• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.48-55
• /
• 2021

Objectives: This study was conducted to estimate the dietary iodine intake of Koreans by a Total Diet Study (TDS) which provides 'closer-to-real' estimates of exposure to hazardous materials and nutrients through an analysis of table-ready (cooked) samples of foods. Methods: Dietary intake data from 2013-2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) was used to select representative foods (RFs) for iodine analysis. A total of 115 RFs were selected and 158 'RF × cooking method-combination' pairs were derived by pairing each RF to corresponding cooking method(s) used more frequently. RFs were collected from 9 mega-markets in 9 metropolitan cities nationwide and mixed into composites prior to cooking preparation to a 'table ready' state for iodine analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Iodine intake of Koreans was estimated based on the food intake data of the 2016-2018 KNHANES. Results: High iodine content was detected in seaweeds such as sea mustard and kelp. The mean iodine intake/capita/day was 418.4 ㎍ and the median value was 129.0 ㎍. Seaweeds contributed to 77.4% of the total iodine intake and the contribution by food item was as follows: sea mustard (44.0%), kelp (20.4%), laver (13.1%), milk (3.9%), egg (3.5%). Compared to the Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans 2020, the proportion of people with iodine intake exceeding the tolerable upper intake level or below the estimated average requirement was high in the physiologically vulnerable groups (infants, children, pregnant women, and lactating women). Conclusions: The results, drawn from a TDS, are regarded closer to real estimates for iodine intake of Koreans compared with values in existing literature, which were based on a very limited variety of foods. On the other hand, it seems necessary to seek out solutions for the problematic iodine intake among physiologically vulnerable groups through in-depth analyses on food intake data collected with significant scale & quality.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.137-145
• /
• 2019

Among the participants of the 2012 Korea Medical Panel survey, 308 people who have used emergency, hospitalization and outpatient services for cancer have been selected. The average annual direct cost per cancer patient was analyzed by adding up the patient's medical expenses, industrial copayments, and non-salary costs. The average annual direct direct cost of cancer spent by cancer patients is about 129,093,792 per male, 158,100,612 won for men and 110,482,075 for women.For those with health insurance, the total direct cost per person from cancer was 183,095,125 won and the beneficiaries were 46,241,705 won. By household income, the average annual direct direct costs per person were 112,459,971 won per patient in the household income quartile, 137,910,890 won for patients in the second quartile, 149,556,570 won in the third quartile and 112,730,461 won, quartile 5, respectively.Was 142,926,331 won.

• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.1-14
• /
• 2024

The study aims to comprehend the health needs of multicultural families, identify relevant policies, and explore ways to enhance health information accessibility through Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Employing a qualitative research method, the health status of multicultural families was analyzed through literature review, followed by in-depth interviews. The findings revealed a lower priority given to health policies for multicultural families compared to other governmental sectors, with limited discussion on leveraging ICT for improved accessibility. In-depth interviews highlighted four main themes: "Early experiences in Korean society," "Language barriers in medical facilities," "Unmet healthcare needs for various reasons," and "High demand for health-related services." To safeguard health rights and enhance information accessibility, we recommend strengthening linguistic support in healthcare institutions, implementing government efforts for multicultural families, and designing user-centered ICT platforms.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.6 no.6
• /
• pp.9-15
• /
• 2015

The study aims to examine the knowledge and awareness of care workers on oral health knowledge at the geriatric care facilities in order to improve and develop oral health services. For the research method, the study carried out a questionnaire survey to 163 care workers working at the geriatric care facilities (10) in D Metropolitan City from May 1~31, 2015 and then the collected data were statistically analyzed. As a result, the oral health knowledge of care workers was 20.09 points out of total 26 points (77.2%). The highest knowledge was 'proper toothbrushing method' with 93.0% and the lowest one was 'knowledge on the use of oral supplementary goods' with 58.1%. Those with experience of oral health education had higher demand on oral health education (P<0.001), and those with higher experience of oral health education had significantly higher oral health knowledge (P<0.001), demand (P<0.01) and awareness (P<0.05). As for factors influencing care workers' oral health awareness, if they had higher oral health knowledge points (P<0.01), oral health education demand (P<0.01), they had higher oral health awareness level. Accordingly, it is required to provide efficient, sustainable and practical oral health education of care workers considering oral characteristics of the long-term hospitalized patients at the care hospital. And, the role of dental hygienist as the person in charge of oral health education is necessary. Therefore, institutional support from the government is required to assign professional personnel.

• Journal of the Health Care and Life Science
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.69-76
• /
• 2021

To investigate the current status of Sex Education for children with Developmental Disabilities and to effectively operate Sex Education programs, 12 teachers working in special education institutions and childcare services for Children with Developmental Disabilities were selected. Focus Groups Interview were conducted to identify opinions and requirements on the three themes through literature review. In the case of Sex Education for Children with Developmental Disabilities, difficulties in operating Sex Education were identified because the direction of education was inconsistent and individual characteristics and needs were not taken into account.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.543-552
• /
• 2022

This study compared and analyzed with the United States(USA) to evaluated the level of readability of radiotherapy information (English text) provide to foreign patients with cancer by medical institutions in South Korea (KOR). A total of 20 the KOR and USA medical hospitals in 10 each provide information for radiation therapy technology were selected. The readability was comparatively analyzed a total of three aspects (lexical, syntactic, cohesion and readability) by using a Coh-Metrix on-line web program. In readability respect, the mean of the Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) was lower in the KOR (8.3) than in the USA (23.2), Flesch-Kincaid grade level (FKGL) was higher in the KOR than in the USA (14.2) indicating that KOR was less readable than the US (p<.05). In both KOR and USA, the reading level (literacy) of the English text for the radiation therapy was found to be higher than high school (FRE level 50 or lower). Therefore, text information in English for the radiation therapy to foreign patients with cancer should be lowered to elementary school level and read to improve the quality of medical services.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.139-148
• /
• 1987

