• 한국환경보건학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국환경보건학회 2005년도 국제학술대회
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• pp.289-292
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• 2005

An imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants, in favor of oxidants leading to oxidative stress, is known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Isoprostanes are structurally stable isomers of the conventional enzymatically derived prostaglandins, which are produced in vivo primarily by a free radical catalyzed peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In asthmatics, disease severity can occur from environmental exposure to air pollution. Some surveys suggested that air pollutants, especially diesel-exhaust particulates, could trigger allergic sensitization and development of atopic diseases. Sick house syndrome (SHS) presents healthy damage owing to the indoor environment of a building. The aim of this study was to examine isoprostane as a parameter fur oxidative stress in environments related diseases such as sick house syndrome, atopy and asthma. We measured plasma and urinary levels of isoprostane from health volunteers, sick house syndrome, atopy and asthma patients. Plasma isoprostane concentrations in asthma and sick house syndrome group were significantly higher than in control. Urinary isoprostane levels were significantly higher in volunteers with sick house syndrome and asthma compared with health volunteers. These findings suggest that plasma and urinary isoprostane measurement may have useful clinical implications for investigating sick house syndrome and asthma. The interventions that decrease exposure to environmental reactive oxygen species might be beneficial in these diseases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.1415-1420
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• 2015

Background: We compared the health-promoting behavior of long-term cancer survivors with those of the general population to identify necessary behavioral interventions to reduce the health risk among cancer patients. Materials and Methods: We used data from the 2007 and 2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES IV [2007~2009] and KNHANES V [2010~2012]) on smoking status, alcohol use, physical exercise, and disease screening. We compared long-term cancer survivors with members of the general population; the controls were matched by propensity score matching. A multiple logistic regression model was used to investigate the association between cancer status and health-promoting behavior. Results: Long-term cancer survivors had a lower risk of smoking than the general population controls (OR: 0.42, 95%CI: 0.25-0.71). In addition, the long-term cancer survivors had a lower risk of alcohol use than the general population controls (OR: 0.70, 95%CI: 0.50-0.98). However, in terms of physical exercise and disease screening, no statistically significant differences were detected (physical exercise OR: 1.01, 95%CI: 0.75-1.35; disease screening OR: 1.27, 95%CI: 0.93-1.74). All covariates were adjusted. Conclusions: The long-term cancer survivors had a much lower risk of smoking and alcohol use than the general population controls. However, almost no differences in physical exercise and screening for cancer recurrence or secondary disease were detected between the long-term cancer survivors and general population controls. To reduce the health risks and challenges facing long-term cancer survivors, interventions to encourage physical exercise and screening for cancer recurrence and secondary disease should be implemented.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.18-28
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• 2017

Objectives: Low birth weight (LBW) is a major public health concern, especially in developing countries, and is frequently related to child morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to identify key determinants that influence the prevalence of LBW in selected developing countries. Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted using 10 recent Demography and Health Surveys from developing countries based on the availability of the required information for the years 2010 to 2013. Associations of demographic, socioeconomic, community-based, and individual factors of the mother with LBW in infants were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The overall prevalence of LBW in the study countries was 15.9% (range, 9.0 to 35.1%). The following factors were shown to have a significant association with the risk of having an LBW infant in developing countries: maternal age of 35 to 49 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 to 3.1; p<0.01), inadequate antenatal care (ANC) (aOR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.8; p<0.01), illiteracy (aOR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.7; p<0.001), delayed conception (aOR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.4 to 2.5; p<0.001), low body mass index (aOR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2 to 2.1; p<0.001) and being in the poorest socioeconomic stratum (aOR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.8; p<0.001). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that delayed conception, advanced maternal age, and inadequate ANC visits had independent effects on the prevalence of LBW. Strategies should be implemented based on these findings with the goal of developing policy options for improving the overall maternal health status in developing countries.

