• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.141-149
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association between refined grain consumption by subtype and the incidence of hypertension from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study data. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In total, 5,018 participants (2,439 men and 2,579 women) from 40 to 69 years without hypertension were recruited at the beginning (2001-2002). Blood pressure and antihypertensive medication use were assessed biennially for the incidence of hypertension during the 8-year follow-up period (2009-2010). Hypertension was diagnosed as systolic blood pressure ${\geq}140mmHg$ or diastolic blood pressure ${\geq}90mmHg$ or antihypertensive medication use. Dietary intake including refined grains was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire at baseline and the follow-up (2005-2006). A multivariate Cox proportional hazard model was used to examine hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incident hypertension according to refined-grain consumption. RESULTS: A total of 1,377 cases of hypertension (710 men and 667 women) were newly ascertained. Frequent noodle consumers (${\geq}5servings/week$) among the women had a 2.3-fold higher risk of hypertension than infrequent noodle consumers after adjustment for potential confounders (HR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.33-4.01, P for trend = 0.0001). However, no significant association was found among the men. The intake of other refined grain products such as white rice and breads was not associated with the incidence of hypertension. CONCLUSION: Frequent noodle consumption was positively associated with a risk of incident hypertension in South Korean women.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.425-429
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• 2018

Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection can spread rapidly across populations and is associated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasms, human papillomavirus infections, and newborn mortality. This study aimed to provide information that could be used to protect public health and decrease the incidence and transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly among childbearing women. We examined the epidemiology of UU infection in Cheonan, South Korea. During 2006-2017, 4,050 specimens were submitted for STI screening using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Data were analyzed for UU infection cases using the R statistical program and categorical data were analyzed using the chi-square test, and p-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Positive PCR results were shown in 17.8% of the total specimens, in 9.0% of men, and in 18.7% of women. Individuals in their teenaged years and individuals aged 20-29 years accounted for the largest proportions of UU-positive specimens. Although Mycoplasma hominis was the most prevalent bacterium in 2006, it was superseded by UU in 2017. Of the 870 UU-positive specimens, 50.1%, 33.1%, 13.4%, and 2.8% had single, double, triple, and quadruple infection, respectively. UU was most common among Korean individuals aged 20-29 years, indicating a high risk of maternal-to-infant transmission that should be addressed through rapid diagnosis, treatment, and management.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 2019

Purpose : This study was implemented to identify the risk conditions influencing suicidal ideation in a nationally representative sample of elderly South Koreans. Methods : Data from 1,152 men and 1,581 women aged 65 years or older were gathered from the 2013 and 2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI. All analyses were performed using SPSS. To determine significant correlations between risk condition and suicidal ideation, a t-test was used. Results : There were differences in suicidal ideation according to the following individual factors: age, educational background, marital status, economic activity, recognition of stress, experience of depression, and economic status. There were differences in suicidal ideation according to the following health-related factors: subjective health status, EQ-5D (EuroQoL-5 Dimensions), hours of sleep, and BMI. There were also differences in suicidal ideation according to the following disease-related factors: HTN, COPD, asthma, stroke, depression and osteoarthritis. Conclusion : The findings indicate that broad intervention programs should be distributed to prevent suicidal ideation. It is also recommended that programs be developed in a way that can help manage the variables identified in this study. Furthermore, follow-up studies should be conducted to verify the program.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.70-75
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• 2017

BACKGROUND: Immigration to South Korea from neighboring Asian countries has risen dramatically, primarily due to marriage between Korean men and foreign women. Although Filipino women rank fourth among married immigrant women, little is known about the health condition of this population. This manuscript focuses on the design and methods of Filipino women's diet and health study (FiLWHEL). SUBJECTS/METHODS: FiLWHEL is a cohort of Filipino women married to Korean men, aged 19 years old or over. The data collection comprised three parts: questionnaire, physical examination, and biospecimen collection. Questionnaires focused on demographic factors, diet, other health-related behaviors, acculturation and immigration-related factors, medical history, quality of life, and children's health information. Participants visited the recruitment site and answered the structured questionnaires through a face-to-face interview. We also measured their anthropometric features and collected fasting blood samples, toenails, and DNA samples. Recruitment started in 2014. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Collection of data is ongoing, and we plan to prospectively follow our cohort participants. We expect that our study, which is focused on married Filipino women immigrants, can elucidate nutritional/health status and the effects of transitional experiences from several lifestyle factors.

• 한국노년학
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.627-643
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• 2018

This study aims to analyze gender differences in the prevalence of and risk factors for self-neglect among the elderly in South Korea. In order to investigate the differences between male and female elderly group, we compared 793 elderly men and 1,089 women from the data "Research on the Healthy Aging and Well-being of the Elderly" conducted in 2018. First, t-test and ${\chi}^2$-test and multiple regression analysis identified that gender differences in the prevalence of elder self-neglect was not statistically significant. Second, There are differences in risk factors affecting self-neglect between genders. age and class(perception) are the factors only affecting men. Income(monthly), having-religion, living-alone, satisfaction with life, social network are the ones only affecting women. Third, the risk factors for both men and women are depression and social support(public support). It is notable that we verify the empirical evidence supporting the hypothesis that risk factors for elder self-neglect may exist differently according to gender. In particular, gender characteristics revealed in this study can be reasonably explained through exchange theory and feminist theory. Therefore, we emphasize that the policy approach should be done depending on the gender of the elderly, and that the social safety net more paying attention to the depression of the elderly should be strengthened.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.241-246
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• 2021

Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a group of men influenced by South African traditional Zulu a cappella and American black music. The Jubilee Choir of the United States came to South Africa in the 1870s and influenced South African music while performing. Ladysmith Black Mambazo's music can be the result of the combination of the indigenous Zulu a cappella and the American Jubilee music style. This group participated in Paul Simon's album "Graceland" and became world famous. The album won a Grammy Award for sales of millions of copies. After that, they released their own albums and won 5 times Grammy Awards (nominated 15 times) They inherited and developed Zulu music under the philosophy of "preserving musical heritage". As a samely non-Western country, with hope their spirit, inheriting old one and innovating new one, gives positive inspiration for Korean music, I investigated how their music, 'Black Is Beautiful', 'Homeless' are influenced by the western music and inherited their own traditional music in it.

• Journal of Koreanology Reviews
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2024

Neo-Confucianism fettered the society and the individuals regulating such aspects as roles and relationships within a family, rites, and ceremonies. The mandated practice of filiality challenged the Confucian paradigm of gender relations, exposing women to men and the notion of following elders' instructions, which preserved authoritarian power relations within an ancestral line. This ideological base was beneficial for preserving social stability and integrity and aimed to create a set of ideals and norms that would apply to everyone, thus keeping people together. This conceptual investigation aims to identify the benefits of accepting Neo-Confucianism during the Joseon Dynasty and how it emerged as the foundation for the nation's and society's governance. Neo-Confucianism was not an immobile value system but an active factor contributing to the success, development, and positive changes in Joseon Korea; it is the aim of this study to provide a comprehensive account and exegesis of the role and impact of Neo-Confucianism in the Korean historical process. The study will examine the lessons that can be drawn from these historical facts of South Korean history in the modern state, particularly in the areas of governance, education, and social integration.

• Journal of Family Relations
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.157-177
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• 2018

Objectives: The study aims to develop an understanding of the experience of migrant husbands with their South Korean in-laws, specifically from the perspective of migrant husbands from developing countries who reside in South Korea. Method: In total, 13 semi-structured interviews were carried out. Results: The themes drawn from the interview data were "attempting to be accepted as sons-in-law by the in-laws," "interacting closely with in-laws," and "building a nest of their own." When it comes to "struggling to be recognized as sons-in-law" by their Korean families, the migrant husbands in this study met with a high level of opposition from in-laws and sometimes their own family members, made considerable efforts to be accepted as sons-in-law, and then were finally accepted as sons-in-law (although not every migrant husband achieved this). Regarding "interacting closely with in-laws," migrant husbands tried to be recognized as real family members, became hyoja (filial sons) for the sake of their wives and children, and felt a burden about mismatched expectations regarding family roles and obligations. Regarding the final theme, "building a nest of their own," the men tried to be themselves, to attain an equal position to their in-laws, and to maintain a moderate distance between themselves and their in-laws. Conclusions: The study has significant implications for existing government programs designed for multicultural families and how they can be made more inclusive, as well as how new programs can help to improve the relationships between Korean in-laws and migrant husbands.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.22-31
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• 2011

Objectives: We examined gender differential changes in employment-related health inequalities according to occupational position (professional/nonprofessional) in South Korea during the last decade. Methods: Data were taken from four rounds of Social Statistical Surveys of South Korea (1995, 1999, 2003, and 2006) from the Korean National Statistics Office. The total study population was 55435 male and 33913 female employees aged 25-64. Employment arrangements were divided into permanent, fixed-term, and daily employment. Results: After stratification according to occupational position (professional/nonprofessional) and gender, different patterns in employment - related health inequalities were observed. In the professional group, the gaps in absolute and relative employment inequalities for poor self-rated health were more likely to widen following Korea's 1997 economic downturn. In the nonprofessional group, during the study period, graded patterns of employment-related health inequalities were continuously observed in both genders. Absolute health inequalities by employment status, however, decreased among men but increased among women. In addition, a remarkable increase in relative health inequalities was found among female temporary and daily employees (p = 0.009, < 0.001, respectively), but only among male daily employees (p = 0.001). Relative employment-related health inequalities had clearly widened for female daily workers between 2003 and 2006 (p = 0.047). The 1997 Korean economic downturn, in particular, seemingly stimulated a widening gap in employment health inequalities. Conclusions: Our study revealed that whereas absolute health inequalities in relation to employment status increased in the professional group, relative employment-related health inequalities increased in the nonprofessional group, especially among women. In view of the high concentration of female nonstandard employees, further monitoring of inequality should consider gender specific patterns according to employee's occupational and employment status.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.101-126
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• 2003

The purpose of present study is to investigate what is the most important factor among personality, social relation perception, and cultural influence on North Korean Defectors' self-enhancement bias, and how their self-enhancement bias influences on their psychological adaptation in South Korea. To implement this, we compared the self-enhancement bias of South Korean undergraduates and North Korean Defector undergraduates, and social desirability, too. However, there was no significant result. Based on this outcome, we focused on 121 North Korean Defectors' self-enhancement bias mechanism. We found that personality and social relation perception factors influenced significantly on their self- enhancement bias and furthermore their self-enhancement bias affected on their psychological adaptation. In addition to this, we identified sex difference at this mechanism. That is, women showed the same pattern with the existing findings in the study of self-enhancement bias mechanism, but men showed somewhat different pattern.