• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.31 no.4 s.63
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• pp.628-643
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• 1998

To investigate the exposure levels of organic solvents and subjective symptoms of dry-cleaning workers, 77 male and 52 female dry-cleaning workers who had been worked in a small city of Chungnam province, and a large city, Taejon were selected for the study group. Air concentrations of organic solvents in the working environment were analyzed, and subjective symptoms of dry-cleaning workers were surveyed, from July to August 1996. The results obtained were as follows : 1. The concentrations of organic solvents in the working environment were within permissible TLV-TWA limits. 2. For the 13 symptom clusters, the most frequently complained symptom clusters were fatigue as 71.3%, and followed by depression and urinary disturbances as 53.5% and 51.9%. Other symptom clusters complained were below 50%. 3. Positive response rates of subjective symptoms were significantly higher in worker groups such as lived in a large city, female, higher education level, more frequently alcohol drinking, higher concentration of organic solvent in working environment, work in alone. 4. Workers who had used solvent B showed 2.3 point higher scores of subjective symptoms than those of solvent A. Of the subjective symptoms scores, amnesia and nervousness were higher in solvent B user group than solvent B user group. 5. As a result of factor analysis, 3 factors such as depression, urinary disturbance and neurologic disturbance were selected. 6. As a result of the logistic regression analysis, sex, the number of fellow workers, working time, region, job tenure, smoking, alcohol drinking, ventilating system, concentration of organic solvent in working environment and place of residence were selected for the related variables. For the conclusion, even though the concentrations of organic solvents in the working environments of dry-cleaning workers were within permissible limit of TLV-TWA, many dry-cleaning workers complained symptoms, such as fatigue, depression, urinary disturbances and so on. And the factors affecting to the symptoms of dry-cleaning workers were the number of fellow workers, work hours, region, job tenure, smoking and alcohol drinking.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1690-1698
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• 2012

As alcohol use is one of the most important risk factors for injuries, this study was intended to clarify and evaluate any relationship between drinking patterns and the incidence rates/specific characteristics of injuries in adult populations, using a widely accepted tool, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (chronic alcohol drinking behaviors measurement, hereinafter the AUDIT) developed by the World Health Organization to help to assess the behaviors in a more accurate and reliable manner. This study used the data collected from the 2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), in which 7,511 of 7,893 adult participants aged ${\geq}19$ years answered the questions about injuries, and excluding 104 non-respondents, 6,258 of participants in the questionnaire survey of drinking patterns were finally analyzed. The incidence rates and specific characteristics of injuries as classified by the AUDIT categories (i.e., body regions, types and mechanisms) were assessed and estimated in terms of their relative risk using t-test, ANOVA, and logistic regression. SPSS 19.0 statistical package software was employed for statistical analyses. These analyses indicate that the incidence rates of overall injuries were significantly higher in male respondents than in female respondents. The risks of alcohol use related injuries were 8.3 times higher in male respondents than in female ones. Regarding educational background, high school graduates showed the highest rates in the AUDIT with significant difference from the other groups. The married group and the group of respondents having monthly income estimated at KRW 2.01 to 3 million also showed the highest rates in the AUDIT compared to the other groups, indicating statistically significant difference. Significantly increased in problematic drinkers and those with alcohol dependence, the incidence rate of injuries body regions was 0.0371 in the head/neck, and with respect to the AUDIT and the mechanisms of external causes of injuries, transport accidents ranked first, followed by slippage, others, crash and fall. In regard to the classified types of injuries, it was statistically significant in others (e.g., laceration, contusion, addiction, or penetrating wound). In conclusion, the mechanisms of external causes of injuries as well as injuries attributed to alcohol use are very important, and a strategy is required to reduce such the injuries in the manner of decreasing the frequency of drinking after motivation by professional counsellors.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.617-627
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• 2001

This study examined health foods intakes and related variables among the middle aged(150 men and 159 women) in the Jeonbuk region. Health foods were classified into 4 groups including Chinese medicine(CM), toner foods(TF), vitamin or mineral supplements(VMS), and other manufactured health food supplements(MHFS). The number of people taking health foods were higher for those in their 50's than in their 40's. The consumption rate of TF in men was the highest among health foods, this result had significance. The reasons for taking health foods were recovery from fatigue, supplement of nutrients and making smooth body activity in general, but TF was used to increase of vigor. The consumption rate of health foods was a little different according to social-economic factors, namely, the consumption rate of CM was higher in people in rural than urban areas, those who graduated from middle school than university, blue color & self-employed as opposed to housewives and service workers, low level income than high level income, and Buddhism and no religion than Christian. The consumption rate had a correlation with the habits of smoking, alcohol drinking and exercise ; namely, the consumption rate of CM was higher than VMS and MHFS on smokers and alcohol drinkers. The more the frequency of exercise, the higher the consumption rate of TF, but the duration of the exercise was not correlated. This study suggests that middle aged people need nutritional education for the right recognition and selection of health foods and to consider the nature of each type of health foods.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.422-428
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• 2009

