• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제47권6호
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• pp.432-437
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• 2021

Objectives: The mandible and other parts of the maxillofacial region suffer significant morbid injuries following road traffic accidents. Our study gives epidemiological description of mandibular fractures in Ghana and also evaluates the relevance of closed reduction and indirect fixation for managing mandibular fractures in low-resource health facilities in low-income countries like Ghana. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study involving 268 patients who reported to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Sunyani Regional Hospital with mandibular fractures from January 2010 to December 2019. Patient medical records were assessed for information on age, sex, fracture etiology, anatomic location of fracture, time of day of road traffic accident, and other associated injuries. Results: A total of 268 patients were included in this study (males, 216 [80.6%]; females, 52 [19.4%]). Motor vehicular accident (MVA) was the leading cause of mandibular fractures (202 injuries, 75.4%). Other etiologies included assault (39, 14.6%), gunshot (13, 4.9%), falls (12, 4.5%), and industrial accidents (2, 0.7%). Of the 161 male cases caused by MVA, 121 (75.2%) occurred at night and in the evening while the remaining 40 (24.8%) occurred in the morning and afternoon. Among all managed 222 patients, 212 (79.1%) were treated with closed reduction and indirect fixation technique while 10 (3.7%) were treated with open reduction and direct fixation. Conclusion: Closed reduction with indirect fixation could successfully be used to manage mandibular fractures in low resourced health facilities, especially in low-income countries. The poor lightening system on roads in Ghana is a major contributory factor to motor vehicular accidents.

• 의료ㆍ복지 건축 : 한국의료복지건축학회 논문집
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.89-97
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• 2022

Purpose: Because of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many cases of using portable negative pressure unit to convert general wards into temporary negative pressure isolation wards. The purpose of this study is to analyze the indoor environment of the switching type wards. Methods: Field measurements and experiments were conducted in a medical facility. Air volume, wind speed and pressure difference were measured in non-occupant state. Dispersion tests were performed with gas and particle matter. Results: The pressure difference between the wards and the corridor was higher than -2.5 Pa in normal situation. However, in the gas and particle dispersion tests, it was found that there were concerns about the spread through leakages in low-airtight walls or ceilings. In addition, it was confirmed that the pressure imbalance in ducts through the non-sealed diffusers could cause back flow during portable unit operation. Furthermore, when there was a pressure difference between adjacent wards planned to be at same pressure level, the possibility of the spread through the leakages was found. Implications: When using portable units for making switching type wards, it is necessary to create airtight space and seal the non-operation diffusers. In case of operating the air handling unit, T.A.B must be performed to adjust the duct balancing.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제55권1호
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• pp.49-59
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• 2022

Objectives: Access to maternal and neonatal care services (MNCS) is an important goal of health policy in developing countries. In this study, we proposed a 3-level hierarchical location-allocation model to maximize the coverage of MNCS providers in Iran. Methods: First, the necessary criteria for designing an MNCS network were explored. Birth data, including gestational age and birth weight, were collected from the data bank of the Iranian Maternal and Neonatal Network national registry based on 3 service levels (I, II, and III). Vehicular travel times between the points of demand and MNCS providers were considered. Alternative MNCS were mapped in some cities to reduce access difficulties. Results: It was found that 130, 121, and 86 MNCS providers were needed to respond to level I, II, and III demands, respectively, in 373 cities. Service level III was not available in 39 cities within the determined travel time, which led to an increased average travel time of 173 minutes to the nearest MNCS provider. Conclusions: This study revealed inequalities in the distribution of MNCS providers. Management of the distribution of MNCS providers can be used to enhance spatial access to health services and reduce the risk of neonatal mortality and morbidity. This method may provide a sustainable healthcare solution at the policy and decision-making level for regional, or even universal, healthcare networks.

