• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.202-212
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• 2021

Objectives: The reproductive health of female workers has been extensively investigated in South Korea and other countries worldwide. However, few studies have discussed the reproductive health of male workers. In this study, we reviewed the recent literature that reports on the effects of occupational exposure on the reproductive health of male workers and the health of their children. Methods: In May 2020 we used the PubMed search engine to search the literature over the last 10 years and chose case-control, cohort, and cross-sectional studies and reviews. We selected epidemiological studies that investigated the association between pre-pregnant occupational exposure and the reproductive health of male workers and the health of their children. We excluded case reports, non-epidemiological studies (animal experiments, cellular-level experiments, and similar articles), and studies that described postnatal occupational exposure. Results: We eventually selected 23 studies. The studies that included exclusively male workers reported that those employed in the agricultural sector or those exposed to pesticides showed lower blood levels of reproductive hormones and a high risk of lympho-hematopoietic system cancer in their children. Male workers exposed to complex organic solvents and organic compounds showed a high risk of poor semen quality, increased time to pregnancy, decreased blood levels of reproductive hormones, and a high risk of lympho-hematopoietic system cancer in their children. Male workers employed in occupations that involved significant social contact, or in the leather and livestock industries, and in occupations with high levels of exposure to lead and organic solvents showed a high risk of malignancies, including lympho-hematopoietic system cancer, neuroblastoma, and central nervous system tumors in their children. Studies that investigated both male and female workers reported that children of male smelters showed a high risk of premature birth, and children of male workers exposed to metals showed a high risk of hypospadias and cryptorchidism. Children of male welders and workers employed in the glass, ceramic, and tile industries showed a high risk of premature birth. Conclusion: The findings of this study will serve as basic data for further research on male workers' reproductive health and provide a scientific basis for the development of strategies to protect the reproductive health of males employed in high-risk occupations. Moreover, the results of this study may provide guidelines to improve the understanding of and knowledge on male workers' reproductive health.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.274-277
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• 2017

Objectives: Legionnaires' disease (LD) is a severe type of pneumonia caused by inhalation of aerosols contaminated with Legionella. On September 22, 2016, a single case of LD was reported from a newly built apartment building in Gyeonggi province. This article describes an epidemiologic investigation of LD and identification of the possible source of infection. Methods: To identify the source of LD, we interviewed the patient's husband using a questionnaire based on the Legionella management guidelines from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Water samples from the site were collected and analyzed. An epidemiological investigation of the residents and visitors in the apartment building was conducted for 14 days before the index patient's symptoms first appeared to 14 days after the implementation of environmental control measures. Results: Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 was isolated from the heated-water samples from the patient's residence and the basement of the apartment complex. Thirty-two suspected cases were reported from the apartment building during the surveillance period, yet all were confirmed negative based on urinary antigen tests. Conclusions: The likely source of infection was the building's potable water, particularly heated water. Further study of effective monitoring systems in heated potable water should be considered.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.473-479
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• 2021

A nationwide survey of chigger mites causing scrub typhus and an investigation of epidemiologic factors for chigger mites was conducted at 16 localities in 8 provinces in Korea during autumn 2009, 2012, and 2013. A total of 233 Apodemus agrarius were captured, and all were infested with chigger mites. The chigger index was highest in Chungcheongbuk-do in 2009 (358.3) and 2012 (290.1) and Chungcheongnam-do in 2013 (294.4). The predominant chigger mite species was Leptotrombidium pallidum in the northern and central parts and L. scutellare in the southern and western parts, Korea. L. pallidum was not found in Jellanam-do and Gyeongsangnam-do and the distribution of L. scutellare had been expanded in the northern parts of Korea. The chigger index of L. pallidum was positively correlated with temperature and negatively correlated with humidity. The incidence of scrub typhus is dependent on L. scutellare index. These findings could be helpful to monitor the distribution of chigger mites and to develop a preventive measures for scrub typhus in Korea.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.281-282
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• 2001

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.38 no.1 s.368
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• pp.86-93
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• 2000

Water fluoridation in conjunstion with wide use of fluoride dentifrices has been a major factor responsible for the decline in dental caries during the second half of the 20th century throughout the world. The history of water of water fluoridation is a classic public health program leading to epidemiologic investigation and community-based public health dentistry program. Although other fluoride-containing products are available, water fluoridation remains as the most safe and cost-effective method of delivering fluoride to omost communities. regardless of age. educational attainment. or income levels,. This review deals with pros and cons of water fluoridation and prospective analysis of state-of-the-art on issues related to the use of fluoride. An "optimal" fluoride concentration of 0.7-1.2 ppm has been recommended for preventing dental caries with a minimal dental fluorosis and no systemic health consequences.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.127-131
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• 2007

