• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.73-81
• /
• 1997

Diphtheria was the world-spread, respiratory infectious disease in the past. But after developing the diphtheria toxoid, diphtheria vaccine, composed of diphtheria toxoid, is generalized, so prevalence of diphtheria is sharply dropped. But diphtheria is come back in NIS(New Independent States) in 1990s. It is believed that recurrence of diphtheria is mainly due to shortage of protective diphtheria antibody titer in adults. And it is related to 70% prevalence in adults, not in children. Considering this changing environment, this study was designed to research the diphtheria antibody titer of whole population and existence of titer difference by sex. Also it was studied whether ELISA has fitness as determination method of diphtheria antibody titer compared with neutralization method on microcell culture. This study was done to 277 samples of three hospitals in Seoul area, and sera was tested by neutralization method on microcell culture and ELISA method. The results of this study were as follows 1) Of this studied population, 31.05% had an antibody titer below the protective level (<0.01 IU/ml), 40.79% had a titer of a relative degree of protection (0.01-0.09 IU/ml) and 28.16% had a reliable degree of protection ($\geq$0.1 IU/ml). Therefore, 68.95% had a basic protective antibody titer level. 2) 20-40 age group showed the lowest diphtheria antibody titer among the studied population. 3) GMT of diphtheria antibody titer was the highest in the children. But, after child period, GMT was fallen. Standard deviation value was the lowest in older group. 4) Protective level of diphtheria antibody titer of male was slightly higher than female (70.94% vs 66.66%). But this difference was not statistically significant. 5) Diphtheria antibody titer by ELISA method was wholly higher than by neutralization method on microcell culture. Compared the two results by ELISA and neutralization, the regression coefficient was 0.38. And in titer, which was obtained by ELISA method, false-positive results was abundant.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.513-520
• /
• 2000

Objectives : To estimate the prevalence of hypertension, rates of awareness, treatment modalities, and control of hypertension, and also to identify factors in rural Korea that are related to these aspects of hypertension. Methods : A cross-sectional survey, including blood pressure(BP) measurements and interviews, investigating the variables in the health belief model was peformed from August to November, 1999 on 1,426 (79.4%) study subjects out of 1,797 registered residents over 30 years old in Ibansong-Myun, Chinju City. A second survey was peformed from January to March, 2000 on 376 (80.0%) subjects out of 470 hypertensive (or suspected hypertensive) subjects found in the first survey. Two BP readings were taken in each survey using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. Hypertension was defined as either a BP reading $\geq$ 140/90 mmHg in both surveys, or as subjects on oral hypertensive medication. Results : Estimated hypertension prevalence was 24.9% for men, and 30.4% for women. Rates of hypertension awareness, treatment (the regular use of oral hypertensives), and control (reduction of BP to <140/90 mmHg) were 52.5%, 34.4%, and 12.9%, respectively. The factors related to lower hypertension awareness in the logistic regression analysis were male gender, farming occupation, and higher perceived barrier to medical treatment (those for whom visiting health professionals is a burden). Conclusions : To improve the low awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension, a more active and out-reaching hypertension control program, including routine BP measurements for every visitor to primary care facilities, is needed in rural Korea.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.9-16
• /
• 2009

A survey which was to find out visitor's behavior and their satisfaction on nature trails in Mt. Jiri National Park was conducted to provide basic information and management methods. According to the survey, major visitors were male with the age between 40 and 50, and the residents of Gyeongnam with relatively high academic background. The visitors had obtained information about natural trail mainly from other visitor, not from internet. The visitors were mainly composed of big group and family. The main purpose of visiting was to escape congested everyday in Yupyeong and Hadong district, and to enjoy mountain climbing in Jungsanri and Baekmudong district. Although there were differences among districts, most visitors were satisfied with natural interpretation program. About 40% were recognized optimum length of nature trails as 2km and less.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.693-704
• /
• 2008

