• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.79-94
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• 2011

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of smoking cessation clinics for soldiers in the Korean armed forces. In so doing it attempted to identify the predictors of smoking cessation and positive transition of stages of change. Methods: In a single-group pre-post test study design, 5,362 smokers from Korean armed forces participated in the smoking cessation clinic programs based on both the Transtheoretical model and life skills approaches. Changes in stages of change and related variables were measured before the intervention and at 3-month follow-up after the intervention. Results: The cessation rates was 66.0% at 3-month follow-up. With the positive transition to action/maintain stage, proportion of participants in action/maintain stage increased more than 5 times after the intervention. Cons of smoking, self-efficacy, processes of change, and life skills increased, and pros of smoking decreased after the intervention. Predictors of smoking cessation included nicotine dependency, pros of smoking, high levels of self-efficacy, processes of change and life skills. Positive stage transition was predicted by pros of smoking and high self-efficacy. Conclusions: Application of the Transtheoretical model and life skills approaches provided useful strategies for a smoking cessation program in armed forces.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.1-19
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• 2007

Objectives: The purpose of the this study was to evaluate lifestyle intervention program for the treatment of the metabolic syndrome. Methods: Subjects of this study were 700 adults with metabolic syndrome who took health examinations in health promotion centers of Korea Association of Health Promotion between May 1 and June 30, 2006. Subjects were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a comparison group. Participants in the experimental group received intensive 3-month lifestyle modification intervention and participants in the comparison group received minimal information on lifestyle modification. Pre test and Post test were carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention program. Results: After the intensive intervention on lifestyle modification(healthy diet, physical activity, moderate drinking, stress management, and smoking cessation), the levels of blood pressure, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose and triglycerides were significantly reduced for those in experimental group(P<0.001). For those in comparison group, the levels of blood pressure(P<0.001), waist circumference(P<0.001), and triglycerides(P<0.01) were significantly reduced after the intervention. No change in the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were observed in both groups. After 3-month intervention, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was reduced to 35.7% in experimental group and 48.5% in comparison group. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated the efficacy of therapeutic lifestyle intervention for the management of metabolic syndrome.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.129-143
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• 2009

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify prevalence and related factors of the elderly, who took health examination, with metabolic syndrome. Methods: The health examination and lifestyle survey were performed for 21,512 adults at 60 years of age or older who took health examination in H health promotion center during January-March 2009. Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome for the subject was 24.0%. Of the subject with metabolic syndrome, the prevalence of the diseases was obesity 60%, abdominal obesity 78.5%, hypertension 82.6%, dyslipidemia 89.7% and diabetes 51.9%. In comparison of the relationship between metabolic syndrome and other diseases, the male subject with metabolic syndrome were significantly higher in BMI, waist circumference, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, hemoglobin, AST, ALT, $\gamma$-GTP, TG, AC glucose, creatinine than normal male(p<0.001). In comparison of the relationship between metabolic syndrome and lifestyle, more drinking frequency and amount in male and more drinking frequency in female were associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome(p<0.01). Regardless of exercise intensity, practice of exercise contributed to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome(p<0.01). Conclusion: In conclusion, TLC program, focused on lifestyle behaviors which is strongly associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, should be developed for the improvement of life quality in the elderly with metabolic syndrome.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.63-74
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• 2012

Objectives: We aim to investigate association between health behavior, interpersonal/organizational environment and job stress among government officials. Methods: Through health examination and a survey, this cross sectional study investigated 543 government officials working at Central Government Complex in Seoul, Korea. Health behaviors included alcohol drinking, smoking, moderate exercise and food frequency. Interpersonal environment was measured by health behavior practices of significant others and social support for health promotion. And the measures of organizational environment included facilities for exercise, health related norms and health supportive organizational systems. Job stress was assessed by short version of Korean Occupational Stress Scale(KOSS). Results: The level of job stress among female officials was higher than that of male officials. Multivariate logistic model suggested that higher job stress in male officials was significantly associated with lower position(OR=0.267, p<.01) less grain intake(OR=0.642, p<.05), lower level of social support(OR=0.810, p<.01) and abdominal obesity(OR=2.407, p<.05). On the contrary, female officials' stress level was negatively associated with healthy organizational environment(OR=0.725, p<.05). Conclusions: It is suggested that addressing job stress require tailoring intervention by gender characteristics and integration of interpersonal and organizational level approaches.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.705-708
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• 2019

Gymnophalloides seoi (Digenea: Gymnophallidae) is a human intestinal trematode contracted by eating raw oysters (Crassostrea gigas) in the Republic of Korea (=Korea). It has been known to be highly endemic in Aphae Island, Shinan-gun, Jeollanam-do (Province). However, recent epidemiological status of G. seoi has not been reported since the 1990s. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of G. seoi metacercariae in natural and cultured oysters collected from 3 islands and 2 coastal areas in western parts of Korea. The oysters were examined using the artificial digestion method followed by stereomicroscopy. The overall positive rate of G. seoi metacercariae in natural oysters was 66.0% (99/150), and the oysters collected from Yubu Island showed the highest infection rate (74.0%). However, the metacercarial density per oyster was relatively low (1.5-2.4 per oyster). By contrast, no metacercaria was found in cultured oysters purchased from 2 coastal areas in Chungcheongnam-do. Thus, we could confirm that natural oysters produced from 3 western coastal islands are infected with G. seoi metacercariae, whereas cultured oysters purchased from 2 coastal areas were free from infection.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.65-85
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• 2007

