• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.4921-4927
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• 2016

Background: Cervical cancer is a major preventable cancers. The, current study aimed to assess relevant knowledge and attitude of female students and hospital staff in Iran. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Medical and Nursing faculties and hospitals of East-Azerbaijan Province of Iran. Participants were medical and paramedical female students and female staff in hospitals selected by stratified random sampling techniques. Tools for data collection were questionnaires for which validity and reliability had been verified (${\alpha}=0.8$). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data with SPSS.16. Result: Response rates were 71 % (426 from 600) and 63.5% (254 from 400) for students and staff, respectively. Some 29.1% admitted that they had no information about cervical cancer, only 70 (10.3%) thinking their knowledge as high, 360 (52.9%) as intermediate, and 237 (34.9%) as low. While 93% of participants considered cervical cancer as a severe health problem, the only statistically significant relationships with knowledge were for education (p<.001) and occupation (p<.001) variables. Conclusion: Given the importance of the roles of medical students and personnel as information sources and leaders in health and preventive behavior, increasing and improving their scientific understanding seems vital. Comprehensive and appropriate education of all people and especially students and personnel of medical sciences and improving attitudes towards cervical cancer and its monitoring are to be recommended.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.1034-1043
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• 2001

To determine the frequency of past and present obesity among patients with NIDDM and to identify the differences of body fat, blood pressure and C-peptide/glucose ratio according to obese diabetic patients (BMI$\geq$25 kg/$m^2$) and nonobese (BMI<25 kg/$m^2$). Also the final factor is to observe the anthrometric change patterns in the study. Method: The weight at 20 years-old, previous maximal body weight, and acute weight loss were queried. Current height, body weight, BMI, waist & hip circumferences, waist-hip ratio, skinfold thicknesses, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and fasting C-peptide were measured in one hundred sixty-seven NIDDM patients. The differences of the parameters ccording to obese and nonobese, and three anthropometric change patterns were analyzed. Result: Results were as follows: 1. 66.5 % of the NIDDM patients had a history of past obesity as assessed by their maximum weight, while only 33.2% of them were currently obese (p's < 0.001). 2. The waist & hip circumferences, skinfold thicknesses, systolic, diastolic & mean arterial blood pressure in obese patients were greater than those of nonobese patients (all p's < 0.001). 3. The waist and the hip circumferences, and skinfold thicknesses (subscapula & triceps) were highest among the obese-obese group. WHR and abdominal skinfold thickness in the obese-obese and obese-nonobese groups were higher than those in the nonobese- nonobese group. Systolic & diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures in the obese-obese group were higher than those of obese-nonobese and nonobese-nonobese groups(all p's < 0.005). 4. The abdominal and subscapular skinfold thicknesses in female diabetic patients were greater than those of male patients (all p's <0.0001). Conclusion: Although most Korean NIDDM patients were previously obese, many of them were not obese during the course of the study. Greater central and upper body adiposicity and higher blood pressure was shown in obese diabetic patients. Also, greater central and upper body adiposicity was demonstrated in female diabetic patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8473-8477
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• 2016

Background: High risk human papilloma virus (HPV) types 16 and 18 have been proven as central causes of cervical cancer and safety and immunogenicity of HPV vaccines are sufficiently established. Knowledge and practices of HPV vaccination among medical and paramedical students is vital as these may strongly determine intention to recommend vaccination to others in the future. The present study was therefore undertaken to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination among medical and paramedical students and to analyze factors influencing them. Materials and Methods: The present cross sectional study, conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital in south India, included undergraduate students aged 18 years and above, belonging to medical, dental and nursing streams, after informed written consent. Results: Out of 957 participants, only 430 (44.9%) displayed good knowledge and only 65 (6.8%) had received HPV vaccination. Among the unvaccinated, 433 (48.54%), were not willing to take the vaccine. Concerns regarding the efficacy (30.5%), safety (26.1%) and cost of the vaccine (21.7%) were responsible for this. Age, gender, family history of malignancy and mother's education had no influence on knowledge. Compared to medical students, nursing students had better knowledge (OR-1.49, 95% CI 0.96 to 2.3, p = 0.072) and students of dentistry had poor knowledge (OR-0.50 95% CI 0.36 to 0.70, p<0.001). Conclusions: The knowledge and uptake of HPV vaccination among medical and paramedical students in India is poor. Targeted health education interventions may have huge positive impact not only on the acceptance of vaccination among them, but also on their intention to recommend the vaccine in future.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.333-340
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• 2013

