• 한국병원경영학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.46-55
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• 2024

Objective: This study was conducted to provide basic data for the establishment of effective health policies for the unmet medical experience that may occur among the elderly depending on whether they live in a singleperson household or not. Methodology: This study used data from the 8th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019-2020) and excluded cases with missing values in variables for the total number of respondent participants of 15,469. Finally, 2,850 subjects aged 65 or older were selected for final analysis. This study examined the relationship between experiences of unmet medical needs, attempting to confirm the relationship between single-person households and unmet medical needs through subgroup analysis considering gender, age, and household income. Results: According to the results, in the case of single-person households, the odds ratio (OR) for unmet medical needs was significantly higher at 1.60 times (95% CI: 1.16-2.21). Upon conducting subgroup analyses for gender, age, and household income quintiles, the OR was significantly higher at 2.24 times (95% CI: 1.14-4.41) for males and 1.48 times (95% CI: 1.02-2.14) for females, statistically significant in both cases. For individuals aged 65-69, the OR was significantly higher at 1.90 times (95% CI: 1.04-3.47), but for those aged 70-74 and over 75, it was not statistically significant. In the case of households with 'low' income, the OR was higher at 1.62 times (95% CI: 1.16-2.26), and for 'middle' income, it was significantly higher at 3.21 times (95% CI: 1.08-9.51). Conclusion: This study confirmed that the experience of unmet medical care is high among men who make up single-person households and low-income seniors. Therefore, this study suggests that policies to expand medical services and support welfare for single-person households should be established to resolve these problems, showing that health policies that take into account individual and regional characteristics are needed to improve medical accessibility for single-person households.

• 대한치매학회지
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.22-29
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• 2024

Background and Purpose: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive decline in cognition and performance of daily activities. Recent studies have attempted to establish the relationship between AD and sleep. It is believed that patients with AD pathology show altered sleep characteristics years before clinical symptoms appear. This study evaluated the differences in sleep characteristics between cognitively asymptomatic patients with and without some amyloid burden. Methods: Sleep characteristics of 76 subjects aged 60 years or older who were diagnosed with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) but not mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or AD were measured using Fitbit^® Alta HR, a wristwatch-shaped wearable device. Amyloid deposition was evaluated using brain amyloid plaque load (BAPL) and global standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) from fluorine-18 florbetaben positron emission tomography. Each component of measured sleep characteristics was analyzed for statistically significant differences between the amyloid-positive group and the amyloid-negative group. Results: Of the 76 subjects included in this study, 49 (64.5%) were female. The average age of the subjects was 70.72±6.09 years when the study started. 15 subjects were classified as amyloid-positive based on BAPL. The average global SUVR was 1.598±0.263 in the amyloid-positive group and 1.187±0.100 in the amyloid-negative group. Time spent in slow-wave sleep (SWS) was significantly lower in the amyloid-positive group (39.4±13.1 minutes) than in the amyloid-negative group (49.5±13.1 minutes) (p=0.009). Conclusions: This study showed that SWS is different between the elderly SCD population with and without amyloid positivity. How SWS affects AD pathology requires further research.

• 보건교육건강증진학회지
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• 제25권5호
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• pp.39-51
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• 2008

