• Title/Summary/Keyword: Health Surveys

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Investigation on the operational state of the public food waste treatment facilities and suggestions on their efficient operational management (음식물류폐기물 공공 자원화시설의 운영실태 조사를 통한 처리공정별 효율적인 운영방안 검토)

  • Jang, Yun-Hyeok;Park, Joon-Seok;Kim, Joung-Dae;Phae, Chae-Gun
    • Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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    • v.18 no.1
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    • pp.47-56
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    • 2010
  • At present, 265 national food waste recycling facilities have been operated by public facilities 95 and private facilities 160. it has continuously installed a food waste treatment facility from 1997. The government set up and implemented guidelines and inspection standards for the installation and operation of the facilities. However, unclear detailed examination items, designs and process standards for the installation procedures of the facilities are causing problems due to the unskilled operation management system, decrease in efficiency and defects of a facility. This study conducted mail and site surveys on 95 public food waste recycling facilities that it suggest the ways to operate facilities which minimize problems. At the result of investigation, a pre-treatment facility was not installed 2 systems(2 inputting facilities) and hopper covers and food was overloaded. also the transportation amount was excessive. In case of a main treatment facility, the secondary environmental pollution was caused by inexperienced operation and the efficiency of the facility was reduced due to excessive input of food. also the operation management standards of the facilities were inappropriate. The odor and food waste leachate treatment facility is investigated as problems that are unskilled operation, lack of regular inspection and inappropriate capacity of the treatment facility. Based on the problems found through the investigation, it suggested some ways of efficient operation. this study might contribute to minimize mistakes and defects and improve the efficiency of install and operation course of food waste recycling facilities through finding.

A Survey on Asbestos Exposure Possibility in Indoor and Outdoor Environments of Childcare Centers (어린이집 실내·외 석면노출 가능성 조사에 관한 연구)

  • Park, Whame;Son, Byeung-Hun
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.24 no.2
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    • pp.122-129
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    • 2014
  • Objectives: Because of its properties such as resistance to heat, chemicals and corrosion; tensile strength; sound absorption; and affordable price, asbestos has been widely used as a building material, fire resistant and retardant, thermal and heat insulator, soundproofing material, and electrical insulation. Since the prolonged inhalation of asbestos can cause serious illnesses such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis after an incubation period of 20 to 40 years, the mineral was classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an intergovernmental agency forming part of the World Health Organization. Children and infants are more at risk than are adults if they are exposed to carcinogens, due to aweaker immunity that has not yet been fully developed. Most childcare centers are operated all day and children tend to spend a great amount of time in the centers. This is why it is important for them to be systematically isolated from environments that may expose them to asbestos. Materials: In order to understand both indoor and outdoor hazards to which children may have been exposed, the study focused on actual surveys of asbestos used in childcare centers, paying special attention to slate-roofed buildings in the vicinity of the centers. Results: A survey of a total of 211 childcare centers showed that the buildings of 18.1% of the centers contained asbestos, with 60.53% of the material being found in classroom ceilings. "Tex" was the most used material for ceilings, making up 89.47% of all ceilings. An outdoor survey showed that childcare centers in Daegu Metropolitan City had an average of 143 slate-roof buildings within a distance of 1km. Conclusions: Buildings housing mainly toddlers, children, teenagers and others more vulnerable to the toxicity of asbestos are not subject to asbestos investigation by law. A legal and practical basis for asbestos control is required for such buildings. In particular, housing materials which contain asbestos in day care centers require asbestos control. GIS should be used to identify the location of buildings with slate roofing materials in the vicinity of daycare centers in order to gauge toxicity of exposure to asbestos caused by potential asbestos friability possibility in outdoor conditions.

Seasonal fluctuation of the meiobenthic fauna community in the intertidal zone sediments of coastal areas in Jeju Island, Korea (제주 연안역 조간대 퇴적물에 서식하는 중형저서동물 군집의 계절 변동)

  • Shin, Ayoung;Kim, Dongsung;Kang, Teawook;Oh, Je Hyeok
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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    • v.37 no.3
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    • pp.406-425
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    • 2019
  • To observe the seasonal fluctuation of the meiobenthic fauna community around the coastal area of Jeju island, 20 stations were selected and seasonal surveys were conducted. Three-replicate meiobenthic samples were collected from each station in April, July, and November 2017; February, May, August, and November 2018; and February in 2019, in a total of eight months from 2017 to 2019. The total density of meiobenthos at each station ranged from 733 to 2,505 ind. 10 cm-2. The month in which the highest habitat density appeared in most stations was April 2017 and the month in which the lowest habitat density was seen was February 2019. Nematodes were the most dominant faunal group among the representative 13 meiofaunal groups at all stations. The subdominant groups were benthic harpacticoid copepods and nauplius. The nematode/copepod (N/C) ratio, reflecting the health indices within the ecosystem, varied from 0.02 to 87.40 over the entire season and the average station values ranged from 2.00 to 16.80. The lowest N/C ratio value was found in April 2017 (0.02) and the highest N/C ratio was found at Station 11 in February 2019, which was 87.40, indicating the highest level of pollution. Seasonal and regional meiobenthos community structure similarity was divided into three groups through group analysis and multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) analysis, which showed that the meiobenthos community structure was affected by seasonal variations, rather than by regional differences.

