• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.21
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• pp.9225-9232
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• 2014

Ensuring adherence to chemotherapy is important to prevent disease progression, prolong survival and sustain good quality of life. Capecitabine is a complex chemotherapeutic agent with many side effects that might affect patient adherence to treatment. This cross sectional study aimed to determine adherence to capecitabine and its contributing factors among cancer outpatients in Malaysia. One hundred and thirteen patients on single regime capecitabine were recruited from Hospital Sultan Ismail and Hospital Kuala Lumpur from October 2013 to March 2014. Adherence was determined based on adherence score using validated Medication Compliance Questionnaire. Patient socio-demographics, disease, and treatment characteristics were obtained from medical records. Satisfaction score was measured using the validated Patient Satisfaction with Healthcare questionnaire. The mean adherence score was 96.1% (standard deviation: 3.29%). The significant contributing factors of adherence to capecitabine were Malay ethnicity [${\beta}=1.3$; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.21, 2.43; p value=0.020], being female [${\beta}=1.8$; 95%CI: 0.61, 2.99; p value=0.003]), satisfaction score [${\beta}=0.08$; 95%CI: 0.06, 1.46; p value=0.035], presence of nausea or vomiting [${\beta}=2.3$; 95%CI: 1.12, 3.48; p value <0.001] and other side effects [${\beta}=1.45$; 95%CI: 0.24, 2.65; p value=0.019]. Adherence to capecitabine was generally high in our local population. Attention should be given to non-Malay males and patients having nausea, vomiting or other side effects. Sufficient information, proactive assessment and appropriate management of side effects would improve patient satisfaction and thus create motivation to adhere to treatment plans.

• Proceeding of Spring/Autumn Annual Conference of KHA
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.140-143
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• 2008

As the number of family living alone is expected to soar due to a change in socio-demographics like divorce, more middle-aged women returning to work, homes become smaller and so on. In addition to in 2020 these people will be increase so that 85 percent of the Koreans compose elderly living alone who is over 65. This study aims at developing a sharing-typed elderly people-centered rental model which is accessible in the community integration dimension as an alternative and finding out theirconscious, their need about residence. and we need to check about their major requirements on improvement step by step. so that we suggest the desirable way on the existing multi house. The model provides benefits in the social, economical and pragmatic dimensions as the families living alone get together and living with others, Particularly, as a residence model which reduces a psychological loneliness and at the same time enables the elderly to continue to live a life in the community while they live together with other people, this model could be a strategy which supports the "Aging in Place." This study is in progress via small group workshop which debate gradually about special subject with similar group member. So we can find the residence's preference on living environment in various condition and the member can imagine freely on their future living arrangement by giving the various informations which can be proceed in future. The workshop proceed three times. at the first workshop, we're check their living environment and satisfaction level. and second time we give the knowledge about shared-type rental house then discuss about the model. and last time we're listen to the residence's opinion.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.9021-9025
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• 2014

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among females in Turkey. Predictors affecting the breast self-examination (BSE) performance vary in developing countries. Objective: To determine the frequency of BSE performance and predictors of self-reported BSEs among women in the capital city of Turkey. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 376 Turkish women using a self-administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic variables and BSE-related features. Results: Of the participants, 78.7% (N=296) reported practicing BSE, whereas 9.5% (N=28) were implementing BSE regularly on a monthly basis, and only 5.7% (N=17) were performing BSE regularly within a week after each menstrual cycle. Multivariate logistic regression modeling revealed that BSE performance was more likely in younger age groups [20-39 years] (p=0.018, OR=3.215) and [40-49 years] (p=0.009, OR=3.162), women having a family history of breast disease (p=0.038, OR=2.028), and housewives (p=0.013, OR=0.353). Conclusions: Although it appears that the rates of BSE performers are high, the number of women conducting appropriate BSE on a regular time interval basis is lower than expected. Younger age groups, family history of breast diseases and not being employed were identified as significant predictors of practicing BSE appropriately. Older age and employment were risk factors for not performing BSE in this sample.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1091-1095
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• 2015

