• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.271-279
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• 2017

Purpose: Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI), a highly prevalent behavior in adolescents, refers to the direct destruction of one's body tissue without suicidal intent. To date, the prevalence of adolescent self-injury in South Korea and its associated factors remain unknown. This study aims to determine the prevalence of self-injury in Korean adolescents as well as its associated factors. Methods: We assessed 717 middle school students by means of an anonymous self-report survey. Information about demographic characteristics, lifestyle, anxiety and depression, self-esteem, and parenting behavior was obtained. Data were analyzed using $x^2$ test, t-test and multiple logistic regression. Results: NSSI was reported by 8.8% of respondents. Univariate analyses showed associations of exposure to alcohol use, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and parenting methods with self-injury. In multiple analyses, alcohol use, anxiety, and parental abuse were associated with lifetime self-injury. Conclusion: The rate of NSSI in the South Korea was found to be lower than those of other countries. As our study suggests that alcohol use, anxiety, and parental abuse are associated with lifetime self-injury, health care providers at school should take these factors into account when developing prevention and intervention programs for adolescents.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.129-140
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• 2021

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the mitigating effect of using floss and interdental brushes on periodontal health inequality. Methods: This study was based on data acquired from the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VII; 2016-2018). We included 11,359 participants aged ≥19 years in the final analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed using socioeconomic characteristics, health behavior, health status, and periodontitis status. We analyzed differences in the prevalence of periodontitis according to household income stratified by the use of floss and interdental brush. Results: In the multivariable logistic regression model, the lowest income group had 1.304 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-1.58) odds ratios for periodontitis than the highest income group. In the interdental brush nonusers or floss nonusers, the lowest income group had significantly higher odds of developing periodontitis. However, we found no significant differences in the periodontitis prevalence between the income groups among the interdental brush users. In the 65-year-old or older group, the same result was observed in the interdental brush and floss users. Conclusions: The results suggest that the use of floss and interdental brushes could alleviate periodontal health inequality.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.73-85
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• 1993

It is necessary to understand the relationship between socio-cultural elements and smoking, alcohol, and marijuana use behaviors in order to plan public health policy or health promotion program of Mexican Americans. Demographic, socioeconomic status, and acculturation are variables which reflect mechanisms socialization influences these behavior patterns among this population. Thus, this study investigates the prevalence of addictive behaviors and individual differences on addictive behaviors related to variables of acculturation, age, gender, education, and income. And the interrelations among addictive behaviors are also examined. The analyses used data for Mexican Americans from the U.S. Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted from July 1982 through December 1984 by the National Center for Health Statistics. ANOVA and correlation coefficients were used for this study. This study found that there are gender differences among addictive behaviors in their prevalence. Both males' and females' alcohol and marijuana use behaviors are positively related to the acculturation. Females' smoking behavior is positively related to acculturation while males' smoking is negatively related to it. Income and education are negatively related to males' smoking and positively related to males' alcohol behavior. However, males' marijuana behavior is not related to income. Females' smoking behaviors is not significantly related income and education. Education and income are positively related to marijuana behavior among females. Age is related to all three addictive behaviors among both gender. Age is negatively related to both males' and females' marijuana use behavior. Interrelation between smoking and marijuana use behavior is not significant among males. However, interrelations between alcohol and marijuana use behavior and between alcohol and smoking are significant among both genders. Females' smoking and marijuana use behavior is also significantly related.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.125-138
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• 2020