The Casual Relationship Between Depression and Somatic Symptom of the Adolescence Using an Autoregressive Cross-Lagged Modeling (자기회귀교차지연 모델을 활용한 청소년 우울과 신체화 증상의 인과관계)

  • Han, Jeong Won
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.18 no.6
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    • pp.646-652
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    • 2017
  • The objective of this study was to verify the longitudinal reciprocal causal relationship between depression and the somatic symptoms of depression among adolescents through an autoregressive cross-lagged model using data from the Korean Children & Youth Panel Survey. The subjects of this study included 1,968 adolescents, who participated in the second, fourth, and sixth Korean Children & Youth Panel Surveys. The results showed that both depression and the somatic symptoms of depression at a previous point in time affect depression and the somatic symptoms of depression at a later point in time. It was also found that depression at a previous point in time has a cross-lagged effect on the somatic symptoms of depression at a later point in time, implying that more severe depression at a previous point in time leads to increased severity of somatic symptoms at a later point in time. It was found that the somatic symptoms of depression at a previous point in time have a cross-lagged effect on depression at a later point in time, indicating that more severe somatic symptoms of depression at a previous point in time lead to increased severity of depression at a later point in time. This study is significant in that it provides baseline information about nursing interventions for adolescent mental health.

Satisfaction and Needs of Cancer Patients and Caregivers under Home-based Cancer Patients Management in Jeju (제주지역내 재가암환자관리를 받은 환자와 보호자에게 제공되는 프로그램 만족도와 요구)

  • Kim, Hyeon-Ju;Huh, Jung-Sik
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.19 no.8
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    • pp.276-282
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    • 2018
  • This study was conducted to improve the quality of home-based cancer management programs through a survey of satisfaction and needs of the program provided by a regional cancer center. From March 2015 to October 2015, we conducted face to face surveys of patients and caregivers enrolled in home-based cancer management. A total of 101 patients, 59 patients and 41 caregivers, were enrolled. Breast cancer was the main cancer and 51 (86%) patients and 36 (85%) caregivers were satisfied with the number of visits for home-based cancer management. For the service application route, 22 patients (37.29%) obtained information through the cancer center publicity paper and 11 caregivers (26.19%) received recommendations from acquaintances. Except for treatment provided directly to the patients, psychological counseling was the most preferred, and satisfaction regarding picnic and cancer education were also high. Satisfaction with the program provided by regional cancer center was relatively high ($4.14{\pm}1.21$ on a 5-point scale). Additionally, satisfaction of the patients was higher than that of the caregivers, but this difference was not significant ($4.29{\pm}1.11$, $3.93{\pm}1.31$, p = 0.141). Self-esteem was higher among caregivers than patients, but this difference was not significant. To improve the quality of life of cancer patients and caregivers, it is necessary to develop customized programs considering patients' economic situations and need for psychological counseling.

The Structure and Pathway in which Perceived Social Support, Coping Strategy and Acculturative Attitude of Marriage-based Immigrant Women influences Acculturative Stress (결혼이주여성의 지각된 사회적지지, 대처전략, 문화적응태도가 문화적응스트레스에 영향을 미치는 구조와 경로)

  • Han, Suk-Woo;Kim, Ji-Woon
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.19 no.10
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    • pp.55-63
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    • 2018
  • This study was intended to identify path structures through pathway analysis with an emphasis on the cognitive elements that influence the acculturative stress of marriage-based immigrant women. The results of the study were designed to establish a foundation for practical measures and policies to support marriage-based immigrant women to adjust their lives in the culture. This study has established research model on the path structure according to the psychological stress theory as to how social support, coping strategy, and acculturative attitude recognized as a cognitive element of marriage-based immigrant women on the acculturative stress and implement practical verification. In addition, control variables for the use of ages, education level, period of marriage, and income level of socio-demographic variables were analyzed. To obtain data for the study, convenience sampling and snowball sampling of marriage-based immigrant women that resided in the area of C and J were conducted simultaneously through surveys and applied to the analysis of 204 cases. Analysis of the path structure of influence of social support, coping strategies, and acculturative attitudes that were perceived as a cognitive element of marriage-based immigrant women influencing acculturative stress revealed that these factors were specifically weighted towards acculturative. Moreover, comprehensive acculturative attitude was identified as a crucial variable reducing the effects of acculturative stress during the acculturative procedures of marriage-based immigrant women. This assumes that establishing and performing policies supporting co-existence of homeland cultures of marriage-based immigrant women and Korean cultures might be an efficient action for dealing with acculturative stress rather than forcing them to adjust to Korean culture.

