• Women's Health Nursing
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.247-261
• /
• 1999

The purpose of this study was to figure out related factors to the self-reported climacteric symptoms and the relationship among the health promoting behaviors, climacteric symptoms and degree of Sanhujori, the Korean traditional postpartal care. A cross-sectional survey design was employed in this study. The subjects were 108 middle-aged women who were non-hystrectomized and ranged in age from 40 to 60 years. They were selected in seoul and Kyoung-ki province, Korea, Data were collected from Oct.25 Nov. 10, 1997 by a structured questionnaire. The instruments used for this study were the revised health Promotion Lifestyle(HPLP) developed by Walker, Sechrist & Pender, and revised Climacteric Symptoms Scale developed by Chi, Sung Ai. the data were analyzed by the SPSS/$PC^+$ program using t-test, ANOVA and Scheffe test as a post hoc and Pearson Correlation Coefficient. The results of the study were as follows ; 1. The mean score of health promoting behaviors was low($2.42{\pm}0.35$). There were statistically significant differences in the score of health promoting behaviors according to the educational background, family income, marital satisfaction, whether or not taking a restorative food and degree of Sanhujori, especially the period (t=-2.07, F=2.60~7.57, p<0.05). 2. The mean score of score self-reported climacteric symptoms was 1.69%;99% of middle-aged women had symptoms. There were statically significant differences in the score of middle -aged women's self-reported climacteric symptoms according to the age, number of children, educational background, occupation, family income, marital satisfaction, whether or not receiving hormon replacement therapy (HRT) or consultation by a professional, perceived health status and self evaluation of Sanhujori(t=-2.04~3.69, F=2.87~11.63, p<0.05). 3. women's degree of Sanhujori was a positive correlation with health promoting behaviors(r=0.34, p=0.00) and negative correlation with the degree of self-reported climacteric symptoms(r=-0.19,p=0.03). 4. The influencing factors to the climacteric symptoms were self actualization, interpersonal support, and perceived health status among the health promoting behaviors with 57% of variance($R^2$=0.57). 5. The middle-aged women's type of coping pattern for the climacteric symptoms was classified as active behavioral coping, spiritual & psychological coping, and negative coping. In conclusion, to intervene the middle aged women's climacteric symptoms and develop nursing strategies for their health, health promoting behavior, especially ; self actualization, interpersonal support, and perceived health status should be considered. And, as the primary prevention strategy for women's health during the period of childbearing and also middle age, especially for the climacteric symptoms, Sanhujori should be reconsidered.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.425-429
• /
• 2018

Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection can spread rapidly across populations and is associated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasms, human papillomavirus infections, and newborn mortality. This study aimed to provide information that could be used to protect public health and decrease the incidence and transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly among childbearing women. We examined the epidemiology of UU infection in Cheonan, South Korea. During 2006-2017, 4,050 specimens were submitted for STI screening using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Data were analyzed for UU infection cases using the R statistical program and categorical data were analyzed using the chi-square test, and p-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Positive PCR results were shown in 17.8% of the total specimens, in 9.0% of men, and in 18.7% of women. Individuals in their teenaged years and individuals aged 20-29 years accounted for the largest proportions of UU-positive specimens. Although Mycoplasma hominis was the most prevalent bacterium in 2006, it was superseded by UU in 2017. Of the 870 UU-positive specimens, 50.1%, 33.1%, 13.4%, and 2.8% had single, double, triple, and quadruple infection, respectively. UU was most common among Korean individuals aged 20-29 years, indicating a high risk of maternal-to-infant transmission that should be addressed through rapid diagnosis, treatment, and management.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.115-122
• /
• 2004

Adequate vitamin B$_2$ vitamin B$_{6}$, folate and vitamin B$_{12}$ nutrition is known to be important for reproductive function in women of childbearing age. The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum vitamin B$_2$ vitamin B$_{6}$, folate and vitamin B$_{12}$ status and serum homocysteine levels in 115 women aged 33.2$\pm$4.0 years, who had been diagnosed with infertility, and 49 women aged 34.5$\pm$3.8 years having at least one born child. Total vitamin B$_2$ and vitamin B$_{6}$ intakes in infertile women were significantly lower than those in control. Serum vitamin B$_2$ vitamin B$_{6}$, folate and vitamin B$_{12}$ concentrations were significantly lower in infertile women than those in control and serum homocysteine levels were significantly higher in infertile women than those in control. Thirteen percent in infertile women and zero percent in control were assessed as hyperhomocysteinemic and there was a significant difference in the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia between infertile women and control. 41% infertile women were assessed as folate deficiency. Serum folate concentrations was negatively correlated with serum homocysteine of the infertile women and control. Total vitamin B$_2$ intakes was negatively correlated with serum homocysteine of the infertile women and control. Total vitamin B$_{6}$, folate intakes were negatively correlated with homocysteine of infertile women only. In conclusion, infertile women are needed to intake more B vitamins intakes. Furthermore researches are needed to estimate adequate B vitamin supplementation in infertile women. (Korean J Nutrition 37(2): 115-122, 2004): 115-122, 2004)

