• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.71-96
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• 2011

Within the traditional medical delivery system, patients residing in medically vulnerable areas, those with body movement difficulties, and nursing facility residents have had limited access to good healthcare services. However, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) provides us with a convenient and useful means of overcoming distance and time constraints. ICT is integrated with biomedical science and technology in a way that offers a new high-quality medical service. As a result, rapid technological advancement is expected to play a pivotal role bringing about innovation in a wide range of medical service areas, such as medical management, testing, diagnosis, and treatment; offering new and improved healthcare services; and effecting dramatic changes in current medical services. The increase in aging population and chronic diseases has caused an increase in medical expenses. In response to the increasing demand for efficient healthcare services, a telehealth service based on ICT is being emphasized on a global level. Telehealth services have been implemented especially in pilot projects and system development and technological research. With the service about to be implemented in earnest, it is necessary to study its overall acceptance by consumers, which is expected to contribute to the development and activation of a variety of services. In this sense, the study aims at positively examining the structural relationship among the acceptance factors for telehealth services based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Data were collected by showing audiovisual material on telehealth services to online panels and requesting them to respond to a structured questionnaire sheet, which is known as the information acceleration method. Among the 1,165 adult respondents, 608 valid samples were finally chosen, while the remaining were excluded because of incomplete answers or allotted time overrun. In order to test the reliability and validity of the assessment scale items, we carried out reliability and factor analyses, and in order to explore the causal relation among potential variables, we conducted a structural equation modeling analysis using AMOS 7.0 and SPSS 17.0. The research outcomes are as follows. First, service quality, innovativeness of medical technology, and social influence were shown to affect perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of the telehealth service, which was statistically significant, and the two factors had a positive impact on willingness to accept the telehealth service. In addition, social influence had a direct, significant effect on intention to use, which is paralleled by the TAM used in previous research on technology acceptance. This shows that the research model proposed in the study effectively explains the acceptance of the telehealth service. Second, the research model reveals that information privacy concerns had a insignificant impact on perceived ease of use of the telehealth service. From this, it can be gathered that the concerns over information protection and security are reduced further due to advancements in information technology compared to the initial period in the information technology industry, and thus the improvement in quality of medical services appeared to ensure that information privacy concerns did not act as a prohibiting factor in the acceptance of the telehealth service. Thus, if other factors have an enormous impact on ease of use and usefulness, concerns over these results in the initial period of technology acceptance may become irrelevant. However, it is clear that users' information privacy concerns, as other studies have revealed, is a major factor affecting technology acceptance. Thus, caution must be exercised while interpreting the result, and further study is required on the issue. Numerous information technologies with outstanding performance and innovativeness often attract few consumers. A revised bill for those urgently in need of telehealth services is about to be approved in the national assembly. As telemedicine is implemented between doctors and patients, a wide range of systems that will improve the quality of healthcare services will be designed. In this sense, the study on the consumer acceptance of telehealth services is meaningful and offers strong academic evidence. Based on the implications, it can be expected to contribute to the activation of telehealth services. Further study is needed to assess the acceptance factors for telehealth services, such as motivation to remain healthy, health care involvement, knowledge on health, and control of health-related behavior, in order to develop unique services according to the categorization of customers based on health factors. In addition, further study may focus on various theoretical cognitive behavior models other than the TAM, such as the health belief model.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 2009

This study was aimed to examine nutrition knowledge, dietary attitudes, and eating habits of elementary school students and to examine if their characteristics differ by gender. Subjects were 5th and 6th graders of an elementary school (n = 317) in Seoul, and the survey was done during July 2007. Mean height, weight, BMI of subjects was 148.1 cm. 41.7 kg, 19.0, and 14.3% of subjects were categorized as the overweight/obese group. Anthropometric data were not significantly different by gender. Mean score of nutrition knowledge was 14.9 out of 20 showing moderate knowledge levels, and girls scored higher on nutrition knowledge than boys (p < 0.05). Subjects showed knowledge deficit in areas such as nutrients, food groups and specific weight control information. The percentages of correct answers regarding meals for brain function were significantly higher in girls than in boys (p < 0.05). They got nutrition information mainly from mass media and family/relatives. The mean score of dietary attitudes was 41.2 (possible score: 10-50) indicating somewhat positive attitudes, and the score of eating behaviors was 34.8 (possible score: 15-45). Subjects showed problems in eating habits such as having unbalanced diets and snack foods. 82.6% of subjects had unbalanced meals, and these percentages were higher in girls (87.2%) than in boys (78.1%, p < 0.05). Vegetables and fish/shellfish were the most disliked foods. Specific eating behaviors, such as eating slowly, eating grains and having processed foods less frequently, were better in girls than in boys (p < 0.05). Results also showed that majority of subjects need to improve specific behaviors including having diverse foods, eating meals slowly, having meals at regular times, having adequate foods in each food groups, and eating sweets or salty foods less frequently. Only 52.7% of subjects perceived their body images as normal, and 56.4% had experience of weight control. Reasons for weight control were different by gender (p < 0.05). Based on these findings, nutrition education for school children should focus on modifying eating habits or eating behaviors, by suggesting practically applicable methods and providing nutrition information that is interesting and suitable to school-aged children.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2549-2554
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• 2016

