• Title/Summary/Keyword: 결핵실태

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National Survey of Sarcoidosis in Korea (유육종증 전국실태조사)

  • 대한결핵 및 호흡기학회 학술위원회
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.39 no.6
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    • pp.453-473
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    • 1992
  • Background: National survey was performed to estimate the incidence of sarcoidosis in Korea. The clinical data of confirmed cases were analysed for the practice of primary care physicians and pulmonary specialists. Methods: The period of study was from January 1991 to December 1992. Data were retrospectively collected by correspondence with physicians in departments of internal medicine, dermatology, ophthalmology and neurology of the hospitals having more than 100 beds using returning postcards. In confirmed and suspicious cases of sardoidosis, case record chart for clinical and laboratory findings were obtained in detail. Results: 1) Postcards were sent to 523 departments in 213 hospitals. Internal medicine composed 41%, dermatology 20%, ophthalmology 20% and neurology 19%. 2) Postcards were returned from 241 departments (replying rates was 48%). 3) There were 113 confirmed cases from 50 departments and 10 cases. The cases were composed from internal medicine (81%), dermatology (13%), ophthalmology (3%) and neurology (3%). 78 confirmed cases were analysed, which were composed from department of internal medicine (92%), dermatology (5%), and neurology (3%). 4) The time span for analysed cases was 1980 to 1992. one case was analysed in 1980 and the number gradually increased to 18 cases in 1991. 5) The majority of patients (84.4%) were in the age group of 20 to 49 years. 6) The ratio of male to female was 1 : 1.5. 7) The most common chief complains were respiratory symptoms, dermatologic symptoms, generalized discomforts, visual changes, arthralgia, abdominal pains, and swallowing difficulties in order. 16% of the patients were asymptomatic. 8) Mean duration between symptom onset and diagnosis was 2 months. 9) The most common symptoms were respiratory, general, dermatologic, ophthalmologic, neurologic and cardiac origin in order. 10) Hemoglobin, hematocrits and platelet were in normal range. 58% of the patients had lymphopenia measuring less than 30% of white cell count. The ratio of CD4 to CD8 lymphocytes was $1.73{\pm}1.16$ with range of 0.43 to 4.62. ESR was elevated in 43% of the cases. 11) Blood chemistry was normal in most cases. Serum angiotensin converting enzyme (S-ACE) was $66.8{\pm}58.6\;U/L$ with the range of 8.79 to 265 U /L. Proteinuria of more than 150 mg was found in 42. 9% of the patients. 12) Serum IgG was elevated in 43.5%, IgA in 45.5%, IgM in 59.1% and IgE in 46.7%. The levels of complement C3 and C4 were in the normal range. Anti-nuclear antibody was detected in 11% of the cases. Kweim test was performed in 3 cases, and in all cases the result was positive. 13) FVC was decreased in 17.3%, FEV1 in 11.5%, FEV1/FVC in 10%, TLC in 15.2%, and DLco in 64.7%. 14) PaO2 was decreased below 90 mmHg in 48.6% and PaCO2 was increased above 45 mmHg in 5.7%. 15) The percentage of macrophages in BAL fluid was $51.4{\pm}19.2%$, lymphocytes $44.4{\pm}21.1%$, and the ratio of CD4 to CD8 lymphocytes was $3.41{\pm}2.07$. 16) There was no difference in laboratory findings between male and female. 17) Hilar enlargement on chest PA was present in 87.9% (bilaterally in 78.8% and unilaterally in 9.1%). 18) According to Siltzbach's classification, stage 0 was 5%, stage 158.3%, stage 228.3%, and stage 38.3%. 19) Hilart enlargement on chest CT was present in 92.6% (bilaterally 76.4% and unilaterally in 16.2%). 20) HRCT was done in 16 cases. The most common findings were nodules, interlobular thickening, focal patchy infiltrations in order. Two cases was normal finding. 21) Other radiologic examinations showed bone change in one case and splenomegaly in two cases. 22) Gallium scan was done in 12 cases. Radioactivity was increased in hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes in 8 cases and in parenchyme in 2 cases. 23) The pathologic diagnosis was commonly performed by transbrochial lung biopsy (TBLB, 47.3%), skin and mediastinal lymph nodes biopsy (34.5%), peripheral lymph nodes biopsy (23.6%), open lung biopsy (18.2%) and bronchial biopsy in order. 24) The most common findings in pathology were non·caseating granuloma (100%), multi-nucleated giant cell (47.3%), hyalinized acellular scar (34.5%), reticulin fibrin network (20%), inclusion body (10.9%), necrosis (9.1%), and lymphangitic distribution of granuloma (1.8%) in order. Conclusion: Clinical, laboratory, radiologic and pathologic findings were summarized. This collected data will assist in finding a test for detection and staging of sarcoidosis in Korea in near future.