The community health practitioners (CHP) play an important role in primary health care services to the underserved population in rural area. Time and motion study of 26 CHPs in Kyungpook Province was conducted through work diary method for 6 consecutive days from the time they arrived until they left the primary health post(PHP) during the past 3 weeks from November 16 to December 5, 1987. The allocation of activity time by working category, service category, location of activity and CHP's function was analyzed according to the characteristics of CHPs i. e., age, marital status and experience as CHP. The major findings are as follows : The mean activity time per CHP in a week was 2,918 minutes. The length of their working hours was longer for older, married and more experienced CHPs than others. About 80% of the CHP's activities took place within the PHP and only about 20% occured outside of the PHP. Working hours for the outdoor activities were longer for younger, single and less experienced CHPs than others. The allocation of activity time by working category showed 46.3% in the technical work and 18.7% in the administrative work. Working hours for the technical activities were longer for younger, single and less experienced CHPs than others. The percentage of activity time revealed greatest as much as 63.1% for direct patient care in technical work and 61.6% for record keeping in administrative work. Of the total working hours in a week, direct patient care and public health activities accounted for 29.2% and 16.2%, respectively. Of the indoor activities, working hours for direct patient care were longer than those for public health activities. However, of the outdoor activities, working hours for public health activities were longer than those for direct patient care. The allocation of activity time by CHP's function showed 49.7% in management of common disease, 31.8% in management of PHP and technical supervision of village health workers, 9.5% in MCH and family planning, 6.6% in community health management and 2.4% in community approach. Based on these findings, it was found that CHPs were mainly working in the PHP with a majority of their time being spent for direct patient care rather than preventive and promotive health cares. To enhance the preventive and promotive health services of the CHPs and to involve the activities for community development, refresher course for CHPs should be reinforced and supervision mechanism of the CHPs should be established and operated in Gun- and province-level.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.63-74
• /
• 2017

Background: This study aims to analyze quality of and satisfaction with Korea medical services and identify factors affecting medical service satisfaction, revisit, and recommendation intention among international patients. Methods: Secondary analysis of survey data conducted by Korea Health Industry Development Institute from June 10th to July 17th in 2013 was done using multiple regression and logistic regression analysis. The 191 international patients from 9 medical institutions in Seoul were enrolled. Results: The results showed that international patients were satisfied with 85.6 points out of 100.0 points. International patients appraised higher in staff service rather than other services. Factors influencing medical service satisfaction were gender, religion, medical specialty, length of stay, and quality of medical services. Quality of medical service explained 29.8% of medical service satisfaction and especially, 'doctor's care' and 'communication and patient respect' were significantly related to medical service satisfaction. Medical specialty had a significant influence on revisit intention. There were no statistically significant influencing factors of recommendation intention. Additionally, more satisfied patients were associated with higher revisit and recommendation intention. Conclusion: This study implies that quality of medical services is a critical factor for patient satisfaction and that satisfaction with medical services is an important factor for increasing revisit and recommendation intention among international patients. In addition, health care providers should consider cultural differences to enhance satisfaction with medical services for international patients. Therefore, multidimensional strategy is required to strengthen the cultural competency of healthcare providers.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.324-335
• /
• 2017

Background: The aim of this study is to analyze determinants of welfare attitudes toward healthcare services in South Korea, using three main theories: self-interest (positive welfare attitudes if the policy fulfills people's personal interests), symbolic attitudes (positive welfare attitudes if the person is politically progressive or egalitarian), and sociotropic perception (positive welfare attitudes if the person experienced positive aggregated collective experiences of societal events and trends regarding the policy). Although the definition of the welfare attitude is rather ambiguous in literatures, in this investigation, we operationalize the concept as the 'willingness to pay higher taxes to improve the level of health care services for all people in Korea' which shows individuals' actional propensity. Methods: We used the health module from the International Social Survey Program 2011 for the analysis (N= 1,391). Five logistic regression models were built successively using two variables for each theory to measure key concepts of self-interest, symbolic attitudes, and sociotropic perceptions as independent variables. Results: The result showed self-interest and symbolic attitudes factors to be strong determinants of welfare attitudes towards healthcare services in South Korea, whereas sociotropic perception factors have inconsistent effects. Conclusion: For a more politically elaborated healthcare reform in South Korea and elsewhere, there needs to be further research on various dimensions and determinants of welfare attitudes to understand popular basis of welfare expansion, especially in the era of inequality.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.23-35
• /
• 2013

A study of the factors influencing the quality of life and social support of people suffering with mental disabilities, who use mental health centers. The purpose of the study includes the general characteristics of subjects, characteristics of the mental health center, the mean score of social support and quality of life of people living with mental disabilities. The 132 questionnaires were administered by meeting directly with subjects and personal visits. 112 Questionnaires were returned(85% response rate). Data was collected from mentally disabled patients in Chungnam Mental Health Center. difference in quality of life by using t-test, one way ANOVA table, the relationship between social support, quality of life by pearson correlation coefficients, and relevant factors affecting quality of life by multiple regression with the SPSS 19.0 program. This study revealed that the group that participated regularly in the day time rehabilitation program showed better social support and positive attitude to a better quality of life than the other group that participated irregularly. This result is directly proportional to the participation frequency to the program during the recent 3-month duration. Another correlation with religion was found in the study due to the fact that a buddhist group showed positive significance in quality of life than non-religious groups. The results show positive correlation between the improvement of the quality of life of patients living with mental disabilities and the social support they receive.