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) has been a convenient term used to classify patients who warrant a particular systemic approach to diagnostic evaluation and management. The greatest clinical concern in evaluating FUO is identifying patients whose fever has a serious or life-threatening cause when a delay in diagnosis could jeopardize successful intervention. Thorough history and complete physical examination are critical to uncover the etiologic diagnosis. Most cases of FUO in children are caused by atypical presentations of common diseases rather than by typical manifestations of rare disorders. Selection of diagnostic tests and speed of investigation should be guided by a knowledge of the disease severity, patient age, epidemiologic and geographic information, and any positive findings from a detailed history and physical examination. The three most common causes of FUO in children are infectious diseases, connective tissue diseases, and malignancy. In general, the prognosis of FUO in children is better than that of adults. Although the outcome is dependent on the primary disease process, fever abates spontaneously in most cases in whom the cause of fever remains unclear.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.193-199
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• 2003

Purpose : This study was performed to investigate the epidemiologic feature of aseptic meningitis in Pohang city for 6 years from 1997 to 2002. Methods : We reviewed the clinical records of 1,839(1,138 male and 701 female) aseptic meningitis patients who had been admitted to 3 general hospitals in Pohang city from 1997 to 2002. Results : 1,750 cases(1,078 male and 672 female) were selected as aseptic meningitis by reviewing clinical records. The ratio of male to female was 1.6 : 1. Aseptic meningitis occured in children of all age groups, and the prevalent age group was different by year. The most common developed month was June(31.3%), and 84.2% of cases were focused from May to August. The time from the initial manifestation to hospital admission was $4.19{\pm}2.96$ (median 3 days). Conclusion : We were performed to investigate the epidemiologic feature of clinical records of Aseptic meningitis pediatric patients who had been admitted and treated to 3 General hospitals in Pohang city from 1997 to 2002. We have to keep up Our study for consideration of the basic of Aseptic meningitis epidemiology and long term control is necessary to prevention the impact of Aseptic meningitis because Aseptic meningitis pediatric patients were continuously recorded by Epidemiological annual report in Pohang city.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.309-320
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the related factors of quality of life (QOL) among patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Methods: Patients diagnosed with COPD (N=230) were recruited from four hospitals in Kyeong-Nam province, from March 2 to November 30, 2010. The data collection instruments were the Short Form 36, perceived dyspnea measure by Modified Medical Research Council, COPD and Asthma Sleep Impact Scale, COPD Self-efficacy Scale, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale were used. Following the completion of the data collection instruments Pulmonary function was tested. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and simultaneous multiple regression using SPSS/WIN. Results: The mean QOL of this study was 68.24. Using a multivariate approach, the significant correlates of QOL were depression (${\beta}$=-.37), dyspnea (${\beta}$=-.28), self-efficacy (${\beta}$=.20), and a sufficient degree of household income (${\beta}$=.16). These variables explained 49% of variance in QOL. Conclusion: The study suggests that psychological aspects are an important factor in explaining QOL of the patients. Screening and minimizing depression could be effective strategies in enhancing QOL of patients with COPD and further investigation to reduce depression could warrant the improvement of QOL in patients with COPD.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.65-75
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• 1993

This study was conducted to compare the frequency and to find epidemiologic characteristics of the diseases by analyzing the results of routine first health examination for partial healthy public officials. The total number of the examined was 1.128(876 male, 252 female) The results were as follow; 1. The prevalence rate of suspicious disease was liver disease 5.9% hypertension 5.4%, hyperlipemic disease 3.8%, pulmonary tuberculosis 1.2% by order. 2. The mean systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure showed increasing trend by age increasing. The mean of blood pressure in man was rather higher than that in woman. 3. The prevalence rate of suspicious borderline hypertension increased by aging. And the distribution of high cholesterol group and over than overweight group increased by aging. 4. In male, significant relation among age, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, relative body weight was found. And significant relation between total cholesterol level and relative body weight was found. In female, age and relative body weight was related to systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and total cholesterol level. 5. According to the retrospective follow-up for those who had suspicious disease, correspondence rate of results was 5.2% in circulatory disease and 1.5% in liver disease.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.177-181
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• 2014

Objectives: A salmonellosis outbreak occurred within a community of Gyeongju residents who ingested catered food from a wedding in June 2009. We aimed to epidemiologically investigate the probable vehicle of the infection. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 34 local residents who ingested the wedding food. Results: Among the 34 residents, 31 (91.2%) reported symptoms of infection after eating the food. Among all of the wedding foods, pan-fried foods were highly associated with the diarrheal attack rate. On bacteriological examination, Salmonella species were detected in the pan-fried foods among the leftover foods and in 17 of the 31 stool specimens from the cases. There were five different types of pan-fried foods, but the onset of symptoms was independent of the ingredients used. We found that the pan-fried food was prepared at a food store in Seoul and that eggs were a common ingredient. Conclusions: The major cause of the salmonellosis in this population was presumed to be the pan-fried food prepared with contaminated eggs. These food items might have been partially undercooked because of their irregular shape, which allowed the Salmonella species to survive and multiply before ingestion.