• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2012

Purpose: The Tox-Info system is a poisonous substance information database developed by the Korean National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation. The aim of this study was to estimate the coverage effectiveness of the Tox-Info system by comparing the toxic substances included in the database with the distribution of the toxic substances implicated in the cases of intoxicated patients presenting to emergency departments. The secondary aim of the study was to propose any additional substances that should be added to the database. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients suffering with toxic exposure who had visited any of 12 selected emergency departments in Korea from January 2010 to December 2011. The identified toxic substances were classified into groups including prescription drugs, agricultural chemicals, household products, animals or plants, herbal drugs, and others. We calculated the coverage rate of the Tox-Info database relative to the number of intoxication cases and the type of toxic substances involved. Results: A total of 5,840 intoxicated patient records were collected. Their mean age was $46.6{\pm}20.5$ years and 56.2% were female. Of the total intoxication cases, 87.8% of the identified toxic substances were included in the Tox-Info database, while only 41.6% of all of the types of identified toxic substances were included. Broken down by category, 122 prescription drugs, 15 agricultural chemicals, 12 household products, 14 animals or plants and 2 herbal drugs involved in poisoning cases were not included in the Tox-info database. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the clinical usefulness of the Tox-Info system. While 87.8% of the substances involved in the cases were included in the Tox-Info database, the database should be continuously updated in order to include even the most uncommon toxic substances.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.327-336
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• 2014

This study aims to identify factors to affect regular utilization status of medical care in cardio-cerebrovascular patients. The research selected 770 cardio-cerebrovascular patients among surveyees from the Korea Health Panel 2010. We analyzed states of medical care utilization using descriptive statistics. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the main factors associated with regular utilization status of medical care in cardio-cerebrovascular patients. In result, the significant factors associated with regular utilization status of medical care in cardio-cerebrovascular patients were age, education level, household income level. CCI, presence or absence of high risk drinking, and presence or absence of obesity. There's a high probability that patients aged between 60 and 69, equal to and higher than those of high school graduate in education level, upper middle class in household income, the higher CCI, absence of high risk drinking, presence of obesity utilize medical care services more regularly. Therefore, it is necessary to develop effective program and individualized approach for patients using lesser periodical medical care and patients with high risk drinking problem. In the future, these findings can be used an important data for healthcare policy and assessment.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.175-185
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a self - applied paint - on whitening gel combined with wrap to increase the effect of a whitening gel and minimize gingival irritation. Materials and Methods: Ninety adult volunteers were randomly treated to a control group and two experimental groups using whitening gel containing 2.8% and 3.0% hydrogen peroxide for 30 persons each. They had used the wrap and whitening gel on maxillary 4 anterior teeth for 30 minutes per day during 2 weeks. Whitening tooth color response was measured by VITA shade guide and ShadeEye $NCC^{(R)}$. And side effects were assessed from interview and intraoral examination. The efficacy and safety evaluations were statistically analyzed. Results: In the evaluation with VITA shade guide, there was significantly the whitening effect in experimental groups compared with the control group. In the evaluation with ShadeEye $NCC^{(R)}$, the 3.0% experimental group showed significantly the whitening effect compared to the control group and the 2.8% experimental group (P < 0.05). There were some complaints of minor side effects, but there did not find abnormal symptoms of the gingival stimulation in all groups. Conclusion: A self - applied paint - on whitening gel combined with wrap can be used as a useful self-whitening material because the whitening effect increases as the concentration of hydrogen peroxide from 2.8% to 3.0% and also no significant side effects are observed.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.110-120
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• 2004

