• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.29-46
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• 2013

A survey conducted on 1,103 patients or caretakers visited Korean medical clinics and hospitals between August 25, 2011 to September 30, 2011 by the Ministry of Health and Welfares and Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs was analyzed and obtained following results: 1. For sociodemographic distribution, female(813) outnumbered male(290) patients with majority of patients ranging from 30s to 60s. Married patients(793) outnumbered unwed(150) patients and 65.0% with higher than high school education. Statistical significance was seen in gender, age, marital status, and education level but no significant difference for status of employment, income level, and types of insurance between the clinics and hospitals. (P<0.05). 45.1% had less than \2,000,000 in monthly salary and most of coverage was provided by either regional or work insurance. 2. 67.9% of the patients rated health conditions to be better than average and 32.1% listed as poor. People in good health showed tendency to visit Korean medical facilities. Musculo-skeletal conditions such as arthritis, ankle sprain, lumbago, muscular injury, and frozen shoulder were common conditions, followed by gastric disorders, common cold and herbal tonics. No significant difference was observed between the clinics and hospitals for above conditions, but significance was seen in atopic dermatitis, stroke, and sequela from traffic accidents (P<0.05). 3. Ten most common conditions addressed at Korean medical facilities were lumbago, arthritis, muscular injury, back sprain, gastric disorders, ankle sprain, common cold, herbal tonics, frozen shoulder and stroke. Major treatment modalities rendered were herbal medicine, herbal supplements, acupuncture and moxibustion, cupping, tuina, and Korean midical physical therapy. No significant difference existed between the clinics and hospitals. 4. All modalities showed at least 85% effectiveness. No statistical significant difference between the clinics and hospitals except for herbal decoction. (P=0.0452) 5. 88.3% of responses showed treatment satisfaction with significant difference between the clinics and hospitals (P=0.002). The occurrence of side effects was at 2%, mostly corning from treating digestive, skin, kidney disorders and neurological issues. No significant difference was observed between the clinics and hospitals. From the above results, the typical population visiting Korean medical facilities can be summarized as being middle aged female with relatively higher education and moderately low income. The health condition is generally good and the purpose of visit is to receive traditional treatments of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and physical therapy. Treatment efficacy and satisfaction were high with no significant differences between the clinics and hospitals.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.35-45
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• 2019

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing stroke in community-dwelling adults. Methods : This study used raw data from the community health survey in 2016. Among the 228,452 subjects who participated in the survey, 225,003 (98.5%) of them were included in the analysis of this study. The sociodemographic characteristics were selected as gender, age, region, income, marital status, and comorbidity was selected as osteoporosis, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, myocardial infarction and arthritis. Health-related quality of life was assessed by EuroQol-5 Dimension(EQ-5D) and the subcategory of EQ-5D (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression) were included in the analysis. Dependent variables were stroke, and the independent variables were the 16 variables described above. Statistical analysis was performed using binomial logistic regression analysis. Results : In sociodemographic variables, stroke was predicted by men, aging, and lower income levels. In comorbidity variables, stroke was predicted by hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and myocardial infarction. In sub-domains of health-related quality of life, stroke was predicted by self-care, usual activities, mobility, anxiety/depression, and pain/discomfort. Conclusion : These finding suggest that it is needed development of a customized health promotion program for the improvement of self-care and activities of daily living in community-dwelling stroke survivors.

• Journal of Society of Occupational Therapy for the Aged and Dementia
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.57-65
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this study was to compare the demographic characteristics, health and quality of life between general adults and adults living with dementia. Method : The data were collected using raw data of the 2016 community health survey and compared between 2,592 adults living with dementia patients and 225,840 general adults. health were assessed for sleep time, stress level, depression, and subjective health status, and quality of life was measured by EQ-5D. Result : In comparison of demographic characteristics, age and family number of adults living with dementia patients were significantly higher than general adults (p<.001), income and eduation levels were low (p<.001), and marital status was higher rate of living with spouse (p<.05). In comparison of health status, adults living with dementia patients were significantly longer in sleep time than the general adults (p<.001), and stress level was higher (p<.001), the percentage of experience of depression was higher (p<.001), and the subjective health status was worse (p<.001). Adults living with dementia patients were significantly lower in quality of life total score and all sub-domain than general adults (p<.001). Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, it is necessary to seek ways to improve the health and quality of life of dementia patients' families.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.3-17
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• 1995

