• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.343-350
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• 2023

Background: Digital panoramic dental X-ray equipment (PDX) is frequently used by patients and dental workers for diagnosis and examination in dental institutions; however, infection control has not been properly implemented. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to systematically review the potential risk of cross-infection in the dental environment by investigating the contamination level of general aerobic bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus, which are important in hospital infections, in PDX areas that people mainly contact. Methods: This survey was conducted from March to May 2023 and covered one general hospital, three dental hospitals, and nine dental clinics equipped with PDX. Bacteria samples were collected from the left-handle, right-handle, forehead support, and head side support as the patient's contact areas, as well as the X-ray exposure switch and left-click mouse button as the dental hygienist's contact areas of the PDX. The collected bacteria were spread on Petrifilm, and colonies formed after 48 hours of culture were counted. Results: General aerobic bacteria and S. aureus were detected in all areas investigated. Significant differences in bacterial counts between different regions of the PDX were observed in both groups (p<0.001). The detection rates of general aerobic bacteria (p<0.001) and S. aureus (p<0.001) were significantly higher in the contact areas of patients than those of dental hygienists. A positive correlation was observed between the forehead and the temple region in terms of general aerobic bacteria and S. aureus detection (r=1) (p<0.01). Conclusion: Taken together, the presence of many bacteria, including S. aureus, detected in PDX indicates that PDX has a potential cross-infection risk. Our results therefore highlight the need for the development of appropriate disinfection protocols for reusable medical devices such as PDX and periodic infection prevention training for hospital-related workers, including dental hygienists.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.159-164
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the personal stereo system on the hearing in adolescents. Methods : A total of 68 adolescents(age: 13-18 years) who visited the ENT Department at a University Hospital in Daegu were personally interviewed. The questionnaires were about general characteristics of the subjects, the time of personal stereo system use (year, hour) and place. Cumulative exposure to the personal stereo system was calculated by the product of the total years and the daily hours of their use. Pure tone audiometry was performed and the hearing threshold was measured at 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 Hz. Results : The average time of using a personal stereo system a day was about 3 hours and 75% of the subjects used a personal stereo system for 2-5 years. The elevation of threshold was more prominent in the subjects who used personal stereo systems for 4 years and more compared with those subjects who used them for 3 years and under. The elevation of hearing threshold was also more prominent in the subjects who used personal stereo systems for 4 hours and more a day compared with those subjects who used personal stereo systems for 3 hours and under a day. The elevation of hearing threshold was more prominent in the subjects who used personal stereo systems for 13 hour. years and more compared to the subjects who used them 12 hour. years and under. Conclusions : These results suggest that the elevation of hearing threshold can happen to adolescents who used personal stereo systems for a long time. In order to prevent hearing loss, we need to teach adolescents appropriate usage of the personal stereo system and hearing tests should be included in the periodic school-based physical examination for the adolescents.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.67-77
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• 2020