This research sought to analyze the food waste collection and transportation system in Korea's related public resource-making facilities, address related problems, and suggest a reasonable alternative measure. For the food waste sorting-out and discharging methods, apartments and similar housings use containers, and individual-style housings use 'quantity-proportional' bags. The sorting and discharging methods should be improved to boost the reuse of resource-made output. The analysis of collection and transportation costs by local governments indicates that they range from 30,000 won to 150,000 won per ton, varying greatly by characteristics of local governments, thus suggesting a need to establish costs calculation criteria to justify the costs. Charges imposed to each household were not greatly problematic in the case of quantity-proportional bags; however, in the case of apartments and similar housings, charges varied greatly, suggesting a need to impose differentiated charges calculated on the basis of collection and transportation costs according to regions. Many places used household-garbage collection vehicles to collect food waste, raising the possibility of causing complaints on leaching water and bad odors. Thus, exclusive food waste collection vehicles should be gradually introduced. Also, in certain places, vehicles should travel more than 20km to collect food waste, and in such cases, a cargo transferring system should be introduced to boost efficiency in carriage.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.165-176
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of socio-demographic factors on food consumption frequencies among adolescents in Korea. Data were obtained from the Seventh Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (2011 KYRBS), a nationwide representative sample of 75,643 (37,873 males and 37,770 females) middle and high school students. It was carried out as a self-administered on-line survey. The frequency of eating breakfast was 4.8 times per week for middle school students and 4.6 times per week for high school students (p < 0.001). Higher levels of perceived household economic status, family affluence scale (FAS) and education attainment of mother were associated with more frequent breakfast eating. The frequencies of consumption of vegetables and milk were higher in males than in females (p < 0.001). The frequency of consumption fruits was higher in females than in males (p < 0.01). Higher levels of perceived household economic status, FAS and education attainment of mother were associated with more frequent consumption of vegetable, fruits and milk. The frequencies of consumption of soda, fast food and instant noodls were higher in males than in females (p < 0.001). The frequency of consumption of snacks was higher in females than in males. Adolescents with lower levels of FAS and education attainment of mother were at risk for skipping breakfast and consuming of soda, fast food and instant noodls more frequently. Whereas, adolescents with higher levels of FAS, education attainment of mother were more likely to be frequent consumers of vegetable, fruits and milk. These findings demonstrated that being high school students and belonging to lower level of socio-economic status (SES) were associated with undesirable food habits.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.805-812
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to examine the association between diabetes mellitus and community periodontal index in Korean adults. Methods: The study populations were recruited by the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Study subjects were 10,411 who were examined oral examination, blood test, and aged over 19 years. Using multiple logistic regression analyses, the variables were adjusted for gender, age, household income, family history of diabetes, body mess index, smoking habit, and frequency of tooth brushing. Periodontal tissue examination of the subjects was performed and scored by Community periodontal index(CPI). Using probe, six teeth were examined for hemorrhage, plaque, and pocket depth and classified into $CPI_0$, $CPI_1$, $CPI_2$, $CPI_3$ and $CPI_4$. Healthy periodontal groups($CPI_{0-2}$) and periodontal disease groups($CPI_{3-4}$) were divided by the periodontal disease status. The definition of diabetes mellitus(DM) was decided by the diagnosis by the doctors and fasting blood sugar level. Those who were diagnosed as DM were included in DM group. The DM variables included normal blood sugar level, increased fasting blood sugar level, and DM blood sugar level. The DM variables were compared to periodontal disease blood sugar level and analyzed. Results: The periodontitis prevalence rate was 23.2%. Those who had diabetes mellitus accounted for 5.5% of the subjects. Those who had impaired fasting glucose accounted for 17.7% and 7.9% of subjects were diabetes mellitus by blood test. In the confirmed diabetes group by doctor, the periodontitis prevalence rate was significantly higher than the non-diabetic group. Diabetic group by blood test had the highest prevalence rate of periodontitis than those who had impaired fasting glucose group or normal group. After adjusting for gender, age, household income, family history of diabetes, body mass index, smoking habit, and frequency of tooth brushing, the risk of periodontitis in diagnosed diabetes mellitus was 1.57 times(95% CI; 1.27-1.94) higher than the normal group. In impaired fasting glucose group and diabetes mellitus group by blood test, the risk of periodontitis was 1.11 times(95% CI; 0.95-1.30) and 1.45 times(95% CI; 1.45-2.12) higher, respectively. Conclusions: There was a significant relationship between diabetes mellitus and periodontitis in Korean adults. These results suggest that diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for periodontitis.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.45-58
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• 2012

This study aims to provide new design directions for public housing by analyzing trends in housing design. To this end, we investigate the changes in population, household, society, policy, institution, and technology as the main factors that can affect the housing design trends. Then we analyze the applications of public housing design and suggest the new design directions for public housing after considering experts' opinions. The low growth rate of population, growing separation of household members and increasing level of income produced more diverse demands from residents. In addition, housing demand is notably different by region, and the supply of medium and small-sized housing and small scale developments are growing. Information technology and green technology are also advancing. As a consequence, future housing trends would change from numerically-controlled to performance-based, from central to regional-oriented, from unit to city-centric. Current designs of public housing reflect recent housing trends- in reducing the number of housings and making view corridors by placing a central square in the middle. This shows that the existing designs are not differentiated by region and we need to develop various approaches according to location characteristics and the corresponding new housing types. Therefore, this study proposes the following five directions: responsiveness to demand changes, reflection of location characteristics, connectivity to a local community, realization of green environment, and acquisition of housing function.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 1994