• 한국산업융합학회 논문집
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• 제25권6_3호
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• pp.1183-1190
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• 2022

Recently, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance announced a plan to reduce the proportion of economic evaluation in non-metropolitan areas and strengthen balanced development evaluation through the reorganization of the preliminary feasibility study system. In addition, the social value of the quality of life, such as job, environment, and safety, which may be affected by the implementation of transportation facility investment projects, was reflected as the main item of policy evaluation. In this study, the ripple effect of the project in terms of social value was reviewed for the Gangil-Chuncheon. The effect of highway opening was investigated by reviewing the feasibility report, post-evaluation report, and statistical indicators. Recently, the Gangil-Chuncheon highway is getting used by around 110,000 people per day. The number of tourists in Chuncheon rapidly has increased from 5 million a year to more than 11 million now. In addition, it was confirmed to produce effects such as population migration, net inflow and land price increase, improvement of living convenience, and expansion of emergency medical care. Although this ripple effect was influenced by various socio-economic factors as well as the opening of the highway, it is clear that it is difficult to occur without the opening of the highway. It is judged that the evaluation of indirect benefits and social values due to the opening of the highway can be quantified through continuous research and data construction. Post-evaluation of construction works, including project efficiency evaluation and ripple effect evaluation, is performed for construction works with a construction cost of more than 50 billion won. In the future, we will continuously improve the evaluation system in order to evaluate the indirect benefits and social values of public investment projects.

• 의료ㆍ복지 건축 : 한국의료복지건축학회 논문집
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.17-26
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to classify space types according to the operating system of health examination centers and compare and analyze their sizes. Methods: Seven examination centers under the K Medical Research Institute with the same operating system and similar examination types and functional spaces are the subject of the investigation. Research is conducted through field investigation, user surveys, and drawing analysis. Results: The operating method of the health examination center can be largely divided into the function dispersed type and the function central type. The function dispersed type was planned as a vertical type, and the function central type was planned as a horizontal type. In the case of the function dispersed type, since the examinees move vertically to use the endoscope center and special examination center, the efficiency of the vertical movement must be considered when planning the function dispersed type of facility. The function dispersed type plans to increase work and manpower efficiency by arranging the areas used at the start and end of the examination. Because the function central type horizontally arranges related functions by area, it should be planned in a structure that makes it easy for examinees to find their way. Implications: Through this study, it is judged that it is possible to suggest architectural planning considerations that vary depending on the operation system of the examination center.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.78-88
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• 2023

Background: Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can have acute and chronic health effects on human beings in general and in working environments. In particular, VOCs are often emitted in large quantities in industrial settings. In such circumstances, there is a need to improve the indoor air quality at workplaces. Objectives: The purposes of this study were to verify the effectiveness of air cleaning devices in workplaces and provide alternative solutions for improving working environments. Methods: Personal exposure and area level of VOCs for workers were evaluated in a car-part adhesive process before and after installing an air cleaning device with a TiO₂-coated filter. Passive samplers and direct reading instruments were used to collect and analyze the VOCs, and the removal efficiency and improvement of air quality were evaluated. We also calculated the exposure index (EI) to assess the risk level in the workplace. Results: The removal efficiency for VOCs through the installation of the air cleaning device was approximately 26.9~69.0% as determined by the concentration levels before and after installation. The measured substances did not exceed the exposure limits for the work environment and the EI was less than 1. However, carcinogenic substances such as benzene, formaldehyde, carbon tetrachloride, and trichloroethylene were detected. Conclusions: The application of an air cleaning device can be a solution for controlling the indoor air quality in a workplace, particularly in cases where ventilation systems cannot be installed due to process limitations.

• 한국산업정보학회논문지
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.23-32
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• 2010

U-헬스케어는 인간에게 많은 편의를 제공하고 건강을 지켜준다. 하지만 시설중심의 의료 환경이 환자 중심의 의료 환경으로 변함에 따라 다양한 문제점들이 발생되고 있다. 이 문제점들은 제도적인 문제부터 기술적인 문제, 생산자의 문제, 사용자의 문제에 이르기까지 다양한 원인에 의해 발생된다. 연구자는 이 문제들 가운데 사용자로부터 기인한 문제, 그 중에서도 특히 노인환자 또는 노인이 환자의 보호자인 경우에 관심을 가졌다. 주요 연구내용은 U-헬스케어 관련 기기들의 HMI 숙달훈련과 응급상황대처능력 훈련을 위한 학습용 기능성콘텐츠의 설계방향이다. 이는 노인의 인지심리학과 노인운동반응에 관한 연구로부터 출발하여 다양한 디지털 콘텐츠 형식들의 특성을 연관 짓는 과정을 거쳤다. 연구 결과는 가파른 성장세를 보일 노령인구와 그에 따른 U-헬스케어 산업분야에서 쓰임새를 가질 것으로 기대한다.