Background: As of 2016, average Koreans sleep 7 hours and 42 minutes, the lowest figure among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development(OECD) countries, and the number of people with sleep disorders reached 561,000. Accordingly, the government has promoted the provision of 'Multiple Sleep Test' to strengthen the diagnosis service for patients with 'sleep disorder' in july 2018. As a result, healthcare costs for patients with sleep disorder is on the rise every year. In this study, we utilized 'Appropriate Sleep' criteria of United States's National Sleep Foundation(NSF) then investigated Korean's sleep pertinence using ｢7th National Health and Nutrition Survey for 2016-2018」 by different occupational type, demographic characteristics, socio-economic characteristics, and health behaviors. Methods: We performed descriptive analysis to examine differences of sleep appropriateness by various sample characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine sleep appropriateness by occupational type and other variables. We also analyzed subgroup models to investigate. Results: As a result, a total of 1,948 (18.37%) study subjects experienced in-appropriate sleep. Results of the Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that blue color group had a higher odds ratio (OR) for experiencing in-appropriate sleep (OR=1.179). In addition, the odds ratio of experienced in-appropriate sleep among the elderly aged 70 and over was 2.698, and the odds ratio of the overstressed group was 1.299. Furthermore, sub-group analysis showed that blue color job of female(Or=1.334), high school or below(OR=1.404), divorce/death/separation(OR=2.039), 25%ile-50%lie income group(OR=1.411) more likely experienced in-appropriate sleep. Conclusion: Growing sleep disorder patients and related health care costs are expected. Government should apply detailed 'total periodic sleep disorder management policy' including pre-consultation, examination, diagnosis, treatment, post-consultation, self-management especially to vulnerable population that this study found.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.3981-3990
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in Jordan. Current efforts are focused on annual campaigns aimed at increasing awareness about breast cancer and encouraging women to conduct mammogram screening. In the absence of regular systematic screening for breast cancer in Jordan, there is a need to evaluate current mammography screening uptake and its predictors, assess women's knowledge and attitudes towards breast cancer and screening mammograms and to identify barriers to this preventive service. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in six governorates in Jordan through face-to-face interviews on a random sample of women aged 40 to 69 years. Results: A total of 507 participants with mean age of $46.8{\pm}7.8$ years were interviewed. There was low participation rate in early detection of breast cancer practices. Breast self-examination, doctor examination and periodic mammography screening were reported by 34.9%, 16.8% and 8.6% of study participants, respectively. Additionally 3.8% underwent breast cancer screening at least once but not periodically, while 87.6% had never undergone mammography screening. Reported reasons for conducting the screening were: perceived benefit (50%); family history of breast cancer (23.1%); perceived severity (21.2%); and advice from friend or family member (5.8%). City residents have shown higher probability of undergoing mammogram than those who live in towns or villages. Results revealed negative perceptions and limited knowledge of study participants on breast cancer and breast cancer screening. The most commonly reported barriers for women who never underwent screening were: fear of results (63.8%); no support from surrounding environment (59.7); cost of the test (53.4%); and religious belief, i.e. Qadaa Wa Qadar (51.1%). Conclusions: In the absence of regular systematic screening for breast cancer in Jordan, the uptake of this preventive service is very low. It is essential for the country of Jordan to work on applying regular systematic mammography screening for breast cancer. Additionally, there is a need for improvement in the current health promotion programmes targeting breast cancer screening. Other areas that could be targeted in future initiatives in this field include access to screening in rural areas and removal of current barriers.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.219-233
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• 2005

This study was conducted on 185 workers at 73 dental clinics and university hospitals in Daegu to investigate the actual prevention of infection and vaccination against B-type hepatitis among dental workers. 1. According to the result of medical examination, only 35 out of 144 (24%) dental clinic workers had periodic health examination while 7 out of 9 (78%) university hospital workers did. 2. In a survey on vaccination against B-type hepatitis, 52 workers aged 29 or younger (96.3%), 38 dental hygienists (51.9%) and 44 dental workers at dental clinics (81.5%) have not had any vaccination against B-type hepatitis. The rest appeared to have had vaccination or be aware that they had antibody against B-type hepatitis without having to have any vaccination. 3. According to the result of a survey on the existence of antibody by job, 42 (56%) of dental hygienists, 15 (20%) of assistant nurses, 12 (16%) of medical assistants and 6 (8%) of dental technicians did not know whether or not they had antibody. This suggests that all types of dental workers except dental hygienists have low awareness of whether or not they have antibody. 4. In a survey on the relation between general characteristics of subjects and the sterilization of dental equipment, alcohol disinfection of high speed handpiece and low speed handpiece was most common among dental workers aged 29 or younger, and all of those aged over 40 used autoclave. By position, alcohol disinfection was used most commonly for high-speed handpiece. antiseptic solution deposition for disposable suction lips, and autoclaving for impression. By workplace, dental workers at university hospitals used autoc1aving most frequently for high/low speed handpiece while those at dental hospitals and dental clinics used alcohol disinfection most frequently and even some respondents replied that they did not disinfect. For metal cups, workers at dental clinics and dental hospitals did not use any sterilizing method while those at university hospitals used autoclaving. For disposable suction tips, workers at dental clinics used antiseptic solution deposition and those at dental hospitals used alcohol disinfection but some respondents replied that they did not disinfect. For metal suctions and impression trays, autoclaving was most common in all workplaces but some dental clinics replied that they did not disinfect impression trays. According to work experience, alcohol disinfection was most common for high/low speed handpiece. For disposable suction tips, dental workers with 3 years' or shorter work experience, those with 3~6 years' experience and those with 9~12 years' experience used antiseptic solution deposition most commonly, and many of those with 6~9 years replied that they did not disinfect. The results of this study stated above suggest that systematic education is necessary for all dental workers for enhancing th eir awareness of B-type hepatitis and the prevention of infection. Moreover, dental workers are required to make efforts to prevent infection with B-type hepatitis voluntarily and actively.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.458-471
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• 1994