We carried out this study by analyzing the annual reports, surveyed by medical college student(Ewha Woman's University) through the medical records of new patients of Su-Dong Myon Health Subcenter from 1982 to 1992, and the specific survey data of 247 in Su-Dong Myon area which consists of 5,454 population and 1,651 household(43.6% farm household), in December, 1993. Results were as follows: 1) The number of population in Su-Dong Myon is 5,265 in 1982, 4,905 in 1984, 4,885 in 1986, 4,820 in 1988, 4,663 in 1990, 5,454 in 1992. 2) Since 1982, the annual utilization rate of a rural health subcenter showed decreasing tendency: such as 609(the highest rate) per 1,000 inhabitants in 1982, 485 in 1984, 525 in 1985, 281 in 1988, 316 in 1990 and 197 in 1992. The utilization rate by sex was decreasing chronologically in male, and age-specific utilization rate showed rapidly decreasing tendency since 1982 : 1,037 per 1,000 inhabitants in 1982, 877 in 1984, 1,084 in 1986, 519 in 1988, 538 in 1990 and 333 in 1992, in age group of 0-14, but not changing tendency in age-groups of 65 and over. 3) The monthly utilization rate of a rural health subcenter showed increasing tendency in March, July and August from 1982 to 1987, and in March and May from 1988 to 1992. 4) The patient rate of medical insurance showed increasing tendency since 1983: 17.0% per 100 patients(the lowest rate) in 1983, 21.3% in 1985, 20.4% in 1987, 70,0% in 1989 and 77.8% in 1991. However, the patient rate of Medicaid showed no specific change. 5) The utilization rate by the remedial measures for primary health care showed 30.8% of the answered in private special clinic, the highest rate, and 30.0% in drug stores, 25.5% in health subcenter, 10.5% in hospital and 1.2% in oriental clinic. In favorite physicians for primary health care, specialist was the highest rate, 48.6% of the answered, and general practitioner, 39.7% and home doctor, 8.9% in next order. And 70.8% of the answered experienced to visit the health subcenter more than once. 6) Disfavorite reasons of health subcenter were insufficient equipment(42.1%, the highest), and the next order, short cure time per day(25.1%), "be not cured"(12.2%), "be not(6.9%) and unkindness(3.6%), And the major obstacles in utilizing the medical facilities for primary health care were farm works(41.7%, the highest), distance(27.1%) and medical cost(11.4%).

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.195-218
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to analyze the phenomenon of poverty among North Korean settlers in Korea in terms of its magnitude, the severity, and its determinants by comparing it with the South Korean poor. The data used for this analysis were the second Korean Social Welfare panel data for the South Koreans and the third longitudinal study on North Korean settlers in the South. The average household income of the North Korean settlers reached about 70% of the South Korean counterparts. The percentage of the North Korean households that earn 200% of the poverty line was about the same as the South Koreans, which indicates the improvement of the economic status of the long-term settlers in the South. However, the North Korean settlers below 100% of the poverty line were twice as much , and those under 50% of the poverty line were 8 times more than their South Korean counterparts. Despite the improved economic status of the long-term North Korean settlers in the South, those who still live below the poverty line tend to remain in poverty, which is chronic and severe. The determinants of the North Korean settlers' poverty were identified as age, number of household members in employment, alcohol problem and health satisfaction level. Policy implications were discussed in conclusion.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was conducted to examine the relationships of the several socioeconomic position indicators with the mortality risk in a representative longitudinal study of South Korea. Methods : The 1998 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was conducted on a cross-sectional probability sample of South Korean households, and it contained unique 13-digit personal identification numbers that were linked to the data on mortality from the National Statistical Office of Korea. Of 5,607 males and females, 264 died between 1999 and 2003. Cox's regression was used to estimate the relative risks (RR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) of mortality. Results: Socioeconomic differences in mortality were observed after adjustments were made for gender and age. Compared with those people having college or higher education, those people without any formal education had a greater mortality risk (RR=2.21, 95% CI=1.12-4.40). The mortality risk among manual workers was significantly greater than that for the non-manual workers (RR=2.73, 95% CI=1.47-5.06). A non-standard employment status was also associated with an increase in mortality: temporary or daily workers had a greater mortality risk than did the full-time workers (RR=3.01, 95% CI=1.50-6.03). The mortality risk for the low occupational class was 3.06 times greater than that of the high and middle occupational classes (95% CI=1.75-5.36). In addition, graded mortality differences according to equivalized monthly household income were found. A reduction of monthly household income by 500 thousand Korean Won (about 400 US dollars) was related with a 20% excess risk of mortality. Self-reported poor living standards were also associated with an increased risk of mortality. Those without health insurance had a 3.63 times greater risk of mortality than the insured (95% CI=1.61-8.19). Conclusions: This study showed the socioeconomic differentials in mortality in a national longitudinal study of South Korea. The existence of socioeconomic mortality inequalities requires increased social discussion on social policies in Korean society. Furthermore, the mechanisms for the socioeconomic inequalities of mortality need to be explored in future studies.