• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.449-457
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• 2015

Objectives: In Korea, the system of management of medical waste largely relies on the incineration method. Our study aimed to identify any regional imbalances between the generation and treatment of medical waste, and provide reference data for future policy in Korea. Methods: We analyzed data on the amount of medical waste from 2,000 hospitals in 2012, 2013, and 2014 obtained from the Korea Environment Corporation. In the Arc GIS program (version 10.2.3), the addresses of hospitals and incinerators were transformed into map coordinates. The amount of waste generated by each hospital and the amount incinerated were represented by density and size of a triangle symbol, respectively. Results: As of 2014, the total amount of medical waste from the top 2,000 hospitals was 136,073 tons, out of which about half (49%) was generated in the capital area. Eleven incineration companies (three in the capital area, two in the Chungcheong Provinces area, one in the Jeolla Provinces area, and five in the Gyeongsang Provinces area) treated this waste. For the years 2012, 2013, and 2014, about 60% of the medical waste generated from the hospitals in the capital area was treated within the capital area and about 40% was transported to other areas, especially the Gyeongsang Provinces area, for treatment. On the other hand, about 90% of the medical waste incinerated in the capital area originated from the capital area. Conclusion: Our results suggest a spatial imbalance between the generation and treatment of medical waste in Korea and warrants multilateral policies, including the expansion of on-site treatment, strengthening regulation of the containment of medical wastes, promoting reductions in medical waste and more.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2015.08a
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• pp.64-64
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• 2015

Control of plasma processing methodologies can only occur by obtaining a thorough understanding of the physical and chemical properties of plasmas. However, all plasma processes are currently used in the industry with an incomplete understanding of the coupled chemical and physical properties of the plasma involved. Thus, they are often 'non-predictive' and hence it is not possible to alter the manufacturing process without the risk of considerable product loss. Only a more comprehensive understanding of such processes will allow models of such plasmas to be constructed that in turn can be used to design the next generation of plasma reactors. Developing such models and gaining a detailed understanding of the physical and chemical mechanisms within plasma systems is intricately linked to our knowledge of the key interactions within the plasma and thus the status of the database for characterizing electron, ion and photon interactions with those atomic and molecular species within the plasma and knowledge of both the cross-sections and reaction rates for such collisions, both in the gaseous phase and on the surfaces of the plasma reactor. The compilation of databases required for understanding most plasmas remains inadequate. The spectroscopic database required for monitoring both technological and fusion plasmas and thence deriving fundamental quantities such as chemical composition, neutral, electron and ion temperatures is incomplete with several gaps in our knowledge of many molecular spectra, particularly for radicals and excited (vibrational and electronic) species. However, the compilation of fundamental atomic and molecular data required for such plasma databases is rarely a coherent, planned research program, instead it is a parasitic process. The plasma community is a rapacious user of atomic and molecular data but is increasingly faced with a deficit of data necessary to both interpret observations and build models that can be used to develop the next-generation plasma tools that will continue the scientific and technological progress of the late 20th and early 21st century. It is therefore necessary to both compile and curate the A&M data we do have and thence identify missing data needed by the plasma community (and other user communities). Such data may then be acquired using a mixture of benchmarking experiments and theoretical formalisms. However, equally important is the need for the scientific/technological community to recognize the need to support the value of such databases and the underlying fundamental A&M that populates them. This must be conveyed to funders who are currently attracted to more apparent high-profile projects.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.808-819
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to examine the stressors and coping strategies of school -age children and to explore the relationship between stressful life events and health symptoms and the effects of coping and trait anxiety which is theoretically considered to mediate the relationship between stress and health symptom. The study subjects consisted of 639 elementary school children in the fourth to sixth grade living in Seoul. Of the 639 subjects, 348 were boys and 291 were girls. The mean age was 11.35 (SD=.86). The Feel Bad Scale(FBS), Schoolager's Coping Strategy Inventory(SCSI), Spielberger's Trait Anxiety Scale for Children(STAIC), and Health Symptom Questionnaire (HSQ) were adapted for this study. A pilot study was undertaken to ascertain the reliability and validity of the instruments. The Cronbach alphas of FBS, SCSI, STAIC and HSQ were from .81 to .92. The Researcher and a research assistant visited the school and data were collected in the class using the questionnaire method after an explanation of the purpose and procedures was given to the children. Data collection was done during the period between Nov.25 to Dec.19, 1995. Using the SAS statistical program, percentages, t-test, ANOVA, correlation analysis, and multiple regression were used for data analysis. The result are as follows : 1. The mean score for the FBS was 204.79(range : 48-472) and there was a significant difference according to grade. The most severe stressors perceived by children were parental divorce and death or illness of family members. The most frequently experienced stressful life events were conflict with siblings and being home alone. 2. The mean score for the SCSI was 57.36(range : 9-118) and there was a significant difference according to grade. The most frequently used, and perceived as helpful, coping strategies were distraction and cognitive activities. 3. The mean score for the HSQ were 20.7(range : 0-81) and there were significant differences according to grade and sex. The percentage of the children answering that they perceived their health state as not good was 3.9%. 4. The mean score for the STAIC was 33.76 and there were significant differences according to grade and sex. 5. There was a significant relationship between stressful life events and health symptoms ( r=.53, p<.01). Also, Stressful life events were postively related with coping strategies(r=.39, p<.01). Trait anxiety was highly correlated with health symptoms(r=.72, p<.01). 6. To examine the multivariate effects of the variables to health symptoms, multiple regression was performed. Stressful life events, coping, trait anxiety, and health concerns were identified as significant variables. Explanation of the health symptoms by these variables was 56.78%. The study revealed that stressful life events correlated with health symptoms in school-age children and coping and trait anxiety had mediating effects on this relationship. The implication for nursing is that there is a need to develop supportive interventions for high risk population to decrease health problems due to stress. Also, it is recommended that a study be conducted to explore protective factors for the prevention of health problems in children.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the health status, nutritional status, and nutrient intakes of Korean female elderly who are members of a local church in Seoul, Korea. Methods: The subjects were 59 female who are aged >65 yr. We investigated the nutritional status of the subjects using anthropometric and biochemical measurements. Interview was conducted to obtain the information regarding the health status. We also obtained dietary intake of these subjects to figure out the nutrient intakes. Results: The mean age of the subject was 74.0 yr old. Based on the WHO standard (obesity, body mass index, BMI ${\qeq}25$), we categorized the subjects to the obese and the non obese groups. The number of subjects in the obese group was 34 (57.6%). The mean Diastolic BP (p=.002), BMI (p<.001), waist circumference (p<.001), hip circumference (p<.001), blood level of transferrin (p=.038), and nutrient intakes of calcium (p=.026), potassium (p=.046), folate (p=.038) and vitamin E (p=.031) were higher in the obese group than in the non obese group. The subjects with hypertension was 67.5%. The presence of hypertension was correlated with BMI (p<.05). The number of subjects with hypercholesterolemia was 17 (28.8%). The level of cholesterol was correlated with BMI (p<.05) and wasit/hip ratio (p<.05). Conclusion: The female elderly in our study had higher prevalence of obesity which is a risk factor for hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. The nutrient intake of high sodium, high cholesterol, and low dietary fiber of these subjects suggests that there is an urgent need to develop an well planned nutritional education program for female elderly.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.10-20
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• 1999

