• 한국노년학
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.1311-1327
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• 2010

This study was conducted to identify the relationship between depression and subjective/objective health status, and to examine predicting factors on depression in the elderly in Korea. This study was a secondary analysis using the data of Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(VI-1) 2007. A total of 939 data from the subjects ≥60 years who completed health-related survey were used for analysis. Data were analyzed using SAS (version 9.1) PC program. Depression was identified in the 20.3% of the older subjects. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that women (OR=2.04), senior high school graduation (OR=0.27) and lowermiddle household income (OR=2.83) were significant associating factors(p<0.05). After adjustment for socio-demographic factors, hypertension (OR=1.93) and asthma (OR=3.32) as objective health status, and stress (OR=7.27), limited activity in daily living due to fracture or joint injury (OR=6.59) and poor self-rate health (OR=1.64) as subjective health status were found as factors predicting depression in the elderly(p<0.05). According to the type of health status, the subjects who had chronic disease or perceived poor physical health were 5.94 times more likely to have disposition to depression than the subjects who had no chronic disease or perceived good physical health (p=0.001). These findings suggest that preventive education and intervention focus on preventing and managing chronic diseases such as hypertension, asthma, fracture and joint injury should be needed to decrease depression in the elderly.

• 지역과문화
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.25-47
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• 2019

This study was to investigate the sustainable regional ecotourism development and management of the Quinta Mazatlan World Birding Center & Edinburg Scenic Wetland World Birding Center in the Lower Rio Grand Valley, Texas, USA. In oder to identify the substantiality of these two institutions, sustainable tourism evaluation indicators were developed based on the previous researches. Data were collected in December 2016 and March 2017 at the two World Birding Centers. Official documents regarding the sustainable management of the two agencies were collected and interviews with the directors of both centers were also proceeded. The findings show that the two World Bird Center have adopted basic measures for environmental substantiality but have adopted various management techniques, especially for economic and social sustainability. In particular, Quinta Mazatlan World Birding Centers have developed twenty programs and events to attract four different target markets including children and adolescents, families with young children, and adults. It also secured income by donation as wells as admission and rental fees. Furthermore, the two World Birding Centers have provided diverse volunteer opportunities for the local residents. Practical implications of the study for the Korea regional ecotourism development and management were also discussed at the end.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.344-352
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• 2023

Background: With its developed port and related industries, the concentration of fine dust is high in Busan compared to other cities in South Korea. Many studies have reported the health effects of fine dust, but there has been a lack of information regarding concentrations of volatile organic compounds among those who exposed to high levels of fine dust. Objectives: This study aimed to define an area with high concentrations of particulate matter and perform biomonitoring surveys among the residents of the area. Methods: Air quality data was collected and the mean level of each district in Busan was derived. We then defined the area with the highest concentrations of PM₁₀ as a target site. Urine samples were collected from the 400 participants and analyzed for VOCs metabolites - trans,trans-Muconic Acid (t,t-MA) and N-AcetylS-(benzyl)-L-cysteine (BMA). Interviews were conducted by trained investigators to examine demographic information. The levels of t,t-MA and BMA were compared with representative South Korean population data (Korean National Environmental Health Survey). The association of the VOC metabolites and fine dust were analyzed by general linear regression analysis. Results: The mean of PM₁₀ in the target site was 42.50 ㎍/m³ from 2018 to 2020. Among the 400 participants in the target site, 74.8% were female and the average age of the participants was 66 years. The geometric mean of t,t-MA was 71.15 ㎍/g creatinine and the BMA was 7.00 ㎍/g creatinine among the residents. The levels were higher than the geometric mean from the 4th KoNEHS. The levels of t,t-MA showed significance in BMI, smoking status, and household income. BMA showed significance in gender and age. Conclusions: Compared to the general population of South Korea, the target site's residents had higher biomonitoring levels. Based on this study, continuous screening for high risk areas, including the target site, and biomonitoring of the residents are required.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.113-130
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• 2023

