• Health Policy and Management
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.74-90
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• 2021

Background: It is getting important to improve the oral health status of the elderly because oral health status may affect their health status of the whole body. In this respect, we aimed to explore the association of oral health status and behavior factors with self-rated health status by sex. Methods: Using the data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for health surveys and oral examinations (2016-2018), we analyzed a total of 3,070 people aged 65 or older (men: 1,329; women: 1,741). Our dependent variable, self-rated health status, was divided into two groups: not good (bad and very bad) and good (very good, good, and fair), whereas our independent variables of interest were oral health status and behavior factors. In addition to descriptive analysis and the Rao-Scott chi-square test, reflecting survey characteristics, we conducted hierarchical multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusted for socio-demographics and health status and behavior factors. All analyses were stratified by sex. Results: The proportion of people having 'not good' self-rated health was 36.5% in women but 24.5% in men. In a model adjusted for all covariates, the self-rated health status showed significant association with the self-rated oral health status. For example, in men, the risk of having 'not good' self-rated health was high in people having 'poor' (odds ratio [OR], 5.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.34-12.03) self-rated oral health status and in those having 'fair' (OR, 4.03; 95% CI, 1.68-9.70) in comparison with those having 'good' self-rated oral health status. Dental status regarding speaking difficulty seemed to be very important in influencing self-rated health status. For instance, in women, compared to people having 'no discomfort' speaking difficulty, the risk of having 'not good' self-rated health was high in people having 'not bad' (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.14-2.24) and 'discomfort' (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.30-2.47) speaking difficulty. The covariates significantly associated with the risk of having 'not good' self-rated health were: physical activity, chronic disease, stress, and body mass index in both sexes; health insurance type and drinking only in men; and economic activity only in women. Conclusion: Oral health status and behavioral factors were associated with self-rated health status among the elderly, differently by sex. This suggests that public health policies toward better health in the elderly should take their oral health status and oral health behaviors into account in a sex-specific way.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1463-1467
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• 2016

Background: The incidence of breast cancer is rapidly increasing in Yemen with recent indications of constituting one-third of female cancers. The main problem in Yemen remains very late presentation of breast cancer, most of which should have been easily recognisable. Since stage of disease at diagnosis is the most important prognostic variable, early diagnosis is an important option to be considered for control of breast cancer in low resourced settings like Yemen. In the present study, we aimed at describing breast cancer knowledge, perceptions and breast self-examination (BSE) practices among a sample of Yemeni women. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study covered 400 women attending four reproductive health centres in Aden, Yemen through face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire during April - July 2014. We collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge about breast cancer, and screening practices as well as respondents' perceptions based on the five sub scales of the Health Belief Model (HBM): perceived susceptibility; perceived severity; perceived barriers; perceived benefits; and self-efficacy. The response format was a five-point Likert scale. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 20) was used for statistical analysis. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Logistic regression analysis was conducted with BSE as a dependent variable. Results: The mean age of women was 26.5 (S.D=5.6) years. The majority (89.0%) had never ever performed any screening. Two-thirds of respondents had poor knowledge. Perceived BSE benefits and self-efficacy and lower BSE barriers perception were significant independent predictors of BSE practice. Conclusions: Poor knowledge and inadequate BSE practices are prevailing in Yemen. The need for implementing culturally sensitive targeted education measures is mandatory in the effort to improve early detection and reduce the burden of breast cancer.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.631-641
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to confirm the relationship between socioeconomic characteristics and the prevalence of periodontal disease, with a focus on employment status, in a representative sample of Korean adults aged 19-39 years. Methods: Data were obtained from 3,178 adults who completed the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, health-related questionnaires, and an oral examination. Socioeconomic, demographic, and oral health-related behavior data were adopted as independent variables. The chi-square test was used to assess differences in the distribution of socioeconomic status, oral health behavior, and nutrition factors according to employment status. Logistic regression analysis was performed to confirm the relationships between the prevalence of periodontitis and the related variables. Results: Significant differences in sex, educational level, income, marital status, smoking status, prevalence of periodontitis, number of dental check-ups in a year, and unmet dental care were confirmed according to employment status. The prevalence of periodontal disease was not significantly related to employment status. Conclusions: These results suggest a significant difference in periodontal disease according to socioeconomic factors in Korean adults. However, the prevalence of periodontal disease was not related to employment status. To prevent the progression of periodontal disease, attention should be paid to oral health, time available for dental treatment, smoking cessation, and use of floss.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.49-61
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• 2009

