• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.511-519
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• 2006

Objectives : As the disabled have higher prevalence rates and earlier onsets of chronic diseases than the non-disabled, their participation in mass screening is important for the early detection and intervention of chronic diseases. Nevertheless, in Korea, the disabled have lower participation rates in mass screening services than the non-disabled. The purpose of the study was to find determinants for the participation in the National Health Insurance (NHI) mass screening program among the disabled. Methods : In this study, the NHI mass screening data of 423,076 disabled people, which were identified using the National Disability Registry (2003), were analyzed. Of the factors affecting the participation rates in mass screenings, the following variables were included for the analysis: socioeconomic stati, such as sex, age, category of health insurance program, region and income, disability characteristics, such as disability type, and severity. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between the participation rates, disability characteristics variables and demographic variables. Results : The participation rate in mass screening of the disabled was 41.3%, but was lower in females, an age of more than 70 years, self-employed and for those with an average monthly insurance premium over 133,500 Won and in metropolitan legions. The participation rate was 1.31 times lower in females than males (95% CI=1.29-1.33); 3.50 times lower in the elderly (more than 70 years) than the younger (95% CI=3.33-3.67); 1.43 times lower in those who live in metropolitan areas (95% CI=1.40-1.46); 2.59 times lower for those in a health Insurance program for the self-employed than for employees (95% CI=2.56-2.63), 1.19 times lower for the higher income (more than 133,500) than the lower income group (4,400-22,000) for the average monthly insurance premium (95% CI=1.15-1.23): 2.04 times lower for those with brain palsy and stroke disabilities than with auditory impairments (95% CI: 1.97-2.11) and 3.27 times for those with severe compared to mild disabilities (95% CI=3.15-3.40). Conclusions : The disabled with high severity, and locomotive and communication disabilities have lower participation rates in mass screening services in Korea.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was conducted to investigate the associations of non alcoholic fatty liver with metabolic syndrome and the serum carotenoids. Methods : This study was conducted in a general hospital in South Korea from November, 2004 to August, 2005. The study subjects were 350 sampled persons who were aged from 40 years and older (males : 180, females : 170). They were grouped into the normal, mild and severe groups according to fat accumulation in their livers, as determined by ultrasonography. We analyzed the association between non alcoholic fatty liver and metabolic syndrome by multiple logistic regression analysis and we analyzed the association between non alcoholic fatty liver and the serum carotenoids by a general linear model(ANCOVA). Results : After adjustment for the effect of potential covariates, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was associated with fat accumulation in the liver (p trend <0.001). If the odds ratio of normal group is 1.00, then that of the mild group is 2.80 (95% C.I=1.17-6.71) and that of the severe group is 7.29 (95% C.I=2.76-19.30). The prevalence of metabolic alterations fitting the criteria of metabolic syndrome, according to the class of fat accumulation in the liver, was significantly increased, except for criteria of high blood pressure, a large waist circumference and low HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol level (p trend <0.001). The level of serum ${\beta}$-carotene was decreased according to the class of fat accumulation in the liver (p trend=0.036), but the levels of serum ${\alpha}$-carotene, lycopene, ${\beta}$-cryptoxanthin and lutein were not decreased. Conclusions : This study shows that non alcoholic fatty liver was associated with metabolic syndrome and with the serum ${\beta}$-carotene level.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.337-342
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• 2009

Background : Many previous studies have shown that elevated homocysteine in the serum is a well known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and this is associated with other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, but any Korean data on this is limited. Objectives : This study aimed to calculate the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia and to analyze the relation between elevated homocysteine and the lifestyle factors of Korean adults. Methods : We conducted a cross-sectional survey that included 650 men and 743 women (age range, 20 to 79 years) who were residents of Gwangju City in Gyeonggi-do. These subjects participated in the health interview and examination survey from November to December 2005. The total homocysteine, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride in the serum were measured. All the participants had their body composition measured such as height and weight, and we obtained health-related behavioral information through the self-entry questionnaire. Results : Very right-handed skewed distributions of homocysteine were shown in men and women. The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia was 22.6% in men and 13.7% in women in Gwangju city. On the multiple logistic regression analysis, hyperhomocysteinemia was associated with age (OR=1.02, 95% CI=1.01-1.04), male gender (OR=1.60, 95% CI=1.02-2.52), severe general physical activity (OR=0.32, 95% CI=0.15-0.69) and nutrient consumption (OR=0.49, 95% CI=0.31-0.76). Conclusions : There is a great prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in adults of Gwangju City, Korea and it was associated with both genetic factors and lifestyle risk factors. This study can suggest that comprehensive lifestyle modification is needed in order to diminish the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia and to prevent CVD.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.331-336
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• 2009

