• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.11-23
• /
• 2023

Purpose : This study investigates the experiences of patients in intensive care units (ICUs), and the factors influencing these experiences. Method : We used a cross-sectional survey design to analyze previously collected cohort data from 891 patients who spent over 24 hours in 19 ICUs across four university hospitals in Busan, South Korea between June 2019 and July 2020. Within a week of ICU discharge, participants completed the Korean version of the Intensive Care Experience Questionnaire, covering four areas: "awareness of surroundings," "frightening experiences," "satisfaction with care," and "recall of experiences." We used multiple linear regression to identify factors associated with the ICU experience. Results : Low income (𝛽 = -.08, p = .016), unplanned hospitalization (𝛽 = -.09, p = .006), sedation (𝛽 = -.16, p < .001), and delirium (𝛽 = -.15, p < .001) reduce patients' awareness of their surroundings. Frightening experiences are associated with being female (𝛽 = -.07, p = .027), experiencing delirium(𝛽= -.15, p<.001), and longer stays in the ICU (𝛽= -.14, p <.001). Using sedatives decreases satisfaction with care (𝛽 = -.08, p = .048). Living alone (𝛽 = -.08, p = .013) and using painkillers (𝛽 = -.08, p = .020) reduces recall of experiences. Conclusion : Negative ICU experiences are significantly associated with being female, living alone, lower income, unplanned admission, using sedatives and painkillers, delirium, and longer stays in the ICU. Thus, improving ICU experiences requires interventions that address modifiable factors, such as delirium, medication, and length of ICU stays.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
• /
• v.14 no.1_spc
• /
• pp.153-166
• /
• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate middle school student's self-directed learning(SDL) using a hierarchical linear modeling. By considering variances of SDL at individual and school level, the student's SDL was explained in terms of school quality as well as individual efforts. For the HLM analysis, participation in private tutoring, teacher's support for SDL, caring students' individual needs, and participation in extra curriculum activities were explored at individual level. At school level, school SES, quality of national curriculum implementation, and parental support for school were utilized. The results of analysis showed that more than 95% of variance of SDL was explained by variables at individual level. Among the variables at individual level, private tutoring was not a significant variable explaining the SDL. Based upon the results, multiple regression analyses by background variables were also conducted. By interpreting the results of analyses, the impact of school quality and individual efforts on the SDL was discussed.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.17 no.5
• /
• pp.969-983
• /
• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We investigated the association of plant and animal protein intake with grip strength in Koreans aged ≥ 50 yrs. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The data was collected from 3,610 men and 4,691 women (≥ 50 yrs) from the 2016-2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We calculated the total energy intake, and the intake of animal and plant protein and collected dietary data using 1-day 24-h dietary recalls. Low grip strength (LGS) was defined as the lowest quintile (men: up to 26.8 kg, women: up to 15.7 kg). The association of protein intake with grip strength was examined using Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The results proved that participants with LGS had lower daily energy, protein and fat intake, and percent energy from protein than those with normal or high grip strength (P < 0.0001). Total energy intake, animal protein, and plant protein were positively associated with grip strength. A higher intake of total plant protein (P for trend = 0.004 for men, 0.05 for women) and legumes, nuts, and seeds (LNS) protein (P for trend = 0.01 for men, 0.02 for women) was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of LGS. However, non-LNS plant protein intake was not associated with LGS (P for trend = 0.10 for men, 0.15 for women). In women, a higher total animal protein intake was significantly associated with decreased LGS (P for trend = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Higher total plant protein and LNS protein intake are negatively associated with LGS.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.49-60
• /
• 2024

