• Title/Summary/Keyword: Korean schoolchildren

Search Result 130, Processing Time 0.024 seconds

The relationship between peer rejection and victimization in elementary school classrooms in South Korea: The moderating effect of conflict norms (초등학생의 또래거부와 괴롭힘 피해행동의 관련성: 학급 갈등규범의 조절효과)

  • Sim, Jae-Ryang;Park, Jong-Hyo
    • (The) Korean Journal of Educational Psychology
    • /
    • v.32 no.3
    • /
    • pp.549-569
    • /
    • 2018
  • The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between peer rejection and victimization among schoolchildren and to test whether conflict norms in the classroom moderated this relationship. The analysis used the third year data derived from ClassNet research (Park, et al., 2017) supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea. The sample comprised fourth-grade through sixth-grade students in 52 classrooms of 7 elementary schools in South Korea (N = 1194). A series of multi-level analyses were performed to fulfill the study's purpose using variables obtained by peer nomination, such as social rejection, victimization, bullying perpetration, and teacher-student conflict. The results found that boys experienced more victimization than girls and peer rejection significantly increased victimization. Furthermore, conflict norms in the classroom moderated the relationship between peer rejection and victimization. Peer rejection significantly increased the extent of victimization in classrooms with relatively high levels of conflict norms. The study concludes with a discussion on the significance of conflict norms and the educational implications of the results with a focus on ways that teachers can facilitate healthier classroom environments.

A Survey of Sexual Knowledge, Attitude of adolescents -Junior High School 1 Grades Students in Chun - Nam Area - (청소년의 성에 대한 지식, 태도에 관한 연구 -전남 지역 일부 중학교 1학년 대상으로-)

  • Park Chung Sun;Han You Jeong
    • Child Health Nursing Research
    • /
    • v.3 no.1
    • /
    • pp.71-82
    • /
    • 1997
  • The purpose of the survey was to Identify the degree and the relationship of sexual knowledge, sexual attitude. This information will provide useful data for a more systematic, desirable, and practical sex education. The data was collected from 187 first grade schoolchildren(95 boys and 92 girls) of two Junior high school in Chun-nam area. The data was gathered by questionnaire from Oct. 1 to 15, 1996. The questionnaire was modified by authors using the questionnaire developed by You-Jeong, Han (1996). Data was analyzed by using the statistical computer package, SAS to manipulate the data along with percentages, means, standard deviation, t-test, χ²-test, GLM, and Pearson correlation coeffiency. The results in this study were summarized as follows: 1. Sex related knowledges.-The mean score of sex related knowledges showed significant differences between boys and girls (boys : 22.3, girls .21.0, p<0.025), and in the area of pregnancy & delivary(boys : 9.4, girls : 7.9, P<0.000) showed significant difference between boys and girls, but in the area of physical differeces of the other sex(boys : 12.9, girls ; 13.1, p<0.551) showed no significant difference between boys and girls. 2. Sex related attitudes.-The mean score of sex related altitudes showed significant difference between boys and girls (boys : 56.7, girls : 60.5, p<0.002) and in the area of psychological difference the other sex(boys 28.9, girls : 32.5, p

  • PDF

Prevalence of Intestinal Helminths among Inhabitants of Cambodia (2006-2011)

