As for applying parts of computer system in nursing, the most nurses were Dr's order check (96%), treatment activity(91.4%), medication(89.4%), lab. test(87 .4%), transfering department(85.4%), transfering room(79.5%), diet(71.8%), discharge (70.2%), Barcord Sticker(70.2%) , reservation(62.2%) in order that were all conected order system mutually to other part. It showed that computer system was not applied for treating the original nursing work such as nursing record (13%), duty scheduling(6.0%) , nursing process(4.6%) , Q.I(1.3%), nursing research(1.3%), education(1.3%), 3. As for the benefit when computer system is applied for, the most respondence was promptness of work and convenience(90.6%) , exactness of work (82.8%), offering information exactily and efficiently(36.3%), offering good quality of nursing (6.0%) in order. 4. The degree of contentment on computerizing in nursing practice showed average 3.24%. The best marking item is that they are eager to participate in the computer education. Next, the automatic output of label and giving the number automatically is to prevent loss and mentioned items of patient registration from being changed(3.95) and to prevent mistakes possibly happening because of doctor's difficult order(3.85). 5. The problems which may happen to in nurses' utilization of computerization for the nursing practice showed average 3.18. The most problem is that the practice may stop because of the problem of computer itself(3.67), and the next, the indication of act can be imperfect(3.66) , manual training may overlap because of incomplete computerization (3.60), practical education for the computerizing is lack(3.41), and the computer literate nurses are lack(3.40) . 6. Study subject's contentment by age was significant difference(F=3.10,P=0.0119). Study subject's contentment by job posision was significant difference(F=6.001P=0.0034) I will propose the following according to the above results. The domain of original nursing practice is urgernt. Manual and indication of act should be made before long in computer obstacle. Nursing department should support the nurses so that they could receive the education needed for the nurses themselves.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2445-2451
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• 2016

Background: To evaluate knowledge of Bangkok women regarding HPV and self-sampled HPV testing, and their attitudes towards testing. Materials and Methods: Thai women who had lived in Bangkok for more than 5 years, aged 25-to-65 years old, were invited to join the study. Participating women were asked to a complete self-questionnaire (Thai language), with literate assistance as needed. The questionnaire was divided into 3 parts: (I) demographic data, (II) knowledge and (III) attitudes towards self-sampled HPV testing. Before proceeding to Part III of the questionnaire, a 15-minute educational video of self-sampled HPV testing was presented to all participants. Results: Among 2,810 women who answered the questionnaires, 33.7% reported that they did not know about HPV. The characteristic features of these women were older age (> 50 years), lower income (< 600 USD/month), unemployed status, and non-attendees at cervical cancer screening. Only small numbers of women (4.6%) responded that they had heard about self-sampled HPV testing. After having information, 59.6% would not use the self-sampled HPV testing as a method of cervical cancer screening (non-acceptance). Factors significantly associated with the non-acceptance were older age, lower income, having no knowledge about HPV or self-collected HPV testing, a perception that the testing was unreliable and a concern that they might not be able to perform it correctly. Conclusions: Nearly half and almost all Bangkok women did not know about HPV and self-sampled HPV testing, respectively. Approximately 60% of Bangkok women refused to do the self-sampled HPV testing. Significant negative attitudes were concerns that the testing would be unreliable and a lack of confidence to perform the procedure correctly. Education about HPV and self-sampled HPV testing, ease of the procedure, or the testing models may increase rate of acceptability or positive attitudes.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.237-256
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• 1998

Death and dying of human being is a comprehensive system, and death orientation, the subjective meaning related to every component of the death system is developed throughout life. This study was designed and carried out to identify, describe and classify the orientations of Korean adult towards the death system. In an attempt to measure the subjective meaning of death and dying, unstructured Q-methodology was used. The 65 Q-statements developed by Kim(1994), used by Kim(1994) and Park(1996) were adopted as Q-population and 39 Q-statements were selected by the three researchers for Q-items for this study. Thirty-three P-samples were sampled from P-population of literate Korean men and women, 35 and 55 years of age, lived in urban Korea for the last 10 years. Sortings of the 39 Q-items according to the level of personal agreement, and a forced normal distribution into the 9 levels were carried out