Background: The appropriate management of diabetes mellitus(DM) can help reduce its relapse and economic burden, but the level of management of DM in Korea is reported to be insufficient. This study aims to identify the management level of DM by figuring out the HbA1c examination performance rate of the diabetics and analyzing the variation according to the characteristic of a diabetic. Methods: This study used the Korean National Health Insurance Database which includes E10-14(ICD-10 code) as a primary or secondary disease as of 2006. Study population is 1,892,062 diabetics excluding 393,784 patients with the first attack of DM in 2006, 33,440 diabetics who died in 2006, and 21,299 patients with DM having no record of ambulatory care among the 2,340,585 DM patients in total. Results: The HbA1c examination performance rate of all DM patients in our country is estimated to be 41.5% as of 2006 and shows variation according to the characteristic of individual DM patients. The highest performance odds was shown by the patients who were below 19 of age, insured for health insurance, attended more than 3 ambulatory care providers, made ambulatory care visits more than 10 times annually, attended a specialized general hospital as their main attending medical institution, had a record of hospitalization or had co-morbidity. Conclusion: This study propose that is necessary to make politic preparations for the appropriate management of diabetes at a national level, and particularly, the patients with advanced age, the ones dependent on Medical Aid, and the ones using hospitals or clinics, whose appropriate management seems vulnerable, demand a careful management.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.69-80
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• 2011

Objectives: This study aims to identify the factors associated with colorectal cancer screening behaviors. Methods: The nation-wide representative samples of 2,928 adults aged ${\geq}50$ years for colorectal cancer screening were derived from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV). This study investigated socio-demographic, health behavioral and contextual factors associated with colorectal cancer screening using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: In terms of socio-demographic factors, gender, age, marital status, occupation, monthly income, and resident region were significantly different between screening group and non-screening group. Among health behavioral and contextual factors, regular physical checkup, weight control, physical activity, smoking, drinking and having other cancers were significantly different. From the multivariate logistic regression analysis, marital status, education level, regular physical checkup and weight control were associated with colorectal cancer screening behavior. Conclusions: It is necessary to understand the importance of early detection and cancer screening. Appropriate health education and active promotion about the cancer screening should be developed based on the study findings in order to motivate people to have cancer screening. Also, these findings should be reflected in the health policy.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.94-103
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• 2014

Objectives: The present study examined relationships between socioeconomic status (SES) and obesity and body mass index (BMI) as well as the effects of health-related behavioral and psychological factors on the relationships. Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted on Korean adults aged 20 to 79 years using data from the 2001, 2005, and 2007 to 2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Multivariate logistic and linear regression models were used to estimate odds ratios of obesity and mean differences in BMI, respectively, across SES levels after controlling for health-related behavioral and psychological factors. Results: We observed significant gender-specific relationships of SES with obesity and BMI after adjusting for all covariates. In men, income, but not education, showed a slightly positive association with BMI (p<0.05 in 2001 and 2005). In women, education, but not income, was inversely associated with both obesity and BMI (p<0.0001 in all datasets). These relationships were attenuated with adjusting for health-related behavioral factors, not for psychological factors. Conclusions: Results confirmed gender-specific disparities in the associations of SES with obesity and BMI among adult Korean population. Focusing on intervention for health-related behaviors may be effective to reduce social inequalities in obesity.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.189-196
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• 2023

Purpose: This study sought to identify factors affecting the health-related quality of life (HINT-8) of female seniors aged 65 years or older living alone after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Raw data from the eighth third year (2021) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was used, and the total number of subjects was 379. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 program, employing complex sample frequency and percentages, t-tests, analyses of variance, and regression analyses, while a post-hoc test (Bonferroni correction) was performed to determine differences in health-related quality of life. Results: The results of the study showed that the study subjects' health-related quality of life differed significantly depending on activity restrictions, number of walking days, age at menopause, perceived stress, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and subjective health. Most of the influencing factors were emotional factors such as perceived stress level, generalized anxiety disorder, and subjective health status carrying an explanatory power of 46%. Conclusion: The results of this study can be used as basic data to establish intervention strategies based on factors that affect the health-related quality of life for female seniors living alone.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.114-132
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• 1988