This study aimed at investigating correlation of nutrients intake and serum lipids of industrial workers. 226 for adult aged 20yr~59yr (average age 35.9yr) were selected as subjects during 6 months, from June to December, 1997. Nutrients intake was investigated by questionnaire, 24-hour recall method. Antropometric assessments, serum lipids and blood pressure of the subjects were investigated. The results as follows ; In total subjects, calories, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin $B_1$, and vitamin $B_2$ were below Korean RDA(recommended dietary allowances) and protein, iron, vitamin C, niacin and phosphorus were above Korean RDA. Distribution of BMI groups were underweight groups(7.9%), normalweight groups(63.3%) and overweight groups(28.8%). In BMI groups, intakes of calories, carbohydrates, protein, fats, iron, niacin and potassium of overweight groups were higher than those of other groups, significantly(P<0.001). Intakes of calcium of underweight groups were lower than those of other groups, significantly(P<0.05). BMI increased with age. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, apo(b) and atherogenic index of overweight groups were higher than those of other groups, significantly(P<0.001). Calories, carbohydrates, protein, fats, iron, vitamin $B_1$, vitamin $B_2$, niacin, natrium and potassium were positively correlated with BMI, significantly(P<0.001). Calcium and vitamin C were positively correlated with BMI, significantly(P<0.01). vitamin A and phosphorus were positively correlated with BMI, significantly(P<0.05). Total lipid, total-chol., triglyceride, apo(b) and atherogenic index were positively correlated with BMI, significantly(P<0.001). HDL-chol. were negatively correlated with BMI, significantly(P<0.001). Above results, the more BMI and age increased, the worse patterns of serum lipid, so that increased atherogenic index that increased risk of atherosclerosis and degenerative chronic disease connected with serum lipid. After classified by BMI, age and lipid pattern, it will be managed individually for health management of industrial workers. Development and application of efficient program will be urgent for harmonious nutrition counseling and guidance.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.356-367
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• 2003