The so-called borderline children are characterised by disturbances in the sense of reality and interpersonal relationships, lack of control, fluctuation of functioning, uneven development and excessive anxiety. But the concept of borderline disorder of childhood is very difficult to define and diagnose in current classification system. The present study adapted the consensus symptoms in borderline children by Bemporad and Vera eight cases aged 7-11 were examined in 37 variables. Results are as follows 1) All subjects are boys and girl hardly be diagnosis n current diagnostic system and have many concurrent diagnoses. Common chief complaints in the sense of reality. 2) In KEDI-WISC test, the borderline children showed average intelligence, but performance IQ tends to be higher than verbal IQ. In Rorscharch test, they showed high thought disorder index, emotional instabilities and aggressive impulses. The results of TOVA suggested attentional deficit in half of the subjects. The organicity is not prominent. 3) Many of the borderline children were unwanted baby. Although primary care takers of all the subjects were their mothers there were moderate problems in caring attitude of their children and marital relationship with their husband. Sccioeconomic status was generally below middle class. Most of all subjects have delayed language development, but have overcome subsequently. Many subjects were rejected by peers because of their aggression. 4) The first visit of the subjects was about 6 years of age. Average duration of treatment was 2 years. All of them were treated in the outpatient basis except one. The effect of pharmacotherapy was doubtful and the necessity of long term play therapy was suggested. Although there were many limitations of method in present study, it was suggested that further research is needed for diagnostic criteria, epidemiology and treatment.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.10 no.12
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• pp.3931-3942
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• 2009

This study as a descriptive survey was to investigate recognition and attitudes on ethical issues for DNR of 119 rescue party who are working on the field, and to develop an objective framework which helps rescue team to manage DNR patients. Data were collected from the structured questionnaire, and subject were 226 rescue party in Jeollabuk-do area in Korea. Study was practiced from May 6 through June 20, 2009, and the data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, $x^2$-test, crosstabs using SPSS Win 12.0. The results indicated that ethical attitudes on subjects' factors(sex, age, religion, marital status, clinical working career, current working area, current position, educational experiences for ethics and values, DNR education places, DNR implication experience, and DNR consulting demands) were statistically significant. Therefore, following researches will be necessary in order to consider measures about DNR based on this study.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.55-71
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• 2009

Background : Traditional Korean medicine(TKM) has gained in popularity among chronic patients in recent years. The use of TKM among patients with chronic diseases is common, with about two thirds of patients using some form of TKM in Korea. Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the use of TKM and determine what factors affect to use TKM among patients with chronic diseases. The study also aims to provide information on TKM therapies and assist therapy selection among various TKM therapies for patients with chronic diseases. Methods : The design of the study was descriptive cross-sectional, and data were collected using a 21-item questionnaire. This study was conducted with subjects with confirmed diagnosis of chronic diseases, who live in Jeju Province, Korea. Results : Among the participants, past or current TKM use was 66.7%, with a statistically significant difference in gender and level of health status groups(p<0.05), but no difference in age, marital status, education, occupation, and income groups. The most common therapies of TKM used by the patients included acupuncture(51.1%), physiotherapy(16.8%), cupping(13.5%), and herbal medicine(4.8%). The main benefits from TKM perceived by the patients were chronic diseases management and health promotion. In a logistic regression analysis, significant influencing factors related to TKM use were gender, family income level, the extent of recognition of efficacy, heath status, and health security program. Conclusions : In this study the socio-demographic and health status, recognition of TKM efficacy factors associated with TKM use among patients with chronic diseases were similar to those found in the general population. The findings suggest that due to the relatively high use of TKM among patients with chronic diseases in Korea, this topic should be taken into account in the development of a holistic approach for patients with chronic diseases and an efficient chronic disease management system. Additionally proactive and consistent management of TKM is necessary in the health care system in Korea.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.489-498
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to examine whether there is a difference in the awareness of death based on happiness (since attitude or way of life differs among the general public, depending on the perception of death), and to investigate whether there is a difference in the interest in hospices between a group with a high happiness index and a group with a low happiness index. A survey was conducted on 200 men and women aged over 20 who participated in a walking event held in a metropolitan city on April 22, 2017. The survey consisted of eight demographic items: gender, age, education, occupation, marital status, family cohabitation, religion, and health status. It included 29 questions regarding happiness and nine questions regarding the perception of death. For the statistical tests, a chi-square test, an independent sample t-test, correlation analysis, and canonical correlation analysis were performed on the items of the survey based on a happiness index. The results of the study showed that, for a suitable place for death, medical institutions was the highest score (46.3%) for the group with a low happiness index, and own house was highest (59.4%) for the group with a high happiness index. This was a significant difference. It is thought that management systems should be supplemented by professional manpower, educating people so as to increase the utilization rates of home-based hospice as a way for patients to die in a comfortable and familiar place because, for Korea, death is much more common in hospitals. It is also necessary to increase the awareness of death and to make effective use of hospices through individual and various other approaches, considering the demographics of the subjects.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.21
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• pp.9543-9547
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• 2014