본 연구의 목적은 한국복지패널데이터의 흡연음주 현황과 관련 건강위험요인을 연구분석 하는 데 있다. 성, 연령, 외래의료이용횟수, 주관적 건강수준, 흡연수준, 음주수준, 우울증상, 저소득 등이 주요 분석변수였다. 복지패널데이터에 있는 건강변수가 제한된 관계로 분석도 제한적으로 실시되었다. 흡연율은 성별 차이가 컸고, 특히 연령이 젊을수록 높았으며, 저소득 층에서 더 높았다. 20-29세 연령층의 경우 흡연율이 일반계층은 23.3%였고, 저소득층에서는 25%였다. 20대 남성흡연율은 일반가구 48.1%, 저 소득가구 47.4%로 큰 차이가 없었으나 30대에서는 일반가구 60.7%, 저 소득가구 71.0%로 가장 큰 차이를 나타내었다. 여성의 경우 전 연령층에서 저 소득층이 흡연율이 높았고 50대에서 일반가구 3.9%, 저 소득가구 10.5%로 가장 큰 차이를 나타내었다. 음주율 특성을 보면 일반가구에서 음주율은 오히려 높게 나타났는데, 일반가구는 전혀 안마신다는 비율이 36.7%, 저 소득가구는 58.4%였다. 흡연과 고위험 음주문제 모두에서 성별, 연령과 교육수준, 소득계층 등의 인구사회학적 변수가 유의한 영향요인인 것으로 분석되었다. 남성, 이십대 및 삼십대 연령층, 고졸이하의 학력, 저소득 가구일수록 건강위험요인의 정도가 높은 것을 알 수 있었다. 전반적으로는 여성의 건강이 더 안 좋다. 저소득층 여성의 흡연율은 일반가구 여성의 흡연 율보다 높은 것으로 나타났다. 저소득층일수록 건강위험행동을 경험하고, 더 많은 의료서비스 경험이 있는 것으로 나타났다. 한편 보건소 이용경험은 저소득층은 4.6%, 일반계층은 1% 정도였다. 2005년도의 건강영양조사결과에서도 건강수준이나 활동제한의 정도가 각 연령별로 분석해도 저소득층일수록 더 안 좋은 상태인 것으로 나타난 바 있다. 본 연구에서 흡연과 음주와 관련된 심리적 요인과 소득수준의 요인이 유의한 영향력이 있음을 알 수 있었다. 특히 건강위험행동과 관련하여 개인의 심리적 요인에 대하여 향후 심층적인 연구를 할 필요가 있다. 사회경제적 어려움으로 인하여 개인이 경험하는 우울과 같은 심리적 요인이 건강위험행동을 지속하게 하는 요인이 될 수 있기 때문이다.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.647-656
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• 2017

본 연구는 국가자료인 제 6기(2013년, 2014년) 국민건강영양조사 자료를 이용하여 19세 이상 한국 성인에서 비타민 D 수준과 이상지질혈증과의 관련성을 알아보고자 실시하였다. 연구 결과에서 성인의 비타민 D 결핍 수준은 인구대비 74.4%로 나타났으며, 이상지질혈증의 유병 수준은 39.6%이었다. 교차분석에서 이상지질혈증과의 관련요인 중에 유의한 차이를 보이는 변수는 성별(p<0.001), 연령(p<0.001), 흡연여부(p<0.001), 주관적 건강 상태(p<0.001), 체질량지수(p<0.001), 혈압(p<0.001), 공복혈당(p<0.001), 신체 활동(p<0.001) 및 Vitamin D(p<0.001) 등이었다. 로지스틱 회귀분석에서 비타민 D가 20.0 ng/mL 미만으로 결핍일 때 이상지질혈증의 발생 위험이 교차비가 1.29(95% C1, 1.11-1.51)로 유의하였다. 신체 활동 변수를 통제한 상태에서도 비타민 D와 이상지질혈증 진단 지표 중 총 콜레스테롤에서 교차비가 1.41(95% C1, 1.04-1.81)로, 중성지방에서 교차비가 1.36(95% C1, 1.11-1.66)으로 유의하였다. 결론은 우리나라 정상 성인에서 비타민 D 수준과 이상지질혈증과의 관련성은 유의하였고, 그 중에서 총 콜레스테롤과 중성지방에서 관련성이 유의한 것으로 확인되었다. 향후에 비타민 D 수준과 이상지질혈증에 대한 좀 더 체계적인 코호트 연구 등 다양한 연구를 시행할 수 있다면 비타민 D와 이상지질혈증의 인과관계를 확인하는데 도움이 될 수 있을 것이다.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.447-463
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• 1994

