• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.251-258
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• 2021

Hepatitis C infection is responsible for high morbidity and mortality rates globally as well as for significant indirect costs. The disease burden caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is comparable to the one caused by human immunodeficiency virus or tuberculosis. Today, simple detection methods, highly effective and easy to administer therapies and efficient preventative measures are available to combat hepatitis C. Nevertheless, in most countries around the world, the World Health Organization target of eliminating this infectious disease and its consequences by 2030 are not being met. Significant gaps in care for hepatitis C sufferers still exist, the shortcomings ranging from education and treatment to aftercare. Hepatitis C infection was and still is not on the radar of most politicians and health authorities. National programmes and strategies to combat the disease exist or are being developed in many countries. However, for these to be implemented efficiently and successfully, clear political commitment, strong civil society actors, well-functioning public health structures and the relevant support from global donors are needed.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.386-398
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• 2020

Background: We determined the differences in awareness of myocardial infarction and stroke according to the presence or absence of diabetes mellitus in the community. Methods: The 2018 Community Health Survey identified 20,812 people with diabetes mellitus aged 40-79 years. Using 1:1 matching by propensity score, 20,812 people without diabetes mellitus but with similar sociodemographic characteristics were selected as a comparison. Outcome variables were awareness of early symptoms of myocardial infarction and stroke and awareness of coping strategies in case of occurrence. Results: There was no significant difference between nondiabetic and diabetic people in terms of recognizing all early symptoms of myocardial infarction (nondiabetic, 42.7%; diabetic, 43.0%; p=0.43) and stroke (nondiabetic, 49.4%; diabetic, 49.4%; p=0.91). In addition, no significant difference was found between nondiabetic and diabetic people in the proportion of knowing correct emergency response to myocardial infarction (nondiabetic, 84.6%; diabetic, 84.4%; p=0.56) and stroke (nondiabetic, 81.3%; diabetic, 81.4%; p=0.77). Conclusion: Since people with diabetes are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease than the general public, it is important to lower the risk of disability and death by improving their awareness of early symptoms and correct emergency response to myocardial infarction and stroke.

• Trans-
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• v.14
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• pp.35-63
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• 2023