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate demographic features, dietary habits, and some possible risk factors for being susceptible to breast cancer in Iranian women. Materials and Methods: A study of dietary habits and breast cancer was conducted among 53 Iranian women with histological confirmed disease and 40 matched controls. A dietary habits questionnaire was used to evaluate the pattern of selected food intakes. The risk of cancer was analyzed after adjustment for confounding factors. Age, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, educational status, parity, lactation, marital status, menopause, history of estrogen therapy, and family history of breast disease or cancer were assessed among participants. Special attention was given to the relationship between consumption of high fat meat, milk, yogurt and cheese as well use of frying oils for frying foods, use of olive/liquid oils for cooking, removing fat from meat and poultry, removing chicken skin and not use of mayonnaise as salad dressing and the risk of breast cancer. Moreover, salad, vegetable and fruit consumption, and eating outdoors owere investigated. Results: Our results revealed significant lower education and higher BMI and waist circumference levels in patients with breast cancer. There was significantly increased breast cancer risk in overweight women in comparison with normal weight (OR=2.91, 95%CI 1.24 to 6.82). High intake of fat dairy products including milk and cheese was found to be a statistically significant factor for increasing breast cancer risk in models adjusting for age, BMI and education. Use of olive/liquid oils for cooking and avoidance of mayonnaise as salad dressing are related to lower risk of breast cancer. The frequency of vegetable and fruit consumption was significantly lower in patients with breast cancer compared to healthy women. Conclusions: Dietary habits might be risk factors for breast cancer among Iranian women. Adoption of a prudent diet could be an appropriate strategy for preventing breast cancer.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.54
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• pp.177-201
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• 2003

Gambling is prevailing in our society and the family problems of gamblers are also serious. In order to reduce the problems of gamblers and their families, the basic research on gambling would be the first step. In light of this, this study is a survey which has two objectives: to grasp the overall conditions of gambling and the proportion of pathological gamblers; to find the differences between the pathological gamblers' group and the general group in terms of various aspects of family relations in Choongchung area. The findings of this study is as follows, The respondents tend to gamble most with korean playing cards, either in winter or regardless of seasons. They tend to gamble most with family members, relatives, or friends. About 20% of them gamble more often than once a month, and 60% started gambling in their twenties or thirties. The proportion of pathological gamblers was found to be 11.6% of the sample of this study, with men and rural area residents to be significantly more than women and urban area residents. In the various aspects of family lives, such as marital satisfaction, family relations, family violence, family history of addiction, how to spend leisure time with family, it was found that the pathological gamblers' group has significantly more problems than the general group. On the basis of the above findings, the suggestions were made as follows. Firstly, the counter plan to gambling is necessary in the rural area, especially in winter time. secondly, positive leisure activities which substitute gambling needs to be developed, especially for men. Thirdly, family education and family therapy Program is required for the pathological gamblers and their families. Fourthly, governmental policy is necessary for the budget to prevent and treat gambling problems.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.67-81
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• 2011

Background : Complementary and alternative medicine has bee used to cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, many hospitals have tried to integrate complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) with conventional medical approaches for patients with chronic diseases. Recently, the prevalence of the use of traditional Korean medicine(TKM) among patients with chronic diseases, expecially, hemiplegia patients after cerebrovascular accident is increasing in Korea. To date, however, there were only few studies addressing the patients' attitudes, and utilization of TKM, compared to the well-documented escalating use of TKM among consumers in Korea. Objectives : The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence of TKM use among hemiplegia patients after cerebrovascular accident and to determine what factors affect to use CAM among the patients. The study also aims to provide information on TKM and assist therapy selection among various CAM therapies for hemiplegia patients after cerebrovascular accident within health care system in which both practitioners of TKM and practitioners of modern Western medicine coexisted. Methods : The design of the study was descriptive cross-sectional, and data were collected using a 32-items questionnaire. The subjects were one hundred fifty nine patients with chronic diseases who visited or admitted to health care facilities in a hospital in Seoul Metropolitan city, Korea. Data were analyzed using 'SPSS Statistics 18.0 Network Version(on release 18.0.1 of PASW Statistics)' program. Various statistical methods were used to obtain a profile for participants and the therapies most frequently used by hemiplegia patients of TKM. Logistic regression analysis was employed in order to determine the predicting variables of TKM use. Results : The prevalence of the use of TKM was 51.6%. The most common TKM therapies used by the patients included acupuncture(93.2%), herbal medicine(64.8%), and cupping(37.5%). Results of logistic regression analysis revealed that the variables significantly related with TKM use were gender, marital status, job, No. of visiting health care facilities/week. Conclusions : This study shows that the use of TKM among the hemiplegia patients is relatively high in Korea, this topic should be taken into account in the development of a holistic approach for patients with chronic diseases and an efficient chronic disease management system in Korea.