  • Yong, Tai-Soon;Chai, Jong-Yil;Sohn, Woon-Mok;Eom, Keeseon S.;Jeoung, Hoo-Gn;Hoang, Eui-Hyug;Yoon, Cheong-Ha;Jung, Bong-Kwang;Lee, Soon-Hyung;Sinuon, Muth;Socheat, Duong
    • Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
    • /
    • v.52 no.6
    • /
    • pp.661-666
    • /
    • 2014
  • In order to investigate the status of intestinal helminthic infections in Cambodia, epidemiological surveys were carried out on a national scale, including 19 provinces. A total of 32,201 fecal samples were collected from schoolchildren and adults between 2006 and 2011 and examined once by the Kato-Katz thick smear technique. The overall egg positive rate of intestinal helminths was 26.2%. The prevalence of hookworms was the highest (9.6%), followed by that of Opisthorchis viverrini/minute intestinal flukes (Ov/MIF) (5.7%), Ascaris lumbricoides (4.6%), and Trichuris trichiura (4.1%). Other types of parasites detected were Enterobius vermicularis (1.1%), Taenia spp. (0.4%), and Hymenolepis spp. (0.2%). The northwestern regions such as the Siem Reap, Oddar Meanchey, and Banteay Meanchey Provinces showed higher prevalences (17.4-22.3%) of hookworms than the other localities. The southwestern areas, including Koh Kong and Preah Sihanouk Provinces showed higher prevalences of A. lumbricoides (17.5-19.2%) and T. trichiura (6.1-21.0%). Meanwhile, the central and southern areas, in particular, Takeo and Kampong Cham Provinces, showed high prevalences of Ov/MIF (23.8-24.0%). The results indicate that a considerably high prevalence of intestinal helminths has been revealed in Cambodia, and thus sustained national parasite control projects are necessary to reduce morbidity due to parasitic infections in Cambodia.

The Lived Experience of Mothers about Rearing of School Children With Cerebral palsy (뇌성마비 취학아동 어머니의 양육체험)

  • Baek Kyoung-Seon
    • Child Health Nursing Research
    • /
    • v.7 no.4
    • /
    • pp.434-450
    • /
    • 2001
  • This study is designed to understand the meaning and nature of raising children with cerebral palsy. It researches the experience of mothers of schoolchildren with cerebral palsy by the research method of hermeneutic phenomenology. The study was conducted from November 10, 1999 to December 20, 2000. When children with cerebral palsy usually show symptoms in the early stage of cerebral palsy, mothers do not take children to a doctor for diagnosis. And, most of mothers have a difficult time to accept the reality; they usually respond to the initial diagnosis with shock, reproach, and deny. When mothers start recognizing the reality, they consider that their children have cerebral palsy due to the their mismanagement during pregnancy, delivery, nursing, and initial treatment. They shelter their children from view and feel guilty that they cannot afford to try folk remedies for their children. As time passes, mothers face conflicts between families in diverse ways. Families put the blame on genetic effects. Mothers-in-law give their daughters-in-law a hard time, husbands shift the responsibility of raising children onto their wives, and trouble arises between families-in-law and mothers native families. When children grow up, it is physically difficult for mothers to take care their children. In addition, they suffer from all the troubles in family due to childrens handicap. Mothers try the diverse methods of bringing up children. However, they start getting tired of raising children as they experience failures and financial difficulties. Mothers feel collapsed recalling the ways of raising children. They feel anxiety, miserable, lonely, and worrying when they think how children would attend school, make friends, and live in the future. In this stage, mothers do their best to raise their children with hope. They tend to compare their children with others without handicap and spend money and time in attempting all the treatments. When mothers and children join the society at school, they find that the society does not understand disabled people, teachers show inconsiderate attitude, friends avoid them, and children hardly follow classes. Such experiences make mothers feel angry and frustrated. However, when children adapt to school, mothers see the possibility that children could accomplish schoolwork. They appreciate teachers help and others consideration. Mothers place appropriate expectations on their children and help them to prepare for the future. I would make following suggestions based on the results. 1. As a primary basic course of rehabilitation nursing intervention, solution-centered nursing intervention system should be developed. The intervention needs to be based on the understanding of mothers, who raise children with cerebral palsy, through in-depth interview. 2. Advance researches on the development of individual nursing intervention should be conducted. Individual nursing intervention needs to prevent and release actual pain focusing on mothers raising children with cerebral palsy. 3. Integrated curriculum that help children with cerebral palsy lead a normal school life with ordinary children should be developed. 4. Basic research on using of facilities and effective application of service volunteer to help children with cerebral palsy in school needs to be conducted.

