• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.5-15
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• 1989

To compare the health status of rural and urban aged persons(over 65 years old) by an abnormality of a hematologic and some biochemical values as well as urinalysis and chest X-ray, following examinations were done on 8,756(male : 4,339: female 4,417) by hemoglobin, total cholesteol, GOT, and glucose, on 9,207(male: 4,467; female : 4.740) by urinalysis and on 9,148(male : 4,426: female : 4,722) by chest X-ray. The results are as follows: 1) The proportion of outlier of normal range of the GOT(over 40 unit) showed higher in rural aged persons(5.3%) than in urban aged(2.8%). There was no significant difference in both of urban and rual female, but the rural male(7.4 showed significantly higher than the urban male(3.9% ). 2) The proportion of abnormality of the total cholesterol value(over 260 mg/dl) was 7,0% in urban and 1.7% in rural aged persons. In the male, there was no significant difference in both urban(2.2%) and rural(1.4%), however the urban female(10.5%) showed significantly higher than the rural female(2.2%). 3) In the blood glucose level, the proportion of abnormality(over 120 mg/dl) showed 17.1% in urban and 19.3% in rural aged persons. The rural aged persons in both sexes(male : 18.1% : female : 20.7%) were relatively higher abnormality rates than those of the urban aged(male : 15. 3%: female : 18.4% ) respectively. 4) The proportion of abnormality of hemoglobin level(less than 12.0 g/dl in male: less than 11.0 g/dl in female) showed 7.1% in urban and 2.6%J in rural aged persons. The urban aged persons in both sexes(male : 8.3%: female 6.3%) were relatively higher abnormality rates than those of the rural aged(male : 3.0%: female : 2.2%) 5) In the urinalysis by urine stix(Korea Green Cross Co.), the positive rates of urine protein were 1.0% in urban and 0.5% in rural aged per-sons, and there was no any significant differences in both areas by sex. 6) The positive rates of urine glucose in urban aged persons(5.8'% : male : 7.3% : female : 4.7%). showed relatively higher than those of rural aged (3.4% : male : 3.9%: female : 2.8%). 7) The positive findings of pulmonary tuberculosis by indirect X-ray examination were observed in 7.7% of aged persons in both rural and urban areas respectively. However, the positive rates of male in both areas(urban : 12.8% ; rural : 10.0%) showed higher than those of female (urban 4.2% ; rural 5.0%).

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.417-431
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• 2007

This study investigates the differences among residental areas in the health, standard of living, and social relationships of female elderly living alone. The total of 501 subjects(185 from rural areas, 159 from fishing communities, 77 from the islands, and 80 from urban areas) were questioned from May to July, 2006. The research area was confined to Chungcheong Province. The female elderly living alone of this study were an average of seventy-three years old, had a low cost of living, and received little formal school education. Over sixty percent(60.3) of them lived on less than thirty dollars a month which was the recognized Korean poverty level in 2006. The female elderly living alone were evaluated as being in good health, but they themselves perceived their health as being poor. Observed by residential areas, the subjects in urban areas were lower in ADL, and both the urban dwellers and the islanders appeared to be higher in their satisfaction with medical services as compared to those in rural areas and fishing communities. The fishing villagers showed the lowest standard of living for female elderly living alone. The analysis of social relationships as seen in the different residental areas revealed that the female elderly living alone g in urban areas tended to be receiving social supports rather than providing for others, and subjects living in fishing areas and the islands proved to be relatively higher in the exchange of social supports. In relation to offspring, the female elderly living alone in urban areas had a lower frequency of meeting with their children and also a lesser degree of intimacy with them because they lived at a distance. On the other hand, subjects living in rural areas and fishing communities had a higher frequency of meeting with their children and a greater degree of intimacy with them even if they lived at a distance. The study also showed that the female elderly living alone in the islands had a higher frequency of once meeting per three week with their offspring and a higher degree of intimacy with them because they all live in the same islands. In conclusion, the subject living in urban areas appeared to be isolated from their offspring as compared to the other seniors in the study. The female elderly living alone in urban areas suffered from an insufficient network of relatives and neighbors, and they experienced a poor quality of relationships to their offspring. Almost all of the lone seniors in the study had a low score in social activities; however, the female elderly living alone in urban areas revealed a higher level of participation in volunteer activities, group activities, and educational activities. Nevertheless, the lone seniors living in urban areas were not satisfied with their participation in social activities. The subjects living in rural in fishing communities and the islands showed more participation in money-making activities. This study suggests that the policies for female elderly living alone should reflect the differences of regional characteristics.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.872-887
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• 2018

