• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.583-595
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• 2014

Hospitals in Korea have been increasingly using physician assistants (PA) as an alternative way of dealing with the shortage of residents. However, some incidents of a Physician's Assistant practicing beyond their legal scope require closer examination of the current PA's roles and functions. This study is a web-based survey designed towards targeting physician assistants in Korea (KPA) who practice delegated tasks under a physician's license. Currently, there are 2,125 KPAs working in 141 general hospitals and medical centers. Data from 704 nurses from who responded to the questionnaire were analyzed with descriptive statistics using the SPSS 12.0 program. Their mean age is 32.5 years with 8-10 years of clinical experiences, with males being more likely to be a PA. Despite of KPAs providing medical services and performing invasive procedures, only 13% of KPAs are licensed APNs (advanced practice nurse). KPAs have a low job satisfaction due to a lack of rewards and the necessity for providing illegal practices, and are experiencing identity confusion. The current KPA system is a transitional product of the change from the hierarchial structure to a more collaborative relationship between the medical and nursing departments. Providing adequate education and training, establishing protocols with legal protection, and developing professional independent scope of care are recommended to deliver safe and efficient medical services.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 2005

Injury has recently become a major world-wide health problem. Injury related deaths occur in many actively working young people and produce major social and economical losses. However health related specialists do not recognize the importance of injury and there have not been many studies related to this problem. This research studied the trends of injury related research in Korea, mortality rate and prevalence rate, socio-economical losses and control in Korea and out of the country, based on literature from Korea and without such as statistical yearly reports on causes of deaths and OECD health reports, as well as WHO web sites. Studies in Korea about injury were very few, with 9 in the 1960's, 5 in the 1980's, 4 in the 1990's and 5 in 2000's. Mortality rate of injury was higher in Korea than in England, USA or Japan, especially in car accidents, suicide and falls. In Korea, the yearly trends in mortality rates were highest in car accidents but those rates are falling, suicide is steadily rising, with highest rate in 2003. Falls is in second rank with no change in rates. In 2003, the ten causes of death in Korea were suicide in 5th rank, transport accidents in 7th rank, and falls in 10th rank. Considering age groups, in the teens, transport accidents were 1st rank, in the 20's and 30's, suicide was 1st rank, and although there were some differences, falls, drowning, assault, fire were in the top 10. Prevalence rates of injury could not be known, but in 2001, according to the National Health and Nutrition Survey, lifelong injury was 10%, and yearly major injury was 1.3%, major injury for two weeks was 0.1%, and minor injury was 10%. In other foreign countries, injury has become to be recognized as a major health related problem, and much programs are being set up to reduce injury related deaths and injuries. WHO is putting much effort in prevention of violence and transport accidents, and in the USA, Canada and Europe, there are injury surveillance systems. Recently, as suicide is increasing rapidly and providing much problems, each country are managing suicide prevention programs. In Korea, Ministry of Construction and Transportation is managing and guiding the policies for prevention of transport accidents. In September of 2004, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has set up a 5 year plan of suicide prevention.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.319-327
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• 2016

The objective of this study is to identify the secular trend in age at menarche and to investigate the factors influence the early menarche(<12 years old) among Korean middle and high school girls. We analyzed data from the Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey(KYRBWS) 2006-2014. This study was a descriptive study of 216,917 Korean middle and high school girls born between 1988 and 2002. Linear trends test performed to assess the trend age at menarche and percentage of early menarche. Multiple logistic regression analysis was to assess the risk factors influence the early menarche. Mean age at menarche decreased from $12.61{\pm}1.32$ years for middle and high school girls born 1988 to $11.88{\pm}0.75$ years for those born 2002(p for trends<.001). Percentage of early menarche increased from 19.7% to 25.2% between 1988 and 2002(p for trends<.001). Living in city, higher stress level, short sleep duration, and higher body mass index were associated with an early menarche among middle and high school girls(all p<.001). We found that age at menarche is still falling in the Korean adolescents, and it need intervention strategies to control the early menarche.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.5737-5744
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• 2013

