• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.99-111
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors related to sexual function of women with coronary artery disease, and to determine the predictors of sexual function. The study design, a descriptive correlational study, was done through structural questionnaire and interview. A total of 50 subjects from C University Hospital at Kwang-ju city who have undergone coronary angiography at department of cardiology were observed and interviewed from Feb. 22, 1999 to March. 23, 1999. The number of affected vessels, the level of total serum cholesterol, and the ejection fraction of 2-D echo cardiography were analyzed to evaluate the severity of coronary artery disease. And also type A behavior pattern, health behavior, Brief Index of Sexual Functioning for Women (BISF-W) were measured. The data obtained were analyzed using percentage, mean and standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression analysis via SPSS PC+. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The mean age of the subjects were 58.1 and 72.0% of those have been married over 30 years. Seventy two percentage were unemployed and monthly family income of 56.6% was less than 1,000,000 won (approximately $ 840). Eighty percent were in their postmenopausal state, and the frequency of sexual intercourse of 84.0% were two to three times per month. 2. The scores of type A behavior pattern were from 16 to 38(mean 24.94) and health behavior ranged from 21 to 43(mean 31.2). Abstinence from smoking, alcohol, and caffeine were best compliant factors and weight control and exercise were least abided ones. The result of 2D-ECHO EF showed that the half of the subjects were abnormal, and 24% had more than 240mg/dl of total serum cholesterol. The coronary angiography showed that 64% of the subjects had more than one affected vessels. 3. The predictors to explain the factor score of 'orgasm' were number of health examination, the pre- or post-menopausal state, protestant, number of coronary vessel affected, level of serum total cholesterol, and comorbid group of hypertension and diabetes, and it's total variance accounted for 52.4%. The predictors to explain the factor score of 'sexual activity' were comorbid group of hypertension and diabetes and type A behavior pattern, which accounted for 22.4% of total variance. The predictors to explain the factor score of 'sexual satisfaction' were type A behavior pattern, no religion, exercise, level of serum total cholesterol, and pre or post menopausal state, which accounted for 52.1%. The predictors to explain the factor score of 'sexual desire' were the period of marriage, type A behavior, employment or unemployment, and weight control, which accounted for 43.2%. The predictors to explain the factor score of 'external force of sexual functioning' were physical overload and exercise, which accounted for 41.1%. The predictors to explain the factor score of 'sexual activity' were family monthly income, catholics, and exercise, and which accounted for 35.4%. Above results lead us to some consensus that sexual function of women with coronary artery disease is related to various factors including vasogenic factors such as total serum cholesterol level, number of coronary vessel affected, an endocrinal factor such as menopausal state, and type A behavior pattern as a sociopshychological factor. And also health behaviors such as fitness care, overwork, weight control, and emotional tension are contributed to sexual function.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.506-525
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• 1992

Older people, because of the psychological and physiological changes related to the aging process are more vulnerable to experiencing powerlessness than any other age group. This self destructive cycle of depression in older people related to the experience of continued and long term powerlessness can lead even to death. The purpose of this study was to measure powerlessness and resources to increase power in older people, and to measure the effectiveness of a psychological rehabilitation program for reducing powerlessness. The research methodology used was a two step process. In the first step, a survey was done of perceived powerlessness and power resources comparing four groups of elderly people ; those living at home, those in hospital, those living in nursing homes and those attending educational programs for the elderly. The total sample size was 236. In the second step, a psychological rehabilitation program was carried out, pre and post measurements were taken related to this program. The sample consisted of 29 residents in a nursing home. The results of the study are as follows : 1. Powerlessness was classified as cognitive, emotional, activity and learning. The lowest score for powerlessness was in the area of activity, that is the people in the sample felt more power concerning their activities. The highest score was in the area of cognition where they felt they had less power. 2. When the different groups of elderly were compared, it was found that the residents of the nursing home had the highest score on perceived powerlessness and the group who were living at home had the lowest score. 3. Among the general characteristics, the factors influencing the powerlessness score were age, sex, level of education, financial resources and health status. In the interaction effects among these factors, it was found that level of education and health status were factors influencing perceived powerlessness. The elderly with lower education and poorer health status had the higher scores for perceived powerlessness. 4. The power resources could be classified into the following areas : physical strength, emotional strength, positive self-image, energy, knowledge, motivation and belief system. Belief system was given the highest score among the power resources and energy, knowledge and motivation were given low scores. 5. The group participating in an educational program for the elderly had the highest score for power resources while the group made up of residents of a nursing home had the lowest score as well as the highest score for perceived powerlessness. 6. The factors influencing the power resource scores were sex, level of education, financial resources and health status. In the analysis of the interaction effect among the factors, it was found that sex, level of education and financial resources were the factors that influenced the power resource score, that is, women, those with a low level of education and those with poor financial resources reported a lower level of power resources. 7. There was a negative correlation between perceived powerlessness and power resources in the elderly in this study. Since power resources explainded 49% of the variance for powerlessness, it can be concluded that the power resources can be used to reduce powerlessness. 8. The psychological rehabilitation program was carried out with the nursing home residents over a period of five weeks. No statistically significant difference was found in the scores on powerlessness between the pre and post tests, but there was a slight decrease in the raw scores on the post test for emotional, activity and learning powerlessness. There was a statistically significant increase in the power resource scores for emotional strength, positive self-image, energy, knowledge and motivation in the post test as compared to the pre test. In conclusion, the study indicates that a psychological rehabilitation program for the elderly could be effective in increasing power resources and this in turn could lead to a decrease in perceived powerlessness.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.325-340
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• 1998