Despite the public health importance of injury and poisoning in terms of its high mortality and incidence, epidemiologic information to be utilized are scarce in Korea. This study was carried out in 1990 on a representative sample population (about 55,000 persons) along with the 6th National Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey in order to estimate the magnitude of injury and poisoning occurrence and to identify its epidemiologic characteristics which can be aided for establishing preventive strategy. Pre-tested and structured Questionnaire was used by trained interviewer to collect data including general information of the person, various information on the injury and poisoning during the past one year such as time and place of its occurrence, its nature and external causes, type of medical institute attended, duration of treatment and outcome of the accident occured. In analysis of the data collected incidence rates per 1000 persons by sex, age group and its nature as well as external causes, and relative frequencies were calculated. The result obtained are as followings; 1. The incidence rate per 1000 was 30 for both sexes, 39 for male and 22 for female, male being 1.8 times more frequent than female. Age adjusted incidences were not much different from the crude rates. Age group specific rate curve showed bimodal shape in both sexes, small peaks in preschool children and higher peaks in older ages. The incidence rate per 1000 people by area was highest in Jeon-bug province (57/1000) and the lowest in Daegu city(11/1000). 2. The place where the injuries occured were road in 46%, within the boundary of house in 25%, and working place in 12% The injuries and poisoning had occured more frequently during the months from March to August of the year than other months. 3. The relatively frequent injuries by its nature were contusion with intact skin surface (19%), fracture of upper limb (13%), open wound of head, neck and trunk (12%) and fracture of lower limb (11%) among males; contusion with intact skin surface (28%), sprains and strains of joints and adjacent muscle (14%), fracture of upper limb (10%) and fracture of lower limb (9%) among females. Higher incidence rate among males than females were fracture of skull (4.5 times), open wound and fractures of limbs ($2{\sim}3$ times). Age specific rate of injuries and poisoning by its nature showed increasing pattern by age in fractures of upper and lower limbs and sprains & strains of joints whereas the age group of 30's showed highest incidence in open wounds of upper limb. Fractures of radius and ulna in upper limb, fractures of tibia & fibula and ankle in lower limb were most frequent among fractures of upper and lower limbs. The frequent injuries among sprains and strains of joints and adjacent muscles were that of ankle, foot and back, and among open wound were that of head and fingers. 4. Relative frequency of injuries and poisoning by external causes showed following order : other accidents (25%), accidental falls (23%), motor vehicle accident (22%) and other road vehicle accident (14%) among males and accidental falls (37%), motor vehicle accident (24%) and other accident (18%) among females. The external causes revealing higher incidences among males than females, were other road vehicle accident (4.8 times), vehicle accident not elsewhere classifiable (4.4 times), accidental poisoning (4.4 times), accidents due to natural and environmental factors (2.8 times), and sucide & self-inflicted injuries (2.8 times). Age specific incidence by external causes for frequent injuries showed that incidence of other accident steadily increased from 10's till age 50's; motor vehicle traffic accident increased from age 20's and dropped after age 60's; on the other hand accidental fall increased strikingly by age. The most frequent external causes among motor vehicle traffic accidents was motor vehicle traffic accident involving collision with pedstrain (69%), pedal cycle accident (30%) and other road vehicle accident (71%) among other road vehicle accidents; falls on same level from slipping, tripping or standing (44%) and other falls from one level to another among accidental falls; accidents caused by machinary (32%) for male and striking against or struck accidentally by objects or person for female among other accidents. 5. Seventy nine percent of the injuries and poisonings were treated in general hospital or hospital/clinic. The duration of treatment ranged from a few days to 123 weeks; the majority(52%) took under 2 weeks, 36% for $3{\sim}8$ weeks and 4% over 21 weeks. 6. The accident resulted in full recovery of normal healthy state in 62%, residual functional defects in 21% and on process of treatment in 16%.