This study aims to identify the differences between Korean and Chinese and males and females in terms of female image preferences. The survey was conducted for 1 month targeting male and female Korean and Chinese subjects. Among the 350 completed questionnaires, 309 were used for analysis. For the analysis, 11 female images were chosen based on theoretical study, then a t-test and a paired t-test were carried out using SPSS 19.0. The results of this study are as follows: First, differences in female image preferences were observed to depend on nationality and gender. Koreans prefer urban images while Chinese prefer cute, intelligent, and sexy images. Second, males prefer innocent or sexy images, while females prefer sophisticated images. Third, Korean males prefer innocent, active, sophisticated, gentle, cute, sexy, urban, natural, intelligent, spectacular, and neutral images in order. Chinese males prefer gentle, innocent, sexy, active, sophisticated, intelligent, cute, natural, urban, spectacular, and neutral images in order. Fourth, Korean females prefer sophisticated, gentle, urban, natural, intelligent, innocent, active, sexy, cute, spectacular, and neutral images in order. Chines females prefer sophisticated, intelligent, cute, gentle, innocent, active, natural, sexy, urban, spectacular, and neutral images in order. Using these results, it will be possible to design marketing strategies for global consumers.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.811-827
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors related to depression of female elderly living alone by region. Data for this study was based on the 2011 National Survey on Elderly. Total of 1,684(689 rural elderly, 995 urban) community samples of female elderly living alone participated in this study. Even though there was no difference of depression score by region, this study found that the effects of factors on depression were significantly different by region. Yearly income, subjective health, balanced exchange of emotional support and satisfaction with their children were significantly associated with depression of both rural and urban female elderly living alone. For rural female elderly living alone, average daily television viewing time, number of close friends and frequency of contact with friends/neighbors were significant predictors to their depression. In the case of urban female elderly living alone, exercise, frequency of message, email or telephone contact with friends/ neighbors and balanced exchange of economic support contributed significantly to the prediction of depression. Subjective health had the strongest effect on depression for both rural and urban female elderly living alone.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.475-484
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• 2018