  • PDF

Correlation between Allergic Rhinitis Prevalence and Immune Responses of Children in Ulsan: A Case-control Study (울산지역 초등학생의 알레르기비염 유병과 면역반응과의 상관성: 환자-대조군 연구)

  • Lee, Jiho;Oh, Inbo;Kim, Ahra;Kim, Minho;Sim, Chang sun;Kim, Yangho
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
    • /
    • v.41 no.4
    • /
    • pp.249-258
    • /
    • 2015
  • Objectives: This study aims to investigate the correlations between the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) and cytokines among elementary school children in an industrial city, Ulsan, South Korea, and to identify major environmental risk factors associated with AR prevalence. Methods: We conducted a case-control study in June 2009 and February 2010 in order to evaluate the relationship between AR and related cytokines. Data on physician-treated prevalence over the past 12 months and potential risk factors for AR were compiled through a questionnaire from a survey of 339 schoolchildren living in different urban environments. Logistic regression analysis was carried out with propensity score matched data (n=180) to assess the influences of cytokines (IL-13, IL-33, IL-4 and IL-5) on AR prevalence and to determine which environmental factors affected AR. Results: In univariate analysis, the AR prevalence was influenced by family history of AR (mother and siblings), environmental factors (odor condition and irritated symptoms of air pollution), and indoor allergens (D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus). The t-test demonstrated that eosinophils, Immunoglobulin E (IgE), and interleukins (IL-13 and IL-5) were statistically significantly different according to treatment of allergic rhinitis over the preceeding 12 months. The results of the multiple logistic regression analysis showed that a statistically significant association between several factors (such as irritated symptoms of air pollution (OR 4.075, CI 1.735-9.568), IL-13 (OR 0.825, CI 0.734-0.928), odor condition (OR 2.409, CI 0.908-6.389), and AR history of siblings (OR 2.217, CI 0.999-4.921)) and the prevalence of AR was found after adjusting for confounders. Conclusion: These results suggest that AR prevalence is significantly associated with cytokine level, genetic background, and outdoor environmental factors. Although living in a polluted area and genetic background can contribute to an increased risk of childhood AR, cytokine level should be considered as an important factor in the treatment of AR in the last 12 months.

Effect of Health Promotion Programs in Schoolchildren (초등학교 학생을 대상으로 한 건강증진 프로그램의 효과)

  • Yoo, Joong-Sun;Kang, Pock-Soo;Lee, Kyeong-Soo;Kim, Seok-Beom;Choi, Kwang-Hae;Kim, Mee-Kyung
    • Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
    • /
    • v.25 no.2
    • /
    • pp.397-411
    • /
    • 2000
  • The present study was conducted to analyze the degree of changes in knowledge and attitude toward health, arid health promoting activities after providing health education intervention for a year to elementary school children, to examine the factors effecting knowledge, attitude and health promoting practices for obesity and diet, and to analyze whether changes are present in health level according to changes in knowledge on health and health promoting activities. After conducting a pre-survey rio 354 subjects of 3rd and 4th grade students and their mothers in the city area of Kyungju, in April, 1999, 301. responses with the responding rate of 85% were obtained. Final analysis was done with 231 pairs of a student and his/her mother who could be followed up after a year among 301 pairs of the respondents, excluding those students who transferred, those who were excused from school early, those who did not take abdominal fat measurements, and those students and mothers respondents whose survey was incomplete. Based on the changes before and after the intervention, the scores on knowledge about obesity and diet showed a significant difference in normal weight group, and the scores on the attitude toward obesity and diet increased significantly in obesity group but decreased significantly in normal weight group(p<0.01). The scores of practicing health promoting activities were significantly increased in both groups, and although the waist-hip ratio (WHR) did not change in obesity group, the rate increased significantly in normal weight group(p<0.01). As for changes on the knowledge of obesity and diet before and after the intervention while dividing the scores into 3 levels based on the scores of the pre-survey and compared to changes in the scores one year after, in the case of the changes in the scores in the 1st third, the score on the knowledge about obesity and diet changed from 1.3 in the pre survey to 3.7 after the intervention, showing significant increase(p<0.01) The scores of practicing health promoting activities for obesity and diet were significantly increase in all three levels(p<0.01), and the degree of changes in the scores was 7.0 points in the 1st third, 4.4 points for the and third and 1.8 points for the 3rd third, showing a significant difference among the three levels(p<0.01). It was shown that the increase in BMI in those students whose mothers have the education level higher than university was significantly higher than the increase in BMI in those students whose mothers have the education level under high school, and those students whose mothers are in their 30's showed higher changes in practicing health promoting activities for obesity and diet. When the scores of mothers' knowledge and attitude toward obesity and diet were compared by dividing the scores into tertile, the score of students' knowledge changed significantly according to the scores of mothers' attitude toward obesity and diet. In multiple regression analysis on changes in the scores of knowledge about obesity and diet, the student variables of the degree of awareness on the seriousness of obesity, and the scores of previous knowledge on diet and obesity were selected the significant variables, and among the mother variables, the degree of guiding the child on diet and the education level were the significant variables. In multiple regression analysis to analyze the factors effecting changes in the attitude toward obesity and diet, the student variables of the BMI, scores of previous knowledge on obesity and diet, and scores on the previous attitude toward obesity and diet were shown to be significant. In multiple regression analysis on the factors effecting changes in health promoting activities for obesity and diet, the student variables of the BMI, scores on the previous attitude toward obesity and diet, and changes in the scores of obesity and diet were selected the significant variables.