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between sick building syndrome(SBS) and the environmental factors affecting SBS on 130 underground workers and 60 controls. The study consisted of 1) a review of environmental condition 2) measurement of temperature, $O_2$, $CO_2$, CO, and formaldehyde and 3) a questionnaire survey of symptom prevalence and perception of environmental conditions using indoor Air Quality questionnaire recommended by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Bronchitis and dust allergy were more prevalent in underground workers significantly(p < 0.05). Among the 18 symptoms related to the indoor air pollution, the experience rate of dry, itching or irritated eyes, sore or dry throat, chest tightness, tired or strained eyes and dry or itchy skin symptom was significantly different between the underground workers and controls. The diagnostic criteria of SBS was defined as at least 1 symptom is experienced 1-3 times a week during the last 1 month among 18 indoor air pollution related symptoms which can be relieved by moving out of the underground. Applying the criteria, the mean symptom score was significant higher in underground workers than controls significantly (p < 0.05). These resalts indicated that underground workers are under inappropriate ergonomic and physical condition and inadequate ventilation. Their experience rate of symptoms related to indoor air pollution and prevalence of SBS was significantly higher than controls. To reduce the prevalence of SBS of underground workers, the surveillance system of indoor air quality, restriction of using fuel in underground and legislative regulations for the environment are needed to establish a better indoor air quality. Early detection, treatment and prevention of SBS through medical attention is also needed.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.21-31
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• 2002

The aim of this study was to analyse and conduct the comprehensive geriatric assessment for the elderly in rural area. The subjects were 388 older people aged 65 years or older living in the community. Data for comprehensive assessment such as physical, mental, functional, social and environmental conditions were collected from January to February, 2001 through a person-to-person interview. Of the total 388 olders, 169(43.6%) were men and 219(56.4%) were women. Mean ages of men and women were $73.5{\pm}6.4$ and $74.0{\pm}6.2$ years respectively. Three common diseases of the elderly were arthralgia(51.6%), chronic back pain(33.2%) and hypertension(18.6%), and higher in women than in men. Impairment rate of vision, hearing and bowel or bladder control was 59.0%, 20.1%, and 28.4% respectively. But that of lover extremities 3.4%. In terms of cognitive function, short term memory loss was found in 33.7% of males and 44.7% of females. The percentage of fully independent in the six ADL items was 72.2% in men and 58.9% in women. In the social supportive system, 49.5% of the elderly were living with spouse, and 22.9% living alone, 26.3% having care giver. These results will provide basic data for the development of community-based health program, which gives appropriate health service for the elderly living in the community.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 2010

Purpose: Recently, Department of Nuclear Medicine have an interest in Video Display Terminals (VDT) syndrome including musculoskeletal disorders, ophthalmologic disorders, trouble of electromagnetic waves and stress disorders occur to VDT workers as the growing number of users and rapid pace of service period supply in large amount. This study research on the actual condition for VDT syndrome in Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH), discover the problem and draw a plan of upcoming improvement. The aim of this study establish awareness about VDT syndrome and is to prevent for it in the long run. Materials and Methods: Department of Nuclear Medicine, SNUH is composed Principle part, Pediatric part and PET center. We estimated risk factors visit in each part directly. Estimation method use "Check list for VDT work" of Wonjin working environment health laboratory and check list is condition of VDT work, condition of work tables, condition of chairs, condition of keyboards, condition of monitors, working position, character of health management and other working environment. Analysis result is verified in Department of Occupational and Environment, Hallym University Sacred Heard Hospital. Results: As a result of analysis, VDT condition of Department of Nuclear Medicine, SNUH is rule good. In case of work tables, recent of things are suitable to users upon the ergonomical planning, but 15% of existing work tables are below the standard value. In case of chairs are suitable, but 5% of theirs lost optimum capacity become superannuated. The keyboards are suitable for 98% of standard value. In case of monitors, angle control of screen is possible of all, but positioning control is impossible for 38%. In case of working position, 10% is fixed positioning for long time and some of the items researched unsuitable things for standard. At health management point, needed capable of improvement. Also, other working condition as lighting, temperature, noise and ventilation, discovered the problem, but is sufficient to advice value. Conclusion: VDT syndrome is occurrences of possibility continuously, come economical expensive about improvement, is inherent in various causes and originate without your knowledge. So, there is need systematic management system. In Nuclear Medicine, VDT syndrome make it better that constant interest and effort as improvement of ergonomical working environment, improvement of working procedure, regular exercise and steady stretching, and can be prevented fairly. This promote physical and mental condition of worker in top form in comfortable working environment, so this is judged by enlargement of operations efficiency and rising of satisfaction ratings of the inside client.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.20 no.2 s.22
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• pp.331-340
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• 1987