This study was to investigate the effects of a silk peptide, and prune and raspberry mixture on the body fat, serum lipid composition and fat distribution in Korean women during the time they received these supplements. During the 4 month period of this research (June to October, 2002), 75 women (average age 22.9 yr) were selected as subjects. Their nutrient intake was investigated by use of a questionnaire and the 24-hour recall method. Antropometric assessments of the subjects were investigated by using the SBIA Method (Segmental Bioimpedance Assay, Inbody 3.0). The results were as follows: their mean body weight was 59.3 kg, their mean body height was 161.7 cm and their mean Basal Metabolic Indices (BMI) was 22.7. The status of their dietary fiber intake significantly increased (p < 0.05) after use of the supplements. Their body fat significantly decreased following the $3^{rd}$ stage of supplementation (p < 0.05), and their percent of body fat signiflcantly decreased after supplementation (p < 0.05). Their triceps and suprailiac circumference significantly decreased following the $3^{rd}$ stage of supplementation (p < 0.05). Their waist circumferences and waist-hip ratios (WHR) significantly decreased after both the $2^{nd}$and $3^{rd}$ stage of supplementation (p < 0.05). Their total cholesterol significantly decreased following the $3^{rd}$ stage of supplementation, as compared to their baseline results and those obtained following the 1$^{st}$ stage of supplementation (p < 0.05). Their LDL-cholesterol and LDL / HDL ratios significantly decreased following the $3^{rd}$ stage of supplementation, as compared to their baseline results and those obtained following the 1$^{st}$ stage of supplementation (p < 0.05). Their 4-HNE and total antioxidant statuses significantly decreased following the $2^{nd}$ and $3^{rd}$stage of supplementation, as compared to their baseline results and those obtained following the $1^{st}$ stage of supplementation (p <0.05). Their $2^{nd}$ stage supplementation results were significantly negatively correlated with their triceps measurements and WHR (p < 0.05). Their $3^{rd}$stage supplementation results were significantly negatively correlated with their anterior thigh measurements (p < 0.05). The above results show that prune, raspberry, silk peptide and dietary fiber supplementation to a routine diet improves body fat distribution, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. The decrease of abdominal fat and WHR were especially noteworthy. This implies a decrease of risk factors. (Korean J Community Nutrition 8(3) : 356~367, 2003)003)

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.265-276
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• 2004

The purpose of this study,was to find out health status, characteristics related to working conditions, occurrence of low back pain and its related factors among dental hygienists working in dental clinics, and, thus, to provide basic information necessary to set up some plans for preventing the occurrence of low back pains and improving working conditions for dental hygienists. The data were collected from 310 dental hygienists working at dental clinics in Pusan and Kyungnam area, including Masan, Changwon, Jinhae and Jinju, with a self-administered questionnaire and were analyzed finally for 295 records with SPSS for Windows(7.52K) program. The results were as follows : Working condition was considered to be fair by 562% of dental hygienists were thought to threaten their health in the dental clinics. About seventy percent of dental hygienists worked over ten hours a day and 72.8% were standing while working over 7 hours, 65% considered working hours too long. Health status was thought be more than average for 82.3% while more than half perceived certain degree of stress frequently. The rate of complaining low back pains among dental hygienists was 87.8% with pains more than medium level for 39.3%. The variables significantly related to the degree of low back pains were height, uncomfortable postures, type of working postures and the height of working table, while some variables including height, hours of working on the feet, the presence of hazardous work environment, uncomfortable postures, the presence of hazardous works, the amount of working hours, type of working postures and work-associated stresses, were significantly related to the number of symptoms for low back pains. Multiple regression analysis showed that occurrence of low back pains was significantly influenced by 5 factors such as subjective status of health, work-related stresses, the degree of perception to work environment, the degree of perception to the amount of working hours and age. In conclusion, it might be necessary to manage working conditions effectively by reducing working hours, making good postures while working and removing stressful conditions in order to reduce risk factors for the occurrence of low back pains among dental hygienists. Therefore good working postures, assignment of appropriate rest time and some programs for early detection, care and education of low back pains should be provided for the dental hygienists.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.56-64
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlated factors of high myopia in 19 year-old men in Southeast Korea. Methods: This retrospective study was based on the medical checkup data of conscription during 2005. The study subjects were 19 years old men in Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongsangnam-do. The health checkup data of the conscripts consisted of noncycloplegic autorefraction test, the biometric data and social factors. To analyze the social and biometric effects, we classified the biometric factors into 4 or 5 groups and the social factors into 3 groups. High myopia was defined as a spherical equivalent of under -6.0 diopter. Data analysis was performed using the chi square test for trends and multiple logistic regression analysis. The SAS(version 9.1) program was used for all the analyses. Results: The prevalence of high myopia was 12.39% (6256 / 50 508). The factors correlated with high myopia were the residence area (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.77 to 2.4 for small city; OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.72 to 2.34 for metropolis; the reference group was rural area), academic achievement (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.34 to 1.53 for students of 4-and 6-year-course university; the reference group was high school graduates & under) and blood pressure (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.10 to 2.16 for hypertension; OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.17 for prehypertension; OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.20 for hypotension; the reference group was normal blood pressure). Conclusions: More than one tenth of the young men were high myopia as one of the risk factor for visual loss. Further studies on high myopia and its complications are needed to improve eye health in Southeast Korea.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.9
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• pp.3336-3340
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• 2010

