• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.34-43
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• 2017

Background: We sought to determine the association between chronic pain and participating in routine health screening in a low socioeconomic-status (SES) rental-flat community in Singapore. In Singapore, ${\geq}85%$ own homes; public rental flats are reserved for those with low-income. Methods: Chronic pain was defined as pain ${\geq}3$ months. From 2009-2014, residents aged 40-60 years in five public rental-flat enclaves were surveyed for chronic pain; participation in health screening was also measured. We compared them to residents staying in adjacent owner-occupied public housing. We also conducted a qualitative study to better understand the relationship between chronic pain and health screening participation amongst residents in these low-SES enclaves. Results: In the rental-flat population, chronic pain was associated with higher participation in screening for diabetes (aOR = 2.11, CI = 1.36-3.27, P < 0.001), dyslipidemia (aOR = 2.06, CI = 1.25-3.39, P = 0.005), colorectal cancer (aOR = 2.28, CI = 1.18-4.40, P = 0.014), cervical cancer (aOR = 2.65, CI = 1.34-5.23, P = 0.005) and breast cancer (aOR = 3.52, CI = 1.94-6.41, P < 0.001); this association was not present in the owner-occupied population. Three main themes emerged from our qualitative analysis of the link between chronic pain and screening participation: pain as an association of "major illness"; screening as a search for answers to pain; and labelling pain as an end in itself. Conclusions: Chronic pain was associated with higher cardiovascular and cancer screening participation in the low-SES population. In low-SES populations with limited access to pain management services, chronic pain issues may surface during routine health screening.

• 한국병원경영학회지
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.24-41
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• 2008

This research is aimed at analyzing and understanding the perception and attitudes of inpatients in a general hospital in Seoul towards the activation of private health insurance. Survey was conducted against 231 inpatients, results of which were analyzed in the methods of frequency analysis, chi square test, and logistic regression. The results are summarized as follows; First, better-educated population who finished college education at least, higher-income population, and people who had more knowledge about private health insurance showed more perception about activation of private health insurance. Second, better-educated population who finished college education at least, higher-income population, those who are insured in existing private insurance, oncological patients, and people who had more knowledge about private health insurance showed more positive attitude towards private health insurance paying for actual damages, long-term care insurance, and income security insurance. Third, age and education were the factors affecting perception about activation of private health insurance. The older the age is, perception was 1.035 times positive towards activation of private health insurance, and those who finished college education or above showed 3.148 times positive perception towards the same. Forth, surgical patients showed 1.087 times more positive attitude towards private health insurance paying for actual damages than internal medicine patients, while oncological patients showed 2.314 times more positive attitude than internal medicine patients. Further, understanding on the activation of private health insurance was 6.014 times higher in the higher understanding group than in the lower understanding group. Intention to use long-term care insurance was 2.692 times stronger in the male group than in the female group, and 3.616 times stronger in the oncological patients group than in internal medicine patients group. Further, understanding on the activation of private health insurance was 3.881 times deeper in the higher understanding group than in the lower understanding group. Intention to use income security insurance was 3.185 times stronger in those who have academic background of under the high school than those over the college, and 4.175 times higher in the group those whose monthly average income is over 4 million won than those under 4 million won. Also, intention to use income security insurance was 4.323 times higher in the group those who are insured by existing private insurances than those who are not insured by those insurances and it was 5.234 times higher in the group of oncological patients than in the group of internal medicine patients. Further, intention to use income security insurance was 3.559 times higher in the group those who thought that out-of-pocket money of the National Health Insurance is too much to bear than those it is quite endurable. Understanding on the activation of private health insurance was 4.875 times deeper in the higher understanding group than in the lower understanding group. There were some suggestions could be made based on the results of this research. First, reinforced publicity and education is needed for the low-educated or low-income group, as there are gaps in the understanding on the activation of private health insurance depending on the degree of education and income. Second, government should prepare administrative complementary measures to solve the problem of adverse selection by the consumer which is foreseen when private health insurances are activated. Third, government should suggest the desirable course of development of private health insurance items to ensure efficient use of enormous fund of private insurance market for health security of the people. Further, institutional complementary measures are needed to convert existing cancer insurances or specific disease insurances to private health insurances paying for actual damages guaranteeing against every kind of disease. Forth, it judged that, not only private health insurances paying for actual damages, but also long-term care insurances and income security insurances are prospective as fields to create fresh demand for insurance industry.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.49-58
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• 1978

