• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.86 no.3
• /
• pp.216-225
• /
• 2023

Background: Tuberculosis (TB)-related stigma has been well-documented. Since the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), different organizations have been alerted to the fact that stigma could arise again. Due to stigma's negative effects, this qualitative study aimed to explore the stigma felt by patients by evaluating the following: COVID-19 stigma and its temporal progression through the pandemic; stigma perceived by different patients with TB before and during COVID-19 pandemic; and difference perceived by individuals who contracted both diseases. Methods: A semi-structured interview was developed according to the available literature on the theme. It was performed individually in 2022 upon receiving signed informed consent. Participants were recruited with a purposive sampling approach by searching medical records. Those who currently or previously had pulmonary TB and/or COVID-19 were included. Data were subjected to thematic analysis. Results: Nine patients were interviewed, including six (66.7%) females. The median age of patients was 51±14.7 years. Four participants (44.4%) had completed high school and four (44.4%) were never smokers. Three had both TB and COVID-19. Four only had TB and two only had COVID-19. Interviews identified eight main themes: knowledge and beliefs, with several misconceptions identified; attitudes towards the disease, varying from social support to exclusion; knowledge and education, assumed as of extreme importance; internalized stigma, with self-rejection; experienced stigma, with discrimination episodes; anticipated stigma, modifying actions for avoiding stigma; perceived stigma, with judgment by others prevailed; and temporal evolution of stigma. Conclusion: Individuals expressed strong stigma for both diseases. De-stigmatization of respiratory infectious diseases is crucial for limiting stigma's negative impact.

• Industry Promotion Research
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.209-220
• /
• 2023

This study used general qualitative research and G-PhotoVoice methods to study the experience of psychiatric patients participating in vocational rehabilitation programs in daytime hospitals. The researcher in this study conducted interviews more than two times with five patients who took part in the program and data was also collected from additional conversations while patients were admitted or on outpatient visit after being discharged from the day hospital. In addition, semi-structured group interview with photos was also conducted. As a result of the study, the participants' experience of participating in the day hospital vocational rehabilitation program was found to be "experiencing difficulties in vocational activities," "joying working together," "getting a sense of stability," and "feeling that they have grown."Based on these findings, this study discussed the implications of activating vocational rehabilitation in daytime hospitals and promoting the growth of psychiatric patients.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.143-181
• /
• 2005

This article examines factors that influence health and quality of life. In addition to the symptomatology and physiological functioning, the influence of the psychological functioning and interpersonal relationship on the overall health and quality of life are also investigated. Using a case-study approach, a total of 70 patients suffering from allergy or asthma were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire developed by the present authors. It assessed the following six areas: Cause and onset of illness, psychological functioning, health management, trust, social support received and overall health and quality of life. Based on the transactional model (Bandura, 1997; Kim & Park, 2005), the results of the case studies have been integrated and divided into three aspects: (1) Cause and onset of illness that includes physiological and environment factors; (2) mediating influences that includes psychological functioning, health management, interpersonal relationship and social support received; and (3) outcome factor that includes symptomatology, health and quality of life. The psychological functioning includes self-efficacy (self-regulated efficacy, efficacy for enlisting social support, efficacy for managing the environment, and efficacy for overcoming difficulties), positive outlook, life goals, experience of stress, and proxy control. Interpersonal relationship includes trust of family members and the physician. Health management includes receiving proper health assessment, following the advice and prescription given by the physicians, control of the environment and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The results indicate that physiological, psychological, relational and environment factors interact with each other and affect individual's overall health and quality of life. Self-efficacy, social support received from family members, trust of physicians, and the health care system are key factors promoting healthy lifestyle and quality of life. The results indicate the need for further interdisciplinary, indigenous and cultural psychological research.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.51 no.1
• /
• pp.103-119
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study was implemented to develop and validate the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQ-FFQ) to assess energy, carbohydrates, fat, protein, minerals, and vitamins as well as fatty acids and alcohol in Korean adults. Methods: The SQ-FFQ consisted of 88 food items, and 12 food groups were selected based on information of frequently consumed foods from the Korean Health and Nutrition Examination survey. Each portion size was categorized as one of three amounts: small (0.5 times), medium (1 time), and large (1.5 times). A total of 111 subjects finished 3-day diet records and the SQ-FFQ. The relative validity of SQ-FFQ was assessed by comparison with the 3-day diet records. Results: The mean nutrient intakes obtained from the SQ-FFQ were estimated to be greater than those of the two 3-day dietary records. Spearman's correlation coefficient between the two methods was the highest for energy (r = 0.583; p < 0.001) and lowest for saturated fatty acid (r = 0.121). Correlation coefficients were energy (r = 0.583; p < 0.001), carbohydrates (r = 0.500; p < 0.001), protein (r = 0.466; p < 0.001), fat (r = 0.411; p < 0.001), dietary fiber (r = 0.467; p < 0.001), alcohol (r = 0.527; p < 0.001), calcium (r = 0.409; p < 0.001), phosphorus (r = 0.499; p < 0.001), potassium (r = 0.418; p < 0.001), magnesium (r = 0.427; p < 0.001), and zinc (r = 0.464; p < 0.001), respectively, for all subjects. Conclusion: The developed SQ-FFQ in this study seems to be useful for estimating nutritional status, particularly energy, carbohydrates, protein, fat, dietary fiber, alcohol, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and zinc of Korean adults.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.44-51
• /
• 1999

