• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.56-64
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlated factors of high myopia in 19 year-old men in Southeast Korea. Methods: This retrospective study was based on the medical checkup data of conscription during 2005. The study subjects were 19 years old men in Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongsangnam-do. The health checkup data of the conscripts consisted of noncycloplegic autorefraction test, the biometric data and social factors. To analyze the social and biometric effects, we classified the biometric factors into 4 or 5 groups and the social factors into 3 groups. High myopia was defined as a spherical equivalent of under -6.0 diopter. Data analysis was performed using the chi square test for trends and multiple logistic regression analysis. The SAS(version 9.1) program was used for all the analyses. Results: The prevalence of high myopia was 12.39% (6256 / 50 508). The factors correlated with high myopia were the residence area (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.77 to 2.4 for small city; OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.72 to 2.34 for metropolis; the reference group was rural area), academic achievement (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.34 to 1.53 for students of 4-and 6-year-course university; the reference group was high school graduates & under) and blood pressure (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.10 to 2.16 for hypertension; OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.17 for prehypertension; OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.20 for hypotension; the reference group was normal blood pressure). Conclusions: More than one tenth of the young men were high myopia as one of the risk factor for visual loss. Further studies on high myopia and its complications are needed to improve eye health in Southeast Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2003

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and to determine their environmental risk factors in school children living in a city where traffic is particularly heavy. METHODS: From November 12th to November 19th, 2002, we sent questionnaires to parents for children's health and environmental factors, and ninety eight percent (516) of parents responded. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of chronic respiratory illness was 12.2% and 13.2% for wheeze, and 6.6% for physician diagnosed asthma. Using multiple logistic regression model, we found that family history of asthma(OR=3.47, 95% CI 1.36-8.78), atopy dermatitis(OR=5.48, 95% CI 2.37-12.66), and pets at home(OR=3.22, 95% CI 1.26-8.23) were associated with chronic respiratory illness in last 12 months. We also found that family history of asthma(OR=3.28, 95% CI 1.16-9.31), atopy dermatitis(OR=2.89, 95% CI 1.11-7.54), and short distance between the house and road(OR=2.85, 95% CI 1.03-7.87) were associated with asthma in last 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Elementary school children in a city had a relatively high prevalence of chronic respiratory illness and symptoms. In addition to genetic factors, pets at home and outdoor air pollution are associated with respiratory illness and Symptoms in school children.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.23-42
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• 1998

The purpose of this study is to show that, before registration of chronic degenerative diseases and enforcing management system in health centers, the management of hypertension could achieved comprehensively and continuously by knowing the realities of drug-taking and its related factors those who are being cared for in health centers. For one year, a questionnaire about drug-taking realities of hypertensive patient was distributed at 8 health centers in Taegu from March 24. 1997 to April 24. 1997. The questionnaires were then collected and analysed. The results are as follows: Of 691 patients, 77.4% of patient were taking medicine regularly every day. The reasons why patients weren't taking medicine every day was as follows: the blood pressure became normal(34%, the highest of the group), patients forgot(28.2%), it was difficult to buy the medicine(15.4%), there was no effect even though the patient took medicine continuously. The experience of medical treatment outside of health centers was 28.9%. The types and percentages of alternative medicine are herbs (50.5%), health food(24.5%), folk remedy(13.7%). Among them, 44.6% of patients didn't know if the medicine was effective. Medical treatment places excluding health centers was pharmacies(63.5%-the highest rate). In simple analysis, the older one was the more regularly one took the medicine, but there was no statistical relations. Of health activities, patients eating low-salt diet showed that they took the medicine regularly. Nonsmoking patients and those who experienced drug side-effect and those who doubted doctor's prescriptions and instructions showed that they took alternative, excluding modem medicine. Anti-hypertensive drug medication status according to recognition, attitude, experiences of hypertension showed that patients who thought that they should take anti-hypertensive drug during the whole life time took the medicine regularly(82.3%). The reasons for patients turning to alternatives varied. In case of having subjective symptom(34.1%), those who thought they knew the hypertension well(36.6%), they decided to use alternatives. In multiple logistic regression analysis the key statistics were as follows: The older patients, patients who ate low-salt diet, patients who thought that they should take anti-hypertensive drug during the whole life time, all showed that they took medicines regularly. And also patients who experienced drug side-effect, doubted prescriptions and instructions, and patients who had subjective symptoms, patients who thought that he knew the hypertension very well, all showed higher rate of using alternative medicine. In the future, at the health centers, to register and manage hypertension patients effectively, we must educate patients about regular drug-taking, and alternatives without doctor's prescriptions.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.22-37
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate LBP(low-back pain) prevalence rate and its related factors inphysical therapists. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted to 522 physical therapists in Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk. The LBP prevalence rate for recent 6 months was $61.7\%$. According to age, the prevalence rate was highest in the group aged 24 or less for both male and female physical therapistis. For male physical therapists , it was higher in smokers and drivers, but for female ones, it was not in a significant relationship with smoking and driving. According to work experience, the prevalence rates of those who had been working for less than one year were the highest, and those who had been working at hospitals and clinics were $69.1\%$, significantly high. According to therapy techinque, the prevalence rate related ti PNF was $71.6\%$, the highest and to occupational therapy was $34.3\%$, the lowest. According to working environment for six months, in both male and female physical therapists. LBP prevalence rate was in a statistically significant relationship with work hours during the day, night and weekend duties, repetitive works, motions that bend or twist the waist, the number of patients per day, the number of time to help patients per day, the number of time to carry medical equipment per day and the length of time to work standing. The rate was also higher when physical therapists fekt nire stress from their work. According to the result of multiple logistic regression analysis, male was in a significant relationship with work experience and motions that bend or twist the waist and female was in a significant relationship with work hours during the night and weekend duties, the number of time to help patients per day, motions that bena or twist the waist, actions taken to protect the waist. As for the developmental pattem of LBP in the group of physical therapists with LBP for six moths, $15.7\%$ of them had LBP for first time, $42.3\%$ had recurred LBP, and $42.0\%$ had chronic LBP. As for the causes of LBP, $51.7\%$ said that it was because they worked in the same posture for a long time, and as for how to treat LBP, 48.8% said that they treated themselvs or got help from their co-wokers. The results presented above suggest that physical therapists are exposed to high risk of LBP caused form occupational activities. Therefire, it is necessary to improve working environment to reduce the occurrence of LBP and to develop education programs for preventing the occurrence and recurrence of LBP.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.346-352
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• 2018