• 의료ㆍ복지 건축 : 한국의료복지건축학회 논문집
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.17-26
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify policy implications for the construction of public health facilities in the field of international cooperation, by examining the case of establishing a health care delivery system using a public health center in a rural area of Paraguay. Methods: Firstly, to map the capacity of the 20 public health centers that were studied, we used the WHO Capacity Mapping tool to select and analyze relevant items. Secondly, to assess the utilization of public health centers, we conducted a direct visit survey and analyzed the results using the M-survey tool. Results: The floor plan of each public health center, the structure of the health center, the size of the population served by each health center, the number of monthly visitors, medical human resources, and the budget were classified by health center for comparative analysis. In addition, by utilizing the M-survey tool, we analyzed the general characteristics of the respondents, their perceptions of the purpose and accessibility of public health centers, their satisfaction with using public health centers, and the level of demand for public health centers to play a role in promoting community health. Implications: The results of this study suggest that access to public health facilities for residents in the research area was improved. By classifying public health centers into two types, these centers can perform the functions and roles of primary health facilities. A patient request and evacuation system was established in the research area. Finally, a network, such as a social prescribing program, is needed so that public health centers can function as a "setting" for community members to live together.

• 한국생활환경학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.90-97
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to compare and analyze the air infections in middle and small hospitals with the facilities of large national hospitals that have air-borne infection isolation (AII) wards through actual condition investigation and airflow analysis simulation (CFD) and to provide basic data for prevention. The method and scope of the study are as follows. First, through literature review, data related to prevention of infection spread in domestic medical institutions were investigated. Second, we conducted a survey on the status of isolation facilities to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in large hospitals and small and medium - sized clinics in Korea. Third, airflow analysis simulation (CFD) was carried out using the isolation ward of the nationally designated inpatient ward and the data of the plane and facility system of the small clinic. As a result of the study, it is found that regulations applicable to small and medium-sized clinics are insufficient. In addition, the simulation results show that the infectious disease virus is likely to spread to other patients in the hospital.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.87-95
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• 2024

Background: This study focuses on assessing occupational risk for the health hazards encountered during maintenance works (MW) in semiconductor fabrication (FAB) facilities. Objectives: The objectives of this study include: 1) identifying the primary health hazards during MW in semiconductor FAB facilities; 2) reviewing the methods used in evaluating the likelihood and severity of health hazards through occupational health risk assessment (OHRA); and 3) suggesting variables for the categorization of likelihood of exposures to health hazards and the severity of health effects associated with MW in FAB facilities. Methods: A literature review was undertaken on OHRA methodology and health hazards resulting from MW in FAB facilities. Based on this review, approaches for categorizing the exposure to health hazards and the severity of health effects related to MW were recommended. Results: Maintenance workers in FAB facilities face exposure to hazards such as debris, machinery entanglement, and airborne particles laden with various chemical components. The level of engineering and administrative control measures is suggested to assess the likelihood of simultaneous chemical and dust exposure. Qualitative key factors for mixed exposure estimation during MW include the presence of safe operational protocols, the use of air-jet machines, the presence and effectiveness of local exhaust ventilation system, chamber post-purge and cooling, and proper respirator use. Using the risk (R) and hazard (H) codes of the Globally Harmonized System alongside carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic classifications aid in categorizing health effect severity for OHRA. Conclusion: Further research is needed to apply our proposed variables in OHRA for MW in FAB facilities and subsequently validate the findings.