Development and Application of Development Principles for Clinical Information Model (임상정보모델 개발원칙의 개발과 적용)

  • Ahn, Sun-Ju
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.11 no.8
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    • pp.2899-2905
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    • 2010
  • To be applicable under electronic health record system in order to ensure semantic interoperability of clinical information, the development principle for clinical information model to reflect objective and function is required. The aim of this study is to develop the development principles for clinical information model and evaluate the Clinical Contents Model. In order to develop the principle, from November 2008 to March 2009, the surveys about 1) definition, 2) function and 3) quality criteria were done, and 4) the components of advanced model were analyzed. The study was processed in 3 levels. Firstly in the development level, key words and key words-paragraph were driven from the references, and the principles were drawn based on the clinical or functional importance and frequency. In the application level, the 3 experts of clinical information model assessed 30 Clinical Contents Models by applying it. In the feedback level, the Clinical Contents Model in which errors were found was modified. As the results, 18 development principles were derived with 3 categories which were structure, process and contents. The Clinical Contents Models were assessed with the principles, and the 17 models were found that they did not follow it. During the feedback process, the necessity of the advanced education of the principle and the establishment of the regular quality improvement strategy to use it is raised. The proposed development principle supports the consistent model-development between clinical information model developers, and could be used as evaluation criteria.

A Study of Korean Agri-Food Brand Identities for Expanding Exports to China (중국 수출확대를 위한 한국 농식품 브랜드 아이덴티티 정립)

  • An, Wook-Hyun;Cho, Woo-Chul;Kim, Chang-Hwan
    • Journal of Distribution Science
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    • v.12 no.2
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    • pp.7-16
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    • 2014
  • Purpose - The purpose of this study is to target Chinese consumers of Korean agri-food through the analysis of agri-food brand identity images to set future directions for proposed agri-food exports to China. Since negotiations began for a free trade agreement (FTA) between Korea and China, some Koreans have worried about the Korean agriculture sector. The world trading system has undergone many changes in recent years. Since the start of FTA negotiations on agriculture, China and Korea have faced a heightened sense of crisis. China is trying to export agricultural products so actively that its agricultural exports could increase by more than 7% annually. China exported about one-tenth of its agricultural products to Korea in the period 2002-2010. Recently, the importance of brand identity has tended to increase, as the world becomes one unified market. In this situation, we should try to promote agri-food exports to China. It is very important to understand consumers' recognition of Korean food and the image of the Korean agri-food industry, to establish an export strategy. Research design, data, and methodology - This study targeted 2,800 adult men and women aged 25-59 years living in four major cities in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Qingdao) with a household income within the top 10% level in the China, using the one-to-one interview survey method. In addition, four groups by region (eight people per group) for a total of 32 groups were surveyed by using the focus group interview (FGI) research method, and impressions of imported agri-food were surveyed using 17 questions about fresh agri-food and 22 questions on processed agri-food. Factor analysis, brand positioning, biplot analysis, and so on, were carried out based on the results of these surveys. This research presents the brand identity of Korean food; according to the analyses, the brand identity is based on trust, safety, and attractiveness. Result - Factor analysis results showed that Chinese consumers expect four major qualities in imported fresh agri-food: freshness/safety, attractive appearance, premium branding, and excellent taste/quality. In the case of processed agri-food, it turned out that Chinese consumers are focused on safety/hygiene/freshness, health, and taste. In addition, in the fresh agri-food analysis by country, American foods had the upper hand; the image of American foods was also recognized as the most positive for processed agri-food. Meanwhile, according to the biplot analysis, Korean agri-food is strongly preferred for its appearance, but no country is strongly preferred as regards the level of freshness/safety that is expected by Chinese consumers. Conclusions - In this study, we analyzed the image of imported agri-food expected by Chinese consumers by reconstructing agri-food characteristics from the brand perspective. The research result shows that a Korean brand identity must be the ultimate goal for activities undertaken to enhance the image of Korean agri-food in the future. Additional research is needed because brand image can be formed through various channels.

