• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7507-7512
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• 2015

Background: In the low incoming country Bangladesh, breast cancer is second most common neoplasm and is increasing at an alarming rate among females. Lack of awareness and illiteracy are contributory factors for late presentation and therefore mortality. Purpose: To examine associations of different factors with breast cancer mortality and to raise awareness among the women of society in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: This descriptive case-control study was conducted on 160 participants from April 2011 till July 2014. Through a valid questionnaire covering personal and family history, data were collected by face to face interview. For analyzing correlations among factors with breast cancer data, binary logistic regression, Pearson's ${\chi}^2$-value, odd ratios and p-value tests were conducted with SPSS version 20. Results: The mean age of the patients was 43.0 ($SD={\pm}11.12$). In ascending order the leading significant factors were hormone therapy (p<0.0000, OR=4.897), abortion (p<0.0001, OR=3.452), early start menarche (p<0.0002, OR=3.500), family history (p<0.0022, OR=3.235), and late menopause (p<0.0093, OR=3.674) with both ${\chi}^2$ test and logistic regression analyses. Non-significant factors were cancer experience, fatty food habits, marital status and taking alcohol. Conclusions: Regarding the investigation of this study, significant and insignificant factor's correlation visualization with breast cancer will be helpful to increase awareness among Bangladeshi women as well as all over the world.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.5983-5991
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• 2014

Introduction: Upper aero-digestive tract cancer is a multidimensional problem, international trends showing complex rises and falls in incidence and mortality across the globe, with variation across different cultural and socio-economic groups. This paper seeks some explanations and identifies some research and policy needs. Methodological Approach: The literature illustrates the multifactorial nature of carcinogenesis. At the cellular level, it is viewed as a multistep process involving multiple mutations and selection for cells with progressively increasing capacity for proliferation, survival, invasion, and metastasis. Established and emerging risk factors, in addition to changes in incidence and prevalence of cancers of the upper aero-digestive tract, were identified. Risk Factors: Exposure to tobacco and alcohol, as well as diets inadequate in fresh fruits and vegetables, remain the major risk factors, with persistent infection by particular so-called "high risk" genotypes of human papillomavirus increasingly recognised as also playing an important role in a subset of cases, particularly for the oropharynx. Chronic trauma to oral mucosa from poor restorations and prostheses, in addition to poor oral hygiene with a consequent heavy microbial load in the mouth, are also emerging as significant risk factors. Conclusions: Understanding and quantifying the impact of individual risk factors for these cancers is vital for health decision-making, planning and prevention. National policies and programmes should be designed and implemented to control exposure to environmental risks, by legislation if necessary, and to raise awareness so that people are provided with the information and support they need to adopt healthy lifestyles.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5787-5791
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• 2014

Background: With increasing survival periods and diversification of treatment methods, treatment of critically ill cancer patients has become an important factor influencing patient prognosis. Patients with cancer are at high risk of infections and subsequent complications. This study investigated the incidence and factors contributing to the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study investigated the incidence of VAP and factors leading to infection in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a cancer center from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013. Results: The incidence of VAP was 2.13 cases per 1,000 days of intubation, and 13 of 288 patients (4.5%) developed VAP. Lung cancer was the most common cancer associated with VAP (N=7, 53.9%), and longer hospital stays and intubation were associated with increased VAP incidence. In the group using a "ventilator bundle," the incidence was 1.14 cases per 1,000 days compared to 2.89 cases per 1,000 days without its use; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.158). Age (${\geq}65$, OR=5.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.29-23.95), surgery (OR=3.78, 95%CI=1.05-13.78), and tracheotomy (OR=4.46, 95%CI=1.00-19.85) were significant VAP risk factors. The most common causative organisms were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (N=4, 30.8% each), followed by Acinetobacter baumannii and Candida albicans (N=2, 15.4% each). Conclusions: The incidence of pneumonia among critically ill cancer patients is highest in those with lung cancer, but lower than among non-cancer patients. The length of hospital stay and time on mechanical ventilation are important risk factors for development of VAP. Although not statistically significant, "ventilator bundle" care is an effective intervention that delays or reduces incidence of VAP. Major risk factors for VAP include age (${\geq}65$ years), surgery, and tracheostomy, while fungi, gram-negative bacteria, and multidrug-resistant organisms were identified as the major causative pathogens of VAP in this study.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.1192-1207
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to clarify the dynamic relationships among risk factors of arteriosclerosis and to develop and examine a model which could explain this relationship clearly. Data were collected from medical records of 400 male clients who visited a university hospital located in Inchon for physical examinations, from May 1996 to December 1996. Data were analyzed using the LISREL (Linear Structural Relationship) 8 program. To test the fitness of the hypothesized model, chi-square, RMSR (root mean square residual), GFI (goodness of fit index), CN (critical number) and Q-plot were used. Most of the fitness measurements, except the chi-square showed that the hypothesized model complimented the real data. According to the results, there were trends that obesity and hyperlipidemia were prevalent in heavier smokers, higher alcohol intakers, and groups who excercised less. Also, hypertension was more prevalent in older age, higher alcohol intaker, and higher serum lipid level groups. In contrast to the hypothesis, alcohol intake did not significantly affect serum lipid levels. This might be due to the serum lipid measurements (total cholesterol and trigryceride) used in this study to estimate hyperlipidemia. The direct effect of smoking on hypertension was not significant. However, the total effect of smoking on the hypertension was significant since indirect effects of smoking on hypertension, such as obesity and hyperlipidemia, were significant. The total effect of obesity on hypertension was significant since the indirect effect of obesity on hypertension via hyperlipidemia was significant, although the direct effect of smoking on hypertension was not significant. The degree of explaining hyperlipidemia with smoking, exercise, and obesity was high (60%), however, the degree of explaining obesity with age, smoking, alcohol intake, and exercise was very low (7%). On the basis of these results, high risk factors of arteriosclerosis such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or obesity are either directly or indirectly correlated each other. Therefore, it is difficult to predict outcomes for increasing or decreasing the risk factors by simply modulating a factor. Smoking, alcohol, and exercise both directly and indirectly affected major risk factors of arteriosclerosis. Therefore, correcting these variables is required to decrease risk factors. Finally, the relationship among other risk factors which have been known to be related with arteriosclerosis (diet, stress or hereditary) should be clarified in further studies.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.66-78
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• 2011