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Clinical Characteristics and Adherence of Patients Who Were Prescribed Home Oxygen Therapy Due to Chronic Respiratory Failure in One University Hospital: Survey after National Health Insurance Coverage (한 대학병원에서 조사된 재택산소요법을 받고 있는 환자의 특성과 재택산소요법 처방에 대한 순응도: 건강보험급여전환 후 조사)

  • Koo, Ho-Seok;Song, Young Jin;Lee, Seung Heon;Lee, Young Min;Kim, Hyun Gook;Park, I-Nae;Jung, Hoon;Choi, Sang Bong;Lee, Sung-Soon;Hur, Jin-Won;Lee, Hyuk Pyo;Yum, Ho-Kee;Choi, Soo Jeon;Lee, Hyun-Kyung
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.66 no.3
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    • pp.192-197
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    • 2009
  • Background: Despite the benefits of home oxygen therapy in patients suffering chronic respiratory failure, previous reports in Korea revealed lower compliance to oxygen therapy and a shorter time for oxygen use than expected. However, these papers were published before oxygen therapy was covered by the national insurance system. Therefore, this study examined whether there were some changes in compliance, using time and other clinical features of home oxygen therapy after insurance coverage. Methods: This study reviewed the medical records of patients prescribed home oxygen therapy in our hospital from November 1, 2006 to September 31, 2008. The patients were interviewed either in person or by telephone to obtain information related to oxygen therapy. Results: During study period, a total 105 patients started home oxygen therapy. The mean age was 69 and 60 (57%) were male. The mean oxygen partial pressure in the arterial blood was 54.5 mmHg and oxygen saturation was 86.3%. Primary diseases that caused hypoxemia were COPD (n=64), lung cancer (n=14), Tb destroyed lung (n=12) and others. After oxygen therapy, more than 50% of patients experienced relief of their subjective dyspnea. The mean daily use of oxygen was 9.8${\pm}$7.3 hours and oxygen was not used during activity outside of their home (mean time, 5.4${\pm}$3.7 hours). Twenty four patients (36%) stopped using oxygen voluntarily 7${\pm}$4.7 months after being prescribed oxygen and showed a less severe pulmonary and right heart function. The causes of stopping were subjective symptom relief (n=11), inconvenience (n=6) and others (7). Conclusion: The prescription of home oxygen has increased since national insurance started to cover home oxygen therapy. However, the mean time for using oxygen is still shorter than expected. During activity of outside their home, patients could not use oxygen due to the absence of portable oxygen. Overall, continuous education to change the misunderstandings about oxygen therapy, more economic support from national insurance and coverage for portable oxygen are needed to extend the oxygen use time and maintain oxygen usage.

Comparison in the Time of Community Health Practitioners's Operating Activity (보건진료원 업무활동의 시대에 따른 비교)

  • Youm, Jung-Ho;Kwon, Keun-Sang
    • Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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    • v.29 no.1
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    • pp.91-100
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    • 2004
  • Objectives: This study was conducted to compare the present community health practitioners(CHPs)'s operating activities with their activity in 1989. Methods: Data were obtained two hundred seventy eight CHPs by self-administered questionnaire regarding duty traits, job satisfaction, and others. Results: The number of CHPs was 255 in 1989 and 224 in 2000. Age of CHPs in 2000 was much higher than that in 1989, and married women was 64.9% in 1989 and 95.9% in 2000. Both the primary duty of CHPs in 1989 and that in 2000 was medical service, and others(maternal health, infant health, family planning, and tuberculosis management, etc) are decreased in 2000, and community health service was added to duty of CHPs in 2000. 55% of CHPs in 1989 satisfied with their job, whereas about 80% of CHPs in 2000 satisfied with their job. The CHPs perceived that their primary necessary duty among requisite duty are medical practice(57.7%), health education(31.4%), and community health service(10.9%), in contrast, unnecessary duty are family planning(68.8%), tuberculosis management(11.1%), infant health(6.3%) maternal health(5.6%). Conclusions: These results suggest that there are such alteration of job satisfaction, needs and obstacles in duty traits of CHFs. These trend of duty traits are major issues to be caught for the health service in primary health post.

