• 한국노년학
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.349-367
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between socio-economic position(SEP), environmental exposures, and health of older people in Korea. This study used the data from 'Environmental Exposures and Their Health Effect in Korean Elderly Population'. The sample includes a total of 563 elderly people who were 60 years of age or older. Data on SEP, environmental exposure, and health impact were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate regressions. As a result, study participants' SEP including age, family type, monthly expenditure, type of house, and region was significantly associated with environmental exposure. Also, while adjusting for SEP, environmental exposure such as allowing indoor smoking was associated with self-rated health and depression of study participants. The study findings showed inequality in environmental exposure and health outcomes by SEP in Korean elderly. Environmental exposure was associated with health outcome even after adjusting SEP, and this implied that environmental exposure could be a critical factor in explaining heath inequality by SEP. Further studies are necessary to better understand the causal relationships among SEP, environmental exposure, and health outcomes.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.973-985
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• 2012

Objectives : The aim of this study is to investigate the possible impact factors on adults' self-reports of dry mouth and to develop strategies to improve oral health education policy. Methods : This study was conducted on a total of 622 self-administered questionnaires adult above 20 and under 65 years of age living in Seoul and Gyeonggi provinces. The final participants consisted of 443 adults without chronic illness, taking medications and wearing dentures. The Hierarchical Multiple Regression model with three stages was used to assess the association for exposure of interest, such as socio-demographics, health-related behavior, mental health and self-reported of dry mouth. Results : The participants reported mean score of dry mouth($6.32{\pm}4.47$), of which 191 were male($6.81{\pm}4.56$) and 252 were female($5.94{\pm}4.37$). Hierarchical Multiple Regression revealed that the score of dry mouth was shown to be significantly higher for the following people: Males, who were employed, unemployed, negative self-perceived general health, perceived stress, and participants who had no experience awareness of distress in two weeks. The explanatory power was 21.9%. The most powerful impact factor regarding to employment was shown to be negatively associated to dry mouth, and self-perceived general health, experiencing awareness of distressful in two weeks was also important factors. Conclusions : Based on these results in order to develop oral health education policy strategies for the prevention and management of dry mouth, there need to be considered for the employee.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.69-75
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• 2023

Recently, the application of paint protection films (PPFs) for automobiles having a self-recovery coating layer has been grown up. In this study, we report the evaluation results on the basic physical properties of a poly(vinyl chloride)- based PPF containing poly(urea-urethane) hybrid self-recovery coating layer. Depending on the main chemical composition and the thickness of poly(urea-urethane)-based coating layer for PPF, the self-recovery performance by an optical microscope and the stain resistance through color difference value are measured. To improve the surface properties and show its easy-cleaning effect against the polluted things, silicone-modified polyacrylate is introduced to the self-recovery coating composition. The contact angle of water on the coated surface is confirmed to show its hydrophobic surface. Finally, accelerated weathering test of paint protection film with poly(urea-urethane) hybrid coating layer is performed to check the possibility of discoloration and deformation due to long-term exposure on harsh condition.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.228-236
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• 2001

Objectives : To propose a feasible, valid and appropriate study designs and epidemiologic methods for evaluating the adverse health effects of Agent Orange-chemical defoliants used in Vietnam- in Korea. Methods : A literature study was peformed on Agent Orange, herbicides, pesticides and dioxins. The study subjects, study design, exposure assessment and health outcomes assessment were examined in each study. The potential data sources for the study subjects, study design, exposure assessment and health outcomes assessment in Korea were investigated. Results and Conclusion : In earlier Korean studies, research subjects for studying the effects of Agent Orange were identified from the patients or persons who claimed to have Agent Orange-related diseases due to the difficulties in identifying the entire population of Vietnam veterans in Korea. In this study, an attempt was made to identify the total number of Vietnam veterans in Korea. As a result, the addresses of 20,000 Vietnam veterans were obtained. It is proposed that a retrospective cohort design on a sample of the total number of Vietnam veterans is a feasible and appropriate study design. Self report questionnaires and military records were proposed to assess the exposure level. It is believed that measuring the plasma or tissue TCDD should be used only for a validation study assessing the level of exposure. For the health outcomes assessment, it is possible to obtain the mortality, cancer frequency, physical examination, screening and medical insurance record data.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.165-173
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• 2000

Objectives : To assess the availability of the glycophorin A (GPA) assay to detect the biological effect of ionizing radiation in workers exposed to low-doses of radiation. Methods : Information on confounding factors, such as age and cigarette smoking was obtained on 144 nuclear power plant workers and 32 hospital workers, by a self-administered questionnaire. Information on physical exposure levels was obtained from the registries of radiation exposure monitoring and control at each facility. The GPA mutant assay was performed using the BR6 method with modification by using a FACScan flow cytometer. Results : As confounders, age and cigarette smoking habits showed increasing trends with GPA variants, but these were of no statistical significance. Hospital workers showed a higher frequency of the GPA variant than nuclear power plant workers in terms of the NO variant. Significant dose-response relationships were obtained from in simple and multiple linear regression models. The slope of the regression equation for nuclear power plant workers was much smaller than that of hospital workers. These findings suggest that there may be apparent dose-rate effects. Conclusion : In population exposed to chronic low-dose radiation, the GPA assay has a potential to be used as an effective biologic marker for assessing the bone marrow cumulative exposure dose.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.268-276
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• 2015