Purpose: To examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and differentiate factors associated with them in urban and rural areas by applying the Ecological Models of Health Behavior. Methods: We employed a cross-sectional design and convenience sample of 460 female adolescents. The instruments included the Adolescent Mental-Health Problem-Behavior Questionnaire (AMPQ-II) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: Depressive symptoms were confirmed in 15.7% of urban adolescents and 22.9% of rural adolescents (p<.05). In the urban group, perception of health and stress associated with school performance were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. In the rural group, academic/internet related problems and rule violations were significantly associated with depressive symptoms (p<.05). General life happiness, worry/anxiety, and mood/suicidal ideation were common factors in both urban and rural areas (p<.05). Conclusion: Multiple factors were associated with depressive symptoms, and those significant factors differed between urban and rural female youths. Accordingly, tailored approaches are required considering urban and rural differences. The approaches should include intrapersonal, interpersonal, and organizational levels of interventions.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.495-506
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• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate the nutrient intake, dietary and weight control behaviors and iron deficiency of adolescent girls. The subjects were 216 female middle school students living in urban and rural areas of Inchon. Thin cross- sectional study was conducted by questionnaires and data were analyze by SAS program. Nutrient intakes collected from 3 day-recalls were analyzed by the Computer Aided Nutritional Analysis Program(CAN-pro). The mean height, weight. BMI and obesity index for the subjects were 158.2 cm, 51.1kg, 20.4 and -5.3 % in urban students and 155.9 cm, 49.3 kg 21.1 and -8.2% in rural students, respectively. Easting blood samples were obtained and analyzed for iron nutritional status. The mean obesity index of the urban students was higher than that of the rural students. The proportion of the overweight group was higher in urban students compared to rural students, However, over 10% of both area students belonged to the low weight group, respectively. Most students of both areas skipped breakfast and the main reason was on appetite and lack of time. Urban students were more concerned with body image. The nutrients which showed a lower mean intake as percentile of RDA were Ca, iron, vit A an Vit B$_2$ and most nutrient intakes of urban students were significantly higher compared to those of rural students. These results indicate that nutrient intakes in the female middle school students were considerably lower than the RDA. Also they had undesirable food habits and lower self-satisfaction with their body image, There were significant differences in the mean MCV, TIBC and serum ferritin between urban and rural area subjects. Mean Hb, Hct, MCH, MCHC and TS, bowaver, were not significantly different. Prevalence of iron deficiency greatly varied by indices from urban(11.5%) and rural (8.7%) when judged by Hb to urban(23.1) and rural (23.3%) by serum ferrition. Therefore, proper nutrition education is required for good nutrition desirable food habits, weight control, and guidance for iron deficiency in anemic female of adolescents.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2015

This research was designed to examine the dietary habits and unbalanced diet of middle school students by gender and region. The survey was conducted using questionnaires on dietary habits and unbalanced diet administered to 726 students (urban: 367, rural: 359). The obesity index using BMI showed that the largest proportion of girls was 'underweight' in both regions, which showed a significant difference by region (p<0.001). Male students in urban areas prefer salty taste more than rural students (p<0.05). In urban areas, problems relating to dietary habits were 'unbalanced diet' and 'overeating' in male students and 'frequent snacks' and 'irregular mealtime' for female students (p<0.01). The frequencies of skipping breakfast (p<0.01), snack intake (p<0.001), eating out (p<0.001) and fast food consumption (p<0.001) were significantly higher in urban students than in rural students, and the reason for eating snacks was 'hungry' in urban students and 'habitually' and 'delicious' in rural students (p<0.01). Unbalanced diet was significantly higher in rural students compared with urban students (p<0.001) and male students compared with female students in urban (p<0.05), and the factors affecting dietary habits were mostly related to family. Male students in urban areas showed a significantly lower intake frequency of 'fish, tofu and beans' (p<0.05) and 'milk and yogurt' (p<0.05), but higher intake frequency of 'vegetables' (p<0.001) compared with female students. Male students in rural areas showed a significantly lower intake frequency of 'meat' (p<0.05) but higher intake frequency of 'milk and yogurt' (p<0.05) compared with female students. Urban students showed a significantly higher intake frequency of food groups compared with rural students. To conclude, desirable nutrition education on meal regularity, snack choice, and problems relating to unbalanced diet should be conducted in schools.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.424-434
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• 2002

Food habit, eating-out pattern, smoking and drinking habits of 814 elderly (aged over 60) living in Incheon were surveyed by questionnaire. The ratio of the elderly who have balanced meals at moderate amount was slightly higher in urban area. Urban elderly tended to have mild foods, while rural elderly preferred hot and salty foods. Score for food habit was higher in urban elderly and there was no difference between male and female elderly. Most urban elderly had their meal at the public facilities for elderly, while most rural elderly used general restaurant and public room for elderly. Korean foods were the most favorite menu when ate out. Ratio of elderly who have difficulties in chewing was 21.2 and 39.6% for urban and rural elderly, respectively. Many elderly, especially more than 70% of female elderly, prepared the meals for themselves. Rural elderly smoked and drank more than urban elderly and male elderly did more than female elderly.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.171-185
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• 2003