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The Prevalence of Chronic Degenerative Disease and Utilization of Medical Facility in Rural Population (농촌지역(農村地域) 주민(住民)의 만성퇴행성질환(慢性退行性疾患) 유병률(有病率) 및 이용의료기관(利用醫療機關))

  • Ann, Kil-Soo;Chun, Byung-Yeol;Yeh, Min-Hae
    • Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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    • v.21 no.2
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    • pp.209-220
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    • 1996
  • This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of chronic disease and utilization of medical facility in rural area. 5,797 persons were randomly selected from 28,883 rural residents who were over 30 years old and living in Moonkyung city in Kyungsangpook Province during the period October 1 1983 to February 28 1994. The person prevalence rate was 336 per 1,000. The prevalence rate in men(278 per 1,000) was higher than that(388 per 1,000) in women. The spell prevalence rate in men(367) was significantly higher than that(429) in women (p<0.05). The prevalence was increased with the age, 106 in the 30's. 223 in the40's, 336 in the 50's, 407 in the 60's, and 457 in the age group of 70 above. Of all chronic diseases, the prevalence of neuralgia ranked first(128), chronic gastrointestinal disorders(64), degenerative arthritis(54). hypertension (44) and diabetes (14) were followed in descending order. In men, the prevalence of neuralgia ranked first, chronic gastrointestinal disorders, degenerative arthritis, hypertension and bronchial asthma were followed in descending order. In women, the prevalence of neuralgia ranked first, degenerative arthritis, chronic gastrointestinal disorders, hypertension and diabetes were followed in descending order. The prevalences of neuralgia, degenerative arthritis and hypertension were significantly higher in women than those in men, however, those of cardiovascular disease, pulmonary tuberculosis and liver cirrhosis in men were significantly higher than those in women(p<0.05). Most patients with chronic diseases were more likely to utilize hospital and/or local clinics than public health facility or community health providers. Patients with neuralgia, degenerative arthritis and bronchial asthma tended to utilizing local clinics initially, however, they were changed to visit public health facility or community health providers afterwards. Patients with hypertension or pulmonary tuberculosis were more likely to visit public health facility, however, those with diabetes, cancer, heart failure, CVD, liver cirrhosis were more likely to visit hospital.

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The Current Status of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in One Tertiary Hospital in Busan, 2005~2009 (일개 부산지역 3차 병원에서 관찰한 다제내성 결핵의 실태, 2005~2009)

  • Yoon, Neul-Bom;Lee, Sung-Woo;Park, Su-Min;Jeong, Il-Hwan;Park, So-Young;Han, Song-Yee;Lee, Yu-Rim;Jung, Jin-Kyu;Kim, Joon-Mo;Kim, Su-Young;Um, Soo-Jung;Lee, Soo-Keol;Son, Choon-Hee;Hong, Young-Hee;Lee, Ki-Nam;Roh, Mee-Sook;Kim, Kyeong-Hee
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.71 no.2
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    • pp.120-125
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    • 2011
  • Background: Although the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis has progressively decreased all over the world, drug-resistant tuberculosis is major obstacle in treating tuberculosis. This study was performed to examine the current prevalence and risk factors of drug resistant tuberculosis in a single tertiary hospital in Busan, Korea. Methods: We enrolled 367 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis on a retrospective basis who had undergone mycobacterium culture and drug sensitivity tests between January 2005 and December 2009. We analyzed all clinical and radiographic parameters to find predictors related to drug resistant tuberculosis. Results: At least one incident of drug resistance was found in 75 (20.4%) patients. Isoniazid (18.8%) was the most frequent resistant drug, followed by rifampin (10.9%), ethambutol (7.1%), streptomycin (4.9%), and fluoroquinolone (2.7%). Resistance to second-line drugs was found in 37 (10.1%) patients. Multidrug resistance and extensively drug resistance was evident in 39 (10.6%) and 4 (1.1%) patients, respectively. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, history of previous treatment including relapse (odd ratio [OR], 11.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.92~26.08; p<0.01), treatment failure (OR, 24.1; 95% CI, 5.65~102.79; p<0.01) and an age of below 46 years-old (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.62~8.65; p<0.01) were found to be independent predictors of multidrug resistant tuberculosis. Conclusion: We found that the prevalence of drug resistant tuberculosis was considerably high. A careful consideration for possible drug resistant tuberculosis is warranted in patients with a history of previous treatment or for younger patients.