Purpose : Adolescence is a period of growth and development in body structure and physiologic, psychologic, and social functioning. Smoking and drinking in this period are very harmful and may lead to other forms of substance abuse. We surveyed the actual aspects of smoking and drinking among Korean adolescents and analyzed associated factors. Methods : A survey was performed among adolescents using a questionnaire about smoking and drinking. Data were collected from students who visited pediatric clinics for routine school examinations from July to November 2007. Results : A total of 2,546 adolescents (smoking 1,512; drinking 1,034) participated in the study. The overall smoking and drinking rates were 29.2% and 48.2%, respectively, and the mean age at the first instance of smoking and drinking was 13.8 and 14.1 years, respectively. Among drinking adolescents, 30.1% were offered a drink by their parents, although most adolescents were encouraged to smoke or drink by their friends. Dissatisfaction with family and school life, economic status, and school performance was associated with a higher smoking and drinking rate (P<0.001). Broken families were associated with a high rate of smoking, but peer satisfaction was not related to smoking or drinking. The frequency and amount of smoking and drinking in adolescents were as high as those in adults. Social sanctions seemed insufficient to keep adolescents from smoking and drinking. Conclusion : Adolescent smoking and drinking are highly influenced by family and school environments, so more active social sanctions are required, including parental involvement and legislation preventing adolescents from smoking and drinking.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.15-26
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• 2015

Objectives: This study performed to analyze general characteristics, environmental factors, and health promoting lifestyle by smoking behavior among university students. Methods: In 2011, interview survey was conducted with 700 Korean students of university and college in located 7 metropolitan cities and the biggest province (Gyeonggido). To examine the factors related to smoking behavior, it collected environmental factors, health promoting lifestyle, and mental health. Multiple logistic regression analysis for survey data identified the difference of smoking behavior. Results: The 20.4% of university students was current smoker. Smoking rate of male was higher than that of female. The university students residing in Seoul and surrounding areas were less likely to have smoking behavior than them residing in local areas. In multiple regression models, difference by gender, academic year, college level, college type, region, secondary smoking exposure time, health status, monthly drinking, alcohol use disorder, and eating breakfast remained significantly (p<0.01, p<0.05). Conclusion: Future efforts should be focused on association between health risk factors and environment factors in physical, mental, and social aspects. To achieve this, we will need to provide the integrated health promotion program to decrease smoking problems of university students.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.185-192
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• 2000

As the percentage of the elderly in the population increases, research to identify the nutritional and health status of the elderly, to understand the factors influencing on them, and to delay aging have been done actively. It is necessary for these studies to be longitudinal. This study was carried out to assess the change of health-related habits such as dietary behaviors and smoking, alcohol drinking and exercising habit, and health status between previous study(1991/1994) and post study(1998) for middle-aged men and women living in Chonju. For the present study, the data of 63 pairs(23 men and 40 women) were analyzed. They were 11 men and 12 women followed up from 82 men and 100 women surveyed in 1994. Mean ages in the 1991/4 and 1998 studies were 53.6y(range 42-63y) and 59.0y(range 46-72y) respectively. The survey was conducted with interview using a questionnaire including dietary behaviors and health-related habits, and anthropometric measurement and blood test for analyzing biochemical indices in 1991/4 and 1998. To understand these changes over time, $\chi$$^2$-statistics, t-test and paired t-test were analyzed with an SAS package program. As people age, there were significantly decreases in the proportions to eat lightly salted foods and drink alcohol. Significant longitudinal increases in triceps skin fold thickness, ${\gamma}$-GPT and HDL-cholesterol and significant decrease in hemoglobin value were noted over time in both men and women. In addition a significant decrease in blood glucose level was noted over time in women. Weight, blood glucose and total cholesterol increased significantly with age in those had had breakfast regularly or those had not used more slat at the table in the past. From this study, were found out the subjects of this study had relatively desirable health-related habits. But as improper health-related habits are likely to result in inappropriate health status(eg, increase in WHR, triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol), it is recommended that nutrition education in necessary as soon as possible to meet the health elderly.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.39-51
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• 2008

