• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.19-27
• /
• 2007

Purpose: By identifying the actual profile of emergency medical personnel's pre-admission infection control practices, this study intended to provide a basic reference material for the improvement and reorientation of pre-admission infection control measures, and thereby help establish an effective plan for pre-admission infection control activities. Methods: Total 119 EMT's working for Jeollabuk-do Provincial Fire Defense HQ were asked to join a structured questionnaire survey from June to August 2006. Results: 1. It was found that 56.1% respondents answered no guideline available on the prevention of infection. Out of our rescue brigade members who knew about relevant guideline available, 34.2% respondents answered that their department conducted quality control program for the guideline. 2. For protective outfit in emergency practice, it was found that most respondents put on gloves or nothing at all(38%), which was followed by sterile gloves(29.2%), disposable mask(26.9%), gown(4.3%) and protective goggle(1.6%). And it was noted that all respondents(100%) washed out any clothing contaminated with somatic secretion on their own. 3. For a question about any experience in emergency activities exposed to infectious diseases, it was found that most of all respondents(77.9%) answered 'No', which was followed by 'Don't Know'(18.6%) and Yes(3.9 %). 4. For a question about any experience in inquiring of patients about infectious diseases, it was found that most respondents(49.4%) answered 'Yes' and 'Sometimes'(9.1%). It was noted that 20.2% respondents had extra medical examination in medical institution in terms of whether they were exposed to infectious diseases, apart from regular medical examination. Conclusions: In order to protect 119 EMT's from infectious diseases, it will be necessary to acquire emergency medical staffs specializing in infection control and organize corresponding personnel training units to keep providing reorientation and evaluation. In addition, it will be also necessary to supply them with a full set personal protection apparatuses and other equipments required for disinfection and sterilization.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.137-145
• /
• 2005

Purpose: This study has been attempted as one of the Quality Improvement activities in order to provide with intravenous injection control and to confirm the evaluation from the patients and their guardians, and also from nurses themselves. Method: The subject of this intravenous injection control was a control group of 239 patients and 176 nurses, a comparison group of 128 patients and 146 nurses. The tool consisted of hospitality (towards patients), explanation, and infection prevention activities. The collected data were analysed using SPSS Windows 11.0 program for percentage, $X^2$-test and t-test. Result: 1) The nurses who were instructed in standardised intravenous injection control received more satisfactory evaluation from the patients(t=-2.89, p=.004) than the nurses who were not. However, in the subdivisions, the explanation field was the only one to receive a more satisfactory evaluation(t=-1.14, p=.255). 2) The nurses who were instructed in standardised intravenous injection control showed higher performances in intravenous injection control (t=-4.21, p=.000) than the nurses who were not. In the subdivisions, hospitality, explanation, and infection prevention activities all showed effectiveness ($t=-2.35{\sim}3.90$, $p=.020{\sim}.000$). Conclusion: From the results stated above, it can be concluded that standardised intravenous injection control instruction for nurses brought out better evaluation, i.e. satisfaction, from the patients and their guardians, and the nurses who received the instruction showed better performances in intravenous injection control.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.55 no.2
• /
• pp.203-206
• /
• 2017

The seroprevalence of human toxoplasmosis has been increasing in Korea, and it is controversial whether cats are an important infection source or not. This study was performed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in a high risk group (cat sitters) and to determine the possible importance of cats as an infection source in Korea. Risk factors, including the age, sex, and diet of cat sitters, their contact experience and contact frequency with stray cats, and origin, number, and outdoor activity of their pet cats, were analyzed using structured questionnaires. A total of 673 serum samples from people who have frequent contact with cats (high risk group) and 1,114 samples from general people (low risk group) were examined for specific IgG antibodies against T. gondii by ELISA. The results revealed that the overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was 7.4% (n=1,787). The seroprevalence among low risk group was 8.0% (89/1,114), whereas that among high risk group was rather lower 6.4% (43/673), though this difference was statistically not significant (P=0.211). Among the risk factors, only the outdoor activity of pet cats was important; people having cats with outdoor activities revealed 2 times higher seroprevalence than people having cats with only indoor activities (P=0.027). In conclusion, the seroprevalence of T. gondii was not significantly different between the high risk group and low risk group, and the importance of cats as a source of infection in Korea is questionable.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.87-97
• /
• 1999

