• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.47-54
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• 2010

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy caused by compression of the median nerve beneath the transverse carpal ligament. CTS can be correctly diagnosed by the patients' description of symptoms and electrophysiological tests that measure nerve conduction through the wrist. Many previous studies reported various risk factors of CTS, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease and trauma. Obesity is associated with both hyperlipidemia and CTS. This study focused on the relationship between severity of CTS and serum lipid level. Methods: One hundred fourteen patients with CTS and 74 controls were divided into four groups according to the severity; normal, mild, moderate and severe. And then serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) were measured in each group. Results: There was a positive correlation between TG and CTS severity (p<0.001). But TC, LDL-C and HDL-C were not correlated with CTS severity. Conclusions: These results suggest that high serum TG may act as an aggravating factor of CTS.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.604-612
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of physical symptoms, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL) during chemotherapy for colorectal cancer patients in South Korea and to identify factors influencing their QOL. Methods: Data were collected from 144 colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy during 2012 at one general hospital located in Seoul. Physical symptoms were measured by the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory-Gastrointestinal Cancer Module, and anxiety and depression were measured by the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale. QOL was measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, $Scheff{\acute{e}}$ post hoc test, Pearson correlation and stepwise multiple regression. Results: Mean age of the participants was 56.6 and most of them were not employed. In terms of cancer stage, 38.2% were in stage 3, followed by stage 4 (34.7%). The most frequent symptom was lack of appetite, followed by sleep disturbance and fatigue. The mean score for anxiety was 5.40 with a prevalence of 23% and that of depression 8.85 with a prevalence of 64.6%. The mean score for quality of life was 81.93 out of 136 and 75.3% of the variance in QOL was explained by depression, symptoms, anxiety, treatment place, and occupational status. Depression was the strongest predictive factor. Conclusion: Oncology professionals need to pay special attention to relieving depression as well as physical symptoms to improve QOL during chemotherapy for colorectal cancer patients.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.31
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• pp.7.1-7.6
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• 2016

Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate radiation exposure resulting from the comprehensive health examinations of selected university hospital programs and to present basic data for research and management strategies on the health effects of medical radiation exposure. Methods Radiation-based diagnostic studies of the comprehensive health examination programs of ten university hospitals in Seoul, Korea, as introduced in their websites, were analyzed. The medical radiation studies of the programs were reviewed by radiologists. Only the effective doses of the basic studies were included in the analysis. The optional studies of the programs were excluded. Results Among the 190 comprehensive health examination programs, 132 programs (69.5%) included computed tomography studies, with an average of 1.4 scans. The average effective dose of radiation by program was 3.62 mSv for an intensive program for specific diseases; 11.12 mSv for an intensive program for cancer; 18.14 mSv for a premium program; and 24.08 mSv for an overnight program. A higher cost of a programs was linked to a higher effective dose (r=0.812). The effective doses of the examination programs for the same purposes differed by as much as 2.1 times by hospital. Inclusion of positron emission tomography-computed tomography was the most critical factor in determining the level of effective dose. Conclusions It was found that radiation exposure dose from comprehensive health exam programs targeted for an asymptomatic, healthy public reached between 3.6 and 24 times the annual dose limit for the general public. Relevant management policies at the national level should be provided to minimize medical radiation exposure.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.31
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• pp.23.1-23.6
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• 2016