This study was performed to identify the association between the menarche experience and mental health in middle school girls aged 14. The subjects were selected using data from the 8th Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBWS-V), which included 5,991 girls in 1st grade of middle school. Data were analyzed using the PASW 18.0 program for frequency analysis, t-test, chi square and logistic regression analysis. As to results, we found 4,473 girls who had experienced menarche (mean age, 12.8 0.9 years) and 1,518 girls hadn't experienced menarche. In the logistic regression analysis between the menarche experience and mental health behaviors, the odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] for perceived stress (OR=1.39, 1.20-1.62, p<0.001), perceived depression (OR=1.25, 1.10-1.42, p<0.05), suicide thinking (6OR=1.60, 1.38-1.87, <0.001), suicide planning (OR=1.66, 1.33-2.81, p<0.001) and suicide trial (OR=1.42, 1.09-1.86, p<0.05) were higher in the menarche experience group than in the menarche non-experience group. Our results indicate, a viable association between the menarche experience and mental health in the 1st grade of middle school girls, and suggests that the menarche experience is an important factor influencing adolescent girls' mental health.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.893-907
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the related factors of dental caries and periodontal disease in adolescents from Korean multicultural families, thereby helping to reduce the prevalence rate of oral disease. Methods: The subjects were 710 multicultural adolescents recruited using a web-based survey, National 2015 Korean Youth Risk Behavior, from the Korean Center for Disease Control. A multicultural family was defined in this study as one having an immigrant mother or father. Oral symptoms included dental caries and periodontal disease. Toothache was defined as a symptom of dental caries. Tender or bleeding gums were defined as symptom of periodontal disease. For statistical analysis, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21.0 for Windows was used. Descriptive analysis and a Chi-square test were conducted to determine the factors associated with general characteristics, health behavior, and oral health behavior. Finally, to investigate the associations among oral disease symptoms, logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Toothache was significantly higher in female 1.52 (95% CI; 1.45-1.60), high school 1.23 (95% CI; 1.18-1.28), women school 1.10 (95% CI; 1.05-1.16), individuals with poor economic status 1.45 (95% CI; 1.30-1.52), and participants who consumed alcohol 1.32 (95% CI; 1.27-1.37). Toothache related to perceived health status was significantly lower in the healthy group 0.69 (95% CI; 0.64-0.75), and was higher in usual stress group 1.65 (95% CI; 1.57-1.74). Gum bleeding was significantly higher in female 1.32 (95% CI; 1.27-1.37), high school 1.15 (95% CI; 1.10-1.19), and individuals with poor economic status 1.38 (95% CI; 1.27-1.50). Gum bleeding related to perceived health status was significantly lower in the healthy group 0.68 (95% CI; 0.63-0.74), and was higher in usual stress group 1.54 (95% CI; 1.46-1.62). Conclusions: Taking into account of social and economic levels, and dietary habits in the multicultural families adolescents, further education and support will be needed for oral disease prevention and early treatment.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.181-191
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• 2017

