• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.71-87
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• 2011

Objective : The present study is aimed at providing basic data to help oriental medical hospitals devise efficient operational plans by analyzing the medical expenses of in-patients in an oriental medical hospital and the factors affecting such expenses. Methods : PASW 18.0 was used to analyze the medical insurance program data of 929 patients who were discharged from a university oriental medical hospital(with 105 sick-beds) during the period from January 1 to December 31, 2010 after treatment under the coverage of health insurance and medical aid. Results : 1) Of all the patients hospitalized, 63.3% were females, their mean age was 52.73 years old, and 87.7% was covered by the health insurance program. The biggest number or 31.2% of the patients were treated by the department of acupuncture, 31.5% suffered mainly from the diseases of musculoskeletal system and connective tissues, and the average length of stay at the hospital was 19.49 days. 2) There were statistically significant differences in total medical expenses by age, clinical department in charge, principal diagnosis, and number of days hospitalized while daily average medical expenses differed depending on age, type of medical security, clinical department, principal diagnosis, and number of days staying at the hospital. 3) Total medical expenses were found significantly influenced by age, type of medical security, clinical department, principal diagnosis, and number of days hospitalized(explanatory power : 95.9%), whereas type of medical security, clinical department and principal diagnosis turned out to exercise significant influence on the daily average medical expenses(explanatory power : 26.9%). Conclusion : Oriental medical hospitals are suggested to make efforts to ensure geographical and economical accessibility for their main clients, the elderly and middle-aged, as well as to improve satisfaction of the clients with the medical service provided. They are also encouraged to work out systems to specialize in treatment with a focus on chronic degenerative and adult diseases. In addition, they are expected to try to enhance people's awareness of oriental medicine in an attempt to diversify the brackets of clients and increase frequency of their utilization.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.87 no.3
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• pp.386-397
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• 2024

Background: Despite the global increase in nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD), clinical characteristics show geographical variations. We investigated the clinical characteristics of patients with NTM-PD in South Korea. Methods: We systematically reviewed articles concerning patients with NTM-PD in South Korea until February 2022. Individual participant data, regardless of treatment, were collected using a standard case report form. Results: Data of 6,489 patients from 11 hospitals between 2002 and 2019 were analyzed. The mean age was 61.5±11.7 years, of whom 57.7% were women. Mycobacterium avium (41.4%) and Mycobacterium intracellulare (38.4%) comprised most of the causative species, followed by Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies abscessus (8.6%) and M. abscessus subspecies massiliense (7.8%). Bronchiectasis (59.4%) was the most common pulmonary comorbidity. Although reported cases of NTM-PD increased over the years, the proportions of causative species and radiologic forms remained similar. Distinct clinical characteristics were observed according to age and sex. Men were older at the time of diagnosis (median 63.8 years vs. 59.9 years, p<0.001), and had more cavitary lesions than women (38.8% vs. 21.0%, p<0.001). The older group (≥65 years) had higher proportions of patients with body mass index <18.5 kg/m² (27.4% vs. 18.6%, p<0.001) and cavitary lesions (29.9% vs. 27.6%, p=0.009) than the younger group. Conclusion: We conducted a meta-analysis of the clinical characteristics of patients with NTM-PD in South Korea, and found age- and sex-related differences in disease-specific severity. Further investigation would enhance our comprehension of the nature of the disease, and inherited and acquired host factors.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.342-349
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was done to develop data for a hygiene promotion program for elders living on rural islands. Method: Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Results: Most of the elders reported brushed their teeth and washing their faces twice a day. For other types of washing, 98.8% of reported washing their hands after the toilet and 22.8% reported washing their anus after defecation. Most of the elders reported changing their underwear two to three times a month and cutting their nails more than four times a month. Itchiness was reported by 24%. There were significant differences according to age for teeth brushing, face washing, shampooing, bathing, washing hands after the toilet, and cutting nails. According to sex, there were significant differences in teeth brushing, face washing, washing hands after using the toilet, washing anus after defecation, changing underwear, cutting nails, and feeling itchy. The elders showed significant differences in bathing, changing underwear, and cutting nails according to subjective economic status. They showed significant differences in teeth brushing and changing underwear when they lived with their families. Conclusion: In order to develop a proper hygiene promotion program for the elderly, their age, sex, and physical condition should be considered as well as their environmental, economical, and geographical condition.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Costume Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.77-77
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• 2003

If we look closely to the power shift of the powerful countries historically. during the 16th century Spain's power came from gold, colony trade, the mercenary force, close relation with the thrown, 17th century Netherlands owes their power to trade, capital market, the marines, 18th century France owes it to population, agriculture, public administration, and the army. Also, England had their industry, political unity, finance and trust, the marines, liberalistic principles, a geographical merit of being an island which can be defended well and the 20th century America has their cosmopolitan culture, supernational communication, the capacity of the economy, science technology, military strength, alliances, liberalism international formation. But in the 21st century culture and art will prevail over the information age where technology and knowledge was the key, and it is predicted that this will be the source of power for a strong country. Rolfe Yesson, the head of The Copenhagen Research Center for future studies said, "Information age has ended and in the future Dream Society will arrive which focuses on making distinctions by delivering dreams and emotions to consumers". As cyberspace gradually substitutes reality, cyberspace has become more than an information search engine and has become a place where people fulfill their desires and exchange culture. And as a medium for diffusing culture, the importance of the digital dress-up avatar is predicted to increase gradually.gradually.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2006

