• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.37-44
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• 2019

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare sitting balance and coordination spastic cerebral palsy in children using the Korean version of Trunk Impairment Scale (K-TIS) as well as to provide basic data about effective postural control treatment for clinicians handling these two types. METHODS: The K-TIS was measured in 29 children diagnosed with diplegic and quadriplegic cerebral palsy (18 with diplegia and 11 with quadriplegia). The average and standard scores of the children's K-TIS subscales and items of the two groups were measured. The two groups' subscales and items were analyzed by using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Static sitting balance, dynamic sitting balance, coordination, and total score for children with diplegia were statistically high (p<.05). For all items under static sitting balance, the score for children with diplegia was higher. The first differences in the repeated items of dynamic sitting balance and coordination area that rotates between the upper and lower body were presented. CONCLUSION: The difference in balance and coordination in sitting positions is exhibited in children with diplegia and quadriplegia. For children with spastic quadriplegia, treatments should focus on static sitting balance and coordination, together with a focus on dynamic sitting balance and coordination.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.336-346
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• 2017

Objectives: To characterize the usage patterns of new types of tobacco products (NTTPs) to develop effective strategies for the regulation of NTTPs in Korea. Methods: We conducted focus group interviews to identify the NTTP usage patterns of research subjects. The NTTPs were limited to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), waterpipe tobacco, and rolling tobacco. We categorized 30 research subjects into 4 groups. The ecigarette group was divided into adult and adolescent groups. Each group contained 7-8 subjects. An interview lasting approximately 2 hours was conducted with each group. Results: Ninety percent of NTTP users used an NTTP in combination with conventional cigarettes. Subjects mostly bought NTTPs online, unlike how they bought cigarettes. Additionally, a great deal of information, such as how to use NTTPs and descriptions of NTTP products, was exchanged through online or offline societies. The primary reason why the subjects used NTTPs was that NTTPs offer a greater range of flavors and aromas than cigarettes. Moreover, NTTPs were felt to be less repulsive than cigarettes. NTTPs were not used as a cigarette substitute; rather, they were mostly used in places and situations where traditional cigarette smoking was not allowed. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, the government should conduct studies on the effects of the combined use of NTTPs and cigarettes on the human body, obtain and provide accurate data regarding NTTP use, and develop and implement polices to ban NTTP advertising, which may arouse adolescents' curiosity, and the addition of flavoring substances to tobacco products.

• Asian Journal of Business Environment
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.27-33
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• 2017

Purpose - The paper aims to explore the critical and uncover issues encountered to the supply-chain companies in launching halal based services in India. Research design, data, and methodology - After a meticulous review of relevant literature on the halal concept and halal logistics, researchers involved in a data collection by conducting semi-structured focus group interviews. Four groups with a maximum of 5 members each have chosen from the areas of transportation, warehousing, certification, and packaging. A total of 20 questionnaires were collected by applying purposive sampling method. Results - More than 95 percent of the chosen focus groups agreed that they know only about halal but don't have any exposure to halal logistics. The discussion has revealed that the adoption rate for halal transportation, warehousing, halal certification, and packaging is almost zero. The respondents were chosen only from transportation, warehousing, certification and packaging companies from south India which are operating throughout India. This research never attempts to be acquainted with the opinions of channel members who directly or indirectly involved in meeting customer demands. Conclusions - This is a ground-breaking effort aimed to study the critical issues related to Indian halal logistics which is beneficial to both logistic companies as well as to the academic world.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.71-77
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• 2011

Purpose: In this study, we tried to determine the effect of upper extremity training such as functional reaching on improved trunk control and ADL performance in post-stroke hemiplegic patients. Methods: We randomly selected 11 stroke patients in the hospital, who had a problem with the upper extremity, trunk and ADL performance. The patients were divided into the conservative training group and the functional reaching training group. We applied general occupational therapy only in the conservative training group whereas we applied upper extremity training with a focus on functional reaching in the functional reaching training group. To compare the two groups we used several assessment tools such as Modified Barthel Index (MBI), total Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), static TIS, dynamic TIS and coordinative TIS. Results: The results obtained were as follows: (1) In the functional reaching training group, there was a statistically significant difference in the total TIS score, dynamic TIS score, and MBI. (2) We compared the results obtained before training with the changes in the results obtained after training and found that there was a relation between the assessment outcomes. Especially, static TIS score showed a relation in both groups. Conclusion: Functional reaching training influenced both the trunk control and ADL performance. Especially, the functional reaching training group demonstrated better static trunk control ability than the conservative treatment group.