• 한국환경생태학회지
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.266-279
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• 2019

한강지류 흑천의 어류군집 특성 및 멸종위기종 한강납줄개의 서식양상을 밝히기 위하여 2018년 4월부터 10월까지 조사를 실시하였다. 조사기간 동안 10개 지점에서 족대와 투망, 일각망으로 채집된 어류는 14과 47종이었다. 우점종은 피라미(Zacco platypus, 37.6%), 아우점종은 참갈겨니(Z. koreanus, 13.8%)였고, 그 다음으로 긴몰개(Squalidus gracilis majimae, 11.1%), 돌고기(Pungtungia herzi, 7.7%), 한강납줄개(Rhodeus pseudosericeus, 5.0%), 돌마자(Microphysogobio yaluensis, 4.3%), 참마자(Hemibarbus longirostris, 3.0%) 등의 순으로 우세하게 출현하였다. 출현종 중 한국고유종은 19종(40.4%)이었고, 멸종위기종은 한강납줄개와 묵납자루(Acheilognathus signifer)가, 외래어 종은 배스(Micropterus salmoides)와 무지개송어가(Oncorhynchus mykiss)가 채집되었으며, 육봉형 어종은 은어(Plecoglossus altivelis)와 밀어(Rhinogobius brunneus)가 채집되었다. 군집분석에서 대부분 우점도와 균등도는 낮고 다양도와 풍부도는 높게 나타났으며, 하천건강성은 매우 양호(매우 양호: 9개 지점, 양호: 1개 지점)로 나타났다. 한강납줄개는 St. 3~St. 9까지 폭넓게 서식하고 있었으며 개체군 크기가 컸다. 전장빈도분포도로 한강납줄개의 연령을 추정한 결과, 산란기인 4월을 기준으로 암수 구별없이 전장 32~45 m는 만 1년생, 전장 46~59 mm는 만 2년생, 전장 60~69 mm는 만 3년생, 전장 70~89 mm는 만 4년생 이상으로 추정되었다. 성비는 본 조사기간에 암컷은 426개체, 수컷은 394개체가 채집되어 1 : 0.95이었다. 흑천에 도입된 묵납자루는 St. 5~St. 6에 서식하고 있었고, 개체군 크기는 작았다. 끝으로 흑천에 서식하는 어류의 보전방안에 대해 논의하였다.

• 보건행정학회지
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.141-155
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• 2024

연구배경: 최근 국내 중고령층 수면무호흡증 환자 수는 증가되는 추세이며, 그 중 가장 임상적으로 흔히 나타나는 폐쇄성 수면무호흡증은 전반적인 건강 및 웰빙과 연관된다. 이에 본 연구는 한국 중고령층의 폐쇄성 수면무호흡증 위험과 주관적 건강 및 건강 관련 삶의 질 간의 연관성을 파악하고자 하였다. 방법: 2019-2020년 국민건강영양조사(Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VIII) 전체 응답자 22,559명 중 40세 이상 성인을 추출하여, 결측치가 없는 총 6,659명의 중고령층을 대상으로 데이터를 2차 분석하였다. 그리고 로지스틱 회귀분석과 다중회귀분석을 통해 폐쇄성 수면무호흡 위험 여부와 주관적 건강 및 건강 관련 삶의 질 간의 연관성을 조사하였다. 결과: 폐쇄성 수면무호흡 비위험군에 비해 위험군인 경우 주관적 건강이 저하될 오즈비는 1.84배(p<0.001) 통계적으로 유의하게 높았고, 건강 관련 삶의 질은 0.02점(β, -0.02; p<0.001) 통계적으로 유의하게 낮은 것으로 나타났다. 특정 변수에 대해 하위그룹 분석을 실시한 결과, 성별, 수면시간, 우울증 여부, 가구소득, 가구원 수에 따라 폐쇄성 수면무호흡 위험과 주관적 건강 및 건강 관련 삶의 질 간의 연관성이 통계적으로 유의하게 나타났다. 폐쇄성 수면무호흡 위험군을 기준으로 하였을 때, 남성에 비해 여성에서 주관적 건강이 낮을 연관성이 더 높았고 건강 관련 삶의 질 점수가 낮았다. 수면시간이 8시간 이상이거나 6시간 이하인 경우 6-8시간인 경우보다 주관적 건강이 낮을 연관성이 더 높았고 건강 관련 삶의 질 점수가 낮았다. 우울증이 있는 경우 없는 경우보다 주관적 건강이 낮을 연관성이 높았다. 가구소득 수준이 낮을수록, 가구원 수가 감소할수록 주관적 건강이 낮을 연관성이 높아지고 건강 관련 삶의 질 점수가 낮아졌다. 결론: 폐쇄성 수면무호흡증 위험이 단순히 수면장애로만 직결되는 것이 아니라 개인의 주관적 건강과 건강 관련 삶의 질과도 연관성이 있다는 점을 인식할 수 있도록 사회적인 지원 및 교육이 제공되어야 한다. 특히 여성, 낮은 가구소득, 1인 가구원, 우울증이 있는 취약계층을 대상으로 폐쇄성 수면무호흡증 예방 및 관리프로그램을 통해 주관적 건강과 건강 관련 삶의 질을 향상시킬 수 있도록 해야 할 것이다.

