• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.367-375
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• 2014

Objectives: The main purpose of this study is to produce background data which can be compared with several large-scale industrial complex regions. Methods: The framework of this study was designed to evaluate and monitor health effects associated with low-level and long-term exposure to environmental pollutants. In this study, 1,009 local residents were recruited in the city of Chungju using personal questionnaires, medical check-ups, and allergen skin-prick tests for 12 common allergens. The prevalence rate of skin allergens was reviewed together with that from large-scale industrial areas. Results: The diagnosis prevalence and medical treatment prevalence of asthma was 5.6% and 1.7%, respectively. Allergic rhinitis was 25.4% and 16.7%, allergic dermatitis was 16.6% and 9.9% and allergic conjunctivitis was 18.7% and 7.9%, respectively. These results were similar with those of industrial complexes. The prevalence of allergen skin-prick test was 16.4% and the most common allergen was dust mites (27.9-31.6%). This result was lower than those of the industrial complexes (22.5-39.9%) and Gangneung (18.2-24.7%). Conclusion: Further study is required to find the cause of the regional differences in skin prick prevalence.

• Diabetes and Metabolism Journal
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.529-537
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• 2018

Background: Serum albumin and uric acid have been positively linked to metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the association of MetS incidence with the combination of uric acid and albumin levels has not been investigated. We explored the association of albumin and uric acid with the risk of incident MetS in populations divided according to the levels of these two parameters. Methods: In this retrospective longitudinal study, 11,613 non-MetS participants were enrolled among 24,185 individuals who had undergone at least four annual check-ups between 2006 and 2012. The risk of incident MetS was analyzed according to four groups categorized by the sex-specific medians of serum albumin and uric acid. Results: During 55,407 person-years of follow-up, 2,439 cases of MetS developed. The risk of incident MetS increased as the uric acid category advanced in individuals with lower or higher serum albumin categories with hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.386 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.236 to 1.554) or 1.314 (95% CI, 1.167 to 1.480). However, the incidence of MetS increased with higher albumin levels only in participants in the lower uric acid category with a HR of 1.143 (95% CI, 1.010 to 1.294). Conclusion: Higher levels of albumin were associated with an increased risk of incident MetS only in individuals with lower uric acid whereas higher levels of uric acid were positively linked to risk of incident MetS regardless of albumin level.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.71-77
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• 2017