Due to economic development and increasing gross national income, the number of automobiles continues to rise, leading to a serious issue of illegal parking due to limited road conditions and insufficient parking facilities. Illegal parking causes significant inconvenience and displeasure to people and can even result in accidents and loss of lives. The severity of accidents and their consequences, related to the growing number of vehicles and illegal parking, is escalating, particularly in the metropolitan areas. Consequently, efforts are being made to address this problem as a cause of social issues and come up with measures to reduce illegal parking. In particular, half of the public complaints in the metropolitan area are related to illegal parking, and the highest physical and human damage occurs in Gyeonggi. Thus, this study aims to use machine learning techniques based on data related to illegal parking in Suwon city, Gyeonggi, to categorize regional characteristics and propose effective measures to crack down on illegal parking. Additionally, practical, social, policy, and legal measures to decrease illegal parking in the metropolitan area are suggested. This study has academic significance in that it solved the problem of illegal parking, which is mentioned as one of the social problems that cause traffic congestion, by classifying regional characteristics using K-prototype, a machine learning algorithm. Furthermore, the results of this study contribute to practical and social aspects by providing measures to decrease illegal parking in the metropolitan area.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.97-103
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to exploratively examine factors affecting walking at night anxiety among the elderly. Study sample for the analyses was 9,120 persons aged over 65. Factors affecting walking at night anxiety among the elderly were composed of sociodemographic factors, health-related factors, and social perception factors. Sociodemographic factors include gender, age, region, education, having or not having a spouse, household income. Health-related factors include walking ability, vision, subjective health status, cognitive function. Social perception factors include perception about other's compliance with laws and perception about safety from crime. The main results of the analyses are as follows. Among sociodemographic factors, factors that had significant effects on walking at night anxiety among the elderly were gender, age, region, education. Among health-related factors, factors that had significant effects on walking at night anxiety among the elderly were walking ability, vision, subjective health status, cognitive function. Among social perception factors, factors that had significant effects on walking at night anxiety among the elderly were perception about other's compliance with laws and perception about safety from crime. Results of this study show that there is a need for multiple methods to make safe and comfort walking environment for the elderly.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.729-736
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• 2023

Traditionally, Germany, a conservative welfare state, has pursued a male breadwinner model based on gender division of labor. For a long time, Germany tried to address low fertility through economic support centered on cash benefits, but it was not successful. In 2007, the German government began to shift the paradigm of family policy for work-life balance under the slogan of "A mix of time policy, income transfer, and infrastructure." When the issue of low birth rates emerged as a national concern in Germany, there was a growing social sentiment that not only the government but also private companies should contribute to increasing fertility by providing family-friendly personnel policies and working conditions. Private companies have been voluntarily improving family-friendly working conditions beyond legal obligations, aiming to secure personnel and prevent turnover. Germany's fertility rate is currently rising toward the European average level in 2023, which can be attributed to the government's work-life balance policies and the participation of private companies. In terms of improving work-life balance policies in Korea, it has been proposed to change the perception of the need for fathers to participate in child care, to make parental leave compulsory for men, to guarantee employment for women after childbirth, to expand child care facilities, and to revitalize family-friendly policies in companies.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.107-124
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• 2024

Based on Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do, this study explores how to mitigate the disappearance of rual areas. The study surveyed 95 young farmers in Muan-gun to assess their farming practices and the challenges they face. We further employ factor analysis and cluster analysis classify young farmers in Muan-gun, facilitating the identification of tailored policies or initiatives aimed at fostering and supporting young farmers. The results are summarized as follows. First, Muan County does not have any ordinances or original projects specifically designed to support young farmers. Second, the succession rate of farmland among young farmers in Muan County is 41.1%, which is comparable to the national rate of 43.7%. This indicates that approximately 40% of young farmers in Korea have inherited farmland, a critical foundation for agricultural activities. Third, despite accumulating farming experience, young farmers have not seen any improvement in local living conditions, and rather their difficulties have intensified. Fourth, this study conducted a factor analysis using 21 variables, resulting in the selection of seven common factors for cluster analysis. Consequently, young farmers in Muan County were categorized into three groups. The multinomial logit analysis revealed that the typology of young farmers is influenced by indicators such as cultivated area, farming experience, demand for smart farms, farm income, and farming type (rice cultivation or other). Therefore, to attract young farmers and prevent the decline of rural areas, policy efforts should focus on minimizing entry barriers to farming infrastructure, such as access to farmland, and improving local settlement conditions.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.9.1-9.10
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• 2023

