• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.401-407
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• 2005

Objectives : We wanted to investigate the relationship between heavy metal, especially lead and mercury, to the blood pressure and cholesterol level in children. Methods : This study was undertaken in three primary schools and the study subjects were a total of 274 children. The lead in the blood and the urine mercury were analyzed by performing atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results : All of participants' blood lead levels and urine mercury concentrations were below the suggested level of concern according to the criteria of the CDC and ATSDR. We found no significant correlation between lead, mercury and the blood pressure. The blood lead level did not show any relationship with the blood pressure and cholesterol. However, the urine mercury levels were associated with the serum cholesterol. Conclusion : Our study suggests that mercury can induce an increase of cholesterol as a risk factor of myocardial infraction and coronary/cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.323-335
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• 2010

Purpose: This study identified sociodemographic characteristics, health status, health care utilization and related factors of Asian immigrant women in Korea. Methods: Data were collected from 465 immigrant women from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and other Asian countries using standardized questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and $X^2$-test were performed utilizing SPSS version 17. A p-value <.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Subjects had relatively good subjective health. The most prevalent conditions were, in order, anemia, gastrointestinal diseases, gynecological diseases, and depression. Subjects utilized mostly hospitals or clinics when sick. There were significant relationships between health care utilization and factors including residence, time since immigration and economic status. The rate of non-treatment in hospitals or clinics was 30.1% during the previous year, with significant relationships between non-treatment and factors including time since immigration and economic status. The major reasons for non-treatment were the burden of hospital expenses followed by communication difficulty. Conclusion: Public health efforts should be targeted to Asian immigrant women to improve their health status and support health care utilization.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.354-355
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• 2002

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.201-209
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• 2011

Objectives: This study examined the use of health impact assessment (HIA) as a tool for intersectoral collaboration using the case of an HIA project conducted in Gwang Myeong City, Korea. Methods: A typical procedure for rapid HIA was used. In the screening step, the Aegi-Neung Waterside Park Plan was chosen as the target of the HIA. In the scoping step, the specific methods and tools to assess potential health impacts were chosen. A participatory workshop was held in the assessment step. Various interest groups, including the Department of Parks and Greenspace, the Department of Culture and Sports, the Department of Environment and Cleansing, civil societies, and residents, discussed previously reviewed literature on the potential health impacts of the Aegi-Neung Waterside Park Plan. Results: Potential health impacts and inequality issues were elicited from the workshop, and measures to maximize positive health impacts and minimize negative health impacts were recommended. The priorities among the recommendations were decided by voting. A report on the HIA was submitted to the Department of Parks and Greenspace for their consideration. Conclusions: Although this study examined only one case, it shows the potential usefulness of HIA as a tool for enhancing intersectoral collaboration. Some strategies to formally implement HIA are discussed.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.190-202
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was designed to determine visiting nurses' job performance and self confidence by career and number of visiting households. Methods: The subjects were 120 visiting nurses fully in charge of the visiting health care program working in 18 community health care centers, who were checked for 5 domains of visiting nurses' job, 39 tasks of job performance and self confidence. ANOVA test, Scheffe test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used for data analysis. Results: The level of job performance and self confidence indicated highest in understanding of the visiting health care program among 5 domains of visiting nurses' job. The level of job performance and self confidence indicated lowest in community resource connection. When nurses were classified by a career with approximately 5 years of working experience, nurses with a career of more than 5 years were highly significant. Job performance and self confidence were positively correlated. Conclusion: Based on the result of this study, it is recommended that the education program for newly hired nurses should be differentiated from that for visiting nurses with a career in order to improve quality of the visiting nursing program and capacity of residents' health care.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.265-281
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• 2022