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative neurological disease that affects even basic daily life movements due to impairment of body function caused by a lack of dopamine, which is charge of the body movement. Presently, it is hard to cure Parkinson's disease entirely with medical technology, so movement therapy as a solution to delay and prevent disease is getting more attention. Therefore, this study aims at desiging and disseminating a body movement program that concentrates on individual self-care and balacing the state of body and mind by applying the Feldenkrais Method® to patients with Parkinson's disease. The Feldenkrais Method® is a mind-body perceptual learning method using body movements. It is a methodology that re-educates the nervous system by connecting the brain and behavior as a function of neuroplasticity. In this study, the body movement program developed and verified by the researcher was modified and supplemented with a focus on the self-awareness of the Feldenkrais Method®. A 24-session physical exercise program was composed of 5 stages to improve the self-management ability of patients with Parkinson's disease. The stages include self-awareness, self-observation, self-organization, self-control, and self-care. The overall changes recognize one's condition and improve one's ability to detect modifications in the internal sense and external environment. In conclusion, the body movement program improves the body movement program improves mental and physical functions and self-care for Parkinson's disease patients through the Feldenkrais method. The availability of the program's on-site applicability remains a follow-up task. Furthermore, it is necessary to establish a systematic structure to spread it more widely through convergent cooperation with the scientific field applied with metaverse as a reference for the wellness of the elderly.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10157-10164
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the State of Qatar. Due to low participation in breast cancer screening (BCS) activities, women in Qatar are often diagnosed with breast cancer at advanced stages of the disease. Findings indicate that low participation rates in BCS activities are significantly related to women's low level of awareness of breast cancer screening. The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the factors that influence Qatari women's awareness of breast cancer and its screening activities: and (2) to find ways to effectively promote breast cancer screening activities among Arabic speaking women in Qatar. Materials and Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional quantitative survey of 1,063 (87.5% response rate) female Qatari citizens and non-Qatari Arabic-speaking residents, 35 years of age or older, was conducted in Qatar from March 2011 to July 2011. Outcome measures included participant awareness levels of the most recent national recommended guidelines of BCS, participation rates in BCS activities, and factors related to awareness of BCS activities. Results: While most participants (90.7%) were aware of breast cancer, less than half had awareness of BCS practices (28.9% were aware of breast self-examination and 41.8% of clinical breast exams, while 26.4% knew that mammography was recommended by national screening guidelines. Only 7.6% had knowledge of all three BCS activities). Regarding BCS practice, less than one-third practiced BCS appropriately (13.9% of participants performed breast self-examination (BSE) monthly, 31.3% had a clinical breast exam (CBE) once a year or once every two years, and 26.9% of women 40 years of age or older had a mammogram once every year or two years). Awareness of BCS was significantly related to BCS practice, education level, and receipt of information about breast cancer and/or BCS from a variety of sources, particularly doctors and the media. Conclusions: The low levels of participation rates in BCS among Arab women in this study indicate a strong need to increase awareness of the importance of breast cancer screening in Qatari women. Without this awareness, compliance with the most recent breast cancer screening recommendations in Qatar will remain low. An increased effort to implement mass media and public health campaigns regarding the impact of breast cancer on women's health and the benefits of early detection of breast cancer must be coupled with an enhanced participation of health care providers in delivering this message to Qatar population.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.202-213
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to provide basic data for the development of medicinal herbs, which are useful for the treatment of chronic diseases and physical characteristics of the elderly. A total of 151 adult women aged 65 years or older currently living in Daejeon were enrolled. The contents of this study were parents' health status, recognition of the necessity for a dietary therapy, awareness of medicinal herbs, requirements for medicinal herbs, physician of medicinal herbs and obstacles to medicinal herbs. Based on these results, the differences in the perception of medicinal herbs according to the dietary needs group as well as differences in the perception of medicinal herbs according to medicinal herbicidal groups were analyzed. Of the 151 subjects, 90.7% were married, and 44.4% of them were aged between 40 and 49. Most of the patients were aged in their 70s (68.9%), and 79.5% of had chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis, and heart disease. It is recognized that dietary therapy is necessary for the treatment of diseases, and awareness of medicinal herbs is low but necessary. As for the requirements for medicinal herbs, the most favored was 'porridge for the prevention and treatment of diseases', and 72.2% of medicinal herbs were physicians. However, problems cited were availabitity of ingredients, cooking technique, price of ingredients, and others. In addition, both groups requiring dietary therapy and having high awareness of medicinal herbs felt that medicinal herbs would be helpful in treating diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a simple medicinal herb recipe for each disease and to develop anti cooked medicinal herbs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6307-6313
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge and awareness of women in Kuwait with regard to risk factors, symptoms and diagnostic procedures of breast cancer. A total of 521 questionnaires were distributed among women in Kuwait. Results showed that 72% of respondents linked breast cancer factors to family history, while 69.7% scored abnormal breast enlargement as the most detectable symptom of the disease. Some 84% of participants had heard about self-examination, but knowledge about mammograms was limited to 48.6% and only 22.2% were familiar with diagnostic procedures. Some 22.9% of respondents identified the age over 40 years as the reasonable age to start mammogram screening. Risk factor awareness was independent on age groups (p>0.05), but both high education and family history increased the likelihood of postivie answers; the majority knew about a few factors such as aging, pregnancy after age 30, breast feeding for short time, menopause after age of 50, early puberty, and poor personal hygiene. In conclusion, 43.1% of participants had an overall good knowledge of breast cancer with regards to symptoms, risk factors and breast examination. Very highly significant associations (p<0.005) were evident for all groups except for respondents distributed by nationality (p=0.444). Early campaigns for screening the breast should be recommended to eliminate the confusion of wrong perceptions about malignant mammary disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.4043-4048
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• 2016

Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the ninth most common cancer worldwide, and has a poor 5-year survival rate averaging 50%, which has not changed for decades. A high prevalence of HNC has been reported in the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia, as compared to other areas of the country. However, data in regards to HNC are scattered and not well documented. Thus, the aim of this systematic review was to gather all available and updated important information regarding HNC in Saudi Arabia, and highlight the gaps of knowledge in our country with regard to this disease. In addition, suggestions of solutions to overcome the current status and improve our future standard of care to fight HNC are also highlighted. Materials and Methods: The electronic databases PubMed and Google Scholar using English-language literature were used for this systematic review, using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria and keywords. The search was performed in April 2016 and updated in June 2016. Results: Our search revealed twenty-one studies that fulfilled our inclusion and exclusion criteria and that were conducted in Saudi Arabia. These studies investigated different aspects of HNC, including prevalence, risk factors, biomarkers, and assessed knowledge and awareness of both public and practitioners with regard to HNC. Conclusions: This review uncovered a big gap in our epidemiological data in cancer information in general, and head and neck cancer in particular. In addition, a lack of knowledge and awareness of both the public and health care practitioners hinders the early diagnosis of disease and negatively impact the prognosis, treatment and outcome. The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia should develop a more systematic way and adapt policies to gather cancer information in general, and head and neck cancer in particular, from all governmental and private sectors from all over the kingdom, and develop educational programs to raise the knowledge and awareness of HNC in the country.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.993-1003
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• 2011

