• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.11-22
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• 1975

Suicides have been considered to be one of the grave problems of modern societies. According to recent police statistics of Republic of Korea, 28.6 suicides in every 100, 000 were reported. Psychiatric Patients are believed to be predisposed to suicidal tendencies. This study was performed to investigate the characteristics of suicidal attempts and to analyse the environmental factors involved in the suicidal accidents of patients admitted to psychiatric hospitals. Records of 66 suicidal accidents from three psychiatric hospitals during the period of January 1971 through June 1971 were sampled. Data were analysed by percentile score. Results are as follows; 1. The age group of 21~30yrs. was revealed to be the highest in frequency of suicidal attempts (50.0%) Among the unsuccessful suicides; the age group of 31~40yrs. in men and the age group of 21~30 yrs. in women revealed to be the highest in frequency-Among the unsuccessful suicides; the age group of 21-30 yrs. in both sex revealed to be the highest in frequency. 2. Suicidal accidents occurred more frequently to the unmarried(63.6%)- Among the successful suicides; higher frequency was shown to unmarried in men and the frequency is contrasted in women. Among the unsuccessful; the unmarried in both sex were revealed to be highest in frequency. 3. Schizophrenia was revealed the highest of suicidal attempts in frequency (81.8%). 4, Suicides were most frequently attempted in the spring(46, 9%). Among the successful suicides; highest frequencies were shown in men in tile winter and in women in the summer season. Among the unsuccessful suicides :highest frequencies were shown in men in the winter and in women in the spring. 5. Suicidal attempts were most frequently occurred in hospital wards (40.9%), In women, unsuccessful attempts were found to be the highest on authorized leave at their homes. 6. The hanging was revealed to be the most frequently adopted methods for suicidal attempts (31.8%). Among the successful suicides; hanging was the most frequent method adopted in men white in women the drug over-dose, Among the unsuccessful suicides ; stabbing by sharp devices while in women drug-overdosage was adopted as well 7. The most frequently adopted instrument of different suicidal attempts were: house-hold wrapper (26.3%) in cases of hanging, knives (31.8%) in cases of stabbing, and drugs. 8. The suicidal attempts have occurred most frequently at dawn through early morning (2-6A. M.) (34.8%). Among the successful suicides i most frequent time of occurrence on week-days were revealed to be dawn, while on holidays the occurrence were in the evening as well Among the unsuccessful; the most frequent time of occurrence was the day hours while on holidays at dawn. 9. Suicidal attempts within the hospital ward were first noticed by nurses most frequently (42.2%). 10. Manifestations such as restlessness, depression, self-depreciation were revealed to be the most frequent pre-suicidal attempt behavior characteristics. 11. Among the successful suicides ; manifestations of physical damage were found on the neck while among unsuccessful attempts, the damages were found on exterminates.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.114-122
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of Music Therapy for the autistic children. Method: The subjects of this study consisted of 3 autistic children who were trained in an Attachment Promotion Therapy Program for 6 months. The Children were all males and 4years 9months, 3years 1 month, and 3years 8month each, and diagnosed with Autism by Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists. Data was collected by using video-taping methods(ADOS, Fagot's Interactive Behavior Code), an interview and observational methods(SMS). Music Therapy intervention was done once a week for 6 months. Data was gathered by quantitative and qualitative analysis. Result: This study showed that the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale and Social Maturity Quotient(SQ) much improved after the Music Therapy After the Music Therapy, the Interactive Behavior Code : Gaze, Gesture for the communication, Verbal language, Laughing/Smile, and Normal play behaviors increased more than before the intervention. As the results show, the child's behavior became more positively responsive, playful, and attentive to others. Conclusion: This study suggests that Music Therapy might be an effective intervention for autistic disorder children in order to decrease autistic symptoms and increase joint attention behavior.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.253-276
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• 2014