A Study on Knowledge and Disease Management of Tuberculosis by Themselves of Tuberculosis Patients Among the Middle and High School Students in Seoul. (서울시내 중고등학교 결핵이환학생에 대한 결핵관리실태 및 지식에 관한 조사연구)

  • Do Sung-Sook
    • Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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    • v.1 no.1
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    • pp.32-44
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    • 1987
  • The purpose of this survey was to find out the knowledge and the disease management of the Tuberculosis patients by themselves among the first grade middle and high school students in Seoul city during the period of June 15-July 19, 1986. Questionaires were used to collect the data and were analysed from answers of 188 students at the 113 schools. The results were as follows: 1. The ages of the students were distributed as follows: in middle school, 13 years old was $70.0\%$. 14 years old, $20.0\%$, and 15 years old, $6.7\%$. In high school, 16 years old was $66.5\%$, 17 years old, $18.4\%$, and 15 years old, $10.1\%$. 2. In X-ray mass examination by school, the rate of execution was $50.4\%$ in middle school and $96.7\%$ in high school, and in X-ray mass examination by student, it was $50.1\%$ in middle school and $97.3\%$ in high school. 3. The prevalence of Tuberculosis among the middle school students was $00.3\%$and high school students, $0.15\%$. 4. Of the total, $77.1\%$ of the respondents did not realized Tuberculosis bdore X-ray mass examination 5. The perfect cure rate of the respondents was $52.7\%$. 6. General characteristics of the respondents: a. The educational background was varied as follows: of the total $47.9\%$ of the fathers had the level of high school education and $37.2\%$ of the mothers had the level of middle school education. The educational background of the parents had no statistical significant to the medical cure rate of Tuberculosis. (P>0.05). b. The average monthly income of the family was as follows : above five hundred thousand won was $21.8\%$, three or four hundred thousand won was $22.9\%$, and below two hundred thousand won was $10.6\%$. The most frequent family size was 5-6 persons. $(59.6)\%$. 7. The actual situation of Tuberculosis control and the variables related to the treatment: a. $69.1\%$ of the respondents wanted mental support from their surroundings. $48.7\%$ of the respondents answered that their parents or the other family helped treatment as mental supporter, b. As a medical service, $53.2\%$ of the respondents were treated at Health Center, $38.8\%$ were treated at a hospital. A medical service was statistically significant to the medical cure (P<0.01). c. Family members of $61.7\%$ of the respondents had checked chest X-ray. A X-ray examination of family was statistically significant to the medical cure (P<0.005). d. $73.9\%$ of the respondents had taken the Anti-Tuberculosis-drugs regularly. Regular taking of Anti-Tuberculosis drugs was statistically significant to the medical cure (P<0.005). e. $89.4\%$ of the respondents had received a regular examination during the treatment. A regular examination was statistically significant to the medical cure (P<0.05). f. The period of perfect cure was that $50.0\%$ of the respondents took from half a year to one year, $25.2\%$ took below half a year and $16.2\%$ took from one year to one year and a half. g. The rate of the respondents who abhored to let anyone know their disease was $93.1\%$. 8. Knowledge related with Tuberculosis: a .$63.3\%$ of the respondents answered that Tuberculosis is a communiable disease. b. $89.9\%$ of the respondents answered that there is a preventive method of Tuberculosis. Among them, $28.4\%$ answered that it is B.C.G. vacination. c. $96.8\%$ of the respondents belived they can be cured perfectly. d. $42.4\%$ of the perfect curer answered that they had have permanent immunity of Tuberculosis. According to the results of above study, it is desired to be practiced X-ray mass examination to the total middle school students. Nurse teachers and the responsible persons who participated to the helping of disease management to the Tuberculosis patients must make an offer knowledge of Tuberculosis to the Tuberculosis patients. And also, it will be very helpful to the cure of Tuberculosis patients if they do their best and to have a mental supporter.