• 정신신체의학
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.43-51
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• 2024

연구목적 노인 인구의 증가와 함께 노인 우울증도 심각한 사회 문제로 대두되고 있다. 이 연구는 상대적으로 안정적인 제주 농촌 지역에 거주하는 노인의 우울증상 유병률을 알아보고, 우울 수준과 인구사회학적 요인 및 건강습관과의 관련성을 파악하여, 노인 정신건강 증진사업의 기초 자료를 제공하고자 한다. 방 법 조사지역은 제주도 내 농촌지역으로 농업안전보건센터에 등록된 '농업인 코호트' 중 65세 이상 노인을 무작위 추출하였다. 훈련된 조사요원들이 방문 하여 자가보고 검사인 단축형 노인우울척도(Short Form Geriatric Depression scale, sGDS-K)를 이용해 면접을 실시하였고, sGDS-K 점수가 6점 이상인 경우 우울 증상이 있는 것으로 정의하여 분석하였다. 또한, 성별, 나이, 학력, 결혼상태, 연 평균 수입, 주관적 건강상태, 기저 질환, 주관적 스트레스 정도, 흡연 및 음주 상태 등을 함께 조사하였다. 결 과 전체 대상자 533명 중 우울증상 유병률은 35.3% 이었고, 남성 28.5%, 여성 45.6%로 나타났다(p<0.001). 우울증상 유병률과 관련 있는 일반적 특성으로는 결혼상태(p=0.014), 학력수준(p<0.001), 연 소득(p=0.034), 주관적 건강상태(p<0.001)와 스트레스 정도(p<0.001), 절망감(p<0.001) 및 자살사고(p<0.001) 이었다. 다변량 로지스틱 회귀 분석에서는 주관적 건강 상태와 스트레스 수준, 절망감이 우울증상 유병률과 관련 있음을 보여주었다. 결 론 농촌 지역 노인의 우울증은 심각한 수준으로, 다양한 사회 문화적 위험 요인이 기여하고 있다. 본 연구를 통해 조기 발견 및 개입이 가능한 전문적인 정신건강 정책을 통해 농촌 지역 노인의 우울증 유병률을 낮추고 사회 경제적 부담을 줄이기 위한 노력이 필요하다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제42권6호
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• pp.900-912
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• 1995