This study has been carried out against hospitals with less than 100 beds, which were excluded from the previous study on the discharged patients from January 1 to December 31, 2007. To analyze the discharged patients, the general characteristics of discharged patients, means of payment for medical costs, type of disease and surgery and current status of the use of medical services have been investigated based on the medical records. During the year of 2007, the number of discharged patients from the hospitals with less than 100 beds reached 4,697,095 (9.7% of total population). In other words, 9,693 people were discharged from a hospital per 100,000 populations with 9.8 days in terms of annual mean length of hospitalization. The number of patients who returned home after hospitalization reached 4,538,861 (male: 1,784,041, female: 2,754,821) while 119,378 patients were evacuated to other hospitals. Among them, 8,970 patients were returned back to the original hospital. Based on the results of this study, they could be used in could be used in planning a project which is aimed to reduce public health costs by investigating high-risk groups with particular injuries and preventing damage. In addition, the injury monitoring data which are continuously collected could be useful in monitoring and evaluating the efficiency of an injury prevention program.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.131-154
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• 2000

This study was conducted to provide basic data for development of public information program and public policy which could prevent the medicine abuse in Korea, examining the level of knowledge of medicine and its related factors. Data were collected from the 2,011 residents who live in mtropolitan cities, large-sized cities, small and medium cities, and small towns The results of this study are summarized as follows. 1) In case of purchasing of medicines in pharmacy, 67.3％ of the respondents chose the medicines through recommendations of the professionals such as pharmacists and doctors, while 32.7％ of the respondents chose the medicine through self-judgement, advertizing, or recommendation of relative. 2) 64.7％ of the respondents obtained the information on medicines through TV. It appeared to be higher in the groups of female of the twenties, the unmarred, a brother and sister threesome, highschool graduates, housewives, residents in small and medium cities, atheists, and the middle class, displaying the significant difference from the other groups. 3) 40.5％ of the respondents recognized the side effect of the medicine when they took the medicine, while 34.4％ did not recognize it. The rate of experience in the side effect was 39.7％. The informations on the medicine abuse and the risk of addiction were obtained through broadcast media (47.9％), publications (12.1％), and health professionals (11.6％). 4) 81.1％ of the respondents experienced taking of the fatigue relieving medicine. The experience in taking of the fatigue relieving medicine appeared to be higher in the groups of the forties. the married. a brother and sister threesome. highschool graduates. persons engaging in farming, livestock raising, and forestry, the residents in small towns, and Christians. Each group displayed the significant difference from the other groups. 5) According to the level of knowledge of medicines, the respondents marked average 11.7 ± 3.76 points on the base of 24 points. It appeared to be higher in the groups of female of the twenties, a brother and sister foursome, college graduates, teachers, Catholics, and the middle class, displays the significant difference from the other groups. 6) According to the experience in taking of health medicine and health food, 81.1％ of respondents had the experience in taking ‘the fatigue relieving medicine’; 72.4％ ‘carrot or vegetable juice’; 69.5％ ‘ginseng’; 63.0％ ‘mushroom’; 42.5％ ‘dog meat’; 38.0％ ‘aloe’; 36.4 ‘deer antlers’; 11.4％ ‘snake’; 2.0％ ‘the penis of a fur seal’. 7) The factors influencing the level of knowledge of medicine include experiences in taking of the tonic, the fatigue relieving medicine, and the nutritive medicine, economic status, the number of brothers and sisters, education level, marital status, father's education level, and age. The factors influencing the experience in side effect of medicine are experiences in taking of the fatigue relieving medicine, the nutritive medicine, and the tonic, sex, age, education level, father's education level, marital status, economic status, religion, and the number of brothers and sisters. In conclusion, it is estimated that the level of knowledge of medicines is significantly low in Korea. Especially, it is found out that workmen, students, the upper class, the class of low education level, and persons engaging in farming, livestock raising, and forestry neglect importance of knowledge of medicine. Therefore, it is necessary for public authority, associations related, and health professionals to develop programs for public information and education to help people obtain basic knowledge of medicine.