The objectives of this study were to analyze the socio-economical factors related to smoking and drinking behaviors using the Korea Welfare Panel data. The key variables were sex, age, frequency of health and medical facilities visit, subjective health level, smoking level, drinking level, depression symptoms, and low income level. Since the health variables in the Welfare Panel data were limited, the analysis was exploratory. In male population of those older than 30 years old, low income group people were more likely to smoke cigarettes than the general income population. In the result of the Chi square analysis, the smoking rate showed significantly different relationships with the different age groups, gender and income level. According to the descriptive analysis, persons with low income level were more likely to experience health risk behaviors and showed more medical service utilization. The utilization of the local public health centers was 4.6% for the Bow income level and 1% for the general level. The higher smoking rate was associated with the younger age, and the lower income. The smoking rate in the age category from 20 to 29 was 23.3% for the general level and 25% for the low income level. On the other hand, the drinking rate was even higher in the general families. The rates of non use of alcohol was 36.7% in the general families and 58.4% for the low income families. For both smoking and high risk drinking issues, demographic and sociological variables such as sex, age, education levels and income levels were analyzed, and there wer significant relationships. Health risk factors were serious for males, with age groups of 20's and 30's, lower education level, and in a low income family. In general, females were more unhealthy. The rates of smoking and drinking were higher in the low income level. Even in the health and nutrition survey results in 2005, persons in the low income class were experiencing poorer health in health level or the degree of action restriction. Since the effects of the health promotion could not be measured in a short period of time, it has not been easy to create the basis for the substantial effects. Factors related to health risks needs to be continuously studied using data from diverse field.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this paper was to compare community health status by region and to investigate related factors using community health and social indicators. Methods: Data were collected from statistics of local districts that were provided by KNSO and KCDC. ANOVA and correlation were analyzed using PASW 18.0. Results: The standardized cancer mortality rate was higher in metropolitan areas than in other areas. On the contrary, the mortality of respiratory disease, traffic accident, and suicide were higher in rural areas. Small cities and county districts showed higher prevalence in obesity prevalence than metropolitan areas. Metropolitan areas presented higher prevalence in alcohol drinking during the previous month, perceived stress, and seat belt use. The age-adjusted standardized mortality rate was correlated with higher prevalence of smoking, obesity, percentage of the elderly, number of beds, number of social welfare facilities, number of registered cars, lower percentage of financial independence, number of doctors, and percentage of water supply service & sewage. Conclusion: Since significant differences in mortality rate and prevalence of health risk behaviors exist between regional areas and the mortality rate was correlated with other social indicators and health indicators, health policies and social policies considering these differences should be develop and implemented to the communities.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.439-453
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• 2011

This study was performed to determine dietary and lifestyle factors associated with hypertension in Korean adolescents. Study subjects were 12~19 years (n = 521) adolescents who participated in the 2005 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES III). Subjects were divided into the hypertensive group (HG, n = 102) and normotensive group (NG, n = 419) by '2007 Korean children and adolescents growth standard' and the relationships between blood pressure and physical measurement, nutrients intakes, eating behaviors and health related factors were analyzed. HG showed significantly higher levels in weight, waist circumference and BMI than NG. The amount of nutrient intakes was not different between NG and HG. Index of nutritional quality (INQ) for phosphate was higher in HG compared with NG. In both male and female HG, INQ for iron was higher but INQ for vitamin B1 was lower than NG. HG revealed higher consumption frequencies of snack, yoghurt, and ice cream compared with NG. In eating and behavioral factors, 'dinner with family', 'eat proper amount', 'keep Korean traditional diet', alcohol drinking, and mean alcohol intake were significantly different between the two groups. By logistic regression method, risk factors for hypertension revealed in this study were gender (male), age (15~19 years), BMI (${\geq}\;85$ percentile), and not keeping Korean traditional diet. These results suggest that education program for hypertension prevention in adolescents should include eating habits improvement and lifestyle modification as well as weight control.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.668-677
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• 2012

This study analyzed the related factors affecting to perceived gastritis or perceived enteritis for 11,753 Korean high school seniors who participated in the 2009 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYHRBWS). Of the subjects, 5,685 (47.6%)were male and 6,068(52.4%) were female and 8.7% of the students responded that they had suffered from gastritis or enteritis for a long time and the females had a slightly higher attack rate of gastritis or enteritis. Survey logistic regression models and decision tree analysis were used to calculate odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals. As a result, there was affecting to their stress and health behaviors in the risk of gastritis and enteritis, and that their lower level perceived health, smoking, heavy drinking or starting drinking before they were 13 years old and a higher level of perceived stress significantly affected the risk of gastritis or enteritis in the subjects(p<.001).