• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.355-364
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• 2009

Objectives : Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common diseases among elderly men. Though medicines such as 5${\alpha}$-reductase inhibitor (finasteride) have recently been developed for treating BPH, their adverse effects and low efficacy should not be overlooked. Curcuma longa has a long history of use in traditional medicines of Asian countries. Many reports conclude the component curcumin in Curcuma lonfa, has the potential to treat various diseases including prostate cancer. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects and action mechanism of Curcuma longa with a BPH rat model. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were used with subcutaneous injection of testosterone after castration, which were histologically similar to human BPH. A total of 30 rats were equally divided into five groups: Group 1 served as control (sham-operated group): Group 2 was the model group: Group 3 and Group 4 animals were administered Curcuma longa at dose levels of 0.5g/kg and 1.0g/kg: Group 5 served as a positive control group and was treated with finasteride at a dose of 1 mg/kg. The drugs were administered orally once a day for 30 days consecutively. After 31 days, the prostates were removed, and analyzed for their prostatic weight and histological examination. Results : The oral Curcuma longa ingestion group showed statistically significant decreases in their prostatic weights compared with the BPH-induced group and the oral finasteride ingestion group (p<0.05). Curcuma longa is also very safe in liver and kidney up to a dose of lg/kg. Injected testosterone histologically led to prostatic hyperplasia in rats, but oral Curcuma longa ingestion decreased this change. Conclusions : These results suggest that Curcuma longa has a definite inhibitory effect on BPH and might be an alternative medicine for treatment and prevention of human BPH.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.460-469
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive factors for health promotion behaviors of older adults in rural areas. A theoretical substruction was constructed to test hypothetical models based on Pender's health promotion model. The data was collected from 199 older adults aged 65 years or older, who resided in G city, by using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaires contained items on individual characteristics, health literacy, self efficacy and health promoting behavior. The data was analyzed with a t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and hierarchical multiple regression analysis using SPSS 20.0 for Windows. The predictive factors for the health promotion behavior were the number of health information channels (β=.16, p=.031) and self efficacy (β=.53, p<.001). The total explanatory power of these factors was 30.8%. A nursing intervention plan for improving health promoting behaviors of older adults should be developed and applied, with a focus on self-efficacy and health information channels. Further longitudinal studies are needed to help confirm relevant measurement of the level of health promoting behaviors of older adults.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.361-370
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• 2016

Objective:The aim of this study is to evaluate contributions of individual finger forces associated with various levels of submaximal voluntary contraction tasks. Background: Although many researches for individual finger force have been conducted, most of the studies mainly focus on the maximal voluntary contraction. However, Information concerning individual finger forces during submaximal voluntary contraction is also very important for developing biomechanical models and for designing hand tools, work equipment, hand prostheses and robotic hands. Due to these reasons, studies on the contribution of individual finger force in submaximal grip force exertions should be fully considered. Method: A total of 60 healthy adults without any musculoskeletal disorders in the upper arms participated in this study. The young group (mean: 23.7 yrs) consisted of 30 healthy adults (15 males and 15 females), and the elderly group (mean: 75.2 yrs) was also composed of 30 participants (15 males and 15 females). A multi-Finger Force Measurement (MFFM) System developed by Kim and Kong (2008) was applied in order to measure total grip strength and individual finger forces. The participants were asked to exert a grip force attempting to minimize the difference between the target force and their exerted force for eight different target forces (5, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, and 75% MVCs). These target forces based on the maximum voluntary contraction, which were obtained from each participant, were randomly assigned in this study. Results: The contributions of middle and ring fingers to the total grip force represented an increasing trend as the target force level increased. On the other hand, the contributions of index and little fingers showed a decreasing trend as the target force level increased. In particular, Index finger exerted the largest contribution to the total grip force, followed by middle, ring and little fingers in the case of the smallest target force level (5% MVC), whereas middle finger showed the largest contribution, followed by ring, index and little fingers at the largest target force levels (65 and 75% MVCs). Conclusion: Each individual finger showed a different contribution pattern to the grip force exertion. As the target force level increase from 5 to 75% MVC, the contributions of middle and ring fingers showed an increasing trend, whereas the contributions of index and little fingers represented a decreasing trend in this study. Application: The results of this study can be useful information when designing robotic hands, hand tools and work equipment. Such information would be also useful when abnormal hand functions are evaluated.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.248-260
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• 2012