연구배경: 최대운동부하 검사는 심폐기능의 종합적인 평가를 위하여 널리 이용되고 있으나 아직 우리나라에는 최대운동시의 호흡성 가스교환이나 폐기능의 정상치가 제대로 확립되어 있지 않은 설정이다. 본 연구의 목적은 한국성인에서 최대운동시의 이들 지표의 연령과 성별에 따른 정상치 내지 참고치를 마련하는 동시에 이들 중 일부지표의 추정정상치를 산출하는 회귀방정식을 구하는데 있다. 방법: 건강한 성인 남성 603명, 여성 397명, 합계 1,000명(20~66세)을 대상으로 Bruce법으로 증상제한성 최대운동부하 검사를 실시하였으며, 이중 885명에서는 VC, $FEV_1$ 및 MVV도 측정하였다 대상자들은 모두 전문체육인이 아닌 스포츠센터의 회원이었으며, 운동부하검사 중에는 안전상의 문제 때문에 부득이 트레드밀의 손잡이를 잡는 것을 허용하였다. 곁과: $VO_2\;max/m^2$, $VCO_2\;max/m^2$ 및 VE max/$m^2$는 모두 남성에서 뚜렷이 컸으며, 남녀에서 모두 연령의 증가에 따라 감소하였다. 한편 RR max는 성별에 따른 차이는 없었으나, 연령의 증가에 따라 약간씩 감소하였으며, $V_T$ max는 남성에서 월등히 많았으나 남녀에서 다같이 연령에 따른 일정한 경향의 변화는 없었다. 그리고 $V_T$ max/VC, $V_E$ max/MVV 및 BR의 평균은 최대운동시에 나이가 많은 여성에서도 상당한 환기예비가 있음을 보여주었다. 저자들은 성적을 토대로 운동시간(분), 나이(세), 시장(cm), 체중(kg), 성별(남=0, 여=1), VC(L), $FEV_1$(L) 및 VE max(L) 등을 변수로 해서 구한 주요 지표들의 회귀방정식은 다음과 같다. $VO_2\;max/m^2(L/min)=1.449+0.073{\times}$운동시간-$0.007{\times}$연령+$0.010{\times}$체중-$0.006{\times}$신장-$0.209{\times}$성별, $VCO_2\;max/m^2(L/min)=1.672+0.063{\times}$운동시간-$0.008{\times}$연령+$0.010{\times}$체중-$0.005{\times}$신장-$0.319{\times}$성별, $V_E\;max/m^2(L/min)=58.161+1.503{\times}$운동시간-$0.315{\times}$연령-$9.871{\times}$성별 또는 $V_E\;max/m^2(L/min)=47.873+6.458{\times}FEV_1-5.715{\times}$성별 및 $V_T\;max(L)=1.497+0.223{\times}VC-0.493{\times}$성별. 결론: 본 연구에서 얻은 최대운동시의 호흡성 가스 교환 및 환기기능에 관한 성적은 건강과 체력에 대해서 일반인보다 관심이 높을 것으로 생각되는 스포츠센터 회원들을 대상으로 한 것이기 때문에, 안전상의 문제로 트레드밀의 손잡이를 잡고 검사를 해야하는 환자나 건강인을 위한 이상적인 목표치 내지 정상치를 제공한 것으로 생각된다. Background: Although graded exercise stress tests are widely used for the evaluation of cardiorespiratory performance, normal standards on respiratory gas exchange and ventilatory functions at maximal exercise in Koreans have not been well established. The purpose of this study is to provide reference values on these by sex and age, along with derivation of some of their prediction equations. Method: Symptom-limited maximal exercise test was carried out by Bruce protocol in 1,000 healthy adults consisting of 603 males and 397 females, aged 20~66 years. Among them VC, $FEV_1$ and MVV were also determined in 885 cases. All the subjects were members of a health center, excluding athletes. During the exercise, subjects were allowed to hold on to front hand rail of the treadmill for safety purpose. Results: The $VO_2\;max/m^2$, $VCO_2\;max/m^2$ and $V_E\;max/m^2$ were greater in males than in females and decreased with age. The RR max in men and women was similar but decreased slightly with age. The $V_T$ max was markedly greater in men but showed no significant changes with age in either gender. The mean of $V_T$ max/VC, $V_E$ max/MVV and BR revealed that there were considerable ventilatory reserves at maximal exercise even in older females. The regression equations of the cardinal parameters obtained using exercise time(ET, min), age(A, yr), height(Ht, cm), weight(W, kg), sex(S, 0=male; 1=female), VC(L), $FEV_1$(L) and $V_E$ max(L) as variables are as follows: $VO_2\;max/m^2$(L/min)=1.449+0.073 ET-0.007A+0.010W-0.006Ht-0.209S, $VCO_2\;max/m^2$(L/min)=1.672+0.063ET-0.008A+0.010W-0.005Ht-0.319S, VE max/$m^2$(L/min)=58.161+1.503ET-0.315A-9.871S or VE max/$m^2$(L/min)=47.873+6.548 $FEV_1$-5.715 S, and VT max(L)=1.497+0.223VC-0.493S. Conclusion: Respiratory gas exchange and ventilatory variables at maximal exercise were studied in 1,000 non-athletes by Bruce protocol. During exercise, the subjects were allowed to hold on to hand rail of the treadmill for safety purpose. We feel that our results would provide ideal target values for patients and healthy individuals to be achieved, since our study subjects were members of a health center whose physical fitness levels were presumably higher than ordinary population.