It has long been known that lactoferrin prevents human beings from infection of virus. To prove this activity of lactoferrin, we evaluated the activities of different lactoferrins to an isolate human rotavirus K-21. Bovine lactoferrin inhibited infection of K-21 to MA-104 cell at the concentration of $25.9\;{\mu}M$ whereas bovine hydrolysed lactoferrin prevented rotavirus infection at $103.8\;{\mu}M$. However human lactoferrin prevented infection of K-21 at the concentration of $217.5\;{\mu}M$. These data suggested that lactoferrin activity may be unaffected by the intestinal digestive enzymes and bovine lactoferrin is more active than human lactoferrin with respect to prevention of rotavirus infection.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.304-316
• /
• 2022

Background: As prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission in healthcare settings has become a critical component in its effective management, COVID-19 specific infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines were developed and implemented by numerous countries. Although largely based on the current evidence-base, guidelines show much heterogeneity, as they are influenced by respective health system capacities, epidemiological risk, and socioeconomic status. This study aims to analyze the variations and concurrences of these guidelines to draw policy implications for COVID-19 response and future guidelines development. Methods: The contents of the COVID-19 IPC guidelines were analyzed using the categories and codes developed based on "World Health Organization guidelines on core components." Data analysis involved reviewing, appraising and synthesizing data from guidelines, which were then arranged into categories and codes. Selection of countries was based on the country income level, availability of COVID-19 specific IPC guideline developed at a national or district level. Results: The guidelines particularly agreed on IPC measures regarding application of standard precautions and providing information to patients and visitors, monitoring and audit of IPC activities and staff illnesses, and management of built environment/equipments. The guidelines showed considerable differences in certain components, such as workplace safety measures and criteria for discontinuation of precautions. Several guidelines also contained unique features which enabled a more systematic response to COVID-19. Conclusion: The guidelines generally complied with the current evidence-based COVID-19 management but also revealed variances stemming from differences in local health system capacity. Several unique features should be considered for benchmark in future guidelines development.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.10-21
• /
• 2001

Background : The Clostridium difficile is the most important identifiable cause of nosocomial infectious diarrhea and colitis, which lengthens hospital stay. Recently incidence of C. difficile has been increasing in an university hospital, and an intervention for prevention and control of C. difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) was in prompt need. Methods : Subjects were the patients in the neurosurgical intensive care unit(NCU) where C. difficile was most frequently isolated. To increase participation of various departments, we used the CQI method, because management of CDAD requires a wholistic approach including control of antibiotics, barrier precaution and environmental cleaning and disinfection. Duration of the CQI activities was 9 months from April to December 1999. Results : The identified problems were misuse and overuse of antibiotics, lack of consciousness of medical personnels and the possibility of transmission from the contaminated environment and tube feeding. Education for proper use of antibiotics and management of C. difficile infection, use of precaution stickers, supplement of handwashing equipments, emphasis on environmental disinfection, and the change of the process of tube feeding were done. The CDAD rate in NCU was significantly decreased after the CQI program (8.6 case per 1,000 patient days from January to April 1999 vs 4.8 from May to December 1999). The distribution of neurosurgical wards including NCU among the total number of isolated C. difficile from the clinical specimens dropped from 49.4% in January to April to 33,7% in May to December. The average hospital stay of the neurosurgical department changed from 19.6 days to 15.2 days. Also, the effect of the CQI activities for C. difficile may have affected the incidence of vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE). Duration and dosage of certain antibiotics used in the NS department were decreased. The distribution of neurosurgical department in the number of VRE isolated patients declined from 18.4% to 11.1%. Conclusion : Infection control of resistant organisms such as C. difficile is likely to be successful when management of environmental contamination an collaborative efforts of decreasing the patients' risk factors such as antibiotics management and decreasing the length of hospital stay come simultaneously. For this work, related departments need to actively participate in the entire process under a common target through discussions for identifying problems and bringing up solutions. In this respect, making use of a CQI team is an efficient method of infection control for gathering participation and cooperation of related departments.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.281-299
• /
• 2003