Objectives: According to the 2007 Korea National Environmental Health Survey (KNEHS), some areas in the Gyeongsang Provinces showed very high blood mercury levels in adults. We conducted this project to investigate any related health effects in children due to mercury levels in these areas. Methods: In total, 1,097 students between grades 3 and 6 at 19 elementary schools were recruited from four areas with high mercury exposure as identified by the KNEHS. Total mercury levels in biological samples were compared with health check-ups performed on the schoolchildren. Biological monitoring, supported by questionnaires, a computerized neurobehavioral test, a posturography test and a personality test, were applied. Results: Triglycerides showed a significant relation with mercury in blood, urine and hair. Total mercury concentrations were divided into two groups: upper and lower concentration groups based on the median value. In the computerized neurobehavioral test, the upper blood mercury group showed a greater reaction time for color-word vigilance (p<0.05). In the posturography test, the intensity value of the tremor test showd high significant relations with mercury levels (p<0.01). In the personality test, self-consciousness, misdeeds and family relationships showed significant differences between the upper and lower urine mercury groups (p<0.01), and specific reactions, ego resilience and hyperactivity also showed some differences (p<0.1). Conclusion: Some items in the neurobehavioral test, posturography test and personality test showed significant relations with biological mercury levels. Therefore, monitoring and appropriate management of students showing high mercury levels are recommended in order to reduce their mercury exposure.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.171-179
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of exposure to endocrine disruptors, burnout, and social support from peers on premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in nurses. Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted among 122 nurses under the age of 49 working at a university hospital. The participants answered self-report questionnaires. The data were analyzed using the t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regression in IBM SPSS version 23.0. Results: The mean age of the nurses was 28.9 years. Of these nurses, 49.2% were working in a general ward, 24.6% in the intensive care unit, 14.8% in the emergency room, and 11.4% in an outpatient department. The explanatory power of the model was 38.3%, and it was statistically significant (F=11.74, p≤.001). Exposure to endocrine disruptors (β=0.32, p<.001) was the most powerful variable affecting PMS, followed by burnout (β=0.27, p=.001), working in the intensive care unit or emergency room (β=0.22, p=.003), family history of PMS (β=0.19, p=.009), and support from coworkers (β=-0.15, p=.043). Conclusion: Based on these findings, it is necessary to develop an intervention program to reduce the symptoms of PMS. Additionally, further studies are needed to develop and evaluate measures to minimize exposure to endocrine disruptors and burnout in order to alleviate PMS among nurses.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.96-105
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• 2022

Background: Pyrethroid insecticides account for more than 30% of the global insecticide market and are frequently used in agricultural settings and residential and public pest control among the general population. While several animal studies have suggested that exposure to pyrethroids can alter glucose homeostasis, there is only limited evidence of the association between environmental pyrethroid exposure and diabetes in humans. Objectives: This study aimed to report environmental 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) concentrations in urine and evaluate its association with the risk of diabetes in Korean adults. Methods: We analyzed data from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) Cycle 2 (2012~2014) and Cycle 3 (2015~2017). A total of 10,123 participants aged ≥19 years were included. Multiple logistic regressions were used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) for diabetes according to log-transformed urinary 3-PBA levels. We also evaluated age, sex, education, monthly income, marital status, alcohol drinking, physical activity, urinary cotinine, body mass index, and sampling season as potential effect modifiers of these associations. Results: After adjusting for all the covariates, we found significant dose-response relationships between urinary 3-PBA as quartile and the prevalence of diabetes in pooled data of KoNEHS Cycles 2 and 3. In subgroup analyses, the adverse effects of pyrethroid exposure on diabetes were significantly stronger among those aged 19~39 years (p-interaction<0.001) and those who consumed high levels of cotinine (p-interaction=0.020). Conclusions: Our findings highlight the potential diabetes risk of environmental exposure to pyrethroids and should be confirmed in large prospective studies in different populations in the future.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2022

In this study, the effect of VR exposure programs integrated with web-based cognitive restructuring education on reducing social anxiety was confirmed. The experimental group (n=12) received a 10~15 minute session of web-based cognitive intervention and a 20-minute session of virtual reality exposure therapy. The comparison group (n=15) received a 10~15 minute session of web-based speech education and a 20-minute session of virtual reality exposure therapy. After 4 weeks, the experimental group had an increase in positive interpretation bias, a decrease in negative interpretation bias, and a decreased level of social anxiety. These results suggest that the combination of self-help form of web-based cognitive intervention in the treatment of social anxiety disorder can improve the therapeutic effect of VRET.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.161-171
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to verify the effectiveness of the Environmental Hazards Exposure Prevention Program for Mothers with Young Child (EHEPP-MYC) and to provide basic data for environmental health projects in the community. Methods: EHEPP-MYC was developed based on the protection motivation theory. A quasi-experimental design was applied to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. The number of study participants was 30 in the experimental group and 31 in the control group. The intervention applied to the experimental group consisted of lectures as the main method, current affairs programs, discussions, booklets, animations, and practical training. The program was held twice a week for a total of 4 sessions of 60 minutes each. The effect of applying the program was measured three times through surveys (before, immediately after, and two weeks after the intervention) and analyzed through repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The EHEPP-MYC had significant effects on preventive behavior, perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, self-efficacy, response efficacy, and response costs at three time points. Conclusion: EHEPP-MYC has been shown to be effective in promoting environmental hazards prevention behaviors among mothers of young child. EHEPP-MYC can be used as baseline data for projects developing programs to prevent exposure to environmental hazards and improve the environmental health of communities.