To determine the incidence rate of school accidents and its associated factors, a cohort observation was carried out in a boys' high school of a total of 2,324 students for an academic year from March 1986 to February 1987. Data for accidents were collected by the author (school nurse) as students came to the school health station for treatment of accidental injury. Data for school activities were obtained from the diary of academic affairs. A total of 603 students made 1,126 visits to the station for accidental injury during the study period that gave an average 1.9 accidents per student. The average number of visits for accidental injury per day was 5.1 and the incidence rate of accidental injury was 2.2 per 1,000 student days. Each class had about 30 accidents on the average in a year. However there were two classes that had exceptionally high incidence rate of accidents; 54 accidents in one class where 10 athletes were assigned and 58 accidents in the other class where the teacher in charge was On vacation for two months. The highest incidence rate of accident was observed in June (3.4 per 1,000 student days) and the lowest rates were in December and February (1.5 and 0.7 per 1,000 student days, respectively) and there were no appreciable difference by day of week. Accidents were caused by mischief or carelessness of students in 62.2% and by the inappropriate tools and facilities of school in 18.6% . The accidents caused by tools and facilities were mainly due to the antiquated chairs and tables. Referral rate to hospital for severe injury was three times higher in cloudy days and five times higher in rainy days than in clear days. There was almost no accident during the examination period but increased after the examination. Based on these findings, following measures are recommended to prevent school accident: disperse the athletes throughout the classes: should the teacher in charge leave the class for a long period, replace with another teacher who is familiar with the class to keep order; replace or repair the inappropriate tools and facilities; and warn the students for the risk of accident or broadcast music or let the students have light physical exercise to relieve the tension in cloudy or rainy day and after examination.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.24 no.1 s.33
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• pp.37-44
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• 1991

In the plywood manufacturing factory established in 1979, female 3 workers who had exposed to adhesives containing formaldehyde for more than 48 months of duration suffered from eye, nasal, oral, throat and skin irritation and dyspnea as chief complaints. The actual level of the exposure to formaldehyde were not estimated when the exposed workers started to have above symptoms. The environmental monitoring of workplace was measured on April 25, 1990, and the concentration of formaldehyde revealed 0.2 ppm, however the exhaustive ventilatory system was already installed at that time. Twenty six subjects from entire factory were examined by questionnaire, physical examination and spirometry, etc. on August 22, 1990. Significant difference was observed in symptoms and signs of nasal, oral and throat irritation between the exposed group with longer duration and that with short duration. When the exposed group with longer duration was compared to the group of nonexposed, symptoms and signs of nasal, oral, throat and skin irritaion, chest tightness and dullness were significantly increased in the former group. The results of the spirometric test showed that the forced vital capacity and the forced expiratory volume at 1 second were decreased among the exposed group with longer duration but not significant.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.307-318
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• 2010

This study was to analyze the ecological conditions, based on physical habitat, chemical, and biological conditions before (2006, 2007) and after ecological restoration (2009) in five sites of Changwon Stream (CS) and six sites of Nam Stream (NS), respectively, and then to compare ecological health between the two period. The analysis of ecological health was based on the multimetric models of Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) and Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) along with water chemistry in the streams. For the study, the models of IBI and QHEI were modified as 8 and 11 metric attributes, respectively. For the evaluations, the survey was conducted in the period of 2006~2007 before the restoration and in 2009 after the restoration by the city. Chemical conditions, based on conductivity, in both streams showed a typical longitudinal declines along the axis of the upstream-to-downstream. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in water quality between the two periods. Values of IBI in the CS and NS averaged 21.6 and 19.7, respectively, indicating a C grade in the criteria of Ministry of Environment, Korea, and there was no significant differences in the IBI between the two periods. Values of QHEI after the restoration averaged 29.2 and 63.2 in the CS and NS, respectively and the values decreased markedly especially, in the NS (35.3) after the restoration. The habitat disturbance was mainly attributed to destructions (i.e., the narrower width of riparian vegetation and higher substrate exposure by the air) of artificial materials by massive flood in 2009. Overall, our results suggest that the restoration was not effective in the two streams between the two periods, even if the budget was used a lot and that such ecological restoration, not considered the natural disaster, may not effect for the stream restoration.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-30
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• 2006