It is getting difficult to manage water resources in South Korea because more than half of annual precipitation is concentrated in the summer season and its intensity is increasing due to global warming and climate change. Artificial recharge schemes such as well recharge of surface water and roof-top rainwater harvesting can be a useful method to manage water resources in Korea. In this study, potential artificial recharge site is evaluated using geographic information system with hydrogeological and social factors. The hydrogeological factors include annual precipitation, geological classification based on geological map, specific capacity and depth to water level of national groundwater monitoring wells. These factors were selected to evaluate potential artificial recharge site because annual precipitation is closely related to source water availability for artificial recharge, geological features and specific capacity are related to injection capacity and depth to water is related to storage capacity of the subsurface medium. In addition to those hydrogeological factors, social aspect was taken into consideration by selecting the areas that is not serviced by national water works and have been suffered from drought. These factors are graded into five rates and integrated together in the GIS system resulting in spatial distribution of artificial recharge potential. Cheongsong, Yeongdeok in Gyeongsangbuk-do and Hadong in Gyeongsangnam-do, and Suncheon in Jeollanam-do were proven as favorable areas for applying artificial recharge schemes. Although the potential map for artificial recharge in South Korea developed in this study need to be improved by using other scientific factors such as evaporation and topographical features, and other social factors such as water-curtain cultivation area, hot spring resorts and industrial area where groundwater level is severely lowered, it can be used in a rough site-selection, preliminary and/or feasibility study for artificial recharge.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.247-254
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• 2019

The number of construction accident deaths in Korea is increasing and most causes of construction accidents are human factors. Voluntary participation of construction workers in safety activities is likely to improve these human factors and increase the prevention effect of construction accidents. Therefore, there is a need to study the motivation of workers to meet the voluntary participation of construction workers. In this respect, the purpose of this study is to compare the importance of construction field engineers and construction managers about the safety motivation factors of construction workers. This study analyzed the results of the questionnaire survey about safety motivation factors and conducted a T-test for these factors. The results of this study can be used as managing method to effective on-site safety management by minimizing the difference between the two groups according to motivation factors of construction workers.

• Journal of Information Technology Services
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.103-118
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• 2021

