• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.78-84
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• 2015

Although researches have highlighted the important role of enhanced farm biosecurity to reduce the severity and prevalence of diseases in livestock, to date there has been little study in Korea on farmers' adoption of biosecurity measures to control porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection. To mitigate the risk of PRRSV infection in pigs, the risk factors by which PRRSV is introduced in pig farms must be determined. The primary aim of this study was to investigate pig producers' perceptions about on-farm biosecurity practices. We also analyzed data obtained from a cross-sectional study on 196 farrow-to-finish farms conducted between March 2013 and February 2014 to identify risk factors for PRRSV infection at farm level. Standardized questionnaires with information about basic demographical data and management practices were collected in each farm by on-site visit of trained veterinarians. Farms were classified as negative or positive through the use of infection profiles that combined data on PCR positive pigs and serological testing including antibody titer, sero-conversion pattern at each age category, and vaccination status. Data on biosecurity practices, farm management and environmental characteristics were analyzed using multivariate ordinal logistic regression. Generally, the biosecurity level in the pig farms included in this study were insufficient to reduce/prevent the risk of PRRSV infection given the high pig density areas and the considerable extent of vehicle movement. Factors associated with PRRSV infection were those where owners used on-farm vaccination programs had a lower risk of infection (OR = 0.19, 95% CI 0.06-0.61). The results from the analysis may guide to tailor biosecurity measures in the reduction or prevention of PRRS to the specific circumstances of pig farms in different localities of the world. To the best knowledge of the authors, this is the first study to report information on the biosecurity practices currently implemented on Korean pig farms.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.87-93
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was done to investigate the knowledge, attitude and prevalence status of Clonorchiasis Sinensis (C.S.) for inhabitants in the Nakdong riverside area. Method: Data were collected from December 16, 2008 to January 10, 2009. Participants were 552 people who responded to a questionnaire and had a stool examination. Results: The overall prevalence of C.S. was 13.8%. As for knowledge of C.S., the Clonorchiasis group had a mean score of 10.78 $({\pm}3.54)$ on a 17-point scale compared to a score of 10.58 $({\pm}4.15)$ for the negative group. The intended behavioral change related to risk of infection, according to presence of infection or not, was not significant but the Clonorchiasis group had a greater desire for behavioral change intention than the negative group. Conclusion: These results suggest that prevalence investigation of C.S. in all areas in the Nakdong riverside is needed and indicates that it is necessary to set up persistent and systematic management programs for patient care and prevention of C.S..

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.301-311
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• 2011

Objectives : In order to identify the awareness of influenza A (H1N1) having currently high frequency and risk as an infectious disease, to find problems and to reflect them on curriculum improvements from students before/after clinical practices. Methods : The data was collected from 279 dental hygiene students of 1st and 2nd years at G health college university from December 6th 2010 to December 10th 2010. The questionnaire were consisted of awareness of influenza A (H1N1), preventive attitude, sociodemographic characteristics. Results : 1. 1st year was 51.6%, the case having dental experience was 51.2%, in the infection control training experience 'had' was 46.6%. In the route acquiring the information, the mass media was 70.6%, in obtained information, personal hygiene was 82.1%. In the impact on human body, 'great impact' was 58.1%. In terms of the most need for response and preparedness, vaccination was the highest, 67.4%. People who experienced influenza A (H1N1) were 10.7%. 2. Awareness of influenza A (H1N1) was 0.71 points, and treatment and spreading mechanism was 0.78 points, prevention was 0.63 points, causes and definition was 0.53 points. 3. In the attitude for infection prevention of influenza A (H1N1), 'washing hands before practice' was the highest, 0.99 points and 'wear the mask only in case of contact with patient within 1~2 meters upon occurrence of no aerosol' was the lowest, 0.72 points. 4. Awareness of influenza A (H1N1) according to sociodemographic characteristics showed the significant differences upon the impacts on systemic health (p<0.05). Preventive attitude didn't show a significant difference in grade, clinical experience, experience in infection control training, acquiring rmation routes, the possibility for occurrence, impact on systemic health, the most need for prevention, experience in influenza A (H1N1) (p>0.05). 5. The significantly correlated between awareness of influenza A (H1N1) and preventive attitude(p<0.01). Conclusions : Information and preventive attitude for influenza A (H1N1) as well as systematic training programs to identify actual affecting factors and to improve the practice are needed. Also government's institutional support is needed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.24
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• pp.10723-10728
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• 2015