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.447-456
• /
• 2017

Objectives: Pregnant women and those of childbearing age are a well-known sensitive population for human mercury exposure. Therefore, this study was conducted to reveal and enrich basic information for effective risk communication to reduce the adverse health effects of mercury exposure. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among 432 women aged 19-44 years, recruited conveniently from three different regions (Busan, Ulsan, and Gumi City). Questionnaires were developed by referring to the existing literature and through expert meetings. They consisted of questions on knowledge and awareness of mercury exposure risks, health information literacy, and relevant information. Results: The rank of perceived mercury health risk score was 5 out of 16 environmental risk factors, and 41.7% of participants thought that even a very little mercury could lead to an adverse health effect. Although 90.3% of participants had knowledge that childbearing age women must pay attention to fish intake, only 38.9% of participants knew the national fish intake guidelines for pregnant women. Conclusions: Although risk perception and knowledge of pregnancy-specific features of mercury were relatively high, the national fish intake guidelines were still not well recognized. It could be an effective strategy to provide evidence-based and targeted information articulated by professionals using internet based communication channels.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.1195-1206
• /
• 2000

The purpose of this study was to analyze womens' health problems using Green & Kreuter's 1991 PRECEDE model and to develop a model for a womens' health care center located in the community. The subjects were recruited from Wonju City. 1. The results showed that 23% of the sample population felt there was a need for a womens' health care center. The mean number of health problems was 3.1. The prevalence rate, was 44.4%, and the rate for an artificial abortion, was 36.4%. Also 30.5% did not have a health examination in the past year. Women using the hospital for medical care accounted for 45% of the sample, while 40% used the drugstore. The average score on the HPLP was 2.41, and this was influenced by self-efficacy, family support, sexual role, and health locus of control. There are a few educational programs in the city provided by the Wonju Health Center and by community health nurse practitioners. 2. The nursing center, as defined in North America, is a nurse-anchored system of primary health care delivery or neighborhood health center. Centers offer various services ranging from primary care to the more traditional such as education, health promotion, wellness screening, and coordination of services by advanced practice nurses. For examples in Sweden MCH centers provide total services for childbearing women and their families, sexual counseling and education for adolescents, and screening by midwives for cervical cancer. 3. The developed model combines purpose, target population, organization, and services, and is related to health resources. The purpose is primary health care and promotion of the quality of life. The target population can be grouped according to the life cycle, (premarriaged age group, the childbearing/child rearing age group, and middle aged and elderly women) and focuses on self-help. The organization of the center includes an advisory committee to plan and evaluate, and a health services team that will be multidisciplinary to provide health care, counseling education, and research. The model development suggested that a variety of women's health care centers are needed to insure adequate management of women's health. Follow-up research using PROCEED is needed to analyze health outcomes. Also a health nursing specialist system is required to develop health promotion, and improve the quality of life of women.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.57 no.4
• /
• pp.339-346
• /
• 2024

Objectives: Chronic anaemia is a significant health concern, particularly among women of childbearing age. Factors such as menstrual blood loss, childbirth, inadequate nutrition, closely spaced pregnancies, and recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding increase the risk of anaemia. This study investigated whether current contraceptive methods are associated with anaemia in Indian women of reproductive age. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey, conducted in 2019-2021, were used for this investigation. We included only non-pregnant and non-amenorrhoeic women in our analysis, resulting in a final analytical sample of 673 094 women aged 15-49. Bivariate cross-tabulations and multivariable logistic regression were employed to analyse the data. Results: The prevalence of anaemia was 57%, and the adjusted regression models found no significant association between the use of any contraceptive methods and women's haemoglobin status. Women using traditional contraceptive methods had 1.08 (95% confidence interval, 1.05 to 1.11) times higher odds of having anaemia. Among the modern methods, other than injectables, all other methods-such as an intrauterine device, barrier use, and sterilisation-were associated with higher odds of anaemia compared to women who used contraceptive pills. Conclusions: This study explored the relationship between modern contraceptives and haemoglobin levels in India, revealing that injectables were associated with a notable reduction in the odds of anaemia, whereas traditional contraceptives and other modern methods exhibited positive associations with anaemia. These findings prompt policymakers to focus on anaemia reduction and safe contraceptives. More research is needed to inform decisions, given the scant literature.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.296-303
• /
• 2000