Background: The aim of the study was to identify the relationship between 'Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and the Pap Smear Test' subscale scores and demographic/gyneco-obstetric characteristics. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 256 women. Data were obtained using the 'Demographic and Gyneco-Obstetric Identification Form' and the 'Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and the Pap Smear Test. Results: The percentage of women who had heard about the Pap test was 77.7 whereas only 32.4% had actually undergone the test. Some 45.7% of the women stated that they did not know the reason for having a Pap test. Women who had obtained a Pap smear test had statistically significantly fewer perceived barriers than those who had never had (p<0.05). Scores with regard to the subscales including 'Benefits of Pap Smear Tests and Health Motivation', 'Perceived Seriousness of Cervical Cancer', 'Susceptibility to Cervical Cancer' and 'Cervical Cancer Health Motivation' did not differ with demographic/gyneco-obstetric characteristics such as womens' educational level, whether or not young age at first marriage, whether or not having family history of female cancer, and whether or not having had a Pap test (p>0.05). Conclusions: Increasing knowledge about benefits of Pap smear tests, increasing motivation to obtain Pap Smear Test and increasing perceived seriousness of cervical cancer could promote attendance at cervical cancer screening. Different strategies are needed for behavioural change. Implementation of educational programmes by nurses in a busy environment could result in a major clinical change, based on the findings of this study.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.232-236
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• 2005

Background: A physically active lifestyle and regular exercise training incurs many health benefits. One recently recognized benefit of regular moderate exercise is stress reduction and immune enhancement. Thus, a physical stress such as exercise may act at any number of points in the complex sequence of events collectively termed the immune response. Although exercise causes many propound changes in parameters of immune function, the nature and magnitude of such changes rely on several factors including the immune parameters of interest; type, intensity, and duration of exercise; fitness level or exercise history of the subject; environmental factors such as ambient temperature and humidity. Methods: This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of different type of exercise on superoxide dismutase (SOD), neutrophils, and T lymphocytes of Sprague-Dawley rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups; a non-Trained group (NTG, n=6), a swim-Trained group (STG), and a treadmill-Trained group (TTG). The exercise regimen was designed in a treadmill (5 times/5 days/week) during 8-weeks for TTG, and swim training (5 times/5 days/week) during 8-weeks for STG, and the volume of exercise training was the same in both groups. Results: 8 weeks of regular swim and treadmill training significantly increased liver SOD concentration however, muscle SOD concentration was not statistically significant. In the level of neutrophils, TTG and STG showed significant difference, compared to NTG. TTG was the highest level of neutrophils. In the level of immune cell counts, there was significant difference among TTG, STG, and NTG both in the spleen and thymus. Conculsion: In conclusion, it can be stated that eight weeks swim and treadmill exercise training has beneficial effect in improving immune response and antioxidant defence capacity by augmenting immune cells and SOD activities of SD rats.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.10
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• pp.95-104
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• 2017

The purpose of this convergence study is to understand the knowledge of cervical cancer and its prevention of cervical cancer in unmarried women. 216 women were collected through self-report questionnaires and analyzed by SPSS program. In result, human papilomavirus vaccination was performed in 33.9%, pap test was performed in 7.9%. The human papilomavirus vaccination and pap test group were 6.7% and human papilomavirus vaccination or pap test group were 28.5%. According to the cervical cancer prevention activities, several differences were detected in the family history of cervical cancer, subjective norms of cervical cancer prevention, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention. Therefore, it is important to increase susceptibility of the prevention of cervical cancer in unmarried women, and it is important for the health professionals to perform the most meaningful support system preventing cervical cancer in unmarried women. In addition, various policies should be actively promoted that unmarried women participate in the prevention of cervical cancer actively.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.300-306
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• 1990

Colorectal cancer is second only to lung cancer as a cause of death due to cancer in the united States. Studies have shown that fecal occult blood(FOB) tests are effective in detecting colorectal cancer in its early stages. To motivate worksite FOB testing, a randomized controlled trial was conducted. Employees 40 years or older from three federal agencies in Washington State were randomized to a control group(n＝139) which received a letter stating the availability of the FOB test at the worksite clinic or to an intervention group(n＝139) which received the letter about facts on colorectal cancer and a Colorectal Cancer Risk Appraisal. The Colorectal Cancer Risk Appraisal included a feedback on an individual's risk of developing colorectal cancer compared to his / her peers in terms of ‘normal’, ‘moderate’, or ‘high’ risk status. After 3 months, a follow-up questionnaire was sent to all participants to measure the effectiveness of the intervention. In the analysis of the three major outcomes, two possible confounding factors(dietary fat and family history of colorectal cancer) were controlled by logistic regression. Based on a review of the worksite clinic records, the Intervention group had 4.3% higher compliance rate with the FOB test during the follow-up period compared to the control group(p＝.10). The largest effect of the intervention was on the employees' intention to get a FOB test within the next year(62.6% in the intervention group vs. 36.2% in the control group, OR＝3.18, p＜.001). In the final Multivariate logistic model, the employees who were more likely to intend to get a FOB test within the next year were in the intervention group ; were at ‘moderate’ or ‘high’ risk of colorectal cancer ; knew more about the availability of the FOB test at the worksite clinic ; and had a FOB test during the last three years.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.117-130
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• 1993