Purpose: The study investigated the effect of adolescent health behavior on the prevalence of current allergic diseases. Methods: The subjects were 57,303 middle and high school youth. Data were analyzed using Rao-Scott χ² test and complex sample logistic regression analysis. Results: While controlling the affect of the general characteristics of the subjects, health behaviors affecting the current prevalence of allergic diseases were smoking, drinking, physical activity, eating habits, drug abuse, and mental health. Smoking behaviors affecting the current prevalence of allergic diseases were lifetime smoking experience, smoking days, liquid e-cigarette lifetime smoking experience, number of liquid electronic cigarette smoking days, e-cigarette lifetime smoking experience, e-cigarette smoking days, amount of smoking, second-hand smoking and drinking behaviors were lifetime drinking, drinking days, the amount of drinking, and severe drinking. Variables such as physical activity exceeding 60 minutes days, intake of energy and sweet drinks, water intake, habitual drug use and mental health behavior such as stress perception, weekday sleep time, subjective sleep satisfaction, depression, suicidal thoughts/ plan/ attempts affect current allergic diseases (p<.001). Conclusion: The results showed that current allergic disease related health behaviors in Korean adolescents. Therefore, considering these factors, it may be helpful to facilitate a health promotion plan for prevention and management of such diseases and to promote evidence-based health practices at school.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.723-730
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• 2015

Background: This study was performed to assess patient symptoms prevalence, frequency and severity, as well as distress and coping strategies used, and to identify the relationships between coping strategies and psychological and physical symptoms distress and demographic data of cancer patients. This cross-sectional descriptive study involved a total of 268 cancer patients with various types of cancer and chemotherapy identified in the oncology unit of an urban tertiary hospital. Materials and Methods: Data were collected using questionnaires (demographic questionnaire, Medical characteristics, Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS) and Brief COPE scales and analyzed for demographic, and disease-related variable effects on symptom prevalence, severity, distress and coping strategies. Results: Symptom prevalence was relatively high and ranged from 14.9% for swelling of arms and legs to 88.1% for lack of energy. This latter was the highest rated symptom in the study. The level of distress was found to be low in three domains. Problem-focused coping strategies were found to be more commonly employed compared to emotion-focused strategies, demonstrating significant associations with sex, age group, educational levels and race. However, there was a positive correlation between emotion-focused strategies and physical and psychological distress, indicating that patients would choose emotion-focused strategies when symptom distress increased. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that high symptom prevalence rates and coping strategies used render an improvement in current nursing management. Therefore development of symptoms management groups, encouraging the use of self-care diaries and enhancing the quality of psychooncology services provided are to be recommended.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2009

Objectives : We examined quality of life, psychosocial adjustments to illness, changes in sexual functioning, and prevalence of psychiatric disorders in AIDS patients compared to patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB). Methods : Thirty-one men with AIDS and 50 men with CHB were enrolled. The Short-Form 12-Item Health Survey (SF-12), the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS), and the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire short form (CSFQ-14) were administered. Results on these assessments were compared between the 31 AIDS patients and 50 CHB patients. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSMIV (SCID) was administered to determine the psychiatric diagnosis only for the AIDS patients. Results : The Physical Component Summary score (PCS) was lower in AIDS patients than in CHB patients (p<0.001). In the section examining sexual relationships, AIDS patients exhibited a lower level of adjustment (p<0.05) and had more changes in sexual function (p<0.05) than did CHB patients. Administration of the SCID to AIDS patients indicated that the lifetime prevalence of any psychiatric disorder was 56.7% ; 43.3% for mood disorders, 33.3% for alcohol use disorders, 26.7% for anxiety disorders, and 20% for adjustment disorder. Patients who had experienced any psychiatric disorder had more severe psychosocial distress (p=0.004) and evidenced a lower level of overall psychosocial adjustment (p=0.030) than patients who had not. Conclusion : We showed that AIDS patients have a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders, and that AIDS patients with psychiatric disorders were particularly low in levels of psychosocial adjustment. Thus, careful attention should be given to psychiatric aspects of AIDS patients emphasizing the early diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.184-192
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• 2000