Background: Early detection remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control in terms of outcome and survival. Thus far the only breast cancer screening method proven effective is mammography. The awareness of female health care workers (HCW) about breast cancer prevention is of vital importance, as their beliefs and behavior may have a major impact on other women. This study was designed to assess mammography screening uptake among female healthcare workers at primary healthcare centers, and to identify the primary motivators and barriers that affect uptake results. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study design was used to assess mammography screening by 299 female healthcare workers who completed a self-administered questionnaire that assessed demographics, screening uptake, motivators and barriers. Results: The mean age was 46 years (within age of risk). The majority (95.1%) demonstrated adequate knowledge about breast cancer and mammography screening and 50% of the participants reported having at least one mammogram; however only 21% of them had regularly scheduled mammograms. The most frequent reported motivator was the perceived benefit that early detection of breast cancer is important for its management (89.6%), followed by the belief that mammography can detect breast cancer before its symptoms appear (84.4%). On the other hand, the most frequent barrier reported was being busy (46.7%), followed by the lack of perceived susceptibility (41.5%). Conclusions: Mammography screening was found to be sub-optimal in a population of HCW's with 50 % stating that they received a mammogram at least once, and a minority reported regular screening. There is a pressing need for educational programs aimed at removing the barriers that limit compliance with recommendations for mammography screening, and to emphasize the importance of early detection in breast cancer treatment. Ensuring the availability and accessibility of screening services, particularly for healthcare workers within their work settings are other important factors that would improve the acceptance and compliance for mammography screening programs.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.81-93
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• 2000

This study is designed to identify the current condition of male students ostracized as the black ship (Wangtta in Korean) in middle schools and the effects of the Guardian Angle program on the decrease in Wangtta. 428 frist graders of two junior high schools were devided into two groups, a test group (n=195) and a control group (n=233). SPSS/PC+ program was used for analysis of the data, including frequency analysis, ANOVA and x(sup)2-test. The outcome of research can be summed up as the following 74.7% of the subjects thinks that there is Wangtta going on in there classes. Wangtta often comes to pass during the recesses (74.2%) and lunch times (51.6%). Those who are easily exposed to Wangtta are most likely to be both snobbish and pedantic. Those who lead Wangtta turn out to be good at fighting (56.4%) and dominant in the hegemony of the class depending on the way of ignoring or not playing with the victims(69.3%) In the case of bearing witness to Wangtta. 36.9% of the subjects try to overlook the case. Now let me take a look at the effect of the guardian angle program on the decrease in Wangtta. The program has a significant effect on the decrease (p<0.05) in the number and the phenomena of Wangtta perceived by students in both advance and post tests. The program makes a significant difference in the aspects of students’ behavior in relation to Wangtta in a desirable way (p<.01) Though the sociality index of the victims doesn’t show any significant difference statistically, it exerts a generally positive effect.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.50 no.7
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• pp.49-58
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• 2012

The main aim of the current study is to examine the effects of mothers' parental beliefs and mother-child attachment on school-aged children's time management and life management skills through the mediation effects of children's self-regulation. Study participants included a total of 317 fifth- and sixth-grade children at elementary schools located in Seoul and Gyeong-gi area, and their 317 mothers. Children and mothers completed questionnaires and Structural Equation Modeling was adapted as the main analysis technique. The findings were the following: First, mothers' parental beliefs that emphasize the child's independence were significantly related to greater self-regulation ability in children, indicated by cognitive, motivational, and behavior regulation. Second, better quality of mother-child attachment perceived by children was also found to predict greater self-regulation in children. Third, children's self-regulation was strongly related to time and life management skills. When the child is better at self control, the child showed greater management skills, both in time and everyday life. Finally, as hypnotized, the test yielded a significant mediation effect of self-regulation in the association from mothers' parental beliefs and mother-child attachment to children's time and life management skills. The findings suggested the important role of parental beliefs about child rearing and attachment between mother and child in developing self-regulation and management skills of school-aged children.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.74-84
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• 2018

Purpose: For this study an examination was done of relationships between intensive care unit (ICU) nurses' knowledge related to sedation and their clinical competencies in sedation practice. Methods: Ninety one ICU nurses were recruited from two tertiary hospitals in South Korea. A self-report questionnaire was used to examine the levels of knowledge related to sedation and nursing practice competence based on Ajzen's theory of planned behavior. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlations were performed using the IBM SPSS 21.0 Results: ICU nurses are more knowledgeable about general information on sedation rather than up-to-date information. Continuing education on sedation was related to difference in knowledge levels. However, the levels of knowledge were not related to competence in sedation practice. Instead, a positive attitude toward sedation practice was significantly related to the subjective norms; orders and goals, perceived behavioral control, practice of sedation, and intention to use. Conclusion: The results of this study provide fundamental information on levels of knowledge related to sedation practices of Korean ICU nurses. Continuing education should emphasize up-to-date information on sedation practice and need for positive attitudes which influence all other competencies towards sedation practices to achieve optical care of sedation in the ICU.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.845-852
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• 2015