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A Clinical Study of Hoarseness (애성을 주소로 한 후두질환의 임상 통계적 고찰)

  • 윤완규;조규모;송기준;김홍수
    • Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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    • 1983.05a
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    • pp.6.4-7
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    • 1983
  • Hoarseness is the most common and early symptom in laryngeal diseases. A clinico - statistical analysis was performed on 228 cases with chief complaint of hoarseness at the department of otolaryngology, Jeonbug National University during the past 3 years from January 1980 to December 1980. 1) The number of the patient with hoarseness were 228 cases (2.3 %) among total outpatient of 10110 cases. 2) Among the 228 cases with hoarseness, male were 115 cases and female were 113 cases, so sex ratio was nearly same. 3) The underlying diseases causing hoarseness in order of frequency were acute laryngitis 43 cases (18.9 %), chronic laryngitis 36 cases (15.8 %), vocal nodule 30 cases(13.2 %), vocal polyp 30 cases (13.2 %), vocal cord paralysis 26 cases (11.4 %), laryngeal carcinoma 18 cases (7.9 %) and laryngeal tuberculosis 15 cases (6.6 %). There were other diseases of larynx in 30 cases (13.2 %). 4) The incidence of age distribution in order of frequency were 4th decade (26.8 % ), 3rd decade (18.9%), 5th decade (17.1 %), 2nd decade (15.8 %) and 6th decade (9.6 %). 5) The duration from onset to consultation in order of frequency were 11 days-1 month (22.8 %), 1 month-3 months(19.7%), 3 months -6 months (18.9 %), within 10 days (13.6 %), 6 months-l year (13.2 % ), 1 year -3 years(7. 9 %) and 3 years over. 6) The duration from onset to consultation for underlying diseases were as follows ; acute laryngitis was within 10 days, chronic laryngitis was 3 months - 6 months, vocal nodule was 1 month-3 months, vocal polyp was 3 months -1 year, vocal cord paralysis was 11 days -1 month. 7) Associated symptoms with hoarseness in order of frequency were sore throat (25 %), sputum (8.8 %), swallowing difficulty (7.9 %) and dyspnea (6.1 %). But 84 cases (36.8 %), there were no other symptoms except hoarseness.

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A Study on Actual Conditions for Prevention of Infections by Dental Hygienists (치과위생사의 감염 예방 실태 조사)

  • Nam, Young-Shin;Yoo, Jung-Sook;Park, Myung-Suk
    • Journal of dental hygiene science
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    • v.7 no.1
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    • pp.1-7
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    • 2007
  • This study aimed to provide basic information on dental hygienists' practicing the prevention of infections by figuring out their actual conditions in dental clinics. The subjects of the study were the dental hygienists who participated in the continuing medical education of Incheon & Gyeonggi-do association and Seoul city association in October and November 2005 and the self-administered surveys were used for the prevention of infections. The results were as below. 1. In terms of education experiences of infection prevention, those who answered "there were" were 72 persons (42.9%) and those who followed the educational route for infection prevention were "through the in-house education from the hospital" and they were 42 persons (58%), which were highest. 2. In terms of the injury experiences, those who answered "there were" were 147 persons (87.5%) and the number of annual injury out of 147 persons with injury experiences was 7.7 time. For the tools that were damaged, 125 persons (75%) damaged the "explorer," which was highest. 3. For the experiences of being infected with contagious diseases, those who answered "there were" were 6 persons (3.6%) and there were four persons for "hepatitis B", one person for "rubella" and one person for "TB." 4. The questions with high practice scores were as in the following: "2. I wash my hands after conducting medical examinations (1.86 points)," "7. I always close the lid of a shot of Novocain after doing local anesthesia (1.86 points)" and "20. I separate and collect the wastes and give them to those who treat accumulated materials (1.85 points)". Meanwhile, the questions with low practice scores were as below: "16. I change my medical gowns (doctor wears) once a day (0.24 point)" and "I wash my medical gowns every time after examining patients with contagious diseases (0.52 points)." 5. The question with high knowledge was as below: "1. The contagion during the dental treatment is determined by source of infection, infection methods, infection routes and the host that is prone to infection (0.95 point)" and the question with the lowest knowledge was "5. HBV(hepatitis B) is destroyed after adding 95oC of heat for more than 5 minutes (0.27 points)." 6. The question with the highest organization-related factors was "I am always ready to use a mask, gloves, etc. if necessary" (0.89 points)" and the question with the lowest score was "There is a guideline that I can refer when I am exposed to dangerous situations related to the contagion in my workplace (0.33 point)." 7. In terms of the equipment conditions of protectors in medical environments, 168 persons for (disposable) mask (100%), 167 persons for disposable gloves (Latex) (99.4%), which meant that most of them were equipped with them. On the contrary, 108 persons (64.3%) are equipped with the protectors for frontal faces, which is the lowest and 165 persons (98.2%) said that they had autoclave in their disinfecting and sterilizing devices.