To try to determine the type of medical service wanted by the rural population, in Chungnam Province, a survey amongst the populations of 6 counties was conducted; Within the 6 counties, 2 local communities, which had no access to local medical services, were surveyed. The 12 communities were actively involved in Sae-maul activities, and total number of households surveyed, was 822. The survey was conducted over a 1 month period, from July 16th, 1976, thru August 20th, and the followings are the results, summarised. 1. The largest number of respondents desired a combination of Public Health Center and Country Hospital, followed in order by Private Clinic and Modern Medical Facility. 2. The respondents, aged under 40 years, desired the Private Clinic type medical service, whilst those over 40 years of age, wanted the County Hospital, and as the numbers in this age bracket, were larger, so the ratio was much higher. 3. Sex, educational background, and occupation did not play any particular emphasis in the decisions. 4. Monthly income affected the responses to the survey. These in the lower-income bracket, wanted the County Hospital, and the ratio was high. These in the high income bracket desired the Modern Medical Service, accordingly. Those with an income of 50,000 won or less, amongst the low-income bracket, favored the Public Health Sub-center type of service. The ratio for this service was very high.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제54권5호
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• pp.352-359
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• 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the geographic distribution of diabetes mortality in Japan and identify socioeconomic factors affecting differences in municipality-specific diabetes mortality. Methods: Diabetes mortality data by year and municipality from 2013 to 2017 were extracted from Japanese Vital Statistics, and the socioeconomic characteristics of municipalities were obtained from government statistics. We calculated the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of diabetes for each municipality using the empirical Bayes method and represented geographic differences in SMRs in a map of Japan. Multiple linear regression was conducted to identify the socioeconomic factors affecting differences in SMR. Statistically significant socioeconomic factors were further assessed by calculating the relative risk of mortality of quintiles of municipalities classified according to the degree of each socioeconomic factor using Poisson regression analysis. Results: The geographic distribution of diabetes mortality differed by gender. Of the municipality-specific socioeconomic factors, high rates of single-person households and unemployment and a high number of hospital beds were associated with a high SMR for men. High rates of fatherless households and blue-collar workers were associated with a high SMR for women, while high taxable income per-capita income and total population were associated with low SMR for women. Quintile analysis revealed a complex relationship between taxable income and mortality for women. The mortality risk of quintiles with the highest and lowest taxable per-capita income was significantly lower than that of the middle-income quintile. Conclusions: Socioeconomic factors of municipalities in Japan were found to affect geographic differences in diabetes mortality.

• 대한영양사협회학술지
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.298-308
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• 2013

The elderly population in Korea is rapidly growing. As the population ages, meals become a greater concern, as physical and psychological health problems are directly affected by dietary life, especially for the lower-income elderly. Although the government provides support through a free congregate meal service, there is a lack of systematic management of this meal service. This study investigates the experience of the elderly, especially the symbolic meaning and issues regarding the congregate meal service in their dietary life, to establish strategies for improving congregate meal services. Qualitative data was collected from ten elderly receivers of meal services through in-depth interviews and data was analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological research methods. Overall, 90 significant statements, 13 formulated meanings, and five theme clusters were deduced. The five theme clusters for the importance of meal services to the elderly included the followings: "a real meal", "enjoyment of living", "maintenance of regular life", "place for social life" and "meal of silence". We found that the elderly regarded the congregate free meal service not only as meals to appreciate but also as a form of social life. Furthermore, the elderly did not typically express any complaints regarding congregate meal services because they are free. The results showed that it might be difficult to evaluate the quality of meal services based on the opinions of the service receivers. This study suggests it is necessary to develop multilateral evaluation methods to reflect the needs of the elderly and to improve the congregate meal services at elderly welfare centers.