Cancers can be detected in early stages through awareness of suspicious symptoms or by specific actions undertaken by individuals or participation in medical checks or screening programmes. The present research had three objectives: to assess the knowledge of Romanian women who have relatives with cancer with regard to cancer symptoms and detection methods; to identify socio-demographics factors influencing their level of knowledge; provide information regarding the attitudes of women from the study regarding medical help-seeking in case of any symptom which might be associated with cancer. This cross-sectional study was performed in an oncological hospital from Cluj-Napoca, Romania. It involved 160 women aged 18-70 years, who had relatives with cancer. An anonymous questionnaire was filled in by the participants. The results showed that around 10% of the study sample recognized all the 8 listed symptoms associated with cancer and all the 7 listed methods for cancer detection. The results of the linear regression analyses show that the level of knowledge regarding both symptoms and methods for detection was higher among younger women (B=-0.390, p<0.01, respectively B=-0.260; p<0.01), among those living in urban areas (B=0.872, p<0.01, respectively B=0.676; p<0.01) and those having higher educational level (B=0.883, p<0.001, respectively B=0.536; p<0.001). The majority of the participants agreed with the importance of looking for medical help within weeks up to one month in case that a symptom which might be associated with cancer was observed. The study underlines the necessity that much more information should be given to women who have relatives with cancer about what they can do to detect cancer in an early stage. This is especially needed for older women, women living in rural areas and women having a lower educational level.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.5762-5770
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to identify the predictors of motivation to change in people with an alcohol dependence. The participants were 209 peoples with alcohol dependence. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires, which were constructed to include socio-demographics, alcohol drinking-related factors, and psychosocial-spiritual factors. Data were analyzed with the SPSS 19.0 programs. The significant predictors of motivation to change in peoples with alcohol dependence were gratitude, professional support, and age at first admission. These alcohol drinking-related factors and psychosocial factors explained 22.7% of the variance in peoples with an alcohol dependence. These results suggest that motivation to change in people with an alcohol dependents can be changed positively by increasing gratitude and professional support.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.241-251
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the factors related to the bone mineral density (BMD) in male and female adults aged 50 years or older. The factors included were socio-demographics, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, blood lipids, and health habits. Methods: As a secondary data analysis, this study used raw data from the 5th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and selected 2,295 adults aged over 50 years who participated in the survey and had BMD values. The T-score of the femoral neck was evaluated for BMD. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA and multiple regression. Results: The factors influencing the BMD in men were age (${\beta}=-.029$, p<.001), BMI (${\beta}=.100$, p<.001), triglyceride (${\beta}=-.001$, p=.001), and calcium (${\beta}=.001$, p=.003), and the suggested regression equation explained 25.6% of the variance in BMD (F=16.32, p<.001). The factors related to BMD in women were age (${\beta}=-.060$, p<.001), BMI (${\beta}=.091$, p<.001), total cholesterol (${\beta}=-.002$, p=.028), HDL cholesterol (${\beta}=.009$, p=.001), and calcium (${\beta}=.001$, p=.004), and the suggested regression equation explained 47.0% of the variance in BMD (F=61.72, p<.001). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, the modifiable factors, such as BMI, blood cholesterol, and calcium, should be targeted to improve the BMD in both men and women.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.373-382
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• 2010

A number of recent studies have shown that occupational stress is closely associated with increased fatigue and decreased job satisfaction. This study was designed to assess stress in workers in the field of EIA (environment impact assessment) from July 2009 through september 2009, and questionnaires were uesd to analyze the stress scores and identify the primary factors influencing stress in this occupation. The number of respondents was 272 working in the Capital (Seoul and Kyunggido), Chungcheongdo, Jejudo area. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate the participants' socio-demographics, job-related factors, health-related behaviors, occupational stress, reaction factor (self-perceived fatigue, job satisfaction) and buffer factor (social support). Occupational stress and self-perceived fatigue were assessed using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale-Short Form (KOSS-SF) and the Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (MFS), respectively. The analysis revealed a strong correlation between occupational stress, job satisfaction, and social support, with occupational stress being associated with an increased risk of fatigue and decreased job satisfaction. In the multiple regression analysis(stepwise), the main factors influencing occupational stress were found to be job satisfaction, supervisor, fatigue, working time, no. of personnel, career. The results of this study suggest that occupational stress is a determinant predictor of self perceived fatigue and job satisfaction. Thus, a strong recommendation is made for a stress management program for reduction of occupational stress, and for the development of relevant experts on the health and quality of life of environment impact assessment workers.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.451-461
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• 2021