The purpose of the present study was to examine psychometric properties of the BSI-18 in Korean adults with mental disorders. This study examined internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and a factor structure of the BSI. The sample consisted of 180 adults with mental disorders, who enrolled in mental hospitals and in a day hospital. Data was analysed using reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis. Major findings were as follows. The Korean version of the BSI showed good internal consistency and test-retest reliability, as well as excellent convergent validity. The original three-factor structure of the BSI-18, proposed by Derogatis, 2001, fitted to the data. These findings indicate that the BSI-18 is a reliable and valid measure as a psychiatric assessment tool and a treatment outcome measure.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.16-37
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• 1990

A cost analysis for hospitalized patients was carried out based upon Patient Classification System(PCS) in order to determine an appropriate nursing fee. The data were collected from 21 nursing units of three teaching hospitals from April 1 to June 30, 1989. first, all of the 22,056 inpatients were classified into mildly ill(Class Ⅰ), moderately ill(Class Ⅱ), acutely ill(Class Ⅲ), and critically ill(Class Ⅳ) by the PCS which had been carefully developed to be suitable for the Korean nursing units. Second. PCS cost accounting was applied to the above data. The distribution of inpatients, nursing costs, and nursing productivity were as follows : 1) Patient distribution ranged from 45% to class Ⅰ, 36% to class Ⅱ, 15% to class Ⅲ, and 4% to class Ⅳ, the proportion of class Ⅳ in ‘H’ Hospital was greater than that of the other two hospitals. 2) The proportion of Class Ⅲ and Ⅳ in the medical nursing units was greater than that of surgical nursing units. 3) The number of inpatients was greatest on Tuesdays, and least on Sundays. 4) The average nursing cost per hour was W 3,164 for ‘S’ hospital, W 3,511 for ‘H’ hospital and W 4,824 for ‘K’ hospital. The average nursing cost per patient per day was W 14,126 for ‘S’ Hospital, W 15,842 for ‘H’ hospital and W 21,525 for ‘K’ hospital. 5) The average nursing cost calculated by the PCS was W 13,232 for class Ⅰ, W 18,478 for class Ⅱ, W 23,000 for class Ⅲ, and W 25,469 for class Ⅳ. 6) The average nursing cost for the medical and surgical nursing units was W 13,180 and W 13,303 respetively for class Ⅰ, W 18,248 and W 18,707 for class Ⅱ, W 22,303 and W 23,696 for class Ⅲ, and W 24,331 and W 26,606 for class Ⅳ. 7) The nursing costs were composed of 85% for wages and fringe benefits, 3% for material supplies and 12% for overhead. The proportion of wages and fringe benefits among the three Hospitals ranged from 75%, 92% and 98% for the ‘S’, ‘H’, ‘K’ hospitals respectively These findings explain why the average nursing cost of ‘K’ hospital was higher than the others. 8) According to a multi- regression analysis, wages and fringe benefits, material supplies, and overhead had an equal influence on determining the nursing cost while the nursing hours had less influence. 9) The productivity of the medical nursing units were higher than the surgical nursing units, productivity of the D(TS) - nursing units was the lowest while the K(Med) - nursing unit was the highest in 'S' hospital. In ‘H’ hospital, productivity was related to the number of inpatients rather than to the characteristics of the nursing units. The ‘K’ hospital showed the same trend as ‘S’ hospital, that the productivity of the medical nursing unit was higher than the surgical nursing unit. The productivity of ‘S’ hospital was evaluated the highest followed by ‘H’ hospital and ‘K’ hospital. Future research on nursing costs should be extended to the other special nursing areas such as pediatric and psychiatric nursing units, and to ICU or operating rooms. Further, the PCS tool should be carefully evaluated for its appropriateness to all levels of institutions(primary, secondary, tertiary). This study took account only of the quantity of nursing services when developing the PCS tool for evaluating the productivity of nursing units. Future research should also consider the quality of nursing services including the appropriateness of nursing activities.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.881-892
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• 1998