  • PDF

Tuberculin Survey to Estimate the Prevalence of Tuberculosis Infection of the Elementary Schoolchildren under High BCG Vaccination Coverage (고 비시지 접종률 상태에서 초등학생들의 투베르쿨린 조사를 통한 감염률 추정 조사)

  • Kim, Hee Jin;Oh, Soo Yeon;Lee, Jin Bum;Park, Yun Sung;Lew, Woo Jin
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
    • /
    • v.65 no.4
    • /
    • pp.269-276
    • /
    • 2008
  • Background: Although the prevalence of tuberculosis infections (PTBI) is one of the basic epidemiologic indices, no survey has been carried out since 1995 because the nation-wide tuberculosis prevalence survey was changed to a surveillance system. Subjects without a BCG scar are examined in a tuberculin survey. However, it is very difficult to select these subjects under high vaccination coverage. It is important to evaluate the impact of BCG vaccinations on the tuberculin response and estimate the PTBI regardless of the BCG vaccination status. Methods: A nation-wide, school-based cross-sectional tuberculin survey was carried out among first graders in elementary school in 2006. A total of 5,148 children in 40 schools were selected by quota sampling. Tuberculin testing with 0.1 ml of two tuberculin units of PPD RT23 was carried out on 4,018 children. The maximum transverse diameter of induration was measured 48 to 72 hours later. The presence of a BCG scar was checked separately. Results: There were no BCG scars in 6.3% of the subjects. The mean induration size of tuberculin testing was $3.7{\pm}4.4mm$, which included 1,882 (46.8%) subjects with an induration size of 0 mm. The PTBI was 10.9% (439 subjects) using a cut-off point of ${\geq}10mm$ (conventional method). The annual risk of tuberculosis infections (ARTI) was 1.9% when the mean age of the subjects was assumed to be 6 years. There was no difference in the PTBI according to the presence or absence of a BCG scar [11.2% vs 7.6% (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 0.98~2.43)]. Using a mirror image technique with 16 mm as the cut-off point, the PTBI and ARTI had decreased to 2.4% and 0.4% respectively. Conclusion: PTBI and ARTI, as estimated by conventional methods, appear to be high among BCG vaccinated children. A mirror image technique is more suitable for estimating the indices in a country with an intermediate burden of tuberculosis than the conventional method.

The Efficacy and Effect of Reverse Geometry Contact Lens on Cornea (역기하학 렌즈의 유효성과 각막에 미치는영향)