To evaluate the periodontal status of Korean adults, 3,988 adults(20-69 years old) who lived in Kwangju, Chonnam, Taegu, and Kyungbuk districts were periodontally examined by plaque index(PI), calculus index(CI), gingival index(GI), periodontal disease index (PDI), and papillary bleeding index(PBI). The periodontal examination charts were grouped according to age and sex. And subsequently 200 periodontal examination charts in each age group were randomly selected according to sex. The differences of the indices among age groups and those between male and female in each age group were statistically analyzed by Chi-Square test. In PI, CI, GI, PDI, and PBI, there was no statistical significance in the difference between male and female in each age group(p>0.05). In male, PI of 60s age group($1.44{\pm}0.68$) was significantly higher than that of any age group(p<0.05), and in female PI of 20s age group($0.86{\pm}0.39$) was significantly lower than that of any other age group(p<0.05). CI of 60s age group in both male($1.67{\pm}0.70$) and female($1.63{\pm}0.91$) was significantly higher than that of any age group(p<0.05). GI of 20s age group in both male($0.85{\pm}0.66$) and female($0.67{\pm}0.60$) was significantly lower and GI of 60s age group in both male($1.37{\pm}0.60$) and female($1.44{\pm}0.84$) was higher than that of any age group(p<0.05). PDI in male was the lowest in 20s age group($0.70{\pm}0.73$), and was the highest in 60s age group($4.93{\pm}1.96$) (p<0.05). In female PDI of 20s age group($0.71{\pm}0.74$) was significantly lower than that of any age group(p<0.05). In male PBI of 20s age group($0.38{\pm}0.31$) was significantly lower than that of any age group(p<0.001). PBI in female was the lowest in 20s age group($0.35{\pm}0.30$) (p<0.001), and was the highest in 60s age group($1.09{\pm}0.76$) (p<0.05). The data insist that all the young populations of 20s age group should be interested in routine check for early diagnosis and prevention of periodontal disease, and a special education program of periodontal health care for young generation must be prepared, and the periodic recall check system for periodontal examination of middle age group must be supported by government.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.71-91
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• 2009

To assess comparatively the administrative behavior of vaccination and satisfaction of physicians by the provision method according to the National Expanded Programme on Immunization (NEPI) between 2005 and 2006 Demonstration Project in Korea. A questionnaire was performed at 582 and 64 physicians in Daegu metropolitan city and Gunpo city on 2005 (a response rate of 39.3%, 45.3%, respectively). Also, we sampled 31, 56, and 28 physicians in Gangneung city, Yangsan city, and Yeongi county on 2006 (a response rate of 35.5%, 98.2%, and 60.7%, respectively). We analyzed these data set using descriptive analysis and $\chi^2$-test through SPSS for Windows (12.0). Most question categories in Daegu metropolitan city and Gunpo city on 2005 were higher than those in the 2006 Demonstration Project regions. These were 'preparing and signing informed consent to vaccination', 'doing physical examination before periodic immunization', 'searching past shot history and inputting the current shot record through the immunization registry management program by physician', 'filing a medical record', 'satisfying the impact of 2005 and 2006 Demonstration Project and achieving the expectation of this Project', and 'improving the immunization coverage rate', et al. In conclusion, we show that the attitudes and practices of physician should be more sensitive to free vaccination services by private clinics and hospitals than public health centers. In the near future, the government must consider the opinion of physicians in implementing the NEPI by the affordable method of the public-private dynamics.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.27 no.3 s.47
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• pp.581-595
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• 1994