Objectives This study aims to build the baseline data for school health care program by analyzing the questionnaires about satisfaction regarding Oriental Medical Doctor's (Korean Medicine) student health and wellness program. Methods The association of Korean medicine doctor in Sung-nam city conducted Oriental Medical Doctor's student health and wellness program for 12 middle schools and 8 high schools in Sung-nam from August to December, 2015. The participating Oriental Medical Doctor visited each school for 8 times during 5 months period, and conducted health consultations, health education classes and Korean medicine treatment for the school students and school employees. Teachers and administrators from the participating schools answered the self-reported satisfaction questionnaires and the satisfaction questionnaires results were analyzed. Results 85 people responded the program satisfaction questionnaires; 69% responders were very satisfied and 28% were satisfied about the program specifically about the student's health check-ups, informatory brochures for the parents, good participation enrollment process. Responders were pleased about doctor's consultations regarding 'Advising students about their general health', 'Ways to cure sick students fast', 'Providing students with useful information about health', and 'Teaching students how to manage their health in a good shape'. 92.94% of participants agreed to the needs of the school health and wellness program. Conclusions One of the fundamental national health policies is to provide students opportunities to maintain their good health. We have developed a successful pilot program called, "Oriental Medical Doctor's student health and wellness program". We got positive feedback from the participating school teachers regarding our program. Further studies based on this study are needed to show the benefit of the program to broaden its use.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.463-495
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to obtain a fundamental data for developing a policy concerning women and child rearing and a parent education program for young parents who are around their childbirth, a period crucially important both for the parents in terms of the role adjustment, career management, and family finance, and for the infants in terms of its physical and psychological well-being. The subjects were 509 mothers before and after childbirth currently living in the Metropolitan City of Daejeon. Data were obtained through questionnaires and interviews in two major areas of pregnancy-delivery-childcare and parent education. Data were analyzed using SAS, mostly through frequency analysis, percentiles, t-tests, and F-tests. Results of descriptive analyses were organized along the following areas and issues: Pregnancy(family planning, regular check-ups, difficulties, prenatal education, costs, etc.); delivery(type of delivery, delivery related experience, costs, clinic/medical institute of choice, worries/problems, help/supports, etc.); postpartum care(place, kinds of help and helper, costs, postpartum care facilities, etc.); childcare circumstances(place, carer, time schedules, childcare centers or facilities feeding and weaning, etc.); husband's attitudes and involvement in the overall process; working mothers(maternity leave, temporary retirement for child rearing, etc.); and, parent education(family planning, pregnancy, delivery, postpartum care, child rearing, areas or issues needing parent education, facilitative and hindering factors to ideal parenting, etc.). Differences between groups of pregnant mothers and postpartum mothers, working- and non-working mothers, groups of different income levels, mothers and fathers of different educational levels, mothers of first pregnancy(or childbirth) and experienced mothers were also analyzed. Several conclusions with suggestions were drawn in relation to the need for strong implementation as well as developing of policies on women and childcare and for developing a new parent education program for parents before and after childbirth.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.847-852
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the difference of electrodermal activity between the hypertensive and non-hypertensive subjects. A total 161 subjects who visited a hospital for health check ups from August 2011 through November 2011 and from September 2012 through November 2012 were included in this study. We divided the subjects into two groups by blood pressure, hypertension group(81 patients) and non-hypertension group(180 subject). Then we compared electrodermal activity between two groups by using the autonomic bioelectric response device model CP-6000A. The data was analyzed by independent t-test and logistic regression. In this study, there was a significant difference in electrodermal activity(the mean absolute value of positive, negative pulse conductivity) between hypertensive and normotensive group in t-test and electrodermal activity showed the significant influence on the prevalence risk of hypertension with age, body mass index and dyslipidema in binominal logistic regression. In conclusion, hypertensive patients had high level of electrodermal activity compared with normotensive subjects and this finding suggests that electrodermal activity which is explained excess tendency in Korean traditional medicine could be used for diagnosis in hypertension patients at Korean traditional medical clinic.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.257-260
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• 2003

The purpose of the present study lied in examining the incidence, treatment and failure causes of peri-implantitis by analyzing medical charts of those patients who underwent implant placement for the past 2 years. The subjects included those patients who underwent implant placement at the present hospital from January 2001 to December 2002. 3i implants were used for the analysis for the comparison of significance. A total of 301 patients were examined, among whom 102 were females and 199, males. Implants were placed in a total of 578 cases. The number of peri-implantitis was present in a total of 29 cases (21 males and 8 females), giving the incidence at 9.6%. The evidence of peri-implantitis was seen in 60 cases, which was in 10.4% of the patients. Among those cases with peri-implantitis, 28 cases (47%) underwent bone graft and 22 cases (43%) underwent maxillary sinus lift. Furthermore, 4 of these patients had systemic diseases such as diabetes or hypertension. Regular management is important for the prevention of peri-implantitis. In other words, early prevention through regular follow-ups to check the status of surrounding soft tissue would be needed to maintain implants.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.631-641
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to confirm the relationship between socioeconomic characteristics and the prevalence of periodontal disease, with a focus on employment status, in a representative sample of Korean adults aged 19-39 years. Methods: Data were obtained from 3,178 adults who completed the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, health-related questionnaires, and an oral examination. Socioeconomic, demographic, and oral health-related behavior data were adopted as independent variables. The chi-square test was used to assess differences in the distribution of socioeconomic status, oral health behavior, and nutrition factors according to employment status. Logistic regression analysis was performed to confirm the relationships between the prevalence of periodontitis and the related variables. Results: Significant differences in sex, educational level, income, marital status, smoking status, prevalence of periodontitis, number of dental check-ups in a year, and unmet dental care were confirmed according to employment status. The prevalence of periodontal disease was not significantly related to employment status. Conclusions: These results suggest a significant difference in periodontal disease according to socioeconomic factors in Korean adults. However, the prevalence of periodontal disease was not related to employment status. To prevent the progression of periodontal disease, attention should be paid to oral health, time available for dental treatment, smoking cessation, and use of floss.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.389-395
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• 2016