  • Kim, Kwang-Bae;Kim, Young-Hoon;Bark, Sang-Bai;Sun, Kyung-Ho;Jeong, Youn-Hong
    • Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
    • /
    • v.12 no.2
    • /
    • pp.1-12
    • /
    • 2007
  • Object of this research is to estimate the effect of myopia correction and safety on reverse geometry contact lens fitting in school children. This research include 53(106eyes) schoolchildren among 7 to 18 years who has low to moderate myopia(-1.00D~-5.00D) and prescribed reverse geometry contact lens for purpose on orthokeratology between January to July 2004 and had 3months full follow up examination. They were tested for slit lamp examinations, BUT(Break up time), direct ophthalmoscopy, retinoscopy, uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity, autorefraction, autokeratometry and corneal topography in each examination(1day, 1week, 2weeks, 1, 2, and 3months) of before-and-after lens wearing to find out the effect of myopic correction and side effect. The results came out as follow. The average of uncorrected visual acuity was $0.0938{\pm}0.378$ before lens wear and $0.3136{\pm}0.283$ after 1day lens wear, and there was fast improvement after 1week($0.7925{\pm}0.301$) and little improvement after 2weeks period but still they shows better uncorrected visual acuity(p<0.01). The result of this study, the reverse geometry lens is very useful to correct refractive error and control the progression of myopia temporally among low to moderate myopic patient. The side effects were relatively rare but further study should be necessary with long term lens wear effect on eye health. For the lens prescription, the clinical fitting process had higher rate of success with consideration of eccentricity and corneal topography.

  • PDF

Study of The Area of Nursing Need by the Family Developmental Stage (가족발달단계에 따른 간호요구영역에 관한 연구)

  • 최부옥
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
    • /
    • v.7 no.2
    • /
    • pp.43-59
    • /
    • 1977
  • The Community Health Service considers the family as a service unit and places the emphasis of its service on the health problems and the nursing needs of the family rather than the individual. From the conceptual point of view that tile community health service is both health maintenance and health promotion of the family, the community health nurse should have a knowledge of the growth and development of the family and be responsible for the comprehensive support of normal family development. The community health nurse often is in a position to make a real contribution to normal family development. In order to investigate the relationship between the areas of nursing need and family development, the following objectives were established 1. To discover the general characteristics of the study population by the stage of family development. 2. To discover specific nursing needs in relation to the family developmental stage, and to determine the intensity of the nursing needs and the ability of the family to cope with these needs. 3. To discover overall family health nursing problems in relation to the family developmental stage and determine the intensity of the nursing need and the problem solving ability of family. Definitions : The family developmental stages as classified by Dually were used stage 1. Married couples(without children) stage 2. Childbearing Families (oldest child birth to 30 months of age) stage 3. Families with preschool children (oldest child 2½-to 6 years) stage 4. Families with schoolchildren (oldest child 6 to 13 years). stage 5. Families with teenagers (oldest child 13 to 20 years) stage 6. Families as launching centers (first child gone to last child′s leaving home). stage 7. Middle- aged parents (empty nest to retirement) stage 8. Aging family member (retirement to death of both spouses) The areas of nursing need were defined as those used in the study, "A Comprehensive Study about Health and Nursing Need and a Social Diagram of the Community", by tile Nursing research Institute and Center for population. and Family Planning, July 1974. The study population defiled and selected were 260 nuclear families ill two myron of Kang Hwa Island. Percent, mean value and F- test were utilized in tile statistical analysis of the study result. Findings : 1. General characteristics of the study population by tile family developmental stage ; 1)The study population was distributed by the family developmental stage as follows : stage 1 : 3 families stage 2 : 13 families stage 3 : 24 families stage 4 : 41 families stage 5 : 50 families stage 6 : 106 families stage 7 : 13 families stage 8 : 10 families 2) Most families had 4 or 5 members except for those in stage, 1, 7, and 8. 