Objectives : This study is designed to identify the need for an efficient infection control plan in the curriculum of Dept. of Dental Hygiene and encourage dental hygienists to be more attentive to infection control by analyzing their personal protective measures, hand-washing frequency and other factors relating to infection control. Methods : A survey was conducted of 471 dental hygienists in general hospitals, dental clinics and dental hospitals in City of Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do from December 20, 2009 to February 21, 2010. Results : 1. Among those who worked for more than 11 years, personal protection (3.79) and hand-washing frequency (3.90) factors were rated high (p<0.05). 2. When surveyed by workplace, personal protection was high in general hospitals (3.75) while hand-washing frequency was high in dental clinics (3.74). 3. Among those who received infection control education more than three times, personal protection (4.07) and hand-washing frequency (3.80) were high (p<0.05). 4. Personal protection-related factors were general hospital workers, necessity of infection control education and awareness on infectious disease (p<0.05), while factors associated with hand-washing frequency were number of patients per day, whether or not infection control-related class is given at school, necessity of infection control education and awareness on infectious disease (p<0.05). Conclusions : To enhance awareness of infection control, it may be necessary to addan infection control-related class to the school curriculum and provide the necessity of conducting continuous and systematic infection control education through newly entering staff training and education of dental practitioners.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.60-66
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• 2023

Objectives: Discussions regarding "medical blind spots" in Korea's "aging society" are continuously rising. In addition, the demand for medical attention and care for the elderly and vulnerable populations continues to increase. Given this, the government is promoting the "home healthcare service" project. This study aims to lay the foundation for promoting this project by investigating the perception of clinical Korean Medicine (KM) doctors in the "community health care" project. Methods: With the cooperation of the Association of Korean Medicine, we sent a questionnaire to all KM doctors through e-mail. The survey included personal information, awareness, appropriate disease and intervention, proper visit location, and pros and cons. Results: A total of 602 responses were collected and analyzed. Approximately 20% of the doctors answered that they were well aware of the service, while 55% responded that they did not know about it. For a visit, a KM doctor selected the appropriate diseases in the order of stroke, dementia and Parkinson's disease, osteoarthritis, and chronic diseases. Among treatments, acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine exhibited similar results. The most common opinion was that KM doctors should schedule their visits once a week for 6-12 months, which was the most prolonged period among the given options. More than 80% (84.1%) of the doctors replied that care projects were highly essential, and about 63.8% expressed their willingness to participate in these projects. Conclusion: To provide appropriate home health care, we must raise awareness among Korean medicine doctors. In addition, the healthcare budget must be increased to provide the required support.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.67-84
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study is to present the basic data for qualitative improvement of emergency care for emergency patient by paramedic in fire station by understanding the level of awareness and practice in prehospital and transfer step, and understanding the level of emergency care and improvement of clinical knowledge through hospital clinical training. Methods: The researchers explained the objective for 143 persons who completed hospital clinical training from June 2nd, 2006 to October 23rd, 2009 among paramedic in fire station. The questionnaire in this research consisted of 80 questions. In the reliability for the awareness of emergency patient assessment, cronbach's $\alpha$ was 0.95, and in the reliability for emergency care fulfillment, cronbach's $\alpha$ was 0.93. reliability for clinical knowledge improvement is cronbach's $\alpha=.95$, and reliability for emergency care fulfillment is cronbach's $\alpha=.82$. Collected data was analyzed through SPSS 18.0 statistics program for frequency, percentage, average, standard deviation, Paired t-test, t-test, Correlation Coefficient, and internal consistency reliability was analyzed by cronbach's $\alpha$. Results: 1) The paramedic awareness and practice difference for emergency patient is statistically signification for general patient assessment(t=14.159, p=.000), trauma patient assessment(t=11.288, p=.000), internal medicine patient assessment(t=10.898, p=.000), and it shows the level of practice is lower than the level of awareness. 2) The paramedic difference between the level of awareness and practice according to whether or not they have clinical career is not signification on awareness(t=3.119, p=.125), and is high on practice(t=3.119, p=.002). 3) The correlation between paramedic awareness and the level of practice shows positive correlation(r=.61, p=.000). The higher the awareness of emergency patient assessment is, the higher the level of practice is. 4) The difference between paramedic clinical knowledge improvement and the level of emergency care practice is statistically significant(t=3.351, p=.001). 5) 89.6%(128 persons) of paramedic replied hospital clinical training experiences are helpful for field activity. 92.3%(133 persons) replied they apply well for clinical knowledge learned during hospital clinical training and emergency care skills in the field. Conclusion: Paramedic in fire station must evaluate the patient's initial assessment and activate the transfer system to the emergency department. It is necessary to develop and implement the effective education program continuously. The education program should systemize currently operated hospital clinical training. emergency disease and symptoms emergency care method, and practice mainly skill education should be progressed. In the prehospital and transfer management, high quality of medical assessment is required to the emergency medical service system. Medical direction from the doctors can feedback the paramedic continuously and continuing education must be provided to the paramedic in fire station.