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The Smoking Status and Its Associated Factors of Some Army Soldiers (일부(一部) 병사(兵士)들의 흡연실태(吸煙實態)와 관련요인(關聯要因))

  • Jung, S.J.;Lee, C.G.;Ryu, S.Y.;Kim, K.S.
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.51 no.5
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    • pp.426-436
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    • 2001
  • Objective : This study was performed to determine the smoking status and its associated factors in military life among young Korean men to provide data for smoking prevention in military areas as a part of the health promotion program for soldiers. Methods : 1,033 infantrymen serving in 17 military units, which are located in suburbs of K city, were enrolled in this study. A questionnaire on the soldiers smoking status and other various characteristics was obtained from October 2nd to 12th, 2000. Logistic regression analysis was performed on the various variables in order to determine the factors related to smoking. Results : 1) 830(80.3%) out of 1033 subjects had smoked cigarettes and 759 persons(73.4%) were regular smokers. 2) Among the 734 soldiers who started smoking before their military service, 714 soldiers(97.2%) continued to smoke after, while 45 soldiers(15.0%) among the 299 non-smokers started smoking after joining the army. 3) Through the logistic regression analysis. the education level. specialty in the army. smoking amongst the friends they met before military service, smoking amongst soldiers in the army. dating girl friends, drinking, satisfaction with their army lives and the presence of convenient smoking places at the barracks were significant factors related to the prevalence of smoking in soldiers. Conclusion : The factors related with incidence of smoking in the army are the complicated interactions among the individuals personal background, general characteristics of the soldier and the special environment in the barracks. Therefore, to improve national soldiers' health, an active non-smoking campaign and education should be pushed to discourage smoking in the barracks.

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Survey of Current Status of the Patients with Home Ventilator in Seoul and Kyunggi Province (가정용 인공호흡기를 사용하는 서울 및 경기 지역 환자의 실태)

  • Ahn, Jong-Joon;Lee, Ki-Man;Shim, Tae-Sun;Lim, Chae-Man;Lee, Sang-Do;Kim, Woo-Sung;Kim, Dong-Soon;Kim, Won-Dong;Koh, Youn-Suck
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.49 no.5
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    • pp.624-632
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    • 2000
  • Background : Home ventilation can decrease hospital-acquired infection, increase physical activity, improve nutritional status, enhance quality of life, and reduce medical costs. The number of patient using home ventilators has been increasing, particularly in Europe and United States. Although the number of patients with home ventilation has been increasing in Korea, the current status of these patients is not well known. This study was undertaken to obtain basic information upon these patients in addition to evaluating any problems related to patients' home care in our country. Methods : A register of 92 patients with home ventilators in Seoul and Kyunggi Province were obtained from commercial ventilator supply companies. The patients were contacted by phone and 29 of them accepted our visit. Information concerning education about home care before discharge, equipment cost, and problems related to home care were documented. The mode and preset variables of the home ventilator were checked; tidal volume (TV), peak airway pressure, and oxygen saturation were measured. Results : There were 26 males (90%) and their mean age was 48.0 (${\pm}20.1$) years. The underlying diseases were : 21 neuromuscular disorders, 2 spinal cord injuries, 6 chronic lung diseases. Among the caregivers, spouses (n=14) predominated. Education for home care before discharge was performed primarily by intensive care unit nurses and the education for ventilator management by commercial companies. Twenty-five of the 29 patients had tracheostomies. Volume targeted type (VTT ; n=20, 69%) was more frequently used than the pressure targeted type (PTT). Twenty-three of the 29 patients purchased a ventilator privately, which cost 7,450,000 (${\pm}$3,290,000) won for a PTT, and 14,280.000 (${\pm}$3,130,000) won for a VTT. Total cost for the equipment was 11,430,000 (${\pm}$634,000) won. The average cost required for home care per month was 1,120,000 (${\pm}$1,360, 000) won. Conclusion : The commonest underlying disease of the patients was neuromuscular disease. The VTT ventilator was primarily used with tracheostomy. Patients and their families considered the financial difficulties associated with purchasing and maintaining equipment for home care an urgent problem. Some patients were aided by a visiting nurse, however most patients were neglected and left without professional medical supervision.

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