With the advancement of technology, the market size of online bookstores is constantly increasing in Korea. Despite the importance of the quality of services provided by online bookstores as many customers use online bookstores, many existing studies have approached only from a linear perspective that satisfying service quality factors will lead to customer satisfaction. In addition, the service quality of online bookstores has only been addressed in general and universal service situations, such as SERVQUAL and e-SERVQUAL and WebQual, or online situations. This study was conducted to consider the specificity of online bookstores and to establish specific strategies for improving service quality. In this study, we present six higher dimensions of service quality for online bookstores and 25 lower dimensions to measure it, and we confirm strategic direction for service quality elements through IPA analysis. As a result of the analysis, a total of 12 factors were included in the first quadrant, which required maintenance of service quality due to the high importance and satisfaction perceived by customers. Next, the importance of customers is high, but their satisfaction is low, so the second quadrant that should be improved first had a total of two factors. Third, the third quadrant was an area where customers perceived low importance and satisfaction, and a total of nine factors were involved. Finally, the fourth quadrant was an area where the customer was satisfied but perceived low importance, with a total of two factors. The results of this study can be used as basic data for strategic use of online service quality factors.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.187-196
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors related to the levels of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in elderly women based on Wilson and Cleary's HRQoL model. Methods: This study analyzed data from the eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2019 on 868 women over the age of 65 years. Based on the HRQoL model, parameters were categorized as personal, environmental, and physiological characteristics; symptom status; functional status; and perception of health status. The data were analyzed by quantile regression. Results: The overall level of HRQoL was 0.87. Factors related to HRQoL in the 10% quantile were higher education level, higher economic status, economic activity, more walking days, fewer diseases, lower stress, less activity limitation, and higher perceived health status. Factors related to the 25% quantile of HRQoL were more walking days, fewer diseases, less activity limitation, and higher perceived health status. Factors related to the 50% quantile were age, economic activity, more walking days, fewer disease, lower stress, less activity limitation, and higher perceived health status. Factors related to the 75% quantile of HRQoL were smoking, more walking days, fewer diseases, lower stress, less activity limitation, and higher perceived health status. Conclusion: While differing parameters were identified according to the level of HRQoL of elderly women in Korea, there were five common factors. Interventions that focus on increasing walking, mitigating diseases, stress, and activity limitations, and improving perceived health status can improve HRQoL.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.325-339
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• 2022

Objective: This study was to perform to identify the distribution characteristics and related factors of work-related low back pain among manufacturing workers in Korea. Methods: We analyzed the third(2011) through sixth(2020) Korean Working Conditions Survey. This study examined changes in the prevalence of work-related low back pain among manufacturing workers and related factors, including demographic characteristics and working conditions. Results: The prevalence of work-related low back pain showed a general tendency to increase during the study periods except for the 5th wave. The prevalence of work-related low back pain was higher in women than in men. The prevalence increased with increasing age and decreased with higher educational attainment. This trend was observed in all survey waves. The prevalence ratios for work-related low back pain according to working conditions varied over the survey period. In general, workers with manual jobs, long working hours, and exposure to tired or painful postures showed relatively higher prevalence ratios than did their counterparts. Providing Information on health and safety, perception that work affects health, and experience of presenteeism were identified as influencing factors for work-related low back pain. Although the working environment is improving, work-related back pain is on the rise. A multifaceted study on risk factors for work-related low back pain is needed. Conclusion: Work-related low back pain is a significant factor affecting the working population's quality of life. The prevalence of work-related low back pain showed a tendency to increase during the study periods. A multifaceted study on risk factors for work-related low back pain is needed.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.35-47
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• 2023

Purpose : As the population aging deepens, the number of elderly people with arthritis is also continuously increasing. Accordingly, this study intended to identify the factors influencing the health-related quality of life (HINT-8) of the elderly with arthritis according to household type and provide baseline data for developing a measure to enhance the life quality of the elderly with arthritis. Methods : The factors influencing the health-related quality of life (HINT-8) of the elderly with arthritis were identified based on the raw data from the Korea national health and nutrition examination survey conducted in 2021. Data were analyzed with SPSS Statistics ver 25.0 for windows (IBM Corp), and the significance level (α) was set to .05. Statistical analysis was performed with t-test, ANOVA, multiple regression analysis, and post-hoc analysis with Duncan test. Results : The factors that influenced the health-related quality of life (HINT-8) of single-households were medical aid (β=-.17, p=.045), restriction of activity (β=-.17, p=.023), self-rated health status (β=.29, p<.001), and anxiety scale (β=-.36, p<.001). The factors that influenced the health-related quality of life (HINT-8) of multi-households were an age of 75 or over (β=-.14, p=.011), living in rural (β=-.14, p=.003), the outpatient department treatment experience (β=-.09, p=.047), self-rated health status (β=.26, p<.001), anxiety scale (β=-.29, p<.001), and stress (β=-.22, p<.001). Conclusion : Factors affecting the health-related quality of life (HINT-8) of the elderly with arthritis were found to be different between single-person households and multi-person household. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare measures to improve the quality of life of the elderly with arthritis by considering the factors influencing the health-related quality of life (HINT-8) of the elderly with arthritis according to the household type identified in this study.