3) The parents′ present age was older in the higher developmental stage and their age at marriage was also younger in the higher developmental stages. 4) The educational level of parents was primarily less than elementary school irrespective of the developmental stage. 5) More than half of parents′ occupations were listed as laborers irrespective of the developmental stage, 6) More than half of the parents were atheists irrespective of the developmental stage. 7) The higher the developmental stage(from stage 2 to stage 6 ), the wider the distribution of children′s ages. 8) More than half of the families were of middle or lower socio-economic level. 2. Problems in specific areas of nursing need by family developmental stage, the intensity of nursing need and the problem solving ability of the family : 1) As a whole, many problems, irrespective of the developmental stage, occurred in tile areas of Housing and Sanitation, Eating Patterns, Housekeeping, Preventive Measures and Dental care. Problems occurring ill particular stages included the following ; stage 1 : Prevention of Accident stage 2 : Preventive Vaccination, Family Planning. stage 3 : Preventive Vaccination, Maternal Health, Family Planning, Health of Infant and Preschooler. stage 4, 5 : Preventive Vaccination, Family Planning, Health of School Children. stage 6 : Preventive Vaccination, Health of School Children. 2) The intensity of the nursing need in the area of Acute and Chronic Diseases was generally of moderate degree or above irrespective of the developmental stages except for stage 1. Other areas of need listed as moderate or above were found in the following stages: stage 1 : Maternal Health stage 3 . Horsing and Sanitation, Prevention of Accident. stage 4 . Housing and Sanitation. stage 5 : Housing and Sanitation, Diagnostic and Medical Care. stage 6 : Diagnostic and Medical care stage 7 : Diagnostic and Medical Care, Housekeeping. stage 8 : Housing and Sanitation, Prevention of Accident, Diagnostic and Medical Care, Dental Care, Eating Patterns, Housekeeping. 3) Areas of need with moderate problem solving ability or less were as follows : stage 1 : Diagnostic and Medical Care, Maternal Health. stage 2 : Prevention of Accident, Acute and Chronic Disease, Dental Care. stage 3 : Housing and Sanitation, Acute and Chronic Disease, Diagnostic and Medical Care, Preventive Measure, Dental Care, Maternal Health, Health of Infant and preschooler, Eating Patterns. stage 4 : Housing and Sanitation, Prevention of Accident, Diagnostic and Medical Care, Preventive Measure, Dental Care, Maternal Health, Health of New Born, Health of Infant and Preschooler, Health of school Children, Eating Patterns, Housekeeping. stage 5 . Housing and Sanitation, Prevention of Accident, Acute and Chronic Disease, Diagnostic and Medical Care, Preventive Measure, Dental Care, Preventive Vaccination, Maternal Health, Eating Patterns. stage 7, 8 : Housing and Sanitation, Prevention of Accident, Acute and Chronic Disease, Diagnostic and Medical Care, Preventive Measures, Dental Care, Preventive Vaccination, Eating Patterns , Housekeeping. Problem occurrence, the degree of nursing need and the degree of problem solving ability 1 nursing need areas for the family as a whole were as follows : 1) The higher the stages(except stage 1 ), the lower the rate of problem occurrence. 2) The higher the stage becomes, the lower the intensity of the nursing need becomes. 3) The higher the stages (except stages 7 and 8), the higher. the problem solving ability. Conclusions ; 1) When the nursing care plan for the family is drawn up, depending upon the stage of family development, higher priority should be give to nursing need areas ① at which problems were shown to occur ② where the nursing need is shown to be above moderate degree and ③ where the problem solving ability was shown to be of moderate degree. 2) The priority of the nursing service should be Placed ① not on those families in the high developmental stage but on those families in the low developmental stage ② and on those areas of need shown in stages 7 and 8 where the degree nursing need was high and the ability to cope low.