by the P-samples. The Z-scores of the Q-sort data were computed, and the principal components factor analysis by PC-QUANL Program were carried out. The demographic, socio-cultural and health-related attributes of the P-samples were descriptively analysed. Eight types of death orientation were identified ; Type I ; 'naturalist'. Six P-samples. Death is a natural phenomena, to be accepted as it is and to follow its natural course. Prefer to be informed of all facts and possibilities concernig the course of dying and death to occur to self. Type II ; 'life-after-life negator'. Three P-samples. Time and process of death is the destiny of each person. Death means 'darkness' and 'end to every thing, the absolute end'. Yet, wish physical integrity at the dying and after death. Type III ; 'life-after-life believer'. Six P-samples. Men are travellers passing by this life bound to the life-after-life. Priority concerns are on the activities to prepare self for the eternal life ahead. Disregard premature and sudden death. Type IV ; 'here-now believer' Five P-samples. Positive regard to the cremation of the body and donation of the organs on death. Regard religious and customary post-motem rituals meaningless. Negate life-after life. Type V; 'believer of rituals'. Five P-samples. Death being accepted as a part of, a natural end to, and destiny of human life. Concerned to ensure a dignified end to personal life and dignified post-mortem rituals. Type VI ; 'Realist'(derived from Type I). Two P-samples. Life and death as universal reality. The abrupt death at golden age at the peak of happiness is favored to avoid inevitable physical and mental distress of self and the family. Agreed to the cremation of the body. Disregard rituals. Type VII : 'Fatalist' (derived from Type II). Five P-samples. Not favored, yet, all man are destined to death, the inevitable end of all living beings. To ensure dignified end by personal consummation, information on one's dying and imminent death are to be shared. Type VIII ; 'reality avoider'(derived from Type III). One P-sample. Negative to longevity, artificial prolongation of, meaningless and distressful life. Highly positive to postmortem organ donation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7547-7554
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• 2015

Background: The use of smokeless tobacco (SLT) among women is increasing in India, especially among those with limited education and resources. Preventing the initiation of SLT among women is critical since it has known negative consequences for oral and reproductive health. Most research on tobacco initiation in India focuses on adolescents. This paper addresses the unrecognized issues of post marital initiation among women of reproductive age, highlighting the importance of reproductive stages in women's tobacco initiation. The objective is to examine the correlates of SLT initiation among low income women in Mumbai from pre-marriage through early marriage, first pregnancy and beyond, using case examples to illustrate initiation during each of these stages. Materials and Methods: In 2011-2012, cross-sectional community level survey data were collected from a representative sample of 409 daily SLT-using married women aged 18-40 years in a low income community in Mumbai. Information on socio-demographics, initiation by reproductive stage, types of tobacco use, childhood exposure to tobacco, learning to use, and initiation influences and reasons were collected through a researcher-administered survey. Univariate and bivariate analysis assessed factors influencing initiation of SLT use by reproductive stage. In addition 42 narratives of tobacco use were collected from a purposive sample of pregnant and non-pregnant married women addressing the same questions in detail. Narratives were transcribed, translated, and coded for key concepts including initiation of tobacco use. Results: Thirty-two percent of women initiated SLT use before marriage, 44% initiated after marriage but before pregnancy, 18.1% initiated during their first pregnancy and the remainder started after their first pregnancy. Mean age of marriage among women in this study was 16 years. Younger women (i.e. age at time of the interview of less than 30 years) were 0.47 [95% CI (0.32, 0.87)] percent less likely to initiate after marriage than women aged more than 30 years. Women who got married before 18 years of age were 2.34 [95% CI (1.40, 3.93)] times more likely to initiate after marriage than their counterparts. Childhood exposure was a predictor for initiating SLT use prior to marriage but not after. Women reporting tooth and gum pain were 1.85 times more likely to initiate after marriage than their counterparts. Husband and neighbours were the most significant influences on post-marital initiation. Narratives highlighted differences in processes of initiation pre and post marriage and during pregnancy. Conclusions: Most tobacco prevention interventions are directed to adolescents in school. This study suggests that especially for low literate or illiterate women, school based interventions are ineffective. To be effective strategies to prevent SLT initiation must reach women in urban areas at or immediately after marriage and during their first pregnancy. Messages must negate culturally rooted beliefs about the health benefits of SLT in order to prevent initiation and onset of daily use.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.10