Objectives A stable follow-up participation rate is a very important factor for validity in a cohort study. This study analyzed the factors that affect the participation rate at one hospital-based birth cohort in South Korean. Methods The participants were recruited from the Mothers' and Children's Environmental Health study between 2006 and 2010. The analysis targeted 1751 mothers who participated in a birth cohort. We conducted analyses of general characteristics during pregnancy and those of infants at birth that affect the participation rate of the 6-month follow-up survey. Results The participation rate for the 6-month follow-up survey was 60.4%. The participation rate in the follow-up of the subsequent period decreased within a 5% to 10% range compared to the number of subjects. The participation rate of premature infants was 16.9% lower than that of a full-term infant (52.6% vs. 69.5%). Analysis showed a 16.7% difference between the participation rate of low-birthweight infants in follow-ups (53.7%) and the participation rate of infants with normal weight (70.4%). The participation rate of mothers who were employed during pregnancy was significantly lower for the 6-month follow-up compared to the participation rate of mothers who were unemployed during pregnancy. Conclusions In this study, factors such as premature birth, low-birthweight, and the employment status of the mother during pregnancy affected the participation rate of the follow-up survey for the birth cohort at six months. A specific strategy is needed to encourage survey participation for the high risk groups in the follow-ups.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.1155-1166
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to investigate the residents' opinions about community mental health in the Taegu-Kyungpuk area for the future development of a community mental health program and model appropriate for Korea, The subjects were 152 residents in the Taegu - Kyungpuk area. In July 1999, the data was collected using a convenience sample technique. Mental health status was significantly different for the level of occupational advantage(x$^2$＝15.684, p＜.05) and physical health(x$^2$＝39.262, p＜.000). Factor structure for mental health problems with the percentage of variance was as follows. optimistic view(27.518), dark view(10.758), mastery(6.200), discomfiture(6.101) and life style(5.641). Most of the respondents(92.1%) took the mental health problems seriously. The serious aspects of the mental health problem were found to be epilepsy, mental retardation, neurosis and schizophrenia respectively. Concerning about the view of community mental health, most of the respondents answered that the a C.M.H.C. was ‘useful and urgent’ concerning the need for C.M.H,(77.6%). They answered positively on the utilization of C.M.H.C(75.7% ) and preferred the separately new community mental heath center. A psychiatrist was preferred as the key person in charge(44.1%). If community mental health centers were established in a community health center, they answered that the expected major problem would be quality control of care(44.7%). They preferred the psychiatrist's office as the recommended agency for the insane(44.7%). Opinions of the asylum system were found very negative in respect to psychiatric therapy and humanitarianism. The results of this study will help establish a relevant model for this community as the primary site for a community-based mental health model.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.23 no.3 s.31
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• pp.275-284
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• 1990

To obtain the useful information for the status of working environment and health management of workers in manufacturing industries, comparision of results on the status of working environmental and health management of workers for 32 manufacturing industries in Chunan area from 1988 to 1989 was carried out. The results were as follows : 1. The rate of over-PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) to for hazardous factors decreased significantly 23.5% in 1988, 18.3% in 1989 (p<0.05) and, the highest rate of over-PEL was the stone and sand handling industry, the highest rate of over-PEL was the dusty workplace as 38.5% in 1988, 35.2% in 1989. 2. The rate of workers exposed to hazardous factors in 1988 and in 1989 was 22.4% respectively, the rate of workers checked up special health examination was 40.1% in 1988, 75.3% in 1989. In stone and sand handling and medicochemical industries, none of workers exposed to hazardous factors was subjected to special health examination in 1988, but 75% of workers exposed to hazardous factors had checked up in 1989. 3. The 6 industries appointed as part-time factory physician among 17 industries which were supposed to have factory physician according to the Safety and Healthy Act of Korea, 6 out of 24 industries only appointed industrial hygienist, furthermore 4 out of 6 hygienists had another duty in addition to occupational hygiene itself.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.8
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• pp.149-154
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• 2018

As the range of professional voice users are expanding, interest towards voice increases as well. Especially as teachers compose the occupational group, exposed to high risk of voice disorder, it is necessary to identify the cause of speech problems and speech disorders. The purpose of this study is to analyze the voice characteristics of teachers and to investigate the causes of voice disorders. From 2000 to 2018, 414 studies were found under a combinated set search words of 'profession', 'Teacher', 'Professional Voice User', 'Voice', 'Voice disorders', 'Risk' and out of them, 8 studies were selected as final focus analysis subjects. The qualitative evaluation was carried out by modifying the Quality: checklist for assessing the Risk of bias. The study confirmed that voice misuse frequently occurred to teachers when they used their voice and this feature was affected by the environment. These results suggest that environment improvement of teachers' speech abuse and consistent voice education are necessary.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2004