• 대한간호
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.77-96
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• 1997

The duty shifts of hospital nurses not only affect nurses' physical and mental health but also present various personnel management problems which often result in high turnover rates. In this context a study was carried out from October to November 1995 for a period of two months to find out the status of hospital nurses' duty shift patterns, and preferred duty hours and fixed duty shifts. The study population was 867 RNs working in five general hospitals located in Seoul and its vicinity. The questionnaire developed by the writer was used for data collection. The response rate was 85.9 percent or 745 returns. The SAS program was used for data analysis with the computation of frequencies, percentages and Chi square test. The findings of the study are as follows: 1. General characteristics of the study population: 56 percent of respondents was (25 years group and 76.5 percent were "single": the predominant proportion of respondents was junior nursing college graduates(92.2%) and have less than 5 years nursing experience in hospitals(65.5%). For their future working plan in nursing profession, nearly 50% responded as uncertain The reasons given for their career plan was predominantly 'personal growth and development' rather than financial reasons. 2. The interval for rotations of duty stations was found to be mostly irregular(56.4%) while others reported as weekly(16.1%), monthly(12.9%), and fixed terms(4.6%). 3. The main problems related to duty shifts particularly the evening and night duty nurses reported were "not enough time for the family, " "afraid of security problems after the work when returning home late at night." and "lack of leisure time". "problems in physical and physiological adjustment." "problems in family life." "lack of time for interactions with fellow nurses" etc. 4. The forty percent of respondents reported to have '1-2 times' of duty shift rotations while all others reported that '0 time'. '2-3 times'. 'more than 3 times' etc. which suggest the irregularity in duty shift rotations. 5. The majority(62.8%) of study population found to favor the rotating system of duty stations. The reasons for favoring the rotation system were: the opportunity for "learning new things and personal development." "better human relations are possible. "better understanding in various duty stations." "changes in monotonous routine job" etc. The proportion of those disfavor the rotating 'system was 34.7 percent. giving the reasons of"it impedes development of specialization." "poor job performances." "stress factors" etc. Furthermore. respondents made the following comments in relation to the rotation of duty stations: the nurses should be given the opportunity to participate in the. decision making process: personal interest and aptitudes should be considered: regular intervals for the rotations or it should be planned in advance. etc. 6. For the future career plan. the older. married group with longer nursing experiences appeared to think the nursing as their lifetime career more likely than the younger. single group with shorter nursing experiences ($x^2=61.19.{\;}p=.000;{\;}x^2=41.55.{\;}p=.000$). The reason given for their future career plan regardless of length of future service, was predominantly "personal growth and development" rather than financial reasons. For further analysis, the group those with the shorter career plan appeared to claim "financial reasons" for their future career more readily than the group who consider the nursing job as their lifetime career$(x^2$= 11.73, p=.003) did. This finding suggests the need for careful .considerations in personnel management of nursing administration particularly when dealing with the nurses' career development. The majority of respondents preferred the fixed day shift. However, further analysis of those preferred evening shift by age and civil status, "< 25 years group"(15.1%) and "single group"(13.2) were more likely to favor the fixed evening shift than > 25 years(6.4%) and married(4.8%)groups. This differences were statistically significant ($x^2=14.54, {\;}p=.000;{\;}x^2=8.75, {\;}p=.003$). 