Aiming to appraise student's health status and recommend improvement and strengthening of the school health services, statistical analysis of the results of health examination were done with summarized data which were collected nation-wide through the Ministry of Education. After analysis of data obtained, the results of the study summarized as follows; 1) Requested Adequate care Requested Adequate care showed from 5 % to 3% in 1962 and 1984 respectively. In sexes, Requested Adequate in girls (2.8%) more apparent than in boys (2.5%) 2) Eyes i) Weak vision, abnormal refraction of eyes (myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism), eye diseases (trachoma, others) were found as shown in the Table 2, Figure 3. Weak vision and abnormal refraction of eyes showed from 2 % (Elementary), 5 % ( Secondary) to 4 % (Elementary), 14 % (Secondary) in 1962 and 1984 respectively. In both sexes, the older the age of students the more weak vision and abnormal refraction of eyes had rapidly increased especially in over 15-year old. ii) Eye diseases (trachoma, others) showed from 2% to age of students the more diseases had students. 3) Ear, nose and pharynx Hearing disturbance, ear diseases (otitis mediae, others), nose (empyema, hypertrophy) and pharynx diseases were found as following 1) Hearing disturbance was found from 0.3%(Elementary), 1 %(Secondary) to 0.05 % (Elementary), 0.4 % (Secondary) in 1962 and 1984 respectively, however, recently the older the age of students the more had students. ii) Ear diseases showed from 1.7 % (Elementary) 1.0 % (Secondary) to 0.3 %(Elementary), 0.5%(Secondary) in 1962 and 1984 respectively. iii) In diseases of the nose and pharynx, tonsilitis showed from 2.5% (Elementary), 3.5 % (Secondary) to 1.8 % ( Elementary). 2.5% (Secondary) in 1962 and 1984 respectively. 4) Skin Infectious skin diseases and other skin diseases were found from 1.5% to 0.6% in 1962 am 1984 respectively. 5) Teeth Dental caries (in milk and permanent teeth) and otner oral diseases are shown from 12 % (Elementary), 8%(Secondary) to 75%( Elementary), 25% (Secondary) in 1962 and 1984 respectively. 6) Other defects and diseases A relatively higher morbidity was shown in the tubercular diseases, in anemia, and in heart diseases among the tuberculous diseases, nodular diseases, Pleurisy, heart diseases, anemia, beriberi, hernia, neurasthenia, speech difficulty, mental disorders, bone dysformity, motion difficulty of extremities. In both sexes, tuberculous diseases were found almost equally in both sexes and anemia in girls was more apparent than in boys. Trying to provide more effective health services in schools : i) A better and more effective physical examination should be carried out in each school and prior to the physical examination, the qualified daily observation of children by teacher should be keenly practiced. ii) According to the results of the required annual physical examination the leading cause of morbidity were dental caries, myopia, angina and otitis mediae and fore these diseases follow up should be carried out. iii) For prevention and treatment of diseases and defects health education for students in the classroom as well as to parents is urgently requested.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between bone mineral density and remaining teeth in Korean adults. Methods: Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(KNHANES) 5th Year 1(2010), 1,985 adults over 50 years old having bone mineral density test were selected. Male adults were 883, and female adults were 1,102. The raw data consisted of general characteristics of the subjects, bone density data, and oral examination data. The questionnaire consisted of general health survey, laboratory examination study, and nutrition study. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 program for multiple regression analysis, ANOVA, t-test. The variables included general characteristics of the subjects, health behavior, diet habit, and oral health behavior. General characteristics consisted of gender, age, residence area, education level, marital status, monthly income, and vocation. Health behavior consisted of smoking, alcohol drinking, body mass index(BMI), physical activity, and mental health. Diet habit consisted of frequency of meal, milk, coffee, and calcium ingestion. Oral health behavior consisted of frequency of tooth brushing, use of oral health care devices, and oral examination. Systemic diseases were measured by the questionnaire for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia. Bone density was measured in T-score of femoral bone, neck of femur, and lumbar vertebrae. Bone density was classified into normal($T-score{\geq}-1.0$), osteopenia(-2.5 < T-score < -1.0), and osteoporosis ($T-score{\leq}-2.5$). The remaining teeth were measured by the differences between normal teeth and missing teeth. Results: Smoking and age are the most influencing factors on the number of remaining teeth and bone density(p<0.01)(p<0.05). Those who had higher bone density, younger age, and nonsmoker significantly had more remaining teeth. Those who were men, diabetic, lowly educated women, and low birth weighted persons tended to have less number of teeth(p<0.01). Conclusions: The study suggested that there were significant differences between men and women according to the oral health management behavior and systemic disease control. Proper management of the oral health and good quality of bone mineral density can reserve the remaining teeth through the whole life.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.507-519
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence, health behaviors, and control of hypertension in rural areas in Korea. Method: A total of 927 subjects above age 20 were selected from the areas which fell under the jurisdiction of the 24 Community Health Center located in Chungcheongbuk-do. The employees in the Community Health Center visited and interviewed patients. Data were collected using a questionnaire from July to October 2002. Result: The result showed that women had higher hypertension prevalence rates than men and the increment of its rate leveled up according to age. The hypertension prevalence rate was significantly high when the monthly income was less than 1 million won, their type of the Medical Insurance was the Guardian, they were only able to read Korean characters, and they were bereaved of spouses. In the Health behavior related to hypertension, the hypertension group showed a significantly lower level than the non- hypertension group in terms of drinking rate, smoking rate, intake of salt and intake of meat. There was no significant difference in the exercise rate and coffee intake rate between these groups. In the degree of the obesity the hypertension group was significantly higher than the non-hypertension group. The factors related to hypertension were that the duration for the incidence of hypertension was 12 to 60 months and took up 41.2%. The places where the medical check-ups occurred were the Community Health Center at 46.6%, the medical institution was mostly hospitals recording 46.5%. There were 66.1% of the targets who knew well about their blood pressure and there were 64.7% people who received education about it. As for the education place, the rate of Community Health Center was mostly high and it stood at 77.0%. In the aspect of the management of hypertension, the targets who took medicine on a regular basis were up to 76.1% and the targets who measured blood pressure once a month happened to be about 46.1 %. The targets who always recorded their blood pressure were 3.8%, chest X-ray as a related examination of hypertension reached 32.6%, electrocardiogram examination was 36.2%, cholesterol and serum lipid examination took up 33.6%, and the eye ground examination took 7.3%, which showed the lowest level of all.