This study has focused on the degree of recognition and preparation for the old age life of public servants. The subjects of this research were 731 middle-aged public employees in Pusan, Ulsan, Kyeong-Nam Province. The data were collected using a self-administrated questionnaire. The following results were obtained. First, 67.2% respondents were women. Over 45-years old were 28.4%, Middle level quality of life were 46.1%, Over 20-years career were 26.7%, Administration staffs were 33.4%, and 7th grade were 31.9%. Second, In Recognition for the old age life, Respondents and their spouse have the primary responsibility of the dependent elderly. Preferred life area was suburban rural area. The order of anticipated problems of the old age life was financial problem, health problem, and leisure activity. Third, Actually, in preparation for the old age life, the order of respondents preparation was financial stability, health, and leisure activity. Forth, In the satisfaction degree of public pension for the old age life, the order of respondence was insufficient (56.0%), appropriate (17.2%), and ignorant(26.8%).

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.69 no.2
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• pp.117-141
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences of the factors affecting the entry of depression by generations and to present a practical strategy for preventing of depression by life-cycle. For this purpose, we analyzed the factors influencing the depression of adults, middle-aged and elderly people through the discrete-time hazard model. The results of this study are as follows: First, the lower the self-esteem, the lower the income satisfaction and the family satisfaction people have, the higher the likelihood of entering the depression they have. In addition, age, educational level, health status, presence of chronic diseases, employment status, regional area, and leisure life satisfaction were variables that showed difference by generation. In the case of adulthood(aged 20 ~ 39), unemployed persons are more likely to enter the depression than younger workers. On the other hand, the middle-aged(40 ~ 64 year olds) are more likely to enter the depression if they are older, have poor health status, have no chronic disease, and have low leisure satisfaction. Finally, older people(aged 65 and over) are more likely to enter the depression when the education level is higher, the health condition is worse, and the leisure satisfaction is lower. If they lived in an urban and rural complex, they are more likely to enter the depression. Based on these results, it is necessary to establish a support plan reflecting the characteristics revealed by generations in order to prevent the entry of depression.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.351-359
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• 2021

This study was conducted to analyze the relationship between the practice of aerobic exercise and the prevalence and risk of arthritis with comorbid chronic diseases. For this study, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2019 data were used and 17,356 people were selected as subjects. The relationship between the practice of aerobic exercise and the prevalence and risk of arthritis according to demographic characteristics and chronic diseases was analyzed by the chi-square independence test and Breslow-Day test. While the rate of aerobic exercise was low among women, the elderly, the low-income group, the low-education group, and people living in rural areas, the prevalence and risk of arthritis were relatively high. And in the chronic disease-positive group, those who practiced aerobic exercise had a relatively lower prevalence and risk of arthritis than those who did not. In particular, the practice of aerobic exercise was an effective complement in reducing the prevalence and risk of arthritis in people with high blood pressure, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Therefore, the practice of aerobic exercise such as walking, slow running, and aerobic dance should be recommended in terms of the preventive medicine and health care to people who are in the group with a high prevalence of arthritis in demographic characteristics and people who have comorbid chronic diseases.

• 한국정책학회보
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.161-198
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• 2014

The various types of improper usages in the process of delivering social services have been increasingly paid to attention in South Korea. This study, relying on empirical data about the various improper behaviors, explore whether the audit activity can reduce the degree of the improper behavior. In order to estimate the impact of the audit, we use the DID(Difference in difference) method, comparing the experimental group with the audit treatment and the control group without it. We control for size(the number of Service personnel and user), types of social service (elderly, disabled, etc.), organizational forms(profit, non-profit), region(metropolitan areas, small-medium cities, rural areas), and the number times of audit (1, 2, and 3 number). Our empirical results show that the audit decreased the ratio of payment violation by about 4.02 percent, the number of violations from providers' improper payment by approximately 5.07 and the number of violations from users' improper payment by approximately 9.59. Further research is required to explore why and how the audit can decrease the improper usage in social service with rigorous theoretical models.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2024