Objectives : The objectives of this study were to determine the relationship between lifestyle-implementation and metabolic syndrome in an electronics research and development company, and to provide a foundation for health providers of health management programs for setting priorities. Methods : From July 1 to July 16, 2008 we carried out a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Consecutive workers of one R & D company in Seoul, Korea (N=2,079) were enrolled in study. A checklist for lifestyle (from the National Health Insurance Corporation) consisted of questions regarding diet, drinking, smoking and exercise. After the survey, researchers obtained data from health profiles for metabolic syndrome(waist-circumference, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure and fasting blood sugar level). Lifestyle was recorded as good or not good. Statistical analysis of metabolic syndrome and the lifestyle of subjects was done using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results : The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in our study gropu was 13.3% (N=277). After adjustment for age, the adjusted odds ratios (odds ratio, 95% confidence intervals) for metabolic syndrome increased in proportion to the number of bad habits: two (1.72, 1.23-2.44), three (2.47, 1.73-3.56), and four (3.63, 2.03-6.34). Relative to subjects eating both vegetables and meat', the OR for 'meat' eaters was 1.66 (1.18-2.31). Compared with 'nonsmokers and ever-smoker', the OR for 'current-smoker' was 1.62 (1.25-2.10). Compared with 'Healthy drinker', the OR for 'unhealthy drinker' was 1.38 (1.05-1.83). Conclusions : Poor lifestyle was associated with an increased likelihood of metabolic syndrome. These findings suggest that lifestyle-based occupational health interventions for young employees should include a specific diet, smoking cessation, and healthy-drinking programs.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.298-304
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• 2009

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the association of blood pressure levels with the common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) and carotid plaques. Methods : Data were obtained from 2,635 subjects, aged 50 years and over, who participated in the Community Health Survey (a population-based, cross-sectional study) in Dong-gu, Gwangju city between 2007 and 2008. Participants were categorized into three groups according to blood pressure levels; normotensives (<120/80 mmHg), prehypertensives (120-139/80-89 mmHg), and hypertensives ($\geq$140/90 mmHg). Prehypertensives were further categorized as low prehypertensives (120-129/80-84 mmHg) and high prehypertensives (130-139/85-89 mmHg). Carotid intima-media thickness and plaques were evaluated with a high-resolution B-mode ultrasound. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square test, ANOVA, and multiple logistic regression. Results : Prehypertensives had significantly greater maximal CCA-IMT values than normotensives, with a multivariate adjusted odds ratio of 1.78 (95% CI=1.36-2.32) for abnormal CCA-IMT (maximal CCA-IMT$\geq$1.0 mm), and 1.45 (95% CI=1.19-1.77) for carotid plaques. The multivariate adjusted odds ratio of low prehypertensives was 1.64 (95% CI=1.21-2.21) for abnormal CCA-IMT, and 1.30 (95% CI=1.04-1.63) for carotid plaques compared with normotensives. Subject with hypertension had higher frequency of abnormal CCA-IMT (odds ratio, 2.18; 95% CI=1.49-3.18), and carotid plaques (odds ratio, 1.98; 95% CI=1.46-2.67) compared with normotensives after adjustment for other cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions : Our results indicate that there is a significant increase in the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis in subjects with prehypertension (even in low prehypertensives) compared with normotensive subjects. Further studies are required to confirm the benefits and role of carotid ultrasonography in persons with prehypertension.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6273-6278
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• 2015