In this study, the preference for Korean Kimchi by Chinese people in Shandong Province was evaluated. Specifically, this study was conducted to aid in the introduction of Kimchi to China by providing information and developing local types designed to meet regional taste preferences. The subjects were comprised of 298 Chinese (male 108, female 190) residents of Weihai, Yantai and Qingdao, in Shandong province, China. The subjects were provided with a self administered questionnaire form designed to evaluate their views on Korean Kimchi. The collected data were then analyzed using the SAS software package. The results revealed that 95.3% of the respondents were aware of Korean Kimchi. In addition, 100% of the respondents who had visited Korea and 98.1% of the respondents who had an interest in Korea were aware of Kimchi. With regard to the origins of their interest in Kimchi, 26.8% of the subjects answered 'through mass media', while 23.9% reported that they learned about Kimchi 'through friends'. Most subjects recognized Kimchi as a 'Korean traditional food' (92.6%), a 'delicious food' (53.2%), and a 'fermented food' (38.0%). Baechu Kimchi was found to be the most well-known Kimchi, followed by Kkakdugi, Oi Kimchi, Yoelmu Kimchi and Nabak Kimchi. Additionally, 69.1% of the subjects knew how it was prepared, most of whom reported that they learned how Kimchi was prepared through 'Korean movie and/or drama'. Moreover, 88.9% of the subjects had eaten Kimchi. Overall, 43.8% of the subjects reported that they ate Kimchi $1{\sim}2$ times per month, while 32.1% reported that they ate Kimchi $1{\sim}2$ time per year. The most common places that Kimchi was eaten were a 'Korean restaurant' (67.6%) or with a 'colleague' (32.8%). The primary reasons for not having eaten Kimchi were 'no knowledge or dislike of Kimchi by family' (30.3%), 'difficulty purchasing Kimchi' (21.2%), 'high priced Kimchi' (21.2%), and 'dislike the smell and shape of Kimchi' (12.1%).

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.166-174
• /
• 2013

Purpose: This study aims to identify factors that influence middle-aged men's attitude towards death. Methods: The study enrolled 204 middle-aged (range=40~59 years) male residents of Daegu in Korea. Using a structured questionnaire, data were collected in October 4~30, 2010. For data analysis, we used descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheff$\grave{e}$'s test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression with SPSS WIN 14.0. Results: Participants' attitude towards death significantly differed according to educational level, religion, volunteer activities, and perceived health status. Moreover, their attitude towards death was negatively correlated with life stress and depression and positively correlated with self-esteem, life satisfaction, and coping behavior. The factors influencing the attitude towards death were life satisfaction, daily stress, religion, and depression, which explained approximately 25.7% of the total variance. Conclusion: Middle-aged men perform a crucial role in our society, and their attitude toward death affects how they cope with a situational crisis such as a terminal cancer or withdrawal of life sustaining treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and implement a support program for middle-aged men, which offers them with various strategies to better manage their daily stress and improve their life satisfaction and coping skills.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.30
• /
• pp.2.1-2.9
• /
• 2015

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the association between presence of depression symptoms and the exposure level to insecticides among aged population in rural area, determined via measured levels of urinary 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), after controlling for socioeconomic confounding factors. Methods Using a cross-sectional study design, we randomly recruited participants for our study (161 male and 239 female) from rural areas of Asan, Chungnam, Korea. Environmental risk factor exposure was assessed using a questionnaire, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze urinary 3-PBA levels. We used a logistic regression analysis to assess the association of urinary 3-PBA levels with the presence of self-reported depression symptoms. Results After controlling for creatinine levels, the median (interquartile range) concentration of 3-PBA was approximately 1.5 times (p<0.05) higher among female (1.54 [0.90 to 2.35]) ${\mu}g/g$) than among male (1.06 [0.64 to 1.81] ${\mu}g/g$). Our study found that among female participants, the unit increase in 3-PBA levels exhibited a likely positive association (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 1.25) with an increased risk of presence of self-reported depression symptoms, after adjusting for socioeconomic insurance type, daily physical condition, marital status, smoking status, and age. Conclusions Given our finding of a potential association between the presence of self-reported depression symptoms and 3-PBA levels, precautions should be considered to minimize exposure to insecticides and thus protect the health of aged residents in rural areas.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.123-133
• /
• 2003

Objectives: To examine the association between serum gamma-glutamyltransferase(GGT) activity level and blood pressure, serum lipids in the male residents of rural area, we analyzed cross-sectionally the data of 379 male health examinees aged 40 years and older from rural areas in Gyeongsangnam-do prefecture in Korea. Methods: Blood pressure and concentration of serum lipids were compared between high and low level of serum GGT activity by t-test or Wilcoxon rank sum test. Possible confounding effects of age, body mass index and coffee drinking were adjusted by analysis of covariance. Results: Adjusted values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were higher in the group of high level of serum GGT activity in non-drinkers(P=0.055 and P=0.074 respectively) and drinkers(P=0.284 and P=0.398) of alcohol. Adjusted serum total cholesterol level was also higher in the group of high level of serum GGT activity in non-drinkers(P=0.052) but not in drinkers(P=0.981) of alcohol. In serum triglyceride, adjusted level was significantly higher in the group of high level of serum GGT activity in both non-drinkers(P=0.035) and drinkers(P=0.002) of alcohol. Conclusions: These results suggest the association of serum GGT activity and serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, or blood pressure in non-drinkres of alcohol.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.414-431
• /
• 2016