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the major health problems of poor children, and to provide basic information for developing health care program for low income children in underserved area. Methods: Health data were collected through medical examination(KAHP Social Welfare Service) and analysed for 3,081 poor children in 106 local children's centers nationwide. Results: 1. The mean height and weight of poor children were lower than those of nonpoor children. The differences were increased by age. 2. The rate of relative low weight was higher in poor children than in nonpoor children. On the contrary, The obesity rate was higher in nonpoor children than in poor children. 3. Poor children were more likely to have vision problem, anemia, high blood pressure, and oral health problems than nonpoor children. 4. The Health problems of children were the most serious in single father family. Conclusion: In order to improve children's health status, health promotion program for poor children should be developed and implemented. Health promotion program should include activities including regular health examination, home visiting, nutrition support, managed health care, health counseling and education. And the community support network was suggested for the efficacy of the program, including home, school and community.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1-13
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• 2012

Objectives: By analysing the recent trends of published papers in the Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion, this study aims to identify and discuss some challenging issues, and to provide recommendations for quality improvement of the research papers. Methods: One hundred and sixty five papers published between 2009 and 2011 were examined and categorized according to selected standards. Results are displayed in frequencies and percentages. Results: The volume of articles published has increased by two-folds in three decades since the publication of the first issue. More than 90% of the papers were original articles. Cross-sectional research design was most frequently applied, while only 11.5 % of the articles were intervention studies. For cross-sectional research articles, limitation in generalizability of the study findings was mentioned as one of the major issues, in relation with the frequent use of convenient sampling methods and lack of theoretical evidence in inclusion of variables. Consideration of internal and external validity of the study, utilization of scientific evaluation design and mixed evaluation methods were recommended for intervention research to improve the quality of the research results. Conclusion: To serve as a key resource for evidence-based practices in health promotion, more strict scientific research criteria should be applied to the articles published in the Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.39-56
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• 2012

Objectives: This paper aims to discuss the current situation of and future directions for health promotion practice(HPP) and research in private sectors in Korea. Methods: Publications and web-site information of public health organizations, WHO-Health Promoting Hospitals member institutes, health/medical academic societies, and professional unities were collected and reviewed. Activities of Korea Association of Health Promotion(KAHP) were described in detail considering its leading role in health examination and promotion field in Korea. Results: The most common HPPs in private sectors were health education and public health campaigns for the prevention and management of diseases. Tailored health promotion programs for lifestyle changes and longitudinal follow-ups were the routine process for managing high risk groups at KAHP. Health promotion research in private sectors have focused on identifying health problems and behavioral determinants, and planning, implementing and evaluating health promotion programs. The most serious issues in HPPs of the private sectors were limited budget and manpower along with a lack of public recognition and a system-level support. Conclusion: To promote HPPs and research in private sectors, a system for financial sustainability should be introduced. They also need scientific evidence from research. 'Borderline medicine', a discipline specialized in management of high risk borderline group, could lead HPPs to sustainable private practices.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.47-56
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• 2018

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate trends of smoking characteristics and to identify the relationship between smoking characteristics and obesity among military personnel in Korea. Methods: The study participants were 50,680 military personnel who participated smoking cessation clinic from January in 2009 to December in 2017(excluded in 2011). Obesity was defined as body mass index${\geq}25kg/m2$. Smoking characteristics was included cigarettes of smoked per day, age of initial smoking, smoking duration, and nicotine dependence. Binominal logistic regression analysis was performed to confirm the relationship of smoking and obesity among military personnel. Results: The prevalence of obesity of study subjects was 20.4%. The military personnel were more likely to be obese if they who smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day(adjusted OR 2.271, CI 2.027-2.545), who smoked for more than 10 years(adjusted OR 2.046, CI 1.820-2.299), and who smoked their initial smoking at later than 20 years(adjusted OR 1.357, CI 1.223-1.493). Conclusions: Obesity is closely related to cigarettes of smoked per day, age of initial smoking and smoking duration among military personnel. Thus, intervention included both smoking cessation and weight control are necessary for smokers with obese who are interested in losing weight among military personnel.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.59-75
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• 2008

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the stages of change distributions for nine major health behaviors among poor children in underserved area, and to provide basic information for developing specific objectives and strategies for health education program. Methods: The health behavior data were obtained with a self-administered questionnaire and analysed for 3,081 poor children in 106 local children's centers nationwide. Stages of change classification were based on self-reported responses to five statements. The health behaviors included were balanced diet, safety behavior (helmet and protective device use while riding), regular exercise, smoking, alcohol use, drug use, sleep pattern, weight management and stress management. Results: Poor children were more likely in precontemplation and less frequently in action and maintenance stages for a safety behavior. 33.1% of respondents were precontemplators, 29.9% contemplators, and 6.5% in preparation stage. Only 4.3% and 9.6% were in action and maintenance stages, respectively. Gender differences were apparent. Boys were more likely to be precontemplators for nine health behaviors. Children from the lowest socioeconomic status and disrupted family were more likely to be in precontemplation for weight management and exercise behaviors. Children living with both parents were more likely to be in the action and maintenance stages for nine health behaviors. Stages of change for balanced diet and smoking were significantly related with those for other eight health behaviors. And the stage of exercise adoption was found to be significantly related with those for other seven health behaviors. Conclusion: Safety education must receive high priority in health education program for low income children. Balanced diet smoking cessation and regular exercise could be a possible gateway behavior toward healthier lifestyle practices.