The purpose of this study was to compare dietary behavior and food intake in relation to physical complaints, such as farmer' syndrome(FS) and gastro-intestinal(GI) problem among Korean farmers. The questionnaire was composed of 24 Cornell Medical Index (CMI), 8 farmers' syndrome, and 5 GI problem questions. Food intake data was gathered by the semi-quantitative food frequency method. The subjects(male 226, female 415) who had FS and Gi problem were 12./8% and 8.3%, respectively. The physical complaints were higher in female and the elderly group. In the FS group, lower activity was seen that in normal groups. The lower health status and fatigues were found in the physical complaint groups. Dietary behavior showed low appetite in the physical complaint group, irregular lunch in FS, and irregular breakfast in GI problem group. Changes in dietary behavior were shown in the aspects of lower amount of intake quantity(40.8%), lower consumption in fat(32.8%) and salty(38.8%) foods, and diverse food items(47.8%). Quantity of food consumed was significantly different withing groups with FS. Kinds of food consumed, intake of protein source foods, milk and calcium and total animal foods were lower in the FS group. But milk and calcium source food and all animal food intakes were higher in the GID problem group. The results suggest that dietary behavior and food intake differ within the group of physical complaints.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.33-38
• /
• 1999

Since binge eating is known to be related to increased risk of body weight fluctuations, it may be associated with increased health risks. This study was conducted to investigate the risks of binge eating on the cardiovascular system of female university students in Korea. Sixty-five female university students who were interested in a weight control program were recruited from a university campus. After personal interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire, 36 individuals were classified as binge eaters and 29 as non-binge eaters according to modified criteria of the proposed DSM-IV by the American Psychiatric Association(APA). All subjects participate in anthropometric and clinical measurements to evaluate the level of obesity and cardiovascular risks. Binge eating subjects showed no significant differences in obesity index compared to non-binge eating subjects. However, they had a higher level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and a higher atherogenic index. They also showed close correlations with general obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. Body mass index(BMI) was the main explanatory index related to cardiovascular risk factors according to the stepwise regression analysis. Furthermore, obese binge subjects had higher levels than non-obese binge subjects or non-binge subjects for total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerols, atherogenic index, and systolic blood pressure. The findings strongly suggest that obese young women having binge eating episodes might display a greater risk for cardiovascular disease tan that shown for obese non-binge eating women.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.30-39
• /
• 2014