Objective : The purpose of this study were to examine internal reliability and internal validity for Short Sensory Profile(SSP) and to suggest the useful criteria for sensory processing abilities in Korean culture. Methods : The Short Sensory Profile(SSP) was completed by mothers of 304 children typically developing between 3 to 10 years of age in those preschool, kindergarten and elementary school located Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. The total agency for this study was 14 facilities and the period of study was from July, 2002 to June, 2003. Kim Mi Sun(2001) translated and modified the Short Sensory Profile that Macintoshi developed and the tool for the study was used. The data were analyzed with reliability test and Pearson's correlation. Results : 1. Internal reliability of the total tests and sections was estimated by calculating Cronbach's Alphas. Reliability value of the total tests was .889. 2. For internal validity the correlations range from .131 to .575 in magnitude, suggesting that the sections of the Short Sensory Profile tap relatively unique constructs and support the factor structure developed. 3. The total score of the Short Sensory Profile(SSP) range from 118 to 190, mean and SD was 163.12, 14.87. 4. Of 403 children represented by the survey, 32 children(10.5%) met criteria for sensory processing disorders based upon parental perceptions. 5. Cut scores were determined by computing the raw score cut scores for -1 SD and -2 SD. The normal group of sensory processing abilities had score which range from 190 to 149, the probable problem group had score which range from 148 to 134, and the definite problem group had score which range from 133 to 138. Conclusion : Findings from the above study suggest that Short Sensory Profile be the screening tool for sensory processing disorders within Korean culture. Further research is needed to compare with children with the various sensory processing disabilities(PDD, LD, CP ect,).

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.96-102
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• 2020

Objectives: This study identified factors impacting radiation knowledge among aircrew, who are affected by cosmic radiation exposure due to their occupational environment. Methods: In September 2019 we conducted an online survey of aircrew through a Google link. We evaluated the level of radiation knowledge using a ten-item (10 points) questionnaire. The following exploratory variables were evaluated in relationship with the level of radiation knowledge using univariable linear regression models: sex, age, duration of employment, position level, company, marriage, education level, personal/family history of disease, and the number of times acquiring information on radiation through various channels (internet searching, watching television, reading newspaper, conversation about radiation with aircrew/non-aircrew, in-house training). With a p of 0.2 in univariable models, we built a multivariable linear regression model using a stepwise selection method. Results: The average radiation knowledge score of the 356 respondents was 7.22. Univariable linear regression analysis showed that radiation knowledge of the aircrew was associated with their company, position level, age, and number of conversations with other aircrew members. Our multivariable model showed that the radiation knowledge level of aircrew decreased as they had more conversations about radiation with other aircrew members and as their age increased. Conclusions: Korean air crew showed a lower level of radiation knowledge as their age and the number of conversations with colleagues increased. The study suggests that more education is needed in order for aircrew to gain accurate radiation knowledge.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.88-93
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• 2010

To confirm and quantify asbestos fibers released from the asbestos-cement slate roofs due to weathering, three houses, selected based on the year of built - 60's, 70, and 80's, were investigated. All of them were located in the downtown of Seoul. Rain or snow-melt water was collected from the roof in a 3.5 liter plastic bottle. A known amount of collected water was filtered on the 37 mm membrane filter, ashed in a muffle furnace, and subsequently treated with HCl to remove organic material. The treated remaining was refiltered on a 25mm membrane filter for PLM and PCM analyses. The NIOSH 7400 method was utilized for PCM counting. In addition, SEM/EDX was used to confirm the asbestos types. The results of this study showed that chrysotile fibers were confirmed by PLM in all samples analyzed. A significant amount of asbestos fibers were found in the water samples. The ranges of asbestos fibers counted from the samples collected in the 60's, 70's, and 80's were; 10,406.3~55,575.6 f/L, 5,218.8~38,126.2 f/L, and 2,906.3~7,798.6 f/L, respectively. As anticipated, concentrations of asbestos fibers increased with time of installment of the roofing material. We conclude that weathering can be a significant factor on the release of asbestos fibers from the asbestos cement products. Since asbestos fibers released into environment can be a source of significant health hazard, countermeasures, such as replacement, removal, and encapsulation of weathered asbestos slate, should be initiated immediately.