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had significant physical and psychological impacts on registered nurses (RNs). This study aimed to identify long COVID symptoms and their associated factors specifically among RNs. Methods: This descriptive correlational study's sample comprised 189 nurses (31.57±5.98 years, 93.7% female) in Korea. Self-reported long COVID symptoms were assessed using the COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale. Data were collected from December 31, 2022, to January 13, 2023, using the online survey method and were analyzed using independent t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and a multiple linear regression analysis with the IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0 program. Results: A total of 179 participants (94.7%) experienced one or more long COVID symptoms. The most prevalent symptoms were weakness (77.8%), fatigue (68.3%), breathlessness (67.7%), cough/throat sensitivity/voice change (50.3%), and sleep problems (50.3%). The factors related to long COVID symptoms were marital status, type of institution, working time, acute COVID-19 symptoms, and vaccination status. The quarantine period (β=.26, p<.001) and the nursing workforce after COVID-19 (β=-.17, p=.018) were significantly associated with long COVID symptoms (Adjusted R² =.33). Conclusion: Providing comprehensive recognition is necessary for the understanding of long COVID symptoms and their associated factors among nurses and could promote a long COVID symptom management education program targeted at nurses. Moreover, it could facilitate effective nursing care and education plans for long COVID patients.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.9-16
• /
• 2024

Objectives: The demand for dental care is expected to increase as the population ages. This study aimed to predict the utilization of dental implant care following the expansion of national health insurance benefits for dental implants. Methods: Multiple linear regression analysis was performed on HIRA big data open portal data and DNN-based artificial intelligence models to forecast the utilization of dental care in relation to the national health insurance coverage for dental implants. Results: National health insurance coverage of dental implants was found to be associated with the number of patients using dental implant services and demonstrated a statistical significance. The dental implant services utilization increased with the increased dental implant health insurance benefits for the elderly population, increased mean by region, increased number of dental institutions by region, and increased health insurance coverage rate for dental implants. However, the dental implant services utilization decreased with the increased number of older people living alone and increased size of dental institutions. Conclusions: With the expansion of the national health insurance coverage for dental implants, it is predicted that the utilization of dental implant medical services will increase in the future.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.79-86
• /
• 2024

This study was to conducted on the general public living in the Busan area to determine their knowledge and awareness of radiation. A questionnaire written in Google Form was distributed, and 193 questionnaires were analyzed. Independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA were conducted to verify differences in variables according to the characteristics of the study subjects. Correlation analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between variables. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to confirm the correlation between variables. As a result of the study, firstly, The knowledge and awareness of radiation and confidence level of radiological information were found to be high among men and unmarried group. Second, as a result of analysis according to occupation, it was found that students had a positive perception of radiation. Third, the Internet and TV are the most commonly used channels for obtaining information about radiation. Lastly, the thing that has the greatest impact on the awareness of radiation is the reliability of the obtained radiation information. In order to relieve excessive anxiety about radiation and to gain a proper understanding of radiation, the reliability of information about radiation is important. Therefore, it is believed that active efforts are needed to provide accurate information about radiation by utilizing media that are widely used by citizens.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.121-129
• /
• 2024

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HCBs) are caused by the rapid proliferation of cyanobacteria and are believed to be exacerbated by climate change. However, the extent to which HCBs will be stimulated in the future due to increased temperature remains uncertain. This study aims to predict the future occurrence of cyanobacteria in the Nakdong River, which has the highest incidence of HCBs in South Korea, based on temperature rise scenarios. Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) were used as the basis for these scenarios. Data-driven model simulations were conducted, and out of the four machine learning techniques tested (multiple linear regression, support vector regressor, decision tree, and random forest), the random forest model was selected for its relatively high prediction accuracy. The random forest model was used to predict the occurrence of cyanobacteria. The results of boxplot and time-series analyses showed that under the worst-case scenario (RCP8.5 (2100)), where temperature increases significantly, cyanobacterial abundance across all study areas was greatly stimulated. The study also found that the frequencies of HCB occurrences exceeding certain thresholds (100,000 and 1,000,000 cells/mL) increased under both the best-case scenario (RCP2.6 (2050)) and worst-case scenario (RCP8.5 (2100)). These findings suggest that the frequency of HCB occurrences surpassing a certain threshold level can serve as a useful diagnostic indicator of vulnerability to temperature increases caused by climate change. Additionally, this study highlights that water bodies currently susceptible to HCBs are likely to become even more vulnerable with climate change compared to those that are currently less susceptible.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.23-32
• /
• 2023