The eight hundred fourteen male and female elderly living in urban and rural area of Incheon were compared in terms of anthropometric indices and health related factors. Mean height, weight, BMI, WHR, MAC, TSF, %body fat and systolic blood pressure of male elderly were 162.7cm and 162.0cm, 61.8kg and 58.3kg, 23.2 and 22.0, 0.91 and 0.89, 24.4cm and 24.0cm, 9.9mm and 11.5mm, 23.9% and 23.2%, 152.1mmHg and 150.0mmHg in the urban and rural respectively. In female elderly, mean height, weight, BMI, WHR, MAC, TSF, %body fat and systolic blood pressure were 150.3cm and 149.2cm, 55.9kg and 53.1kg, 24.4 and 23.4, 0.87 and 0.86, 25.4cm and 24.4cm, 20.2mm and 18.9mm, 37.2% & 35.4%, 142.2mmHg and 151.7 mmHg in the urban and rural respectively. As the age increasing, most of the anthropometric indices are decreased while systolic blood pressure are increased in both gender. The proportion of the subject with normal hearing were 73.1% in the urban, 61.4% in the rural and 61.8% in the male, 73.1% in the female. Hearing and tooth status became deteriorated as increasing the age and the more elderly felt themselves unhealthy as increasing the age. Aerobic(25.7%) and walking/jogging(18.4%) in the urban, walking/jogging (22.1%) and climbing(3.5％) in the rural were the preferred exercise in the elderly. Frequency of health promoting substance intake were very low and not significantly different between the urban & the rural, and the male and the female elderly. Neuralgia, diabetes, indigestion and cerebral stroke showed relatively higher morbidity in the elderly. Neuralgia was significantly higher in the female(23.3%) than in the male(13.1%). Diabetes was significantly higher in the female(22.4%) and the urban(21.9%) elderly than in the male(16.1%) and the rural(13.5%) elderly respectively. In conclusion, as the age increasing the height and weight of the elderly decreased significantly and BMI, WHR and body fat toned to decrease. Hearing and tooth status deteriorated significantly as the age increasing, especially in female elderly.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7407-7411
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• 2014

The incidence of urban female breast cancer has been continuously increasing over the past decade with unknown etiology. One hypothesis for this increase is carcinogen exposure from tobacco. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the risk of urban female breast cancer from tobacco smoke exposure. The matched case control study was conducted among Thai females, aged 17-76 years and living in Bangkok or its surrounding areas. A total of 444 pairs of cases and controls were recruited from the Thai National Cancer Institute. Cases were newly diagnosed and histologically confirmed as breast cancer while controls were selected from healthy women who visited a patient, matched by age ${\pm}5$ years. After obtaining informed consent, tobacco smoke exposure data and information on other potential risk factors were collected by interview. The analysis was performed by conditional logistic regression, and presented with odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals(CI). From all subjects, 3.8% of cases and 3.4% of controls were active smokers while 11.0% of cases and 6.1% of controls were passive smokers. The highest to lowest sources of passive tobacco smoke were from spouses (40.8%), the workplace (36.8%) and public areas (26.3%), respectively. After adjusting for other potential risk factors or confounders, females with frequent low-dose passive smoke exposure (${\leq}7$ hours per week) from a spouse or workplace had adjusted odds ratio 3.77 (95%CI=1.11-12.82) and 4.02 (95%CI=1.04-15.50) higher risk of breast cancer compared with non-smokers, respectively. However, this study did not find any association of breast cancer risk in high dose passive tobacco smoke exposure, or a dose response relationship in cumulative passive tobacco smoke exposure per week, or in the active smoker group. In conclusion, passive smoke exposure may be one important risk factor of urban female breast cancer, particularly, from a spouse or workplace. This risk factor highlights the importance of avoiding tobacco smoke exposure as a key measure for breast cancer prevention and control.