We examined the folate intakes and assessed folate nutritional status of Korean women with childbearing potential. A total of 91 healthy women aged between 15 and 49 participated. They were divided into three groups by their age : A(15-24 yrs), B(25-34 yrs) and C(35-49 yrs). Folate intakes were determined by direct analysis. The foods consumed for 24 hours were collected proportionally and assessed folate. Their blood drawn in fasting state were analyzed folate levels. Folate contents of food homogenate, plasma and erythrocyte were determined a microbiological method using Lactobacillus. casei (ATCC 7469). Prior to the micro-assay, the food homogenate were treated with alpha-amylase, protease and folate conjugase. Mean daily folate intake of the total subjects was 145.8$\mu\textrm{g}$/d and in each group of A, B, and C was 114.0$\mu\textrm{g}$/d, 141.6$\mu\textrm{g}$/d, and 164.6$\mu\textrm{g}$/d, respectively. That of group C was significantly higher than that of group A(p<0.05). However, those of all the groups were lower than compared to the Korean Recommened Dietary Allowances(RDA) for folate. Especially the subjects in the group A consumed folate least that was below the half of the Korean RDA. The mean energy intake of all subjects was 1638㎉/d and those in each group of A, B, and C did not meet the Korean RDA for energy. The energy intake were significantly correlated with folate intakes(r=0.5050, p<0.001). Mean plasma and erythrocyte folate concentrations of total subjects were 6.9ng/mL and 266.3ng/mL, respectively. None were found to be deficient both in plasma(<3ng/mL)and erythrocyte (<140ng/mL) folate levels. There was only one subject who had red blood cell folate level below 157ng/mL concentration. These results show that folate status of the Korean women of reproductive age is not much bad. But it should be better that letting them improve their folate status by increasing energy intake, choosing high folate foods.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
• /
• v.14 no.6
• /
• pp.795-804
• /
• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between the oral contraceptive pill and periodontal disease in Korean women aged from 19 to 50 years old. Methods: This study selected 1,579 women of childbearing age from 19 to 50 years old from the 5th National Health and Nutrition Survey data analysis(phase 3, 2012) taking the oral examination. The questionnaire consisted of socioeconomic demographic characteristics, health behavior, use of oral contraceptive pills, and periodontal disease. Socioeconomic demographic characteristics included age, marital status, education, monthly income, and vocation. The health behavior included obesity, stress, smoking, subjective oral health status, use of dental floss, tooth brushing, and diabetes mellitus by fasting blood sugar level. Use of oral contraceptive pills was recorded by monthly use and duration. The periodontal disease was documented by yes or no and selected as dependent variable by logistic regression analysis. Results: After revising the taking period of oral contraceptive pill for this study, there was the correlation between the prevalence of periodontal disease and odds ratio(95% CI) 1.288(1.027-1.617). Conclusions: This study will contribute to the direction of policy for an oral contraceptive pill and provide the basic data for counseling for the oral health and the side effects of oral contraceptive pills.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.11 no.7
• /
• pp.377-387
• /
• 2020

This study is a retrospective and descriptive research to identify the factors affecting development of spontaneous abortion in women of childbearing age. The subjects totaled 198 females aged 20~45 who had experienced childbirth or spontaneous abortion at least once, and data was collected for one month since July 2019 through self-reporting questionnaires. The results showed that the factors affecting development of spontaneous abortion were use of panty liners (daily: reference, 1~2 times a week: B=-1.74, no: B=-0.77) and antimicrobials (often or a lot: reference, small or normal: B=-0.71, no: B=0.79), occupational groups (inoccupation: reference, service industry employee: B=0.73, white collar: B=1.22, professional: B=0.63, manager: B=1.54), and exposure-risk behavior toward endocrine-disrupting chemicals (B=0.81) during pregnancy, and their explanatory power for development of spontaneous abortion was 24.4% (R²=.24). As a result, it is necessary to prevent endocrine-disrupting chemicals exposure and pay attention to the occupational environment during pregnancy in order to reduce the development of spontaneous abortion.