• 지역연구
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.101-113
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• 2017

본 연구는 2014년 스마트카드 데이터를 활용하여 장거리 통행에서 대중교통 의존도가 높은 교통 취약계층의 대중교통 이동성을 평가하는 것에 목적이 있다. 특히, 신체적인 문제나 제도적으로 대중교통수단을 선택하게 되는 교통약자(노인, 청소년)와, 경제적 여건으로 대중교통을 이용하여 통근통행을 하는 저소득층 인구를 중심으로 대중교통 이동성을 평가하였다. 또한, 서울시의 노인, 청소년, 기초생활수급자의 분포와 각 취약계층의 대중교통 이동성 수준을 함께 고려하여 각 취약계층의 대중교통 이동성 취약지를 식별하고, 이를 종합하여 대중교통 이동성 개선 우선 지역을 선정하였다. 분석 결과, 대중교통 이동성이 낮으며, 교통취약계층 인구가 많이 거주하고 있는 15개의 대중교통 우선 개선지역을 도출하였다. 본 연구는 개인의 실제 통행 데이터인 스마트카드 데이터를 이용하여 대중교통의 이동성을 평가한 점과 교통 취약계층의 기본적인 이동성을 위해 대중교통 서비스가 개선되어야할 대중교통 이동성 취약지를 식별하였다는 점에서 의의를 가진다.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.25-39
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• 1985

도시 영세지역 주민의 이환 및 의료이용 양상을 파악하기 위하여 1984년 7월 한 달 동안에 대구시 중구 남산 4동 영세지역 468가구의 가구원 2,002명과 대조지역 374가구의 가구원 1,709명을 대상으로 가구원의 일반적 특성, 질병이환 및 의료이용 양상 등을 면담조사 하였다. 영세지역과 대조지역의 성별, 연령별 분포는 비슷하였으나, 경제수준, 교육수준, 주거밀집도, 의료보장 종류별 분포는 유의한 차이를 보였다. 15일간의 상병 이환율은 영세지역이 1,000명당 131로 대조지역의 71보다 유의하게 높았고, 연령이 증가함에 따라 이환율도 증가하는 경향을 보였으나 65세이상의 노인층에서는 오히려 감소하였다. 년간 만성병 이환율도 영세지역이 1,000명당 134로 대조지역의 89보다 유의하게 높았고 나이가 증가함에 따라 이환율이 증가하였다. 15일간의 상병은 영세지역과 대조지역 모두 호흡기계 질환이 각각 24.0%, 29.8%로 가장 많았고 그 다음은 소화기계 질환으로 21.0%, 20.6%였으며 손상 및 중독은 영세지역이 10.3%인데 비해 대조지역은 3.3%였다. 만성병은 영세지역과 대조지역 모두 소화기계질환이 22.1%, 21.7%로 가장 많았고 그 다음으로 영세지역은 근골격계 질환으로 12.3%, 대조지역은 신경통으로 14.5%였으며, 순환기계 질환은 대조지역이 11.8%로 영세지역의 5.6% 보다 더 많은데 비해 손상 및 중독은 영세지역이 10.8%로 대조지역의 4.6%보다 더 많았다. 15일간의 상병으로 활동제한을 받은 일수는 영세지역이 평균 4.0일로 대조지역의 평균 2.2일보다 유의하게 높았다. 15일간의 상병이나 만성병을 치료받기 위해 영세지역은 약국을 더 많이 이용하고 대조지역은 병의원 외래를 더 많이 이용하였으며, 특히 의료보장 종류별로는 의료보험 가입자는 병의원 외래를, 그리고 일반환자는 약국을 더 많이 이용하였으며, 미치료율은 의료보장 종류에 관계없이 15일 이환의 경우 영세지역이 17.9%, 대조지역은 11.6%, 그리고 만성병은 영세지역이 15.2%, 대조지역은 9.2%로 영세지역의 미치료율이 대조지역보다 더 높았다. 15일간의 상병이나 만성병 모두 경제적인 이유로 치료받지 않은 경우가 가장 많았다. 영세지역의 이환율이 대조지역보다 높은 것은 경제수준, 교육정도, 주거밀집도 등 여러가지 사회 경제적인 요소가 관련된 것으로 나타났으므로, 영세민을 위한 보건사업 계획에는 이러한 사회 경제적인 요소들을 개선하는 노력을 병행해야 효과적인 보건사업이 추진될 것으로 생각된다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권8호
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• pp.3747-3750
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• 2012