This study was conducted to investigate the quality of sleep of university students according to smoking behavior and to generate basic data for use in development of smoking prevention and smoking policies for university students and young adults in their 20s. The quality of sleep of 291 college students was measured based on smoking behavior and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire from May 29, 2017 to June 3, 2017. Multiple logistic regression analysis with step-wise analysis revealed that the quality of OR increased from 2.542 to 2.820 times as the grade increased, and that OR was 3.126 times higher than that of non-smokers and stop-smokers. The quality of sleep worsened with OR=12.388 times. Among general smokers, 72.4% of the students had poor sleep quality, but 82.6% of the students who did not have good sleep quality of electronic-cigarette or tobacco smokers had electronic-cigarette or tobacco worse than regular tobacco.Based on these findings, quitting smoking is essential to improve quality of sleep, but this can be difficult. Therefore, it is necessary to develop legal regulations and policies at the national level. Moreover, a system or service that can manage phased smoking cessation is needed.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.418-428
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• 2015

This study conducted influencing and mediated effect on stroke to lead correct health behavior of stroke patients and tried to provide preliminary data of stroke prevention. It used stage 4 and 5 data of a national health and nutrition examination survey, analysis method was frequency analysis, Chi-square test, multiple logistic regression and structural equation modeling. In case of male, factors affecting to stroke were age, job, self-related health, alcohol, hypertention and diabetes. In case of female, age, job, self-related health, stress level and hypertention affected to stroke. In tested results on whether or not mediated effect of preceding disease exists, 5.80 difference in ${\chi}^2$ between partial mediated modeling and full mediated modeling was statistically significant(p<0.01). Therefore, partial mediated modeling was adequate to this study. We need preventive health education for changing wrong health behaviors and policy that strengthens health care network. If someone has preceding disease, they need long-term diagnosis for health condition and continuous improvement in life style.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.81-89
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to analyze the patterns and interrelationships for meeting recommendations of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and dietary behavior in elementary school students. A cross-sectional design was used to assess 259 students ages 11 to 13 years. Physical activity (moderate to vigorous physical activity $\geqq$60min/day), sedentary behavior (viewing time for TV, computer, DVD, video, etc<3hr/day), and dietary behavior (servings of fruits and vegetables$\geqq$5times/day) were categorized into two levels: meeting recommendations or not meeting recommendations. Parents' health behaviors and home environmental variables were assessed with self-reported measures. Chi-squared tests and independent t-tests were conducted to compare anthropometric variables and the prevalence of students not meeting the recommendation for the three health behaviors. Comparison between males and females and logistic linear regression were used to determine the interrelationships of three health behaviors. 25.9% of students did not meet the physical activity recommendations. 15.4% did not meet sedentary behavior recommendations, and 41.7% did not meet dietary recommendation. Only 39.8% of students met all three recommendations, but 19.0% did not meet over two recommendations. Patterns that simultaneously did not meet two recommendations were: sedentary and dietary behavior in males (8.1%), and physical activity and dietary behavior in females (10.4%). Students who did not meet dietary recommendations were at greater risk of not meeting physical activity (OR 2.76; 95% CI 1.15 to 6.64), and sedentary behavior (OR 3.07; 95% CI 1.15 to 8.16) compared with students who did meet dietary recommendations. The findings of this study support not an independent behavior approach but a multiple behavior approach taking into account gender and interrelationships among the three behaviors.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.229-234
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• 2006