This study attempts to identify attitudes of community leaders toward mental illness in order to obtain useful information concerning the planning of community mental health services. The community sample consists of 50 community leaders including, civil servants, doctors, herb doctors, school nurses, counselors, village leaders, pharmacists, and pastors. Individuals were asked to give demographic data, their personal attitudes toward mental illness' etiology & prognosis, and toward neighbors who are psychiatric patients. The interview with open questions was used to collect data. According to the study community leaders 82% believed that mental illness could be treated, 66% believed that mental illness was caused by genetic factors and environmental stress, and 76% had negative impressions about mentally ill people such as fear, seclusion, asylum, also crime. Only 28% of mentally ill people were accepted as neighbors in community. 52% of community leaders rejected opening of mental hospital, and thought that the Chunchon community needed facilities such as group homes, or day care centers (30%), however, 34% of the leaders they didn't recognize community mental health. These findings suggest that mental health professionals need to pay special attention to change the attitude of Chunchon community leaders and mental health institutions need to a develop mental health education program for community leaders.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2015

Purpose: To evaluate clinical and laboratory profile of Wilson's disease (WD) in children. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital. Bangladesh, over a period of 3 years. One hundred consecutive children of WD between 3 to 18 years of age were evaluated. Results: Mean age was $8.5{\pm}1.5years$. Male female ratio was 2:1. Ninety-one percent of patients were Muslim and 9% Hindu. A total of 53% cases of hepatic WD presented between 5 to 10 years of age and most of the neurologic WD manifested in 10-15 years age group. Sixty-nine children presented only with hepatic manifestations, 6 only with neurological manifestations, 14 with both hepatic and neurological manifestation, 10 children was asymptomatic and 1 patient presented with psychiatric features. WD presented as chronic liver disease (CLD) in 42%, CLD with portal hypertension in 34%, acute hepatitis in 20% and fulminant hepatic failure in 4% cases. Stigmata of CLD were found in 18% patients. Keiser-Fleischser ring was found in 76% total patients. Elevated serum transaminase was found in 85% cases, prolonged prothrombin time in 59% cases and hypoalbuminaemia in 53% cases. A total of 73% patients had low serum ceruloplasmin, basal urinary copper of >$100{\mu}g/day$ was found in 81% cases and urinary copper following penicillamine challenge of >$1,200{\mu}g/day$ was found in 92% cases. Conclusion: Majority of studied WD children presented with hepatic manifestation of which 76% presented with CLD. Any child presented with jaundice after the age of 3 years should be investigated for WD.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.82-94
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• 2006

Objectives : In order to explore effects of board-game therapy for cognitive rehabilitation in patients with schizophrenia, we investigated the change of executive cognitive function over a 2-month period of board-game therapy in patients with schizophrenia. Methods : Two groups of chronic schizophrenic inpatients were participated in this study. One group(n=21) were treated with board-game therapy for 2 months and the other control group(n=19) were not treated. For the evaluation of the executive cognitive function, a Wisconsin Card Sorting Test(WCST) was administered before and after the introduction of the board-game therapy. PANSS score change was also evaluated. Result : At the beginning of this study, there was no significant difference in performance of cognitive function tests, demographical data or clinical severity between both patient groups. After 2 months of treatment with the board-game therapy, the board-game therapy group showed significant improvements of executive cognitive function without any significant change of their schizophrenic symptoms. On the contrary, there was no change in control group. Conclusion : This study showed that a board-game therapy is effective for the enhancement of executive cognitive function in patients with chronic schizophrenia. A board-game therapy could be introduced with ease into psychiatric fields, such as inpatients' or outpatients' clinic wards and day hospital. Our result indicates that the board-game therapy is a promising tool for the enhancement of cognitive function, especially executive cognitive function and helpful for cognitive rehabilitation for schizophrenic patients.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.400-411
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• 2002