  • PDF

Current Status and Transition of the Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Korea (한국(韓國)에 있어서의 장내기생충감염(腸內寄生虫感染)의 현황(現況)과 추이(推移))

  • Kim, Dong-Chan
    • Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
    • /
    • v.9 no.1
    • /
    • pp.83-108
    • /
    • 1984
  • Out of a total of 58 species of helminthic and protozoan parasitic infections in Korea, so far 38 species were reported as intestinal parasites of man. Quite a few species of the intestinal parasitic infections have long been prevalent throughout the country and this has been a significant public health problem. In this paper, current status and transition of the intestinal parasitic infections in the past years were presented. Chronological reviewing of data show background and prospects of change in the prevalence of infections. In the national prevalence survey on parasitic infections conducted once every five years since 1971, stool examinations were done by both cellophane thick smear and brine flotation techniques. Every egg positive case of Ascaris lumbricoides and Clonorchis sinensis was further examined by Stoll's dilution egg counting technique. In 1981, perianal swab using adhesive cellulose tape was added for Enterobius infection. For protozoan cyst examination conducted by province and city in '81, fecal specimens were fixed in SAF solution and examined by the formalin-ether concentration technique. High prevalence of parasitic infection in ana before the 1960s can be easily understood from the data given by the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs in 1967. From a parasite control point of view, the 1960s was the preparatory period particularly for control of soil-transmitted helminthiasis. Several organizations which have contributed to parasite control were founded in this period and the prevention law of parasitic infections was passed in '66. In the '70s, overall prevalence rates of the common intestinal parasitic infections, which were highly prevalent in the past were turned into reduction phase for the first time. The '80s can be said to be an active control period of parasitic infections. Intestinal helminths According to the reports of the national prevalence survey on parasitic infections, the prevalence of helminthic infections was 84.3%(number of person examined:24,887) in '71, 63.2%(27,178) in '76, and 41.1%(35,018) in '81. By area, the prevalence rate in '81 was 35.1%(20,569) in urban areas and 49.6%(14,447) in rural areas. Intestinal nematodes Ascaris lumbricoides The prevalence of Ascaris infection has decreased significantly in recent years. Among students, the prevalence was 55.4%, in '69 and decreased to 4.7% in '83. In the national prevalence surveys, the prevalence decreased to 13.0% in '81 from 54.9% in '71. By area, the prevalence decreased to 8.5% in '81 from 46.4% in '71 in urban area and 19.4% in '81 from 59.6% in '71 in rural area. By age, the prevalence has become in recent years relatively even in all age groups, although higher prevalence used to be seen in young age groups of around 10 years old, particulary in the highly prevalent rural areas. By sex, the prevalence was higher in the female than in the male. Unfertilized egg positive rates among the ascariasis cases increased gradually up to 55.4% on the average in '81. The intensity of the infection was also significantly decreased. Trichuris trichiura Trichuris infection had also decreased to 23.4% in '81 from 65.4% in '71. By area, the decreasing tendency of the prevalence became faster in urban areas than in the rural areas. The prevalence in urban and rural areas in '71 was 69.7%, and 63.1% respectively and decreased to 19.5% and 29.0% respectively in '81. By age, the prevalence reached a peak at the 10-14 age group and showed relatively even distribution throughout all age groups. By sex, the prevalence was close in young age groups, but in the 30s or over age group, especially in rural area, the prevalence was significantly higher in the female than in the male. The prevalence has much fluctuated depending in the area. The prevalence in rural areas surveyed in the '80s shows a range between 20.9% and 73.7% by locality. It is anticipated that the prevalence of Trichuris infection will drop more rapidly, when mass treatment is conducted. Hookworms Hookworm infection by mostly Ancylostoma duodenale and a few by Necator americanus has decreased to a negligible levels in recent years. In the national prevalence surveys, the prevalence was 10.7% in '71, 2.2% in '76, and 0.5% in '81. The prevalence was higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Wide application of multi-specific anthelminthics in the ascariasis control programmes conducted in the past decade appear to have been effective against hookworm infection. Trichostrongylus orientalis As in the case with hookworm infection, the prevalence of Trichostrongylus infection has reached a negligible levels. In the national prevalence surveys, the prevalence was 7.7% in '71, 1.0% in '76 and 