Objective: This study assessed the association between subjective body image or objective body mass index (BMI) and the risk of daily smoking in Korean adolescents, with a purpose of identifying the most suitable models. Materials and Methods: Using the 2013 9th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey data for 72,435 students, odds ratios were calculated for daily smoking in the past month, according to the subjective body image and calculated BMI using a respective multiple logistic regression model. The combined effect of these two factors was also analyzed by pairing a BMI category with a subjective body image category, using odds ratios for the same event within each sex group. Results: Among the surveyed students, 7.2% of boys and 1.8% of girls were classified as daily smokers. Students who perceived themselves as being very obese tended to be at lower risk of daily smoking (OR=0.61 in boys with 95% CI=0.47 to 0.79; OR=0.66 in women with 95% CI=0.47 to 0.93). In addition, boys within the obese or overweight BMI category showed a lower risk of daily smoking (OR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.77-0.96). Lean BMI was significantly associated with higher odds ratios for daily smoking only in female students (OR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.02-1.52). When pairing these two objective and subjective factors, results suggested that subjective body image has a greater effect on daily smoking than BMI in both boys and girls. Conclusions: In both male and female students, subjective body image had a greater effect on daily smoking than body mass index. A model using the combination of BMI and subjective body image was the best fit in girls, in contrast to the model using subjective body image only best suitable in boys, for the prediction of daily smoking. These results including several factors associated with daily smoking in Korean students, provide useful data for the development and implementation of smoking intervention and cessation programs for adolescents.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7897-7907
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• 2014

Background: There is paucity of studies defining the prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors in Saudi Arabia despite the surging epidemic of obesity, change in dietary habits and sedentary lifestyle. Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of NCDs risk factors among employees at King Faisal University in Al Hassa, Saudi Arabia and to determine the possible correlates for clustering of NCDs risk factors among them. Materials and Methods: All employees were invited to participate; the World Health Organization STEPwise approach was used for data collection which consisted of a personal interview to collect socio-demographic characteristics, NCD history, tobacco use, vegetables and fruit consumption, and physical activity (PA), followed by anthropometric measurements namely weight, height and waist circumference and blood pressure measurements, subjects were finally subjected to biochemical tests with determination of fasting plasma glucose, serum triglycerides, cholesterol and high density lipoproteins. Results: Of the surveyed employees (n=691), daily current smokers accounted for 22.7%. 94.9%, 95.1% and 86% consumed < 5 servings per day of vegetables, fruits and both fruits and vegetables respectively, 73% were physically inactive, 64% were overweight or obese, 22.1% had hypertension, and 21.5% were diabetics. Elevated cholesterol levels were found in 36.6%, low high density lipoproteins in 36.8%, and elevated triglycerides in 36.1%. Only 3% had no NCD risk factors, and 57.6% had ${\geq}3$ factors. Multivariate logistic regression showed that gender (being male, adjusted odds ratio 'aOR'=1.51), aged ${\geq}50$ years (aOR=3.06), < college education (aOR=1.75), current smokers (aOR=2.37), being obese (aOR=6.96) and having a low PA level (aOR=4.59) were the significant positive predictors for clustering of NCD risk factors. Conclusions: Over fifty percent of the studied university's employees had multiple (${\geq}3$) NCD risk factors. Screening and health promotion initiatives should be launched at least targeting the modifiable factors to avert the excessive risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and several types of cancers.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.125-142
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• 2002

This study was carried out to purpose drawing up the efficient method of rural residents' health management, analyzing factors having influences on the behavioral intention and the behavior of hepatitis B vaccination of rural residents, using the theory of planned behavior(TPB). Surveying the first questionnaire about TPB to 439 people of rural adults over 40-year old who participated to hepatitis B examination program was made from March 14 to April 23 in 2001 at two primary health care posts in a city in Gyeongsangbuk-do and the second survey for hepatitis B vaccination was made to the last subjects of 332 people(75.6%) that had been proved as subjects of inoculation against the hepatitis B as the result of examination after two months of notification. In the behavioral intention rate of hepatitis B vaccination of the subjects within a month, 100%(the top) was 45.2%, 80-90%(the middle) was 21.1% and under 70%(the low) was 33.7%. In simple analysis, vaccination intention was related with significantly health security type and economic status(p<0.05). And vaccination intention was related with significantly all variables of attitude toward behavior and subjective norm, and economic power of utilizing medical facilities and perceived power variable of perceived behavioral control(p<0.01). The vaccination rate of the subjects within a month was 31.3%. In simple analysis, the vaccination rate was higher significantly in the lower the age was, the higher the educational level was(p<0.01), the larger the family was, and subjects having transport(p<0.05). And the vaccination rate was higher in the higher the economic power was and the higher the perceived ability was. As the results of making generalized logit analysis for behavioral intention, the more positive the subjective norm was, the higher was the score of the perceived behavioral control, the intention was higher significantly in the top class on a basis of the low class of behavioral intention. In multiple logistic regression analysis for vaccination(behavior) using intention and perceived behavioral control as dependent variables, it showed that perceived behavioral control variable only influenced significantly. The higher was the score of perceived behavioral control, it showed that they got the more vaccination(p<0.01). And even in the result having analyzed, adding the significant general characteristics variables in the simple analysis to the independent variable, the higher was the score of perceived behavioral control, it showed that they got vaccination more.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.43-54
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• 1993