Objectives: Acute methanol poisonings known to be typical occupational diseases occurring in developing countries broke out in sub-contract manufacturers in the early 2016. The present paper attempted to identify underlying causes which hide under apparent findings, and suggest alternative policies to prevent recurrence of similar intoxication Methods: We evaluated occupational health and safety characteristics of workers in micro-enterprises similar to workplaces with methanol poisoning by in depth-interview of employers, workers, and labor inspectors, and literature review. Results: The common findings of workplaces with methanol poisoning were addressed; First, the victims were illegal agency workers. Second, the workplaces were sub-contract micro-manufacturers with less than 5 employees. Investigators found that local ventilations did not work, while most of workers did not wear any proper personal respiratory protective equipment in the workplace. In addition, periodic environmental monitoring and medical check-ups were not done. However, these apparent findings do not appear to be root causes of methanol poisoning. Our in depth-analysis clarified a root cause; micro-enterprises with less than 5 employees are exempted with essential regulations of OSH Act, and employers do not know about OSH Act. Conclusions: We suggest occupational health policies to prevent recurrence of similar intoxication; First, government should introduce programs so that all employers should know about employers' responsibilities in OSH Act from the start of business. Second, even manufacturers with less than 5 employees should not be exempted with essential regulations of OSH Act. Finally, employers should take responsibilities for health and safety of all the workers including agency workers working in workplaces.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.392-399
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• 2016

This study examined the distribution of metabolic syndrome according to the age groups among the elderly people to reveal the sociodemographic and health related factors. The survey in 2011~2014 from the National Health Insurance Corporation under regular medical check-ups, which received a recognition survey targeted 1,756 people aged over 70. Multiple logistic regression was performed on the relation metabolic syndrome and its related factors. As a result, the risk ratio for metabolic syndrome increased significantly in females than in males, living with a family than living alone, high economic status than in the low group, obese than in the normal weight group, have a history of stroke group than the no history group, smoking group than the non-smoking group, and drinking group than the non-drinking group. The distribution of metabolic syndrome differed significantly according to the sociodemographic characteristics and health-related variables.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.279-289
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• 1999

This study was conducted to investigate the physical characteristics and risk factors for hyperchol-esterolemia (HC) in Korean. 344 adult men who took the annual health check-ups at D or J hospitals were participated in this cross-sectional study. The subjects were grouped by plasma total cholesterol level in to three groups: normal cholesterolemic (n=139) borderline hypercholesterolemic(n=93) and hypercholesterolemic (n=112) groups. The data of height weight and plasma cholesterol level were col-lected from medical records. Body circumferences(midarm, waist, hip, and thight) skinfold thicknesses (biceps, triceps, subcostal, abdomen, and suprailic), and body composition (fat mass and fat free mass) were measured. Body mass index (BMI) height/weight ratio (HWR) waist/hip circumference ratio (WHR) waist/ thigh circumference ratio (WTR) central skinfold thickenss (CSF) and peripheral skin-fold thickness were calculated. The subjects with HC had significantly higher weight BMI waist cir-cumference skinfold thickness and body fat mass than those of the normal subjects. The relative and attributable risks on HC were 1.61 and 0.17 for obesity (BMI$\geq$25) 1,30 and 0.11 for upper body obesity (WTR$\geq$1.30) and 1.54 and 0.18 for central body obesity (CSF$\geq$95.7). Plasma total cholesterol level was positively correlated with several antropometric parameters: BMI (p<0.001) weight(p<0.001) waist circumference(p<0.001) and skinfold thickness of abdomen (p<0.001) spraillic (p<0.01) triceps(p<0.01) subcostal (p<0.01) and biceps (p<0.05) In conclusion the major influencing factors to plasma cholesterol level was BMI. Among the each physical parameters the circumference of waist the skinfol-d thickness of abdomen and the percentage of body fat were closely related to plasma cholesterol level. The important risk factor for hypercholesterolemia was obesity specially upper body obesity and central body obesity.