Korean society is running fast toward a super aging society. This means that new solutions for new problems of aged people are needed. An important area to prove is the aging-friendly neighborhood environments supporting casual contacts and meetings of old residents. This study attempts to suggest neighborhood design indicators which support casual contacts and meetings of old residents. The subjects were 24 professionals who had studied on housing environment for the elderly. They answered through the on-line questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of items which evaluate the appropriateness of classification of neighborhood area and the indicators of each area using 5-points Likert scale. Also open questions asking adding or eliminating areas or indicator and other opinions were included. On the basis of these answers, the aging-friendly neighborhood design indicators supporting contacts and meetings of old residents was developed. They are consisted of 7 areas in neighborhood and 60 indicators. Those areas were semi-public residential area, commercial area, cultural & educational area, health & medical area, park & green area, walkway, and public traffic facilities. This would be used to design the neighborhood environments that are aging-friendly and facilitating casual contacts and meetings of all residents, especially old residents.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.5-15
• /
• 2005

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop a behavioral checklist to predict an autistic disorder and to identify the earliest detecting time. Method: One hundred and fifty eight children including normal, autistic, institutionalized normal, and retarded were assessed using critical interaction behavioral markers from literature review. Data was collected by semi-structured mother-child interaction by videotape recording and analyzed byfactor analysis, Cronbach a, Kappa, $x^2$, and Duncan. Result: Ten behavioral markers were sorted into 2 factors; joint-attention and synchronized behavior. Autistic children were impaired in pretend play, odeclarative pointing, proimperative pointing, gaze-monitoring, referential looking, showing, joint-attention, rhythmical vocal exchange, and synchronized laughing. The sychronized behavior was also a critical marker to predict the autistic disorder. However, it was difficult to differentiate autistic disorder from mental retardation. In addition, the appropriate detecting time was around 18 months after birth. Conclusion: This checklist should be behavior markers to predict autistic disorder and could be useful as educational material at children's clinics, parents class, and for caregivers in the health center. In addition, early detection should lead to treatment being started as soon after 18 months of age as possible.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.553-561
• /
• 2003

Purpose: To develop a substantive theory that represents hospital nurses' experience on caring for dying patients. Method: Grounded theory method guided the data collection and analysis. A purposeful sample of 15 hospital nurses participated during the period of 2001-2002. The data were collected by semi-structured individual interviews. All interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Constant comparative analysis was employed to analyze the data. Result: 'Putting oneself into shape while being faithful to feelings and emotions' emerged as the basic social-psychological process. Three different phases were identified: being faithful to own feelings and behaviors; putting oneself into shape; and mourning death. The first phase includes the categories of 'establishing trust relationships' and 'sympathizing with dying patients and their family members.' The second phase consists of 'controlling feelings,' 'adjusting ethical conflicts,' and 'providing best patient-care,' and 'helping family accept the jeath.' And the third phase consists of 'overcoming sadness' and 'releasing other negative feelings.' Conclusion: The result of this study will help health professionals develop efficient support programs that support nurses caring for dying patients in hospitals. Further study needs to be done to verify findings.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.321-330
• /
• 2003

Purpose: This was to describe the emotions that patients face when diagnosed with cancer to know the problems and coping styles that cancer patients experience during the treatment. Method: The qualitative method was used for this study. The participants were 90 cancer patients at five general hospital in Pusan, Korea. Data were collected by interviews with a semi-structured questionnaire from November 2000 to June 2001, and were analyzed using the modified constant comparative method. Result: The most common emotions on the diagnosis of cancer were shock(36.7%), followed by despair(25.6%), acceptance(24.4%), denial(l8.9%), complaint(16.7%), and fear(8.9%). The problems identified were the unpleasantness and physical discomfort related with the treatment(50.0%), the feelings of burden(41.1%), finance/occupation(38.8%), and fear of the future(26.6%). Coping styles to problems that the subjects have faced on the course of the treatment were compliance(36.6%), health care(31.l %), positive thinking(22.2%), despair/avoidance( 15.5%), seeking social support( 6.6%), information seeking(3.3%) and self-control(2.2%). Conclusion: It is very important to develop nursing interventions which can mitigate shock that patients experience, can help cancer patients to have hope for the future and to positively cope with cancer.