Objectives: Cardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of death and morbidity in Korea. In this study, the prevalence and incidence of developing hypertension in a male-workers' cohort were investigated during 3-years follow-up with a view to find the risk factors that affected the development of hypertension. Methods: Among the 5,374 people who participated in a routine health check up, 3,852 people with normal blood pressure and who had no history of hypertension were prospectively followed up for 3 years. The classification of hypertension was based on the JNC7 report (the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure). Life style factors and underlying diseases that were related to the risk factors of hypertension were collected by using a self-report questionnaires via the internet. Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 28.3% (1,520/5,374) at the first screening (2001). It was found that the incidence in 2004 of hypertension for the follow-up subjects (3,711) who had normal blood pressure in 2001 was 7.6 per 100 person-year. Multiple logistic regression analysis of the variables related to the risk factors of hypertension was carried out. The relative risks were 1.037 (95% CI=1.022-1.053) as the age increased 1 year and 1.039 (95% CI=1.023-1.055) as the body mass index increased $1kg/m^2$. The relative risk for the prehypertensive group was 2.501 (95% CI=1.986-3.149) compared to the normotensive group. These results showed that age, body mass index and the baseline blood pressure were significantly related to the incidence of hypertension. Conclusions: The incidence of hypertension was 7.6 per 100 person-year during follow-up. It was concluded that the risk factors for developing hypertension in the short-term were age, BMI, and prehypertension; Especially, this showed that it is necessary for prehypertensives to manage their body weight and blood pressure to prevent hypertension in middle-age by modifying their life style.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.28 no.3 s.51
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• pp.609-622
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• 1995

Until now there are few available epidemiologic data of osteoporosis in Korea, and the severity of osteoporosis-related health problem has not been widely recognized yet. But the numbers of the old people are increasing in Korea, and in 2000, the proportion of people over 65 will be up to about 6.8% of total population. Therefore, osteoporosis, one of the most common metabolic bone disease among the old people, will be one of the most important public health problem. On this background this study was performed to find out risk factors of the development of osteoporosis in Korean women through case-control approach. The subject of this study were selected among the women who visited menopause clinic in one general hospital in Seoul and were checked bone density from Sep. 1988 to Sep. 1993. Those who were diagnosed to have hypertension, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, breast disease, or liver disease, which are thought to influnce bone density, were excluded. Also excluded those who are age-unknown. Finally the subjects were 2,139 women aged between 18 and 79. We operatively defined patient group as those whose bone density is below $1.039/cm^2$, 90% of average bone density of women of 4th decade who visited the same hospital. And we defined control group as whose bone dendity is above $1.15g/cm^2$. We randomly selected 201 women from the patient group and 202 from the control. As independent variables we chose age, menarche age, menopause age, menopause type, the number of siblings, the number of pregnancies, body mass index, taking oral pill or not, feeding type, and educational state. Multiple logistic regression analysis was done to see the influence of these variables on the risk of osteoporosis. Results are as follows; 1. menopausal status was statistically significant risk factor to all women irrespective of her age, while obesity and later menopause age were found to be statistically significant protective factors. 2. The more siblings and pregnancies, the greater tile risk of osteoporosis, but these factors were not statistically significant. This result is not consistent with other studies. Further studies are strongly needed.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.206-214
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• 1999

Objectives: This study was carried out to identify relation of health care utilization due to skin disease(ICD-10, L00-L99) and characteristics(sex, age, exposure status, type of industry, size of enterprise) of workers. Methods: We made new database composed of 30,536 workers' health examination results in one specific health examination institute in Inchon and data of medical insurance utilization due to skin disease in 4 medical insurance associations for enterprise from January, 1995 to December, 1997 And we analyzed determinants of health care utilization due to skin disease of workers. Results: Among 30,536 study subjects, 8,837(28.9%) workers and 4,181 (13.7%) workers utilized medical insurance due to total skin disease(ICD-10, L00-L99) and contact dermatitis(ICD-10, L23-L25), respectively. Female workers(p<.001), workers exposed to organic solvents(p<.05), workers if manufacturing industries(p<.05, p<.01, respectively) and in large scale enterprises(p<.001) utilized more medical insurance due to total skin disease and contact dermatitis than male workers, workers not exposed to organic solvents, workers in non-manufacturing industries and small scale enterprises. With multiple logistic regression analysis, significant explanatory variables affecting workers' medical utilization due to total skin disease and dermatitis and eczema(ICD-10, L20-L30) in total workers were sex, age, specific chemicals and size of enterprises. And age, type of industries, organic solvents, specific chemicals and size of enterprises were significant explanatory variables related to medical insurance utilization due to dermatitis and eczema and contact dermatitis in male workers. Conclusion: From the above results, we found that workers exposed to organic solvents utilized more medical insurance due to skin disease than workers not exposed to. And, comparing to workers in large scale enterprises, workers in small scale enterprises may have unmet medical care utilization due to skin disease. Therefore we have to establish counterplan to manage occupational skin disease of high risk group(organic solvent exposure group) and to satisfy unmet medical care utilization of workers in small scale enterprises.