Even though the rate of infection of HIV is very low compared to other countries, data show a steady rise in HIV infection rates among young people in South Korea. A peer education program was provided to prevent the incidence of AIDS in young people. The program used peer leaders to provide AIDS related information and counseling for middle school students. Peer leaders received special training in AIDS related education and counseling to assist their friends. Peer leaders worked with their mends in one-to-one or small group settings. A pretest-posttest control design (six months after intervention) was used to evaluate the effects of the peer education program for prevention of AIDS. A post-intervention survey found that do you mean six months after the program or after six months of programs of peer program activities, the experimental groups(groups with peer educators) showed better knowledge, more positive attitudes, and less sexual activity when compared to control groups of non-participants(groups without peer educators). Peer leaders showed significant gains in knowledge about HIV transmission, more positive attitudes and self-efficacy not to engage in high-risk behaviors. Peer education was an effective tool for increasing knowledge, improving attitudes and self-efficacy, and encouraging appropriate behavior change.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.1571-1578
• /
• 2013

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Recently, the demand for more effective and safer therapeutic agents for the chemoprevention of human cancer has increased. As a white rot fungus, Inonotus obliquus is valued as an edible and medicinal resource. Chemical investigations have shown that I. obliquus produces a diverse range of secondary metabolites, including phenolic compounds, melanins, and lanostane-type triterpenoids. Among these are active components for antioxidant, antitumoral, and antiviral activities and for improving human immunity against infection of pathogenic microbes. Importantly, their anticancer activities have become a hot recently, but with relatively little knowledge of their modes of action. Some compounds extracted from I. obliquus arrest cancer cells in the G0/G1 phase and then induce cell apoptosis or differentiation, whereas some examples directly participate in the cell apoptosis pathway. In other cases, polysaccharides from I. obliquus can indirectly be involved in anticancer processes mainly via stimulating the immune system. Furthermore, the antioxidative ability of I. obliquus extracts can prevent generation of cancer cells. In this review, we highlight recent findings regarding mechanisms underlying the anticancer influence of I. obliquus, to provide a comprehensive landscape view of the actions of this mushroom in preventing cancer.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.41 no.6
• /
• pp.365-372
• /
• 2008

Objectives : There are very few researches on North Korea's academic activities. Furthermore, it is doubtful that the available data are reliable. This study investigated research activities and knowledge structure in the field of Preventive Medicine in North Korea with a network analysis using co-authors and keywords. Methods : The data was composed of the North Korean Journal of preventive medicine ranged from Vol. 1 of 1997 to Vol. 4 of 2006. It was the matrix of 1,172 articles by 1,567 co-authors. We applied R procedure for keywords abstraction, and then sought for the outcome of network forms by spring-KK and shrinking network. Results : To comprehend the whole networks explicitly demonstrated that the academic activities in North Korea s preventive medicine were predisposed to centralization as similar as South Korea's, but on the other aspect they were prone to one-off intermittent segmentation. The principal co-author networks were formulated around some outstanding medical universities seemingly in addition to possible intervention by major researchers. The knowledge structure of network was based on experimentation judging from keywords such as drug, immunity, virus detection, infection, bacteria, anti-inflammation, etc. Conclusions : Though North Korea is a socialist regime, there were network of academic activities, which were deemed the existence of inducive mechanism affordable for free research. Article keywords has laid greater emphasis on experiment-based bacterial defection, sustainable immune system and prevention of infection. The kind of trend was a consistent characteristic in preventive medicine of North Korea haying close correlation with Koryo medical science.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.16
• /
• pp.7375-7379
• /
• 2015

A high prevalence of Opisthorchis viverrini infection is usually found in wetland geographical areas of Thailand where people have traditional behavior of eating uncooked freshwater fish dishes which results in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) development. There were several approaches for reducing opisthorchiasis-linked CCA, but the prevalence remains high. To develop community participation as a suitable model for CCA prevention is, firstly, to know what factors are related. We therefore aimed to investigate factors associated with the community participation in CCA prevention among rural residents in wetland areas of Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. This was a cross-sectional analytic study. All participants were 30-69 years of age, and only one member per house was invited to participate. A total of 906 participants were interviewed and asked to complete questionnaires. Independent variables were socio-demographic parameters, knowledge, health belief and behavior to prevent CCA. The dependent variable was community participation for CCA prevention. Descriptive statistics were computed as number, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Associations were assessed using logistic regression analysis with a P-value <0.05 considered statistically significant. Of all the participants, more than 60% had regularly participated in activities to prevent CCA following health officials advice. Age and health behavior to prevent CCA were factors associated with community participation for CCA (p<0.001). Both factors will be taken into consideration for community participation approaches for CCA prevention through participatory action research (PAR) in future studies.