• 보건행정학회지
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.358-368
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• 2013

Background: There are some data to support the theory of a protective effect of parenthood against suicide, as proposed by Durkheim in 1897. We conducted this study to examine the relationship between children characteristics and suicidal ideation among Korean married women. Methods: The data were obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys IV, conducted in 2007-2009, respectively (3,202 married women aged 20-49 years). The children characteristics are the age of the youngest child and the number of children living with subject. Data were analyzed by using logistic regression with SAS 9.2. Results: The risk for suicidal ideation was higher among married women having a young child (aged <7 years). It had strong effect on suicidal ideation in non-employee subjects. The odds ratio for suicidal ideation of women having a youngest child aged 2-3 years compared with reference groups was 1.673 with statistical significance. But the association of suicidal ideation with number of children shows insignificant. Conslusion: The findings suggest a different result with the theory, the protective effect of being a parent of young child on suicide risk for women, first suggested by Durkheim and supported by previous studies and the need for further prospective investigation that lead to policies according children characteristics aimed at improving married women's life.

• 보건행정학회지
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.217-221
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• 2018

Korea Institute for Family Planning (KIFP) was established on July 1, 1971 (Law 2270) and Korea Health Development Institute (KHDI) was established on April 19, 1976 (Law 2857). Korea Institute for Population and Health (KIPH) was formed through the merger of KIFP and KHDI (Act 3417) on July 1, 1981. Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA), the former KIPH, was renamed KIHASA on December 30, 1989 (Law 4181) with its additional function of research in social security. It was transferred on January 29, 1999 to the Office of State Affairs Coordination pursuant to the Law on the Establishment, Operation and Promotion of State-Sponsored Organizations (Law 5733). Annually it conducts approximately 50 short- and long-term research projects to accumulate a wide range of research experience. Also it studies and evaluates the primary issues of national health services, health and medical industries, social insurance, social security, family welfare, and population. it conducts joint research projects and active information exchange programs with related domestic and international organizations through seminars and conferences. It executes specific research and development projects according to the government's requests. it educates and trains people domestically and abroad by disseminating a wide-range of information on health and social affairs. it conducts national household surveys on areas of fertility, health and medical care of the disabled, the elderly, and low-income earners. The mid- and long-term research goals of KIHASA should be established and managed systematically. A new organization such as 'Center for Policy Evaluation' is needed to enhance research abilities and experiences. Able research personnels should be recruited and current researchers should try to develop their abilities.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.111-116
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• 2013

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of the Second Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS), focusing on its validity and reliability. Methods: The external validity was evaluated by the assessment of sampling procedures and the response rate, in order to investigate the representativeness of the sample. The content validity was evaluated by the assessment of the development of the questionnaire, and the consistency of questions for the selected construct. The test-retest method was used to evaluate the reliability by means of a phone call survey of 30% of the respondents, who were randomly selected. The respondents' satisfaction regarding the survey procedures and interview time were analyzed to evaluate the quality of survey data. Results: The external validity was assured by an acceptable sampling procedure, rigid multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling. The content validity was also guaranteed by a reasonable procedure for the development of the questionnaire with a pretest. The internal consistency of the questions for work autonomy was maintained, with 0.738 of Cronbach's alpha. The response rate of 36% was lower than that of the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS), with a contact rate of 66%, compared to 76% for the EWCS. The matching rates of the five retested questions were more than 98% reliable. Conclusion: The quality of the second KWCS was assured by the high external and content validity and reliability. The rigid sampling procedure and development of the questionnaire contributed to quality assurance. The high level of reliability may be guaranteed by the sophisticated field survey procedures and the development of a technical manual for interviewers. The technical strategies for a high response rate should be developed for future surveys.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.418-424
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• 2020

Background: According to the previous studies, the work-related accident rate decreased in Korea after the introduction of occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS), but there were several disasters in Korea such as subway worker's death at Guui station in 2016 and the Taean thermal power plant accident in 2018, which escalated the social demand for safety. In 2018, OHSMS became an international standard, as ISO45001 was announced. Methods: A survey was conducted to research the implementation status of OHSMS and changes in people's perception, and the results were compared with those of a past survey. Results: Enhanced social demand and various stakeholders' (not only buyer) needs, and social responsibility are perceived as the motivation for the introduction of OHSMS rather than legal compliance or customer demand. In the questionnaire about problems with the implementation of OHSMS, the factors with higher response rate in 2018 than 2004 were "excessive cost" and "complicated documentation management." In the questionnaire about how to promote OHSMS in organizations, most people answered "reduction of workers' compensation insurance rate" in 2004, but most people answered "exemption from health and safety supervision" in 2018. Conclusion: For the effective implementation of ISO45001, emphasis is placed on social demand, training to recognize health and safety as a part of management, and the reduction of certification and consulting costs to promote the introduction of OHSMS. Incentives such as insurance premium cuts and exemptions from health and safety supervision are needed.