This study was performed to identify the drug use and reuse relating characteristics and reuse relating factors in illegal drug users. Subjects consisted of 88 illegal drug users. Some of them were confined in a mental hospital or National Forensic Psychiatric Hospital located in Chung-nam province, others on attending a drug abuse prevention program in Seoul Probational Institute. Data were collected during the period from February 1, 2002 to February 25, 2002, and analyzed by SAS program. version 6.12. for Wilcoxon rank sum test, Pearson Correlation, Multiple regression. Results were as follows; 1. Drug use characteristics were as follows. $19.3\%$ was has drug family history and $20.7\%$ was has alcohol family history. Main drug was Phillopon$44.3\%$, inhalants $35.2\%$, LSD et al $22.7\%$. Drug use rate of months was everyday $31.2\%$, every other day $24.4\%$. 2. $100\%$ has experienced abstinence and reuse. Abstinence period was less than 12 months in $49.4\%$ and reuse period was less than 6 months in $58.6\%$. 3. Drug use and reuse characteristics related to general characteristics was identified as below. Abstinence period of male was longer than that of female. Person who have drug family history experienced more drugs and person who have family alcohol history started earlier. 4. Reuse periods was correlated with abstinence periods, age. And abstinence period was correlated with age and outcome that following reuse. 5. The multiple regression was used to identify the relating factors that influence reuse period and abstinence period. At the state of controlling abstinence period. inhalants users have 10.07 days shorter reuse period than others. And abstinence period had lengthened age, bad health status, early initiate age, and long reuse period.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.165-177
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• 1993

The relationship between the plasma haloperidol (HP) concentration and clinical response, and the effects of its active metabolite, reduced haloperidol (RH) on clinical response of HP were investigated in schizophrenic patients. In clinical study I, with 17 schizophrenic patients (male 8, fermale 9) who were administered with three different fixed doses of HP (15, 30 and 50 mg/day) for 3 weeks, the concentrations of HP and RH in plasma and blood and clinical response had been checked before and every week during the study. The clinical response was evaluated by the method of brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS), and relative improvement of clinical response based on baseline BPRS (before drug treatment) was calculated. The concentrations of HP and RH in plasma and blood were assayed by HPLC. In clinical study II, the plasma RH/HP concentration ratios were checked in 11 patients who were administered with high doses of HP, over 60 mg a day, because of the poor clinical response at usual doses of HP. Plasma HP concentration and relative improvement of BPRS at 3 week in schizophrenic patients showed a 'curvilinear' relationship, and the clinical response was improved relatively over 50% based on the baseline BPRS in the range of $5{\sim}57\;ng/ml $ of HP in plasma. Also, the plasma RH concentrations were increased nonlinearly as the plasma HP concentration increased, and in high plasma HP concentration, over 30 ng/mI, clinical response gradually decreased, while the plasma RH/HP concentration ratio increased nonlinearly. Blood partition coefficients of HP and RH were not changed according to daily HP dose and duration of drug therapy. From these results, it is noted that the higher plasma RH/HP concentration ratio, resulted from the accumulation of RH as HP concentration increased, might explain the 'curvilinear' decrease of HP clinical response.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2011

Objective: Hyperprolactinemia is common side effect associated with antipsychotics use. Nevertheless, hyperprolactinemia is relatively neglected by clinician. Especially, there is no study related to amisulprideinduced hyperprolactinemia in korea. This study aimed to determine whether amisulpride can be induced hyperprolactinemia in Korean psychiatric patients. Methods: This study methodology consisted of a retrospective review of medical charts and prolactin levels. Serum prolactin levels were measured in 24 Korean patients(12 males and 12 females) with psychosis who were treated over 400mg of amisulpride per day. Results: All patients had hyperprolactinemia. Prolactin levels significantly increased after receiving amisulpride(z=-3.702, p=0.000). The prolactin level was significantly higher in females($156.29{\pm}63.75$ng/mL) than in males($69.04{\pm}39.91$ng/mL) after administering amisulpride(p=0.000). There was a correlation between dosage and prolactin levels(r=0.61, p=0.002). However, there was no correlation between duration of treatment and prolactin levels. Conclusions: Antipsychotics, especially amisulpride can increase serum prolactin levels and may results in short and long term side effects. Routine clinical assessment of initial and additional prolactin level and associated symptoms should be done