Background: To determine the level of knowledge on human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and vaccination, and the attitude towards HPV vaccination in pediatricians, obstetricians and gynecologists (OBG). Materials and Methods: Participants were administered a 40-question survey, investigating the demographic properties, the knowledge on the HPV infection-vaccination and attitudes towards vaccination. Results: The study enrolled a total of 228 participants (131 pediatricians and 97 OBGs). At a rate of 99.6%, the participants agreed with the fact that the HPV infection was the most common sexually transmitted disease and 33.8% of the participants had the opinion that the HPV vaccination should be administered only in women. The lowest level of HPV vaccine recommendation was among the pediatrics specialists (59.4%, p=0.012). When asked whether they would have their daughters receive HPV vaccination, 79.5% of the participants answered favorably; this rate was 36.7% for the sons. At a rate of 59.5% of the participants thought that the HPV vaccine needed to be included in the national vaccine schedule. Most of the participants (91.6%) had the idea that reduction of the vaccine costs would increase the vaccination frequency. Conclusions: We observed that the consideration of the costs and the prejudices relating to the inefficacy of vaccination as well as the inadequate level of knowledge were involved in the physicians' resistance to HPV vaccination. We believe that the healthcare professionals should be informed adequately to overcome false beliefs, thereby ensuring success of the HPV vaccine upon inclusion in the national vaccine schedule in the future.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.201-211
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• 1997

This study was an evaluation study of AIDS education program. The purpose of this study was to clarify the education effects on AIDS for health care workers to develop a better next education program. This study was done by self reporting with a 67 items of structured questionnaire by 431 health care workers included doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, and health educators. Data were collected at the time of completion of each AIDS education with the help of education program manager. Both the AIDS related knowledge score and the acceptance attitudes score were significantly higher in the male group, in the medical institution employer group, in the group who have met the HIV infected person, who has known the HIV positive person, and the group of laboratory technician, but the AIDS prevention intention score was statistically higher in the group of female and laboratory technician group. The post education scores of AIDS related knowledge. acceptance attitudes, and preventive intention were statistically higher than those of the preeducation. The most increased item among AIDS prevention intention list was 'I will provide the meeting between the HIV infected persons and the public (+21.9%)'. But even the decreased item among AIDS prevention intention list was 'I will advice to female not to have extra marital sexual contact to avoid AIDS(-3.1%)'. It could be concluded that the health care workers were ignorant of vertical transmission of AIDS, they were afraid of disclosing the infection status, and have less AIDS prevention intention. Therefore it is needed to take an assessment process before each new education trategy to increase AIDS related the effect of the education on AIDS.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.2947-2951
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• 2016

A quasi-experimental study was conducted to develop a health education modification program based on self-efficacy and motivation regarding liver flukes and cholangiocarcinoma development in Keang Sanam Nang district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand. A total of 36 individuals were invited to participate in the program and were screened for population at risk of liver fluke infection and cholangiocarcinoma using SUT-OV-001 and SUT-CCA-001. Development of health education modification program regarding liver fluke and cholangiocarcinoma prevention included 3 steps: (1) preparation, (2) health education program, and (3) follow-up and evaluation. The study was implemented for 10 weeks. Pre-and-post-test knowledge was measured with questionnaires, Kuder-Richardson-20: KR-20 = 0.718,and Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient = 0.724 and 0.716 for percection and outcome expectation questionnaires. Paired and independent t-tests were applied for data analysis. The majority of the participants were female (55.6%), aged between ${\leq}50$ and 60 years old (36.1%), married (86.1%), education level of primary school (63.9%), agricultural occupation (80.6%), and income <4,000 Baht (44.4%). The results revealed that after the health education program, the experimental group had a mean score of knowledge, perception, and outcome expectation regarding liver fluke and cholangiocarcinoma prevention significantly higher than before participation and in the control group. In conclusion, this successful health education modification program for liver fluke and cholangiocarcinoma, therefore may useful for further work behavior modification in other epidemic areas.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1687-1692
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• 2012

Background: Few studies have examined theoretically informed constructs related to hepatitis B (HBV) testing, and comparisons across studies are challenging due to lack of uniformity in constructs assessed. The present analysis examined relationships among Health Behavior Framework factors across four Asian American groups to advance the development of theory-based interventions for HBV testing in at-risk populations. Methods: Data were collected from 2007-2010 as part of baseline surveys during four intervention trials promoting HBV testing among Vietnamese-, Hmong-, Korean- and Cambodian-Americans (n = 1,735). Health Behavior Framework constructs assessed included: awareness of HBV, knowledge of transmission routes, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, doctor recommendation, stigma of HBV infection, and perceived efficacy of testing. Within each group we assessed associations between our intermediate outcome of knowledge of HBV transmission and other constructs, to assess the concurrent validity of our model and instruments. Results: While the absolute levels for Health Behavior Framework factors varied across groups, relationships between knowledge and other factors were generally consistent. This suggests similarities rather than differences with respect to posited drivers of HBV-related behavior. Discussion: Our findings indicate that Health Behavior Framework constructs are applicable to diverse ethnic groups and provide preliminary evidence for the construct validity of the Health Behavior Framework.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.2761-2765
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• 2016