Background: Readmissions related to lack of quality care harm both patients and health insurance finances. If the factors affecting readmission are identified, the readmission can be managed by controlling those factors. This paper aims to identify factors that affect readmissions of convalescent rehabilitation patients. Methods: Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service claims data were used to identify readmissions of convalescent patients who were admitted in hospitals and long-term care hospitals nationwide in 2018. Based on prior research, the socio-demographics, clinical, medical institution, and staffing levels characteristics were included in the research model as independent variables. Readmissions for convalescent rehabilitation treatment within 30 days after discharge were analyzed using logistic regression and generalization estimation equation. Results: The average readmission rate of the study subjects was 24.4%, and the risk of readmission decreases as age, length of stay, and the number of patients per physical therapist increase. In the patient group, the risk of readmission is lower in the spinal cord injury group and the musculoskeletal system group than in the brain injury group. The risk of readmission increases as the severity of patients and the number of patients per rehabilitation medicine specialist increases. Besides, the readmission risk is higher in men than women and long-term care hospitals than hospitals. Conclusion: "Reducing the readmission rate" is consistent with the ultimate goal of the convalescent rehabilitation system. Thus, it is necessary to prepare a mechanism for policy management of readmission.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.401-411
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• 2021

Diet is important for muscle health and offers a protective effects against the loss of skeletal muscle mass and physical functions with advancing age. We analyzed the relationship between diet, metabolic disease risk, and sarcopenia in Korean female adults using the 2009-2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). A total of 2038 adult women aged 50-64 years were classified into four groups based on the diagnosis of menopause and sarcopenia. The groups were the non-menopause and non-sarcopenia group (NMNS, n=249), the non-menopause and sarcopenia group (NMS, n=14), the menopause and non-sarcopenia group (MNS, n=1,653), and the menopause and sarcopenia group (MS, n=122). The socio-demographics, anthropometrics, blood profile, and dietary data of the subjects were collected. Those who were in both the sarcopenia groups were more obese (p<0.001), had greater waist circumferences (p<0.001), higher body mass index (p<0.001), and higher obesity rates (p<0.001) after adjustment for covariants. Both the sarcopenia groups also had higher plasma levels of total cholesterol (p<0.001), HbA1c (p=0.001), and vitamin D (p=0.020) than both the non-sarcopenia groups. Both the sarcopenia groups demonstrated a decreased intake of calcium (p=0.05), potassium (p=0.008), and niacin (p=0.008) than both the non-sarcopenia ones. Among the four groups, the NMS group showed the highest levels of total cholesterol, obesity, and lowest intake of micronutrients such as calcium, niacin, and potassium. Thus, muscle mass maintenance through weight control and adequate nutrient intake appears to demonstrate a potential association with preventing sarcopenia in Korean middle-aged women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.555-562
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• 2021

This study sought to investigate the association between the food literacy (FL) of children and mothers, and the maternal feeding style. Study subjects were mothers (n=400) with children in the 4th to 6th grades of elementary school and who were the primary caregivers for their children (n=400). The responses to the Caregiver's Feeding Styles Questionnaire (CFSQ) were obtained from mothers. Both mothers and children completed the questionnaire for socio-demographics, dietary habits, health status, and food literacy. The high demanding/high responsive feeding style was associated with increased meal frequency for both mothers and children. The low demanding/low responsive feeding style was significantly associated with a lower mother's FL after accounting for confounding factors. The low demanding feeding styles were associated with the child's lower FL after adjustments for the age, sex, weight status of the child and the age, household income, and education of the mother. However, this association was not seen after making an additional adjustment for the mother's FL. These results suggest that the caregiver's feeding style may affect the dietary habits and FL of both mother and child.