In order to find the factors associated with the death of hypertensives, 12 year follow-up study for 267 hypertensives whose average blood pressure were 140/90 mmHg or above during their first health screening in 1979-1980 at YongJin Township, Wanju Country, North Cholla Province by the Community Health Team of Chonju Presbyterian Medical Center. The study results are as follows : 1. Initial general characteristics of hypertensives were studied. The age distribution of studied hypertensives showed 27.3% in 40-49 years, 25.8% in 50-59 years, 29.6% in 60-69 years and 17.2% In 70 + years old group. Marital status showed that 82.8% of hypertensives had their wife or husband. 74. 5% were employed on agriculture. 56.5% of hypertensives were illiterate. 2. Among the hypertensives, 91.6% of male and 22.8% of female reported that they were smokers. 82.6% of hypertensives had body mass index lower than 25 Kg/$m^2$. 46.8% of average systolic blood pressure were 160mmHg or above and 54.3% of average diastolic blood pressure were 95mmHg or above. 3. Twenty percent of hypertensives reported that they were treating hypertension at the beginning of follow up, while 68.5% reported that they were not treated. 28.1% reported that they were treating hypertension within 6 months before last follow-up. but 69.3% reported that they were not treated for hypertension within Ii months before last follow up. So 50.6% were classified as never treated group and 41.2% as treated group. 4. Average blood pressure for initial 3 years were calculated. The change of average systolic blood pressure was observed as $161.3{\pm}19.4mmHg$ at the first year, $145.6{\pm}28.0mmHg$ at the second year and $141.4{\pm}37.2mmHg$ at the third year. Average diastolic blood pressure were changed from $96.2{\pm}14.4mmHg$ at the first year to $90.6{\pm}18.6mmHg$ at the second year and $86.4{\pm}22.9mmHg$ at the third year. 5. By the follow-up of hypertensives, 54 hypertensives (46.2%) among 117 male hypertensives and 50 hypertensives (33.3%) among 150 female hypertensives died for 12 years. 42.6% of male death and 52.0% of female death were caused by cerebrovascular diseases. 6. Through univariate statistical test about the association between general characteristics or cardiovascular risk factors of hypertensives and mortality for 12 years, age variable among male and among female age, marital status, occupation. educational level. systolic blood pressure and treatment status were shown as significant variable to influence upon the mortality. 7. By multiple logistic regression analysis, among male age and systolic blood pressure were selected as significant variable to be associated with the total mortality for 12 years. Among female age, systolic blood pressure and treatment status were selected as statistically significant variable to be associated with the total mortality for 12 years.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.472-479
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to examine musculoskeletal disorders and grasp the relationship between working environment factors and stress and musculoskeletal disorders in dental hygienists. The self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted with 483 dental hygienists working in Gwangju who were selected by convenience sampling. Frequency analysis, crosstab analysis, t-test, and multiple logistic regression analysis were made. Subjects' musculoskeletal disorders that complain of severe pains were 29.8%. The relationship between working environment factors and stress and musculoskeletal disorders were examined. As a result, work break frequency of working environment factors and stress were found to influence musculoskeletal disorders. For working environment factors, the odds ratio of musculoskeletal disorders of the two breaks group was 0.29 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11~0.73), compared with the no break group, indicating less musculoskeletal disorders. However, no significant difference was found in one break and more than three breaks groups. The odds ratio of musculoskeletal disorders of stress was 0.44 (95% CI, 0.27~0.70), indicating negative correlation. As break frequency was moderate (two breaks), musculoskeletal disorders became decreased. Stress showed negative correlation with musculoskeletal disorders.