Cancer illness representations and screening history among residents of Kolkata, India, were investigated along with socio-demographic characteristics in an effort to understand possible motivations for health behavior. A total of 106 participants were recruited from community locations in Kolkata, India and completed surveys including demographics, the illness perception questionnaire-revised (IPQ-R), and previous experience with cancer and screening practices. Participants were 51.5% college educated, 57% female, 51.5% full-time employed with average age of 32.7 years (R: 18-60 years). Descriptive statistics were generated for the subscales of the IPQ-R, cancer-screening practices and cancer experience. Correlation analyses were conducted to investigate associations between cancer representations and socio-demographic variables. Univariate ANOVAs were calculated to determine gender differences in IPQ-R subscales and differences between participants who knew someone diagnosed with cancer versus those who did not. While 76% of participants knew someone with cancer, only 5% of the sample engaged in cancer screening. Participants perceived cancer as a serious illness with negative emotional valence. Younger age (r(100)=-.36, p<0.001) and male gender (F(1, 98)=5.22, p=0.01, ${\eta}_2$=0.05) were associated with better illness coherence. Males also reported greater personal control (F(1, 98)=5.34, p=0.02, ${\eta}_2$=0.05) were associated with better illness coherence. Low screening rates precluded analyses of the relationship between illness representations and cancer screening. Cancer was viewed as a threatening and uncontrollable disease among this sample of educated, middle class Kolkata residents. This view may act as a barrier to seeking cancer screening. Public awareness campaigns aimed at improving understanding of the causes, symptoms and consequences of cancer might reduce misunderstandings and fear, especially among women and older populations, who report less comprehension of cancer.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.311-319
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• 2018

This research attempted to identify the factors associated with the intention of human papilloma virus vaccination among mothers of elementary school daughters. The subject of study is 132 mothers of elementary school students. Data collection was conducted from July 1 to August 30 in 2017, and analyzed using SPSS 23.0 Program. Results showed that 94.7% children of the participants had not been vaccinated, whose reasons were the low knowledge about HPV vaccination, concerns about its side effects, burden for cost. The attitude toward HPV vaccination appeared to be the most important predictor of vaccination, which was followed by perceived behavior control and subjective norm as meaningful predictors, as well. Based on these results, further researches should be conducted to develop educational programs, which are able to offer exact information about the effect and side effect of HPV vaccination, and verify the effectiveness.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.10
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• pp.95-104
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• 2017

The purpose of this convergence study is to understand the knowledge of cervical cancer and its prevention of cervical cancer in unmarried women. 216 women were collected through self-report questionnaires and analyzed by SPSS program. In result, human papilomavirus vaccination was performed in 33.9%, pap test was performed in 7.9%. The human papilomavirus vaccination and pap test group were 6.7% and human papilomavirus vaccination or pap test group were 28.5%. According to the cervical cancer prevention activities, several differences were detected in the family history of cervical cancer, subjective norms of cervical cancer prevention, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention. Therefore, it is important to increase susceptibility of the prevention of cervical cancer in unmarried women, and it is important for the health professionals to perform the most meaningful support system preventing cervical cancer in unmarried women. In addition, various policies should be actively promoted that unmarried women participate in the prevention of cervical cancer actively.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.175-186
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• 2019

Objective: Non-specific chronic low back pain (NS-CLBP) has been related to abnormal trunk muscle activations, but literature reported considerable variability in muscle amplitudes of NS-CLBP patients during prolonged sitting periods. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the differences among homogenous NS-CLBP subgroups in muscle activity, using muscle co-contraction indices as a more objective approach, and their roles on pain development during a 1-hour period of prolonged sitting. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty NS-CLBP subjects with motor control impairment (MCI) [10 classified as having flexion pattern disorder, and 10 with active extension pattern disorder], and 10 healthy controls participated in the study. Subjects followed a 1-hour sitting protocol on a standard office chair. Four trunk muscle activities including amplitudes and co-contraction indices were recorded using electromyography over the 1-hour period. Perceived back pain intensity was recorded using a numeric pain rating scale every 10 minutes throughout the sitting period. Results: All study groups presented with no significantly distinctive trunk muscle activities at the beginning of sitting, nor did they change over time when pain increased to a significant level. Both MCI subgroups reported a similarly significant increase in pain behavior through mid-sitting (p<0.001). However, after mid-sitting, they significantly differed from each other in pain (p<0.01) but did not differ in the levels of muscle activation. Conclusions: This study was the first to highlight the similarities in trunk muscle activities among homogenous NS-CLBP patients related to MCI and compared them to healthy controls while sitting for an extended period of time, and the significant increase in pain over the 1-hour sitting might not be attributed to trunk muscle activation.