Purposes: Caregivers are placed in a poor working environment because there is no special legal basis or definition in the current medical system, and they have difficulty in supplying manpower due to frequent job change and retirement. Therefore, this study aimed to find out the effect on job consciousness, job stress, job satisfaction, and turnover intention of caregivers in nursing hospitals for the elderly. Methodology: In this study, a survey was conducted from May 2nd to 16th, 2022, targeting caregivers with more than 6 months of work experience working at 10 nursing hospitals in D City. Data were collected through convenience sampling, and a self-administered questionnaire method was used, in which subjects filled out a questionnaire. A total of 240 questionnaires were distributed, and 220 copies were considered for the final analysis after excluding non-response or inappropriate questionnaires for data use. Data analysis used t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression analysis, and the main results are as follows. Findings: Job stress and job satisfaction showed a significant correlation with the level of turnover intention, and were also found to be major determinants. On the other hand, among the occupational characteristics of the study subjects, employment type, job motivation, service period, number of patients, injury experience, and license status showed a significant difference from turnover intention. Conclusion: As a result of the above research, in order to prevent job turnover and retirement by improving job stress and job satisfaction of caregivers engaged in nursing hospitals, it is necessary not only to legalize caregivers, but also to secure an appropriate level of caregivers for nursing hospitals and improve specific treatment for caregivers. Ultimately, a policy alternative that can provide quality nursing service is required.

• Atmosphere
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.177-185
• /
• 2024

As increasing global interest in renewable energy due to the ongoing climate crisis, there is a growing need for efficient technologies to manage such resources. This study focuses on the predictive skill of daily solar power generation using weather observation and forecast data. Meteorological data from the Korea Meteorological Administration and solar power generation data from the Korea Power Exchange were utilized for the period from January 2017 to May 2023, considering both inland (Daejeon) and coastal (Busan) regions. Temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, and precipitation were selected as relevant meteorological variables for solar power prediction. All data was preprocessed by removing their systematic components to use only their residuals and the residual of solar data were further processed with weighted adjustments for homoscedasticity. Four models, MLR (Multiple Linear Regression), RF (Random Forest), DNN (Deep Neural Network), and RNN (Recurrent Neural Network), were employed for solar power prediction and their performances were evaluated based on predicted values utilizing observed meteorological data (used as a reference), 1-day-ahead forecast data (referred to as fore1), and 2-day-ahead forecast data (fore2). DNN-based prediction model exhibits superior performance in both regions, with RNN performing the least effectively. However, MLR and RF demonstrate competitive performance comparable to DNN. The disparities in the performance of the four different models are less pronounced than anticipated, underscoring the pivotal role of fitting models using residuals. This emphasizes that the utilized preprocessing approach, specifically leveraging residuals, is poised to play a crucial role in the future of solar power generation forecasting.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.57 no.2
• /
• pp.138-147
• /
• 2024

Objectives: Fine particulate matter pollution has emerged as a significant life-threatening issue in Thailand. Recognizing the importance of environmental health literacy (EHL) in disease prevention is crucial for protecting public health. This study investigated EHL levels and aimed to identify associated factors among village health volunteers (VHVs) in the upper northern region of Thailand. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data from 710 VHVs using the EHL assessment tool developed by the Department of Health, Thailand. Results: The overall EHL score was moderate (mean, 3.28 out of a possible 5.0), with the highest and lowest domain-specific mean score for the ability to make decisions (3.52) and the ability to access (3.03). Multiple linear regression revealed that the factors associated with EHL score were area of residence (urban areas in Chiang Mai: B=0.254; urban areas in Lampang: B=0.274; and rural areas in Lampang: B=0.250 compared to rural areas in Chiang Mai), higher education levels (senior high school: B=0.212; diploma/high vocational certificate: B=0.350; bachelor's degree or above: B=0.528 compared to elementary school or lower), having annual health checkups compared to not having annual health check-ups (B=0.142), monthly family income (B=0.004), and individuals frequently facing air pollution issues around their residence (B=0.199) compared to those who reported no such issues. Conclusions: The VHVs exhibited moderate EHL associated with residence area, education, health check-ups, family income, and residential air pollution. Considering these factors is vital for enhancing VHVs' EHL through strategic interventions.