Background: The population of Gangneung City in South Korea has shown a gradual increase in the proportion of individuals aged 65 years and older, and the most frequently reported diseases for several years have consistently been periodontal diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis. The regional imbalance in the distribution of dental personnel and resources has emerged as a problem of inequality in the use of dental care. It has been advocated to identify areas with disadvantages in dental care and develop public dental policies based on that. This study aimed to develop a customized oral healthcare program for local seniors based on a Public-Private-Academic Partnership, and to evaluate the oral health status of older adults in Gangneung City. Methods: The participants were residents aged 60 years and above in Gangneung City. A questionnaire including general information, systemic health status, and oral health status was administered to the participants. In addition, oral healthcare and education tailored to each individual's health status were provided once or twice based on their oral health status. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25 for descriptive statistical analysis. Results: Among the older adults in Gangneung City, 75% had at least one prosthesis and exhibited symptoms of gingivitis or periodontitis. Additionally, the modified sulcus bleeding index decreased among participants who underwent the program twice. Over 90% of the participants expressed satisfaction with the program. Conclusion: The program appeared to contribute positively to the oral health promotion among local seniors. Further oral healthcare programs should focus on seniors in rural and old urban areas to reduce disparities in oral health across regions.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.99-113
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• 2002

For this study a sample of 205 people, 66 males and 139 females, over 65 years of age, residing in C-gu of S-si and utilizing senior centers, were selected, The objective of the study was to provide basic data for health promotion program development provided by health centers. A questionnaire was used to collect date on general characteristics, health status, social health status and utilization rate for health services. The instruments used in this study were the Lawton scale, to measure daily routine function, the MMSE-K developed by Folstein and modified to fit the Korea situation, for mental health status, and the CES-Dtool developed by Radloff, for emotional health status. the SPSS Window program was used to calculate percentages. Tests of significance were done using t-test and ANOVA. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify variables influencing the use of health services. The results are as follows : Of those utilizing senior citizen centers, 40.9% of males and 17.3% of the female thought they were healthy. The average score for IADL was 7.4. The daily routine of female respondents consisted of buying household articles and drugs, and other IADLs such as riding the bus or subway alone. These resulted in a higher score compared to males. For emotional health, 7.6% of the males reported depression compared to 21.6% of the females. For mental health, 48.5% of the males and 28.8% of the females were found to be in the group suspicious for dementia. On social health, 57.6% of the males and 62.6% of the females reported no intimate human relations. Of those older people who had close human relations, 52.5% of the males indicated a friend as the closest person and 53.8% of the females, their children. On use of health services, there was a significantly higher need for mobile medical care services treatment for those with lower education levels and status of window/widower. There was a significantly higher need for health exmination services for those with lower levels of exercise, greater satisfaction with sleep, higher levels of oral health care, and higher social contacts. In conclusion, there is a need to provide varied programs for the promotion of health, along with parallel resolution of social, psychological and economic issues. It is recommended that health services for elderly people provided by the health centers be implemented with full recognition of these characteristics and differences.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.280-294
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of social capital characteristics, socio-demographic characteristics, physical condition, and health behavior characteristics on health-related quality of life of the elderly in Korea. Methods: T-test, one-way ANOVA, and regression analysis were performed by applying a complex sample design to 57.787 people aged 65 and over using the 2019 Community Health Survey. Results: First, as a result of complex-sample T-test and ANOVA analysis, it was found that there were differences in health-related quality of life according to social capital characteristics, physical condition & health behavior characteristics, and socio-demographic characteristics. Complex Sample Regression Analysis Results, the explanatory power of the model was 28%. When living in the metropolitan area, living in an apartment building, having a spouse, having a higher household income, economic activity, higher educational attainment, increase sleeping time, walking time, frequent binge drinking, health checkup, networking, trust, and social participation showed higher health-related quality of life. When people were older, their gender was female, higher BMI, number of chronic diseases, and severe stress that showed lower health-related quality of life. Conclusions: It was proved that the factors affecting the health-related quality of life of the elderly are not only physical condition and health behavior factors, but also social capital and socio-demographic characteristics. It was found that the role as a member was important.