0.2% in '81. Enterobius vermicularis In the national prevalence survey in '81, the egg positive rate was 12.0%. Higher prevalence is expected when examined repeatedly. The prevalence rate was 10.3% in urban area and 14.6% in rural area. In recent surveys conducted in rural areas among schoolchildren, the prevalence was 32.4% in Gimhae Gun in '82 and 64.1% in Yeongyang Gun in '83. By age, the egg positive rate was higher in young age groups of around 10 and sharply decreased in age groups of around 20 and then somewhat increased again in middle age groups. By sex, the prevalence was higher in the female than in the male. Strongyloides stercoralis Strongyloides stercoralis infection has rarely been found in Korea. Three cases were reported in 1914. And 0.1-0.5% were found infected out of 2,642 persons examined at the prisoner-of-war camp on Geojedo in 1956. One case was reported in '54 and '82, respectively. Anisakis spp. No systematic survey has been conducted for anisakiasis In Korea. So far, only several cases have been found 1 case in Seoul in '71, 5 cases in Busan in '81 and 1 case in Busan in '84. Intestinal trematodes Metagonimus yokogawai In the national prevalence survey conducted in 1981, the egg positive rate was 1.24% on the average. High endemic areas are located in the southwestern part of Korea. The prevalence in Hadong Gun was 29.1% on the average in '79. In a survey conducted in 76, the prevalence was 44.0% in Gwangyang, 55.0% in Gogseung and 29.0% in Gurye. The infection is closely correlated with raw sweetfish consumption in these areas. Other intestinal trematodes A human case of Heterophyes heterophyes was reported in 1914. Several species were reported in the '80s : 17 cases of Fibricola seoulensis, 9 cases of Pygidiopsis summa, 8 cases of Heterophyes heterophyes nocens, 1case of Heterophyopsis continua, 2 cases of Stellantchasmus falcatus, 1 case of Stictodora sp., 1 case of Echinostoma hortense, and 4 cases of Echinochasmus japonicus. As the intermediate hosts, snakes and frogs play a role for F.seoulensis and fish for the rest of the species. Intestinal cestodes Taenia saginata and T. solium Egg positive rates in the national prevalence survey were 0.7% in '76 and 1.1% in '81. The prevalence in '81 was 0.6% in urban area and 1.8% in rural area. The proglottid positive rate in Jeju Do was 19.2% on the average. On Udo, Jeju Do in 1983, the egg positive rate among the inhabitants was 2.9%. Hymenolepis nana In the national prevalence survey, egg positive rates were 0.6% in '76 and 0.4% in '81. No difference was seen in the prevalence by area and sex. Hymenolepis diminuta Infected cases were reported : 3 in '64 and I in '66. Egg positive rate in '81 was 0.01% in the national prevalence survey. Diphylobothrium latum So far, about 30 cases have been reported. The cases have been reported more frequently in recent surveys. Mesocestoides sp. A case was reported from a hospitalized patient in Seoul in '67. Spirometra erinacei Two cases were reported in '84 following reidentification of the adult worms collected in '74. Intestinal protozoa Out of a total of 23 species of human protozoan infections in Korea, 13 species were reported as intestinal protozoa : Entamoeba histolytica, E coli, Endolimax nana, Iodamoeba b$\ddot{u}$tschlii, Dientamoeba fragilis, Giardia lamblia, Chilomastix mesnilii, Embadomonas sp., Enteromonas hominis, Trichomonas hominis, Isospora belli, I. Hominis(Sarcocystis hominis), and Balantidium coli. Since the first report on intestinal protozoan infections in 1925, there have been quite a few survey data on the prevalence of the infection. It was found reviewing the data chronologically that up to the early '70s the infection was prevalent around a 30-50%. After that, the protozoan cyst positive rate has shown the tendency of gradual decrease throughout the country. Protozoan cyst survey conducted in Seoul and several provinces in 1981 revealed infection rates of 8.9%(1,310) in Gangweondo, 10.7%(1,703) in Gyenggi Do, 11.7%(1,032) in Jeonra Buk Do, 9.1%(4,116) in Jeonra Nam Do, and 1.4%(5,275) in Seoul. Entamoeba histolytica In the survey conducted by province in '81, the cyst positive rate was 0.8% in Gangweon-do, 0.3% in Gyeonggi Do, 1.4% in both Jeonra Buk Do and Jeonra Nam Do, and 0.2% in Seoul. Giardia lamblia In the survey by province in '81, cyst positive rates were 2.2% in both Gyeonggi Do and Jeonra Buk Do, 1.9% in Jeonra Nam Do, 0.5% in Gangweon Do, and 0.9% in Seoul. Balantidium coli Two cases were reported. One in 1930 and the other in '74. Isospora belli and I. Hominis(Sarcocystis hominis) Isospora belli was reported : 1 case in '56 and 3 cases in '66. I. Hominis, recently identified to be synonymous with Sarcocystis hominis, was reported : 3 cases in '66. Other intestinal protozoa The protozoan parasites other than the above mentioned are generally treated as commensal, although some of them are considered to be pathogenic. The data of '81 show that about 10% of the inhabitants are still infected with protozoa.

  • PDF