• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.89-101
• /
• 2012

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a lifestyle intervention on the improvement of obesity, health behaviors and behavioral determinants among Korean adults. Methods: Obese adults aged 30 to 59 years (n=76) were randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG) or the comparison group (CG). The IG received a 3-month multi-component lifestyle intervention, while the CG received minimal information on obesity. The program consisted of health counseling, health education booklet and health diary. Health examination and self-administered survey were conducted before and after the intervention to determine the effectiveness of the program. Results: After the intervention. health indices of the IG were significantly improved in weight(p=.003), waist circumference(p=.011), % body fat(p=.021), and total abdominal fat area(p=.041). The reduction of waist circumstance among IG participants was better than that of those in the CG(p=.017). The IG demonstrated significant improvements in dietary behaviors(p=.013), periodic measurement of waist circumstance(p=.005), pros of weight control(p<.001) and awareness of one's current biomarkers(p=.038) better than the CG did. The proportion of normalized participants in waist circumference was 21.1% in the IG and 8.7% in the CG(p=.017). Conclusions: Lifestyle intervention program can improve the obese status and health behaviors in adults.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.105-112
• /
• 2012

Objectives: Cigarette smoking is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Bilirubin is a potent antioxidant and its concentration decreases in smokers. However, studies about the association between cigarette smoking and bilirubin are scarce and most are limited to total bilirubin. Additionally, bilirubin is highly related to hemoglobin. Therefore, this study evaluates the association between bilirubin subtypes and cigarette smoking in healthy Korean men independently of hemoglobin. Methods: This study included 48 040 Korean men aged 30 to 87 years who visited the Korea Medical Institute for routine health examinations from January to December, 2007. The association of smoking with total, direct, and indirect bilirubin was assessed by logistic regression analysis taking into consideration differences in subjects and smoking characteristics. Results: Current smokers had lower bilirubin concentrations than never-smokers and ex-smokers. Smoking amount and duration were inversely significantly associated with total, direct, and indirect bilirubin. In a multivariable adjusted model, compared to never-smokers, the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of current smokers with the highest number of pack-years were 1.7 (1.6 to 1.9) for total, 1.5 (1.4 to 1.6) for direct, and 1.7 (1.6 to 1.9) for indirect bilirubin. After further adjustment for hemoglobin, this association became stronger (OR [95% CI], 2.1 [1.9 to 2.2] for total; 1.9 [1.8 to 2.0] for direct; 2.0 [1.9 to 2.2] for indirect bilirubin). Conclusions: In this study, bilirubin subtypes are inversely associated with smoking status, smoking amount, and smoking duration in healthy Korean men independently of hemoglobin. Further studies are needed to investigate this association in healthy Korean women.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.121-139
• /
• 2010

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the health promotion activities of the elderly Korean aged 65 or older and to examine the related factors associated with the health promotion activities. Methods: Data were obtained from 2008 Social Statistics Survey of Korea National Statistical Office of 6,207 people aged 65 or older. We measured the socio-demographic characteristics, physical health status, social health status, and health promotion activities. Statistical analyses were employed through the $X^2$-test and Odds ratio using Logit Model. Results: In our study, health promotion activity practice rates were varied among the socio-demographic characteristics, physical and social health status. Our findings also support that better socio-demographic and physical health status explain the higher practice rates of health promotion activities. In addition, the higher social health status was associated with better practice rates of health promotion activities. Conclusion: We found that the health promotion activities of the elderly could be encouraged by better socio-demographic status and physical and social health status. To better accomplish the health promotion for the elderly in our community, policy-makers should need careful political deliberation for executing health promotion services considering the distinctions of programme and target groups.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 1993

Health behavior of the people is not satisfactory and it is recommended that proper health education methods be utilized for health promotion of the people. In order to accomplished health promotion objectives. it is necessary to assign teachers specialized in health education to schools and health educators to communities. Health promotion bill is prepared by members of national assembly and the government has to develope a sound policy for the health promotion of the people. In developed countries. health educator are serving communities and help people for health promotion. It is recommended that health educators be assigned to local health departments and local health centers throughout Korea, and to general hospitals. It is recommended that public health related associations, health education association and professors of health care departments in colleges work together for better health services through health education. The most important variable to affecting KAP level of people on environmental health was education level.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.58 no.6
• /
• pp.619-625
• /
• 2020

Human hookworm infections caused by adult Ancylostoma spp. and Necator americanus are one of the most important tropical diseases. We performed a survey of intestinal helminths using the Kato-Katz fecal examination technique targeting 1,156 villagers residing in 2 northern provinces (Preah Vihear and Stung Treng) of Cambodia in 2018. The results revealed a high overall egg positive rate of intestinal helminths (61.9%), and the egg positive rate of hookworms was 11.6%. Nine of the hookworm egg positive cases in Preah Vihear Province were treated with 5-10 mg/kg pyrantel pamoate followed by purging with magnesium salts, and a total of 65 adult hookworms were expelled in diarrheic stools. The adult hookworms were analyzed morphologically and molecularly to confirm the species. The morphologies of the buccal cavity and dorsal rays on the costa were observed with a light microscope, and the nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene were analyzed. The majority of the hookworm adults (90.7%) were N. americanus, whereas the remaining 9.3% were Ancylostoma ceylanicum, a rare hookworm species infecting humans. The results revealed a high prevalence of hookworm infections among people in a northern part of Cambodia, suggesting the necessity of a sustained survey combined with control measures against hookworm infections.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.59 no.2
• /
• pp.179-182
• /
• 2021