Evaluation on HACCP prerequisite-program performance within general hospital foodservice operations (종합병원 급식소의 HACCP 선행요건 관리 수행도 평가)

  • Song, Yoon-Ji;Bae, Hyun-Joo
    • Journal of Nutrition and Health
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    • v.49 no.1
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    • pp.43-50
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    • 2016
  • Purpose: This study was conducted to examine prerequisite-program performance of the hospital foodservice operation and develop measures for improvement of prerequisite-program performance. Methods: Data were collected through surveys administered to 168 hospital dieticians in the Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi-do, Daegu, and North Gyeongsang areas. Out of total questionnaires, 65 questionnaires were usable and the response rate was 38.7%. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS program (ver 20.0) for ${\chi}^2-test$ and one-way ANOVA. Results: According to the result of the prerequisite-program evaluation, the percentage of 'appropriate', 'needs to be improved', and 'inappropriate' was 44.6%, 47.7%, and 7.7%, respectively. The score for the 'inappropriate' group was significantly lower than that of the 'appropriate' group or 'needs to be improved' group on the food safety management (p < 0.001), preparation facility management (p < 0.001), water management (p < 0.001), and storage transportation management (p < 0.05) parts. Holding rate of foodservice facility and equipments in the 'appropriate' group were significantly higher than in the others on convection oven (p < 0.01), air conditioner (p < 0.01), three-compartment sink (p < 0.01), hot-holding equipment (p < 0.01), cold-holding equipment (p < 0.05), exclusive thawing refrigerator (p < 0.05), and sterilizer for sanitary shoes (p < 0.05) items. Conclusion: To improve the quality of hospital foodservice, foodservice managers and HACCP specialists should develop and implement a prerequisite-program and a HACCP plan considering the characteristics of the hospital foodservice operation.

Persistent Organic Pollution and Arsenic Contamination in Asia Pacific Water: Case Study of Emerging Environmental Problems in Vietnam

  • Pham, Viet.H.
    • Journal of Wetlands Research
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    • v.9 no.1
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    • pp.79-89
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    • 2007
  • This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the present status of several environmental problems caused by emerging toxic substances such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and arsenic in various environmental media in Vietnam. Monitoring data reported during the 1990s demonstrated elevated contamination of DDTs in most of these compartments in Vietnam. Studies in frame of the Asia-Pacific Mussel Watch Program revealed that fish, mussels and resident birds from Vietnam contained higher concentrations of DDTs as compared to other countries in region, suggesting the role of Vietnamese environment as a significant emission source of DDT in the Southeast Asian region. The estimated dietary intakes of PCBs and DDTs for Vietnamese were relatively high among Asian developing countries, suggesting potential risk for humans posed by thesechemicals. Widespread contamination of some endocrine active compounds such as alkylphenols and phthalates was observed at various sites along the coasts of northern and middle Vietnam. The presence of significant source of bisphenol-A along Red River estuary was revealed with the concentrations comparable to those reported for developed nations. A case study on seasonal variation of alkylphenols and phthalates in surface water of river delta and estuary of north and middle Vietnam indicated the differences in distribution of these compounds between dry and rainy seasons. Higher concentrations of alkylphenols and phthalates were found in dry season in estuary; while the contrasting pattern was observed in the river delta, showing elevated residues in rainy season. This result suggests the different behavior of alkylphenols and phthalates in river delta and coastal environment. From ecotoxicological perspectives, concentrations of bis-phenol A and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalates [DEHP] in surface water from some locations in Vietnam exceeded the guideline values for Ecotoxicological Effects and the Environmental Risk Limit, respectively, suggesting potential for toxic implications on aquatic wildlife. Widespread and elevated arsenic contamination was discovered inour recent surveys in groundwater in a large area of suburban areas of Hanoi city, the capital of Vietnam. The most recent investigation in 4 villages showed about more than 50 % of groundwater samples contained As concentrations exceeding 50 g/L (the WHO and Vietnamese standard). In particular, in Son Dong villages, 58 % of samples analyzed contained As concentrations higher than 200 g/L. Good correlations were found in As concentrations in water and hair and urine of peoples in corresponding families, suggesting the chronic exposure to As by people living in As-contaminated ground water areas. In Son Dong village, As levels in hair (mean: 1.7 mg/kg dry wt) and urine (g/g creatinine) exceeding the reference values recommended by WHO, suggesting potential for human risk posed by long term accumulation of As in human body. Future studies should be focused on the time trends of POPs and EDCs in biota in Vietnam in order to predict future trend of contamination and to reveal new clues for understanding possible toxic impacts on aquatic organisms. The issues of arsenic contamination in groundwater and their chronic toxic implications on human health should be systematically investigated in the future.

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