Objectives: The objective of the study was to investigate the use of dental hygiene devices in Korean adolescents. Methods: The study subjects were 70,362 adolescents in 800 schools who completed the 2015 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based survey. Dependent variables included usage of dental floss, interdental brushes and mouthwash solutions. Independent variables included demographic characteristics of the subjects, health state and behaviors, and oral health behaviors and experience of oral diseases. Results: The related factors of usage of dental hygiene devices included gender, where females showed higher usage (OR=1.10) compared to males, father and mother's level of education where usage was higher in above university graduates (OR=1.20, OR=1.14) compared to less than high school graduation, economic status where usage was higherin high and middle (OR=1.93, OR=1.26) compared to low, vigorous physical activity where usage was higher in those who responded yes (OR=1.35) compared to no, subjective weight recognition where usage was higher in normal (OR=1.07) compared to under weight, sleep time where usage was higher in enough (OR=1.12) compared to not enough, number of toothbrushing (day) where usage was higher in 2 times or over 3 times (OR=1.35, OR=1.75) compared to below 1, oral health education experience (OR=1.10), sealant experience (OR=1.17) and scaling experience (OR=1.45) where usage was higher in those who responded yes compared to no, school where usage was lower in high school (OR=0.64) compared to middle school, residential type where usage was lower in rural area (OR=0.74) compared to metropolitan area, living form where usage was lower in other (OR=0.77), compared to with family, smoking (OR=0.93), and alcohol drinking (OR=0.90) where usage was lower in those who engage in the activities compared to those who didn't, BMI where usage was lower in normal (OR=0.87) and over weight (OR=0.98) compared to under weight. Conclusions: To expand the use of dental hygiene devices in the adolescents, it is necessary to improve the continuing education program for need and motivation of dental hygiene device usage.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.465-478
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the level of subjective stress recognition and oral symptom experiences including toothache, gum diseases, and oral soft tissue diseases in the Korean adolescents. Methods: The subjects were 68,043 adolescents recruited using a web-based survey, National Korean Youth Risk Behavior in 2015 by the Korean Center for Disease Control. For statistical analysis, SPSS 21.0 for Windows was used. Descriptive analysis and a Chi-square test were conducted to determine the factors associated with general characteristics, health behaviors, oral health behaviors, and level of subjective stress recognition. Finally, to investigate the relationship between the level of subjective stress recognition and oral symptom experiences, logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Toothache related subjective stress recognition level was significantly higher in the moderate group with the score of 1.59 (95% CI; 1.49-1.68), and was greater in the high group with 2.38 (95% CI; 2.24-2.53) compared to the low group. Gum disease related subjective stress recognition level was significantly higher in the moderate group with 1.41 (95% CI; 1.32-1.51), and was greater in the high group with 1.99 (95% CI; 1.86-2.13). Oral soft tissue disease related subjective stress recognition level was significantly higher in the moderate group with 1.59 (95% CI; 1.45-1.74), and was greater in the high group with 2.55 (95% CI; 2.33-2.79). Bad breath related subjective stress recognition level was significantly higher in the moderate group with 1.48 (95% CI; 1.39-1.57), and was greater in the high group with 2.10 (95% CI; 1.97-2.25). Conclusions: Higher subjective stress recognition level was found to affect the oral symptoms experienced. Therefore, the stress management plan should be prepared through the cause identification of the main stress in the adolescents. Practical and systematic education is needed for oral health management in the schools.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.440-448
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of perceived stress on dietary habits and oral health behaviors in Korean adolescents. Data were from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBS) in 2011. A total of 74,186 adolescents were surveyed using the self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were performed to elucidate the effects of perceived stress on dietary habits and oral health behaviors. Statistical analyses were conducted, and p<0.05 were considered significant. We found that adolescents with higher stress were more likely to increase the risk of adverse dietary habits (low consumption of fruits, vegetables and milk, high consumption of carbonated soft drinks, fast food and cookie) compared to those with lower stress. Regarding the relationship between perceived stress and oral health behaviors, adolescents with higher stress were less likely to practice oral health behaviors such as brushing teeth after snack consumption and brushing teeth before sleep compared to those with lower stress. This result indicates that adolescents' perceived stress might play a significant role in the negative dietary habits and oral health behavior.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.306-312
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• 2016

Objectives: We aimed to compare the smoking behaviors in adolescents from monocultural and multicultural families and to evaluate the associations between their smoking behavior and number of suicide attempts. Methods: The data used in this study was collected from The Tenth Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. The differences in the sociodemographic characteristics between the adolescents in the multicultural and monocultural families were analyzed through the ${\chi}^2$-test, and a logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the relationships between the smoking behavior and number of suicide attempts of the adolescents in multicultural families. The process involved an analysis using a complex sample design. Results: There was significant difference in the weighted rates of the current smoking behavior (13.3% vs. 8.4%, p<0.001), experience of violence (6.8% vs. 2.3%, p<0.001), and number of suicide attempts (5.4% vs. 2.7%, p<0.001) between the adolescents from the multicultural and monocultural families. In both groups, the current smoking behavior was associated with the number of suicide attempts (multicultural families OR=6.5, p=0.005; monocultural families OR=1.5, p<0.001). Conclusion: Our results showed that the percentage of current smokers in the adolescents from multicultural families was higher than that in the monocultural families and that current smoking behavior is related to the number of suicide attempts in both groups, after adjustment for age, sex, socioeconomic status, academic achievement, current smoking behavior, depressive mood and experience of violence.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.291-312
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• 2014

The purpose of this national study is to identify the factors affecting the public library use among the Korean adult population. The study constructed a model of three types of factors to explain the frequency of public library visits: an individual's socio-demographic characteristics, input and output measures of the local library, and the community size and library investment of the local government. The data were collected from both a national representative sample of 1,000 adults of 18 years old or above who participated in a web survey and the 2013 National Library Statistics of Korea. It was found that a more frequent public library visit occurred when a person who read more and lived closer to the library, which was newly established in a small to medium-sized scale, who lives in a city with a greater population and with more library staff members serving a fewer patrons. Implications for future public library constructions and for public services were suggested based on the study findings.