Opisthorchiasis is a health problem in rural communities of Thailand, particularly in the northeast and north regions. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate raw fish consuming behavior related to liver fluke infection among the population at risk for opisthorchiasis and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Meuang Yang district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, northeast Thailand, between June and October 2015. Participants were screened for CCA, and samples who had a high score of CCA risk were purposively selected. A predesigned questionnaire was utilized to collect the data from all participants. $X^2-test$ was used for analysis of associations between demographic data and raw fish consumption. The results revealed that participants had past histories of stool examination (33.0%), liver fluke infection (21.0%), praziquantel use (24.0%), raw fish consumption (78.0%), relatives family consuming raw fish (73.0%), and relatives family with CCA (3.0%). Participants consumed several dished related to liver fluke infection, mainly raw fermented fish (13.0%), under smoked catfish (5.00%), raw pickled fish (4.00%), and raw spicy minced fish salad (3.00%). The most common types of cyprinoid fish were Barbodes gonionotus (39%), Hampala dispar (38%), Puntius brevis (37%), Cyclocheilichthys armatus (33%), Puntioplites proctozysron (32%), and Luciosoma bleekeri (30%), respectively. Participants had a low level of knowledge (mean=3.79, SD=0.74), moderate attitude (mean=7.31, SD=7.31) and practice (mean=38.64, SD=6.95) regarding liver fluke prevention and control. Demographic variables like age (>36 years old; $X^2-test=17.794$, p-value=0.001), education (primary school; $X^2-test=18.952$, p-value=0.001), marital status (married; $X^2-test=12.399$, p-value=0.002), and income (<5,000 baht; $X^2-test=27.757$, p-value=0.015) were significantly associated with raw fish consumption. This result indicates that the population had risk consumption for liver fluke infection particularly of various cyprinoid fishes that are $2^{nd}$ intermediate hosts. Therefore, health education is required to improve their behavior.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.503-512
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• 2002

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop educational materials for preventing type B viral hepatitis infection. Prior to this study, a survey had been conducted to define the educational needs of persons with hepatitis B antigen. Method: Based on the results of the former study and a review of the literature, the content of the educational materials was confined to the transmission cycle and its prevention in type B hepatitis. A professional team that consisted of writers and producers videotaped the lectures provided by professors and instructors in a nursing school. A professional graphic designer produced the leaflet to enhance the visual effects. Results: The contents of the educational materials for type B hepatitis were composed of six parts: (1) the prevalence rate (or morbidity) of type B hepatitis antigen positive and its recent trend, (2) transformation of hepatitis. (3) transmission cycle of hepatitis infection, (4) persons who are susceptible to hepatitis and need a vaccination, (5) preventive approach hepatitis vaccination and the guideline for patients' daily lives for preventing infection and (6) questions and answers. The materials were delivered in the form of lectures, visual charts, graphics, and multi-media. Conclusion: The educational materials developed in this study may provide practical information and knowledge on strategies to prevent type B hepatitis. The educational materials may be utilized in primary health care centers or school health services.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5577-5582
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• 2014

Objective: To observe the effects of metastasis-associated tumor gene family 2 (MTA2) depletion on human breast cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. Methods: A short-hairpin RNA targeting MTA2 was chemically synthesized and transfected into a lentivirus to construct Lv-shMTA2 for infection into the MDA-MB231 human breast cancer cell line. At 48 hours after infection cells were harvested and mRNA and protein levels of MTA2 were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. Cell viability and metastasis were assessed by CCK-8, wound-healing assay and Transwell assay, respectively. In addition, a xenograft model of human breast cancer was constructed to investigate cancerous cell growth and capacity for metastasis. Results: After infection with Lv-shMTA2, mRNA and protein levels of MTA2 was significantly reduced (p<0.05) and MDA-MB231 cell proliferation and metastasis were inhibited (p<0.05). In addition, mean tumor size was smaller than that in control group nude mice (p<0.05) and numbers of metastatic deposits in lung were lower than in control group mice (p<0.05). Depletion of MTA2 affected MMP-2 and apoptosis-related protein expression. Conclusions: For the first time to our knowledge we showed that MTA2 depletion could significantly inhibit human breast cancer cell growth and metastasis, implying that MTA2 might be involved in the progression of breast cancer. The role of MTA2 in breast cancer growth and metastasis might be linked with regulation of matrix metalloproteinase and apoptosis.