• International Journal of Contents
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.17-25
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• 2011

Technophobia is described as the 'abnormal fear or anxiety about the effects of advanced technology', affecting one third of the population, causing health problems and the inability to work efficiently. The development of the mobile phone, both in its design process and its following socioeconomic success, has a prominent effect on our society in general; this point will be explicated in this paper. The negative effects of these developments have also been assessed with questionnaire-based interviews, focus groups and media analysis in order to focus on those who are most susceptible to the effects of technophobia, to discover the possible causes and to develop a solution for overcoming the phobia. The findings of the literature review and empirical research have been debated; the results proved inconclusive. All age and sex and groups displayed levels of anxiety around technology. Therefore, designers cannot afford to abandon these individuals in the future, and attention should be directed into inclusive product design. Therefore, various solutions have been suggested for support for these sufferers, such as tuition and bespoke, 'built to specification' mobile phones.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.301-314
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was a methodological research conducted to develop a clinical ladder system for operating nurses. Methods: Participants were 20 OR nurses, working in C Hospital, who had a mean tenure of 6 years and 10 months. Data collection consisted of 4 focus group interviews during May and June 2009. The content analysis method of Kim and Lee (1986) was used to analyze the data. Two clinical expert groups consisting of 16 nurses verified the content validity of the preliminary system from September 16 to 26, 2009 using Kim's tool (1999). Results: The final clinical ladder system consisted of goals, core values, and 4 domains of practice related to core values, which were defined as professional value, perioperative nursing practice, education/research, and collaboration/leadership. Eleven nursing competencies and 44 behavior indicators were included in accordance with the 4-step ladder. The 4 operation systems for the clinical ladder system were the promotion system, continuous learning system, reward system, and support system. Conclusion: The results indicate that nursing managers need to pay more attention to developing a clinical ladder system for nurses.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.182-195
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• 2017

Purpose: This study explores school nurses' emergency care experiences and their needs for systemic institutional support. Methods: Data were collected in 2016 from the interviews with five focus groups comprising thirty school nurses. Qualitative content analysis was then performed using the collected data. Results: The study found that school nurses were vulnerable to over-reaction in uncertain situations as the school's sole health service provider. The study's findings are divided into ten categories. 1) Major obstacles to overcome as the sole health service provider, 2) Assessing an uncertain situation and making appropriate decisions, 3) Providing limited first aid while maintaining control over the situation, 4) Referring or transferring a student to a hospital that creates tensions and raises cost, 5) Becoming an advocate for information disclosure and treatment, 6) Ensuring follow-up actions and proper transfer of responsibility, 7) Making preparations for future emergency, 8) Responding to conflicts arising from over-reaction as a safeguard and professional expertise, 9) Need for the development of standardized manual for school emergency care, 10) Need for practical case-based training. Conclusion: The findings of this study should contribute to the development of the programs aimed at improving school emergency care and the professional competence of school nurse.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.188-195
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• 2019

Background: Mine workers in South Africa face challenges relating to poor health and safety, including fatigue risks, and poor socioeconomic and living conditions. Fatigue results in impaired mental and physical performance. The aim of this study was to assess contributors to fatigue of mine workers in South Africa. Methods: Data collection took place at four gold mines and one platinum mine in South Africa. A total of 21 focus groups were held with individuals in management, union representatives, and mine workers, and 564 questionnaires were completed by mine workers to gather information about fatigue and potential contributors to fatigue at these mines. Results: Qualitatively (through focus groups), fatigue was attributed to extended working hours, harsh working conditions, high workloads, production pressure, and resource constraints, along with aspects relating to demographic and socioeconomic factors, living conditions, lifestyle, health, and wellness. Greater fatigue was significantly associated with younger age, indebtedness, a lack of exercise, poor nutrition, less sleep, increased alcohol use, poor self-reported health, more sick leave, higher stress, and lower job satisfaction. Conclusion: The aim of the study was achieved; numerous work-, sociodemographic-, lifestyle-, and wellness-related factors were linked to fatigue in the participating mine workers. Contributors to fatigue should be addressed to improve health, safety, and sustainability in the industry.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.27-40
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• 2021

Objectives: This study investigated the working conditions of dental hygienists and their challenges in providing oral care to older adults with dementia using focus group interviews. Methods: We collected data for approximately a month beginning from August 2020 and divided the study subjects into two groups: the health dental hygienist and the clinical dental hygienist groups. A total of 11 subjects participated in this study. Results: The oral health management of older adult patients with dementia has not been efficiently carried out in local communities or dental medical institutions. In addition, dental hygienists encounter difficulties in managing the oral health of these patients and hope to actively learn more about their special cases. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, it is necessary to develop a manual or program for the professional implementation of oral health interventions for older adults with dementia.

• Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.18-29
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• 2022

This study aimed at overviewing the situation of information literacy education and research in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, and developing an ASEAN network model on information literacy. This research used documentary and qualitative research methods. Key resources consisted of twenty bibliometric studies and related documents and two groups of key persons. The first group consisted of twenty-seven purposive key persons from eight countries, and the second group consisted of seven key persons from five countries. The research instruments comprised a data collection form and focus group/ interviewing forms. Data was collected by focus group discussion and online interviews, and qualitative content analysis was used in data analysis and presented descriptively. Research findings showed that: 1) information literacy education and research in the ASEAN region varied across countries and placed importance on the educational context. Singapore was found to be the most leading and productive country in ASEAN in information literacy with the highest number of journal articles on the international scale, and was among the most contributing groups at the regional and global level; 2) the ASEAN Network on Information Literacy (ASEAN-NIL) has been developed as a model with its principles, objectives, management system, activities, and promotion strategies. Its strengths are an integrated scope, multidimensional orientation, and interdisciplinary and collaborative partnerships at the national, regional, and international level, suitable for the ASEAN context, the online environment, and the digital educational ecosystem.