According to the available data, in these days, the number of medical accidents and disputes have significantly increased since 1990 in Korea. From this aspect, a variety of approaches and efforts to solve these problems is needed before it is too late. This study intended to identify the thoughts of patients who are directly connected with medical accidents and disputes and then to consider reasonable settlement methods of the increasing disputes. For achieving the purpose of this study, the self-administerd questionnaire was conducted with 450 out-patients who visited three university hospitals, five small and medium-sized hospitals, and ten clinics in Seoul from June 13 to 17, 2005. Incomplete questionnaires were omitted and 410 respondents(91%) were included for the analysis of this study. Each section of the survey was composed of six categories such as the recognition of malpractice, a compensation system about no-fault medical accidents, the recognition of the judgement of medical accidents in court, reasonable settlement of medical accidents, reasons of lawsuit, and the need of the medical dispute settlement organization. The major results of this study were as follows. First, more than half of the respondents, 51.9 percent, worry about malpractice. And many respondents think malpractice causes their symptoms to persist or become worse, and also some respondents think that the doctor's prescription changed too frequently. Second, as for a compensation system about no-fault medical accident, 55.7 percent of the respondents insist that a proper compensation for suffering patients or their families should be provided. And also as for the responsibility of compensation, respondents think joint compensation of both the medical institution and the government is needed foremost, followed by the medical insurance company and finally by the medical institution. The government as well as the related institutions should take responsibility for malpractice accidents for which the doctor is not responsible. Third, as for the acknowledgment of medical accident judgements by the court, 32.8 percent of respondents think that it is best to compromise with a medical institution, followed by lawsuit(26.2%), the assistance of civil organization(23.2%), and a powerful physical protest(7.6%). Fourth, as for the lawsuit of medical accidents, 62.9 percent of respondents think that patients and their families would be in a disadvantageous position in relation to medical institutions and doctors mentioning the lack of professional medical and lawful knowledge, experience and know-how as the reason. So many people have given up appeals owing to the difficulties involved in defending themselves through evidence. Fifth, about a half share of the respondents indicated that the medical institution's neglect of the responsibility of medical accidents is one of the most important reasons of lawsuit. And next respondents mentioned the lack of the medical dispute settlement organization and a general distrust of medical institutions and doctors. Sixth, a majority of respondents consented to the introduction of the need of the medical dispute settlement organization, And about a half of the respondents mentioned a readiness to accept the mediation of the organization, but the rest did not express a clear opinion. It seems that conflict among the parties concerned have existed in relation to the medical dispute settlement organization and related legislation for many years. But as this study has shown, the needs of the medical dispute settlement organization is in desperate demand. Therefore, more negotiation efforts from all interest groups should be considered for the birth of the medical dispute settlement organization and related legislation.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.203-214
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• 2018

This study was conducted to investigate the types, socio-demographic characteristics, use patterns, and visit motivations of visitors to "Jangseong Pyunbaek Healing Forest (JPHF)." Data were collected from 216 samples selected by convenient sampling method using questionnaire survey between October and November 2016. Data obtained from 476 respondents of the same type of survey during the same period were partly used to examine the types of activities of visitors to the study site. The results showed that 77.0 percent of respondents were categorized as "visitor for recreation" (VR: Those who visit JPHF for the purpose of general recreational experiences such as appreciating landscapes, tourism, social interactions rather than better health or healing). On the other hand, only 10.3 percent of respondents were "visitor for healing" (VH: Those who visit JPHF for the purpose of better health or physical and mental healing). VH showed a higher level of visit experiences to JPHF than VR and tended to expect JPHF as "the place to enjoy calm and natural experiences" more than VR did. VH tended to visit JPHF "alone" more, and their group size was also smaller than VR. About 26.8 percent of all respondents were not aware that JPHF was the "healing forest," and VH showed higher awareness of it than VR. About 66.8% of respondents assessed the managerial and operating states of JPHF positively while only 6.2% assessed them negatively. There was no difference in the assessment of managerial and operating states between VR and VH. The visitors of JPHF showed the markedly high use in main forest roads (use rate: 47.4%) and "Healing Field" (use rate: 59.2%) of JPHF. Regarding the visit motivations to JPHF, VH showed higher importance on "quietude," "health," and "tension release" than VR while VR rated higher importance on "social interaction." The paper discussed the managerial implications, findings, limitations and further studies.