Background: Studies conducted so far on the link between commute time and mental health among Koreans remain insufficient. In this study, we attempted to identify the relationship between commute time and subjective mental health using the 6^th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS). Methods: Self-reported commute time was divided into four groups: ≤ 30 (group 1), 30-60 (group 2), 60-120 (group 3), and > 120 minutes (group 4). Subjective depression was defined as a score of 50 points or less on the WHO-5 well-being index. Subjective anxiety and fatigue were defined as answering 'yes' to the questionnaire on whether they had experienced it over the past year. The analysis of variance, t-test, and χ² test was used to analyze the differences among the characteristics of the study participants according to commute time, depression, anxiety, and fatigue. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for depression, anxiety, and fatigue according to commute time were calculated using multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for sex, age, monthly income, occupation, company size, weekly working hours, and shift work status. Results: Long commute times showed increased ORs and graded increasing trends for depression, anxiety, and fatigue. The ORs for depression increased significantly in group 2 (1.06 [1.01-1.11]), group 3 (1.23 [1.13-1.33]), and group 4 (1.31 [1.09-1.57]) compared to group 1 (reference). The ORs for anxiety increased significantly in group 2 (1.17 [1.06-1.29]), group 3 (1.43 [1.23-1.65]) and group 4 (1.89 [1.42-2.53]). The ORs for fatigue increased significantly in group 2 (1.09 [1.04-1.15]), group 3 (1.32 [1.21-1.43]), and group 4 (1.51 [1.25-1.82]). Conclusions: This study highlights that the risk of depression, anxiety, and fatigue increases with commute time.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.88-104
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• 2024

Purpose: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is primarily synthesized in the liver upon stimulation of infectious disease cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), and is used as a biological marker of systemic inflammation. Previous studies reported that hs-CRP is closely related to diet and abdominal obesity. Furthermore, a dietary score favoring the consumption of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains over meat and saturated fat reduced inflammation and decreased the prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity. Nevertheless, no studies have examined whether hs-CRP mediates the relationship between dietary scores and abdominal obesity, and research on the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) is lacking. Therefore, the present study examined the association between the KHEI and abdominal obesity and the mediating effect of hs-CRP. Methods: In total, 17,770 adults aged ≥19 years were included in the study using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2018. KHEI was developed to assess the overall diet quality of Korean adults. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses assessed the relationship between KHEI, hs-CRP, and abdominal obesity. The mediation analysis with the bootstrapping method was performed using SAS MACRO. Results: Among women, the odds ratio (OR) of abdominal obesity prevalence was lower in the highest KHEI compared to the lowest KHEI after adjusting for age, body mass index, educational level, income level, occupational status, marital status, household type, region type, alcohol consumption, smoking status, physical activity, total energy intake, and hsCRP (OR 0.744, 95% confidence interval 0.598-0.926). The association between KHEI and abdominal obesity was partially mediated via hs-CRP, and the mediated proportion was 68.7% in men and 38.1% in women. Conclusion: A substantial relationship was observed between the KHEI and abdominal obesity among females. Moreover, according to the KHEI, abdominal obesity may be mediated partially by hs-CRP.

• Journal of the Health Care and Life Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.305-314
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of health behavioral factors such as general characteristics, lifestyle and disease characteristics on depression in patients with chronic diseases. To this end, among 7,359 people who participated in the 8th National Health and Nutrition Survey conducted from 2019 to 2020, chi-square test analysis between health behavior factors and depression for 1980 people aged 19 years or older with chronic diseases and no missing values in the basic survey items was performed. After that, binary logistic regression analysis was performed with the factors that were significant as independent variables. As a result of the analysis, depression was 1.49 times higher in women than men (CI: 1.086~2.044), and was 1.828 higher in smokers than in non-smokers (CI: 1.285~2.561). And the higher the income level, the lower the depression. In particular, the odds ratio was 28.034 (CI: 13.132~59.849) in 'not stressful' versus 'very stressed', which had the greatest effect when the intensity of stress was very high. And the influence of subjective health cognition and sleeping hours was also relatively high. This study is meaningful in that it identified the priority of health behavior factors that should be practiced to improve depression in patients with chronic diseases. And since the number of comorbidity was not significant in the occurrence of depression, it would be necessary to identify the extent to which each type of chronic disease affects depression and to suggest policy alternatives tailored to each patient group.