Human infection with Taenia asiatica or a hybrid between Taenia saginata and T. asiatica has not been reported in Cambodia. We detected for the first time a hybrid form between T. saginata and T. asiatica in Preah Vihear Province, Cambodia. An adult tapeworm specimen, i.e., 75 cm long strobila without scolex, was expelled from a 27-year-old man after praziquantel medication and purging. It was morphologically indistinguishable between T. saginata and T. asiatica. Several proglottids were molecularly analyzed to confirm the tapeworm species. The mitochondrial gene encoding cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and nuclear genes encoding elongation factor-1α (ef1) and ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM)-like protein (elp) were sequenced, and a single-allele analysis was performed to confirm the haploid genotype. The results revealed that our sample showed a discrepancy between the mitochondrial and 2 nuclear genes. It possessed homozygous sequences typical of T. saginata at cox1 and ef1 loci. However, it was heterozygous at the elp locus, with 1 allele in T. asiatica (elpA) and 1 in T. saginata (elpC), which indicates that it is a hybrid between T. saginata and T. asiatica. The present results confirmed the presence of a hybrid between T. saginata and T. asiatica in Cambodia and strongly suggest the existence of also 'pure' T. asiatica in Cambodia.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2010

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the past and present status and roles of health education specialists in Korea, and to suggest future directions for developing health education profession. Results and conclusion: The Korean government has made various efforts for people's health. the National Health Promotion Law was enacted in Korea in 1995. As the results of Korean Association for Health Education' intensive efforts, the national certificate of health education specialist bill has been passed the National Assembly on September 29, 2003. According to The National Health Promotion Law, central and local government should recommend health promotion related corporaters, agencies and organizations to hire certified health education specialist. The first national examination for certificate of health education specialists was held in March, 2010. As the result, a total of 2,246 applicants was passed for certificate of health education specialists. It is a serious concern that community residents' knowledge level of health is very low. therefore, the role of health education specialists with the professional ability to carry out health education is essential. It is clear that the activity of health educators is essential, Then, It is necessary articles related to the appointment of health educators in the official appointment regulation or law. Thus the health education specialist must be appointed as a public officer in health centers, operaters or the health department of the government.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.145-160
• /
• 2011

Objectives: This study attempted to apply the Intervention mapping and Transtheoretical models to develop a program to promote moderate alcohol drinking in university students. Methods: Surveyed data from 1,137 university students were analyzed to identify personal and environmental determinants for alcohol drinking. Based on these determinants, program objectives were established. Crossing the objectives with related important determinants resulted in matrices of learning objectives for which educational strategies were developed. Subsequently, an intervention program were designed to achieve those objectives. Results: Identified personal determinants included awareness, attitudes, self-efficacy and behavioral skills. Environmental determinants were binge drinking behaviors of family members and peers, and social pressure for drinking. Program, impact and learning objectives were developed to change the identified determinants. Program activities included provision of information on positive and negative consequences of binge drinking, opportunities for assessing one's drinking pattern, increasing outcome expectancies of and skill building for monitoring drinking, resisting peer pressure and managing stress. To facilitate adoption and maintenance of the program, an intervention diffusion plan was suggested. An evaluation plan was developed by utilizing RE-AIM framework. Conclusions: In order to expand evidence bases for effective theory-based programs, the developed program should be tested in diverse university settings.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.61-77
• /
• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate program methods for effective smoking cessation and prevention through systematic review of studies published during recent 3 years in Korea. Methods: Electronic searches were conducted in DBPIA, RISS, KISS and other databases looking for studies published from 2010 to 2012 that dealt with the effects of intervention on smoking prevention and cessation. A total of 25 studies were included in the final analysis. Three independent reviewers critically evaluated the study quality and evidence of effectiveness based on The Community Guide methodology. Results: Multi-component intervention showed strong evidence of effectiveness for adolescents and sufficient evidence for patient smokers. Cognitive-behavioral intervention for adolescents and child-parent interaction program for adults demonstrated sufficient evidence of effectiveness on the smoking cessation and its determinants. There was insufficient evidence showing effectiveness of smoking prevention programs. Conclusion: Improving the quality and quantity of the intervention studies on smoking could help to expand evidence base for effective intervention methods and strategies on smoking.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.23-36
• /
• 2010

Objectives: This study was performed to suggest the roles and professional competencies of health education specialists to improve the efficacy of health promotion activities in public health organizations. Results and Conclusion: Based on the advanced cases of utilizing health education specialists in international and domestic public health organizations, five key roles of health education specialists were proposed. They included developing and applying behavior change strategies necessary to begin and maintain health behavior practices, analysing the needs of the priority population in a systematic way, organizing multiple health behavior change programs and multilevel intervention programs, and doing research on health determinants and scientific evidence of health promotion programs, In order to improve the quality of health promotion services in public health organizations, professional competencies of health education specialist should be developed and strengthened.