7. A great majority of respondents(86.9% or n=647) found to prefer the day shifts. When the four different types of duty shifts(Types A. B. C, D) were presented, 55.0 percent of total respondents preferred the A type or the existing one followed by D type(22.7%). B type(12.4%) and C type(8.2%). 8. When the condition of monetary incentives for the evening(20% of salary) and night shifts(40% of. salary) of the existing duty type was presented. again the day shift appeared to be the most preferred one although the rate was slightly lower(66.4% against 86.9%). In the case of evening shift, with the same incentive, the preference rates for evening and night shifts increased from 11.0 to 22.4 percent and from 0.5 to 3.0 percent respectively. When the age variable was controlled. < 25 yrs group showed higher rates(31.6%. 4.8%) than those of > 25 yrs group(15.5%. 1.3%) respectively preferring the evening and night shifts(p=.000). The civil status also seemed to operate on the preferences of the duty shifts as the single group showed lower rate(69.0%) for day duty against 83. 6% of the married group. and higher rates for evening and night duties(27.2%. 15.1%) respectively against those of the married group(3.8%. 1.8%) while a higher proportion of the married group(83. 6%) preferred the day duties than the single group(69.0%). These differences were found to be statistically all significant(p=.001). 9. The findings on preferences of three different types of fixed duty hours namely, B, C. and D(with additional monetary incentives) are as follows in order of preference: B type(12hrs a day, 3days a wk): day shift(64.1%), evening shift(26.1%). night shift(6.5%) C type(12hrs a day. 4days a wk) : evening shift(49.2%). day shift(32.8%), night shift(11.5%) D type(10hrs a day. 4days a wk): showed the similar trend as B type. The findings of higher preferences on the evening and night duties when the incentives are given. as shown above, suggest the need for the introductions of different patterns of duty hours and incentive measures in order to overcome the difficulties in rostering the nursing duties. However, the interpretation of the above data, particularly the C type, needs cautions as the total number of respondents is very small(n=61). It requires further in-depth study. In conclusion. it seemed to suggest that the patterns of nurses duty hours and shifts in the most hospitals in the country have neither been tried for different duty types nor been flexible. The stereotype rostering system of three shifts and insensitiveness for personal life aspect of nurses seemed to be prevailing. This study seems to support that irregular and frequent rotations of duty shifts may be contributing factors for most nurses' maladjustment problems in physical and mental health. personal and family life which eventually may result in high turnover rates. In order to overcome the increasing problems in personnel management of hospital nurses particularly in rostering of evening and night duty shifts, which may related to eventual high turnover rates, the findings of this study strongly suggest the need for an introduction of new rostering systems including fixed duties and appropriate incentive measures for evenings and nights which the most nurses want to avoid, In considering the nursing care of inpatients is the round-the clock business. the practice of the nursing duty shift system is inevitable. In this context, based on the findings of this study. the following are recommended: 1. The further in-depth studies on duty shifts and hours need to be undertaken for the development of appropriate and effective rostering systems for hospital nurses. 2. An introduction of appropriate incentive measures for evening and night duty shifts along with organizational considerations such as the trials for preferred duty time bands, duty hours, and fixed duty shifts should be considered if good quality of care for the patients be maintained for the round the clock. This may require an initiation of systematic research and development activities in the field of hospital nursing administration as a part of permanent system in the hospital. 3. Planned and regular intervals, orientation and training, and professional and personal growth should be considered for the rotation of different duty stations or units. 4. In considering the higher degree of preferences in the duty type of "10hours a day, 4days a week" shown in this study, it would be worthwhile to undertake the R&D type studies in large hospital settings.