Purpose: Adolescence is a developmental period characterized by the rapid growth of the musculoskeletal system, which is important for maintaining correct posture. Incorrect posture, lack of exercise, and reduced physical activity can cause spine deformities and affect lifelong health. This study was designed to evaluate the application and effect of a program for improving adolescents' musculoskeletal health. Methods: A quasi-experimental pilot study was conducted with 13 male and 20 female middle and high school students, with an average age of 15.39 years. Their general characteristics and physical measurements were obtained. The program consisted of group exercises (60 minutes, once per week), gait pattern monitoring, and online communication. A paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to examine the program's effect. Results: Overall posture habits improved, and the total musculoskeletal index decreased; however, these results were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The devised program was effective in improving musculoskeletal imbalance. Therefore, effective programs and health devices should be developed to help adolescents maintain correct posture and encourage and support continuous participation in such programs.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.491-498
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• 2017

Objective: Bacterial abundance and community compositions have been examined in Asian dust events, clarifying their impacts on public health. This study aims to determine the bacterial community compositions and viable bacteria in Asian dust particles in the Asian dust or non-Asian dust event of March 2016. Methods: The dust samples were collected using the high volume air sampler or high volume cascade impactor, and bacterial 16S rRNA genes were amplified using PCR, followed by pyrosequencing. Bacterial diversity index, richness estimate and community composition in the particles were analyzed from the sequencing data using Mothur software. Results: The results showed that the diversity and richness during Asian dust events were higher than them in non-Asian dust events. The total bacterial community analysis showed that at the phylum Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were the most dominant of Asian dust events and non-Asian dust events. In addition, the bacterial colony counts were higher during Asian dust event, comparing with non-Asian dust event. Conclusions: This study showed that bacterial community and richness of Asian dust samples was more complex and higher than non-Asian dust samples in Gyeonggi-do, Korea, which could affect public health and environment. Thus, the continuous monitoring of Asian dust could be an alternative for managing airborne bacteria.

• International Journal of Contents
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.17-24
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• 2017

Video games are an alternative channel for public health authorities constantly striving to reach target audiences and make positive changes. The objective of this research is to address effectiveness of health games as a health promotion technology for anti-smoking communication. This study tested the impact of advertising message types and voice-over relative to anti-smoking persuasion. By using commercial-level custom-made first person shooter (FPS) games, two experimental studies demonstrated usefulness of applying health games to change a player's attitude towards smoking. In particular, an interactive in-game message with a persuasive voice over was the most effective method to change targets' attitude towards smoking. Findings of our research offer meaningful insight on health promotion research and provide possible directions for future anti-smoking communication using health games.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.231-238
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• 2010

This study was evaluate the effects of community based nutrition education program offered to 3rd grade elementary school students. Students enrolled in intervention programs 4 times per class by nutrition teacher & public health center. The subjects were asked to 606 students fill out a questionnaire before and then after completion of community based nutrition education program. After completion of the community based nutrition education program, nutrition knowledge score increased from $5.07{\pm}1.65$ to $6.24{\pm}1.53$ (p<0.001), dietary attitude score increased from $16.79{\pm}2.70$ to $19.52{\pm}2.71$ (p<0.001), dietary behavior score increased from $4.79{\pm}1.23$ to $5.31{\pm}1.14$ (p<0.001). The changes in nutrition knowledge scores were positively correlated with dietary attitude and dietary behavior. Above results showed that community based nutrition education program was effective for the improvement of dietary habits of 3rd grade elementary school students. Therefore this study is suggested effective Community-Based Participatory Research public health program and this program can be used at school and at public health centers.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate the cumulative dental caries rate of pit and fissure sealant in community public health program from 2005 to 2008 follow-up. Methods: The subjects were 4,768 students of 34 elementary schools in Gimcheon. The survey included direct oral examination and cumulative retention rate of pit and fissure sealant from 2005 to 2008. Data were analyzed using PASW statistical package version 18.0 and the level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results: The cumulative retention rate of sealant was 18%, 25%, and 33% after 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years, respectively. In addition, the cumulative retention rate of lower teeth was higher than that of upper teeth. Cumulative dental caries rate increased in sealed group and no sealed group. The cumulative dental caries rate decreased owing to tooth brushing frequency in sealed group and no sealed group. Conclusions: Regular and timely tooth brushing can maintain good oral health condition after tooth sealing. The school based oral health education can prevent loss of sealant and secondary caries.