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• pp.39-70
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• 1983

The concept of the public library defined by the Korean Library Association does not describe the current state of the Korean public library but describes the public libraries in the western society. Korean public library was formed after the western public library but it was modified and reconciled with the tradition of Korea. The difference between the concepts occured in the acculturation process of the Korean public library. According to the International Encyclopeadia of the Social Sciences, acculturation comprehends those phenomena which result when groups of individuals having different cultures come into continuous firsthand contact, with subsequent changes in the original cultural patterns of either of both groups. Korea opened its door to western world in 1876, and it began to contact with the western world. As the consequence, the concept of the public library of the West diffused to Lee Dynasty which were characterized by the confucianism and the extended family system. These two characteristics were against the public library concept and it could not function as it was and it had to be modified to fit to Korean society. The American public library was formed by the diffusion of English public library. The concept fitted in the colonial American society which was characterized by the Christianity and nuclear family system. Religion and family life were closely knitted together and they contributed much to the formation of the American public library. Also the society needed various information to form their new nation. The need of the public library grew and the public library repidly developed as the American society was urbanized and industrialized. The changes of Korean public library has passed the following process of acculturation. 1. The Korean culture contacted with Western world. 2. The public library concept diffused to Korea, but the people were illiterate and the need of the public library was for the preservation of the old books. The collection was not for people. 3. The function of the public library in Korea was altered slightly as several intellectuals who formed the first modern public library tried to literate Koreans as a means of liberation :from Japan through the library service. 4. The traditional libraries such as sodandg and hyangyo disorganized and finally disappeared as the traditional elements of the culture disappeared and the new cultural elements prevailed in Korea. 5. When the traditional elements of culture were disorganized, a reinterpretation of the diffused culture appeared. With the appearance of the vouth group which was not existed in the traditional society, cultural facilities for them were needed. They began to use public library as their reading rooms. This pattern has been institutionalized ever since in Korean public library. 6. When the new element of the culture spread, the traditional cultural elements react against this element. As the new public libraries sprung out, there were movements to restore the old Korean tradition of the family libraries and Hyangyo to counteract to the new libraries. This movements were not successful and they all disappeared as they could not keep up the rapid social change occurred in the Korean society. 7. In the process of the cultral change, cultural lag occurred between the public library and the users who could not adopt to the new library. This has been continued to the present time. 8. This diffused concept of the public library was modified and became native to Korean society. However, the acculturation of the public library concept has not changed the traditional ideas of Korean people and their behavior. The Korean society recently has been changing rapidly and the function of the Korean public library is improving accordingly; 1. The extended Korean family system is disorganizing. As the consequence, the public library could substitute the family system offering information and recreation service, etc. 2. The growth of educated population is requiring a variety of library materials. An individual library can not meet the needs of them and cooperative library service will be needed to share resources. The public library will become the center of the cooperative service. 3. The Koreans are watching TV more hours than they read printed materials. For them, the public library needs to collect audiovisual materials. Especially the teaching materials should be all audiovisualized for the effective teaching. 4. Technology is developing rapidly in Korea, especially computer technology is applied in many parts of the society. This will also influence library service. The public library will be developing as the centralized library computer system. When the Korean public library functions as the extended family system and the center of the cooperative library system, the Korean public library will be functioning as the public library defined by the Korean Library Association.