• 보건행정학회지
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.451-459
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• 2020

Background: Although Korean government have been adopting several policies to expand coverage of National Health Insurance (NHI) program, the coverage rate is still below average across Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. This study was to identify public perception on appropriateness of coinsurance rate and factors associated with coinsurance rate in National Health Insurance. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, 507 participants over aged 20 years were recruited from telephone surveys. Respondents experienced at least one and more visiting medical facilities due to medical problems in last 12 months. Demographic factors, socioeconomic positions, and experiences on medical utilization were measured in order to identify factors associated with perception appropriateness of coinsurance rate. Results: The 49.9% (n=209) of the public responded that the coinsurance rate of NHI program was appropriate. There were no differences in positive perception according to socio-demographic factors and experiences on medical utilization except for gender, residential area, and felt expensive when using medical services. People who felt burden of medical expenditure were more likely to perceive coinsurance rate inappropriate (odds ratio, 2.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.52-3.58) Conclusion: In spite of the relatively low coverage rate of NHI, this study identified that 49.9% of the public perceived the current coinsurance rate was adequate. However, people who felt the burden of medical expenditure were still had a negative perception of the coinsurance rate needed to decrease the coinsurance rate.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.185-192
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• 2023

Background: The turnover rate of nurse aides in Taiwan is high. However, the predictors of turnover behavior in the newly employed are still unclear. Objective: To examine the predictors of turnover behavior in newly employed licensed nurse aides. Methods: A longitudinal study design was used and subjects were newly employed certified nurse aides from a nurse aid training association in Taiwan. A total of five questionnaire surveys were conducted. The questionnaire was mainly used to collect information on turnover behavior, personal socioeconomic background, workplace psychosocial hazards, worker health hazards, and musculoskeletal disorders. Results: A total of 300 participants were recruited in the study. Cox regression analysis results showed that short working experience (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.21, p < 0.01), work as non-home nurse aides (HR = 0.58, p = 0.01), low monthly salary (HR = 0.68, p < 0.01), high work mental load (HR = 1.01, p = 0.01), low workplace justice (HR = 0.97, p < 0.01), high workplace violence (HR = 1.60, p < 0.01), high burnout (HR = 1.01, p = 0.04), poor mental health (HR = 1.06, p = 0.04), and high total number of musculoskeletal disorder sites (HR = 1.08, p = 0.01) contribute to a higher risk of turnover. Conclusion: The results indicated that employment period, work as a home nurse aide, monthly salary, work mental load, workplace justice, workplace violence, work-related burnout, mental health, and total number of musculoskeletal disorder sites are predictors of turnover behavior in newly employed certified nurse aides.

• 한국조리학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.52-60
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• 2016

As Korea is expected to become super high aged society in 2026, nutrition is important elements of health in the elderly and affects their life. In epidemiological surveys, anthropometric and biochemical measurements represent important components of nutritional assessment in elderly. In the present study, we investigated anthropometric index, biochemical markers, and nutrient intake for elderly aged over 85 by using data on 71 elderly (24 men, 47 women) over 85 years which was obtained from Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2009. According to BMI values, the prevalence of underweight and obesity was 9.7% and 34.5% in men, and 7.9% and 26.4% in women. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 70.7% in men and 25.0% in women. However, plasma biochemical data are normal range in the older population. In nutrients intake, daily Intake of energy, protein, dietary fiber, water, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, and potassium was inadequate considering the Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans(KDRIs). In conclusion, elderly need to be educated nutrition and their health dietary life to prevent malnutrition, and standard of nutrition intake should be rearranged in elderly aged 85 over considering their antrhopometric index.