There has been a rapid growth in Korea since 1962 because of the success of the 5-year Economic Plan. The number of industrial work and workers has also made had a rapid increase. Consequently, the management of occupational health for the purpose of promoting health in industrial workers is needed especially in the health examination program. The purpose of this study was to analyze the Knowledge, and Attitude among industrial workers of health examination programs. The target population was 402 industrial workers from 4 factories in Kangwon province. A survey was conducted to collect data by a self administered questionnaire from October 29 to November 5. A sixty four item questionnaire was designed to collect data concerning Knowledge, and Attitude of health examination of industrial workers. The data was analyzed by means of percentage, mean, T-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient. The major findings were as follows : 1. The respondents presented the following picture : The male population was 88%. 57% of respondents were age 25-34 years old. 69.4% of respondents were married. 73.4% of respondents were high school graduates. 80.8% of the respondents were working over 48 hours per week. The respondents with over 10 years on the job were 31.9% of the respondents. Health examination were given to the respondents as: pre-employment health examination 90.5%, general health examination 91.5%, and special health examination 31.5%. 2. The Knowledge level was different in health examination items. 80.5% of respondents had knowledge about hearing test, body weight, visually, chest X-ray like simple things. Below 50% of respondents had knowledge of urine test, liver function test, and career history. 3. Attitude status about health examination showed an average score 36.5(median 33) of satisfaction, 26.93(median 21) of importance, 13.84 (median 21) of content, 10.46(median 12 of reliability on health examination results. 4. The level of Attitude on health examination was significantly different than the Knowledge level. 5. The relationship among stated variables such as satisfaction, the perceptions of importance on health, health examination, the result and follow up after health examination were shown to reflect neither positively nor negatively on each other.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.3279-3286
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• 2014

Background: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in Korea. To reduce cancer incidence, the Korean National Cancer Center (KNCC) has been expanding its organized cancer screening program. In addition, there are opportunistic screening programs that can be chosen by individuals or their healthcare providers. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors associated with participation in organized and opportunistic cancer screening programs, with a particular focus on socioeconomic factors. Materials and Methods: We used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), a cross-sectional nationwide study conducted by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare from 2007 to 2011. The study included information from 9,708 men and 12,739 women aged 19 years or over. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted, adjusting for age, year of data collection, residential region, current smoking status, current alcohol consumption status, exercise, marriage status, job status, perceived health status, stress level, BMI, limitation of activities, cancer history, health insurance type, and private insurance status, to investigate the association between education level, economic status, and cancer screening participation. Results: In terms of education level, disparities in attendance were observed only for the opportunistic screening program. In contrast, there was no association between education level and participation in organized screening. In terms of economic status, disparities in opportunistic screening participation were observed at all income levels, but disparities in organized screening participation were observed only at the highest income level. Conclusions: Our findings reveal that socioeconomic factors, including educational level and economic status, were not significantly associated with participation in organized cancer screening, except at the highest level of income.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2045-2049
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• 2014

Background: Functional status is the ability to perform daily activities. Little is known about quality of life and health status of gynaecological cancer patients. The present study therefore aimed to evaluate the functional status of women receiving treatment for gynecological oncological disease while not hospitalised. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study covered 42 patients monitored by the Gynecological Oncology Unit in 2011. Data were collected using the Functional Living Index-Cancer and analysed with the chi square test, independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, one-way ANOVA test and the Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results: Of the 42 cases, 66.7% had been diagnosed within the previous year and 90.5% were undergoing chemotherapy. The most severe symptoms experienced were pain (35.7%), fatigue-weakness (40.5%) and nausea and vomiting (56.5%). Daily activities where the most difficulty was experienced were housework (28.6%), average pace walking (31.0%), carrying more than 5 kg (28.6%). The mean Functional Living Index score was quite high ($103.5{\pm}24.1$). FLIC-C scale scores did not vary with the educational status, diagnosis duration, and family history of cancer (p>0.05). Conclusions: Evaluation of the functional status of gynecological cancer patients and how they cope with problems should indicate to healthcare professionals what help can be given to maintain quality of life.