Objectives : To inquire the prevalence and the risk factors for myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) on young boys in order to use these results as the fundamental data for the prevention of their MPS. Methods : For 7 days in May 1999, this research was taken on 489 male students ranging from 6th to 12th grade. We randomly selected a class for every group and from these classes we operated physical examinations, self-reported questionnaires and from a rehabilitation doctor, MPS test was taken. Thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis were also taken by using the inclinometer. We defined MPS as a regional pain complaint, palpable taut band that is painful on compression. Results : The shoulder MPS prevalence of the subjects were 29.7 persons/100 persons. The statistics revealed that as grades went up, the percentage significantly increased in the MPS prevalence. As of case-control study, 145 students who were tested postive in all aspects were placed as cases, and 176 students who were perfectly normal as controls on risk factors. As a result of comparing the student groups who were stisfied with their chairs to the student groups were not satisfied, the taller showed a significantly higher odds ratio (p<0.01). By the multiple logistic regression test, we concluded that the MPS disease was prevailed far more in the students in the higher grades (Odds ratio: 1.16, 95% C.I.: 1.03-1.31), and also those who were dissatisfied with their chairs than in the ones who were satisfied (Odds ratio: 1.92, 95% C.I.: 1.17-3.17). Conclusions : Significant correlations showed between the MPS diagnosed group and the students who are dissatisfied with their chairs. As a result, more research and observation has to be made concerning this disease, and the desks and chairs should be adjusted to suit the student's physical standards.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.310-319
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• 2018

Objectives: This study examined trends in inequality in cigarette smoking prevalence by income according to recent anti-smoking policies in Korea. Methods: The data used in this study were drawn from three nationally representative surveys, the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the Korea Community Health Survey, and the Social Survey of Statistics Korea. We calculated the age-standardized smoking prevalence, the slope index of inequality, and the relative index of inequality by income level as a socioeconomic position indicator. Results: Smoking prevalence among men decreased during the study period, but the downward trend became especially pronounced in 2015, when the tobacco price was substantially increased. Inequalities in cigarette smoking by income were evident in both genders over the study period in all three national surveys examined. Absolute inequality tended to decrease between 2014 and 2015 among men. Absolute and relative inequality by income decreased between 2008 and 2016 in women aged 30-59, except between 2014 and 2015. Conclusions: The recent anti-smoking policies in Korea resulted in a downward trend in smoking prevalence among men, but not in relative inequality, throughout the study period. Absolute inequality decreased over the study period among men aged 30-59. A more aggressive tax policy is warranted to further reduce socioeconomic inequalities in smoking in young adults in Korea.

• Mood & Emotion
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.128-136
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and their related factors among a group of medical students. Method : A total of 874 (529 male and 345 female) medical students were randomly selected to participate in a survey. Depressive symptoms, satisfaction with life, health behavior including alcohol use, stress, sleep disturbance and happiness were collected using self-reported questionnaires. Results : The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 10.8%. In stepwise multiple regression analysis, lower satisfaction of life, daytime dysfunction due to sleepiness, history of suicidal attempt, stress, sleep disturbance were found to be significant relating factors of depressive symptoms. In moderated regression analysis, the result showed that the impact of life stress were moderated by satisfaction of life on depressive symptoms, but the moderating effect of happiness was not significant. Conclusion : This study showed considerably high prevalence of depressive symptoms and BDI score in medical students. The findings suggest that early detection of depressive symptoms and intensive mental health promotion program is needed in order to improve medical student's mental health status.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.37
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• pp.67-88
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to identify the proportion of the population with the alcohol use disorder among the Korean adults. To the author's knowledge, this study was the first social work article to survey the prevalence of the alcohol use disorder using the randomly selected sample. The survey instrument included the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, the Brief Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test. and the Korean Alcoholism Screening Test to identify the rates of problem drinkers and alcoholics. The instrument also included items to ask the respondents' drinking frequencies, drinking amounts, and heavy drinking. The findings of the study indicated that Koreans had severe alcohol problems. 322 percent of the respondents were identified as those who have experienced drinking-related problems in the past year. This study found 4.2 percent of the respondents as alcoholics and estimated that 1.34 million of the Korean adult population were alcoholics. This study concludes that social workers should use screening tools to early identify clients with alcohol problems and develop effective programs to assist those clients and their families. Finally this study provide suggestions for future studies.