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of life (QOL) of breast cancer patients by using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) questionnaires. Methods: A total of 522 adult patients who were admitted to our hospital with breast cancer were collected during the period of Jun. 2007 to Dec. 2009. Results: Our FACT-B questionnaire study suggested that women below 50 years old, employed, higher education and annual income, lower TNM stage and receiving modified radical mastectomy manifested significantly better QOL using the assessment tool of the FACT-B subscale. Moreover, regression analysis indicated patients with young age, low stage cancer, high education and income were more likely to have high score of QOL, with ORs (95% CI) of 2.8 (1.52-4.56), 2.1 (1.15-3.95), 3.1 (1.45-5.12) and 3.54 (1.54-5.43), respectively. Conclusions: Our study showed younger age, lower stage of cancer, higher education and income could influence the QOL of breast cancer patients in our Chinese population. Further large sample studies are still needed for confirmation.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• 제33권46호
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• pp.288.1-288.12
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• 2018

Background: Diarrheal and intestinal infectious disease caused by inadequate drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is not only a great concern in developing countries but also a problem in low-income populations and rural areas in developed countries. In this study, we assessed the exposure to inadequate WASH in Korea and estimated the burden of disease attributable to inadequate WASH. Methods: We used observational data on water supply, drinking water, sewage treatment rate, and hand washing to assess inadequate WASH conditions in Korea, and estimated the level of exposure in the entire population. The disease burden was estimated by applying the cause of death data from death registry and the morbidity data from the national health insurance to the population attributable fraction (PAF) for the disease caused by inappropriate WASH. Results: In 2013, 1.4% of the population were exposed to inadequate drinking water, and 1.0% were living in areas where sewerage was not connected. The frequency of handwashing with soap after contact with excreta was 23.5%. The PAF due to inadequate WASH as a cluster of risk factors was 0.353 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.275-0.417), among which over 90% were attributable to hand hygiene factors that were significantly worse than those in American and European high-income countries. Conclusion: The level of hand hygiene in Korea has yet to be improved to the extent that it shows a significant difference compared to other high-income countries. Therefore, improving the current situation in Korea requires a continuous hand washing campaign and a program aimed at all people. In addition, continuous policy intervention for improvement of sewage treatment facilities in rural areas is required, and water quality control monitoring should be continuously carried out.

• 대한치위생과학회지
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.51-58
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• 2020

Oral examination ensures early detection and treatment of oral diseases and improvement of quality of health-related life. This is imperative as it reduces individuals' dental medical expenses and social costs caused by diseases. However, as the low oral examination acceptance rate continues to be a problem, this study was conducted to identify the factors that influence the oral examination of an economically active population. In this study, 4,836 economically active individuals between the ages of 20 and 65 years were studied using data from the 7th National Health and Nutrition Survey in 2018. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors influencing demographic and sociological characteristics on oral examination after adjusting for complaints of mastication and speech discomfort. As a result of confirming the factors influencing the oral examination, increase in age tended to be inversely proportional to the oral examination. Income level, type of job, and job position were identified as factors that influenced oral examinations. Compared to the group with a high socioeconomic status, which is represented by a group with a high income level or a stable job type or job position, the group with low economic status was found to have a negative effect on oral examination. Oral management of vulnerable groups, who might not be considered while devising oral health management policies, should be promoted through the development and provision of oral health management policies that consider employment status and environment.