Purpose: To compare of health inequalities between rural and urban areas in term of health status, health behaviors and medical care utilization by using national-wide data. Method: The data came from the 2000 and 2005 census data, 2004 death certification statistics and 2001 national health and nutrition survey. The health indicators used in this study were mortality, perceived health status, health related behaviors, morbidity, accidents and suicides, mental health-related factors, health care accessibility. Korean rural areas have been experiencing a rapid aging process and there are demographic differences between rural and urban populations. Thus, both of crude rates and age-adjusted rates were compared. Result: Although the degrees decreased after adjustment for age, health inequalities between areas still existed. The people who lived in rural areas suffer from higher mortality, morbidity and unhealthy behavior compared to people in urban areas. Especially, regional health inequalities for women were significant. Health care accessibility in rural areas was also lower and medical indirect costs for rural residents were higher than those of urban residents. Conclusion: To reduce health inequalities between geographical areas, political efforts to tackle health inequalities in the rural areas are required.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.129-137
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• 2010

This study surveys the degree of residents' satisfaction on the current street space to suggest alternatives for the improvement of the street space design in detached house areas. In the results of the survey, we find the following. First, in the result of analysis on age, residential term, having children or not, income level, and type of house ownership, residents are homogeneous in social and economic characteristics. There are similarity in geographical, locational conditions, neighboring facilities, deterioration of residential house, and the time of residential formation among residential areas. Second, satisfactory determinants of residents on street space according to street types, are maintenance, protection of privacy, and parking space. Third, satisfactory determinants of residents on street hierarchy is the inner circulation road while unsatisfactory one is the inner roads. Fourth, age, residential term and type of house ownership are significant factors influencing residents' satisfaction. Factors influencing satisfaction on street space are also affecting total satisfaction and factors associated with street environment are perceived more important ones than factors associated with street activities. Thus we find the degrees of satisfaction for residents on street type and street hierarchy are different despite that general characteristics of residents are similar. We also find residents consider street noise and maintenance as critical factor among physical factors of street space.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.154-160
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• 2019

Objectives: Stillbirth is a common adverse pregnancy outcome that represents a distressing and traumatic event for women and their partners. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with stillbirth in ever-pregnant women in Nepal. Methods: This study utilized the individual women's dataset from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, conducted in 2016. The dependent variable of interest was whether women had at least 1 stillbirth during their lifetime. The associations between independent variables and the dependent variable of the study were analyzed using a multiple logistic regression model. Results: Among 8918 ever-pregnant women aged 15-49 years, 488 had experienced at least 1 stillbirth during their lifetime, representing 5.5% of the total. After adjusting each factor for the confounding effects of other factors, maternal age, maternal education, place of residence, and sub-region remained significantly associated with having experienced stillbirth. Conclusions: Stillbirth continues to be a major problem among women, especially those with higher maternal age, those who are illiterate, and residents of certain geographical regions. To minimize stillbirth in Nepal, plans and policies should be focused on women with low education levels and residents of rural areas, especially in the western mountain and far-western hill regions.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2024

Due to the decrease in the school-age population and the overall population, school closures will continue to occur. Currently, most school closures are happening in rural areas, where geographical conditions often result in relatively poor educational, welfare, and cultural facilities compared to urban areas. Additionally, the proportion of elderly populations and migrant women is continuously increasing. In order to effectively utilize closed schools in the future, various efficient utilization methods that align with the social context of the respective regions will be necessary. The purpose of this study is to examine the status of closed school and utilization types in selected rural and island areas of similar sizes through field surveys and literature reviews. By comparing and analyzing these findings, we have identified the predominant utilization types in rural and island areas and assessed the current situation where utilization is lacking. Based on the results, we aim to provide fundamental data for improving and enhancing the utilization of school closures in the face of the ongoing decline in the school-age population.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.24 no.2 s.34
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• pp.171-180
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• 1991

Productivity analysis of physician is one of essential factors for the optimal health manpower planning. Among 690 physicians operating clinic and registered on the Kyeongsangnamdo Medical Association, 623 physicians were studied with a structural questionaire from April 1 to May 31, 1990. This study covers the general characteristics and productivity of physicians and attempts to find relevant determinants of their productivity through stepwise multiple regression analysis based on collected data. The mar results were as follows. First, physicians were more prevalent $35{\sim}44$ group (30.2%) in age, male (95.8%) in sex, specialist (76.5%) in specialization,'city (78.0%) in geographical location. Age group of 35-54 and specialist were mere prevalent in cities than in counties, while age group of 25-44 and 55 over and general practitioner in counties (p<0.001). Second, daily outpatients load of all physician were 77.1 persons on average. Age group of $35{\sim}44$ had the most outpatient load (90.3 persons) among all age group, $6{\sim}10$ years group (94.2 persons) in years of duration of practice, 11 hours per day group (83.4 persons) in working hours per day. Specialists had more outpatient load (82.6 persons) than general practitioners (61.1 persons) and physicians in cities had more (80.2 persons) than physicians in counties (66.3 persons). Daily average outpatient load of physicians were significantly different by their age, speciality, number of assistants and years of practice (p<0.001) and working location (p<0.05), but not significantly different by working hours per day of physician (p>0.1). Third, the productivity of physicians operating clinic were significantly affected by the three factors-number of assistants of physician, age of physician and duration of practice at the current clinic. Age of physician had negative regression coefficient.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.143-150
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• 2013

A cell site lease is a legal agreement by which the owner of a building or a piece of land allows a wireless carrier to use part of it for a cell tower for a period of time in return for money. Wireless carriers spend significant money for cell site leases. This paper tries to find factors affecting cell site leases and management solutions to save lease costs. In other words, this research identifies any factor influencing cell site leases among age, gender, and geographical area in the first problem and determines management priorities using an importance-satisfaction model in the second problem. This paper can provide wireless carriers with effective decision making tools and a basis for negotiation of cell site leases, as they do not have enough bases for negotiation.