There are numerous closed and abandoned mines in Korea, from which diverse heavy metals (e.g., As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) are released into the surrounding soil, groundwater, surface water, and crops, potentially resulting in detrimental effects on the health of nearby residents. Therefore, we performed human risk assessments of two abandoned metal mines, Yanggok (YG) and Samsanjeil (SJ). The exposure parameters used in this assessment were specific to residents near mines and the included exposure pathways were relevant to areas around metal mines. The computed total excess carcinogenic risks for both areas exceeded the acceptable carcinogenic risk ($1{\times}10^{-6}$), indicating that these areas are likely unsafe due to a carcinogenic hazard. In contrast, the non-carcinogenic risks of the two areas differed among the studied receptors. The hazard indices were higher than the unit risk (=1.0) for male and female adults in YG and male adults in SJ, suggesting that there are non-carcinogenic risks for these groups in the study areas. However, the hazard indices for children in YG and female adults and children in SJ were lower than the unit risk. Consumption of groundwater and crops grown in the area were identified as major exposure pathways for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic hazards in both areas. Finally, the dominant metals contributing to carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were As and As, Cu, and Pb, respectively. In addition, the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of YG were evaluated to be 10 and 4 times higher than those of SJ, respectively, resulted from the relatively higher exposure concentration of As in groundwater within SJ area. Because of lacking of several exposure parameters, some of average daily dose (ADD) could not be computed in this study. Furthermore, it is likely that the ADDs of crop-intake pathway included some errors because they were calculated using soil exposure concentrations and bioconcentration factor (BCF) rather than using crop exposure concentrations.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.174-184
• /
• 1991

To determine the incidence rate of accidents and its associated factors, a prospective survey was carried out in a rural area of a total of 1,360 residents for 1 year from January 1 to December 31, 1988 in Shin-am Ri, Jungdong Myun, Sangju Kun, Kyungpook Province. Data for accidents were collected by the community health practitioner who is working at Primary Health Post in Shin-am Ri. A total number of accident cases was 85 among 1,360 persons during one year study period, and annual incidence rate was 62.5 per 1,000 persons. The highest incidence rate of accident was observed in the age group of 30-39 was 179.8. The incidence rate of accident in male was 86.5 which was about 2 times that in female. In male, the highest incidence rate was seen in 30-39 age group and in female, 60-69 age group. The highest incidence rate of accident was observed in spring(29.4%) and summer(29.4%), and the lowest in fall(17.7%). The highest incidence rate of accident was observed in Friday(24.5%) by day of week, and between 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. by time zone. The most frequent use of medical facilities was Primary Health Post(51.8%) and the next was clinic(38.8%). Mean duration of treatment was 9.8 days. The accident occured in the room and kitchen(23.5%), in the yard and barn(23.5%), on the road(22.4%). and in the rice field and dry field(20.0%). The causes of accident were motor vehicle accident(20.0%), piercing or cutting(20.0%), collision or fighting(12.9%), and poisoning(11.8%) in order of frequency. The most common type of injury was open wound which was 43.5%. The most common tool of accident was farm machine which was 23.5%. The most common injuried part of body was extremity(55.3%).

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.77-86
• /
• 1980

The present study was conducted to investigate smoking status and the relationship of smoking to hypertension and diseases on 1,504 subjects who were over 30-year-old age in Kyungsan Gun, Kyungpook province, during the period of 12 months from March 1978 to February 1979. The results obtained are summarized as follows: Of 1,504 subjects, 52.2 percent smoked. The percentage of males smoking showed 84.8 and the percentage of females was 30.7. There were no statistically significant differences between the rate of smoking and educational levels. Protestants demonstrated lower rates of smoking compared with other groups. Regarding the age started to smoke, 66.4 precent of male smokers and 16.9 percent of female smokers commenced smoking before the age of 19. In the regard to the average number of cigarettes smoked daily, 45.8 percent of male smokers consumed some 20 cigarettes and 24.1 percent of female smokers consumed some 10 cigarettes. 3.2 percent of male smellers smoked 40 or more cigarettes a day. Alcohol consumption was closely associated with smoking. 90.7 percent of male alcohol drinkers and 60.1 percent of female drinkers smoked. Cigarette smokers have higher rates of ailments than nonsmokers as a whole. The complaints of cough with sputum and shortness of breath revealed higher rates among smokers than among nonsmokers. Frequency of illnesses showed higher for smokers than for nonsmokers. Smokers were more likely than nonsmokers to suffer from chronic obstructive lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema. Abnormal systolic blood pressure (>160mmHg) and diastolic (>100) revealed significantly higher among smokers than among nonsmokers.