To investigate the effect of carbon disulfide on blood pressure, the BP measurements in the periodic health examination results and the medical records of factory clinic were reviewed. The study subjects were composed of 1336 male and 544 female workers, who were categorized into three groups by the exposure status-highly exposed, moderately exposed and non-exposed group. The results of the study were as follows; 1. The age-adjusted mean systolic and diastolic BP of male workers were 122.35 mmHg/79.11 mmHg in highly exposed, 121.57mmHg/79.05mmHg in moderately exposed and 122.67mmHg/82.27mmHg in non-exposed group. For female workers, BPs were 115.13mmHg/74.49mmHg in moderately exposed and 113.48mmHg/74.30mmHg in non-exposed group. 2. In multiple regression analysis of maximum BP against Age and tenure, the slope coefficients of age and tenure on the systolic BP were 0.379, 0.667 respectively and those on the diastolic BP were 0.331, 0.405 respectively in highly exposed male workers. Tenure was a significant variable in this study. For female workers, however the slope coefficients of tenure on BP were significant only for systolic BP of moderately-exposed group. 3. In multiple regression analysis of Bp against age, cumulative exposure index (CEI), cholesterol, all the variables showed significant slope coefficients in male, but age and CEI on systolic BP were significant for female workers (p<0.05). 4. In the multiple analysis of the amount of Bp change and the velocity of Bp change among male workers, the slope coefficients of tenure tended to increase as exposure level increased. Among female workers, the slope coefficients of tenure were significant on the amount of Bp change and the velocity of Bp change in moderately exposed group.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.186-196
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• 2004

In each country, the periodic ISI(In-Service Inspection) is required by the law to protect the public health and property from the potential accident of the nuclear facilities. To support the implementation of ISI program, the prescriptive ISI technical standards have been established. As the key parts of the ISI program, the non-destructive examination techniques are widely used to identify the degree of degradation of the pressure boundary components and welds. Recently, the risk informed-ISI program has been developed and implemented in several countries. Nonetheless, the existing ISI program which prescriptively decides the scope of inspection still has its own significance. In this article, the technical standards of ISI in leading countries like US, france, Canada, and Japan are reviewed and compared with the safety guide by IAEA. An outline to revise the domestic technical standards of ISI has been suggested.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4313-4318
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• 2016

Background: This study documented the performance of providers of visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) at primary health centers, assessing their compliance with the VIA skills checklist and determinants of non-compliance, and exploring their perceptions of VIA training sessions. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among VIA providers in the $Mekn\grave{e}s$-Tafilalet region of Morocco. Structured observation of their performance was conducted through supervisory visits and multiple focus group discussions (FGDs). Results: Performance of all the recommended steps for effective communication was observed in a low proportion of procedures (36.4%). Midwives/nurses had higher compliance than general practitioners (GPs) (p<0.001). All recommended steps for VIA examination were performed for a high proportion of procedures (82.5%). Compliance was higher among midwives/nurses than among GPs (p<0.001) and among providers in rural areas than those in urban areas (p<0.001). For pre-VIA counselling, all recommended steps were performed for only 36.8% of procedures. For post-VIA counseling, all recommended steps were performed in a high proportion (85.5% for VIA-negative and 85.1% for VIA-positive women). Midwives/nurses had higher compliance than GPs when advising VIA-positive women (p=0.009). All infection prevention practices were followed for only 14.2% of procedures, and compliance was higher among providers in rural areas than those in urban areas (p<0.001). Most FGD participants were satisfied with the content of VIA training sessions. However, they suggested periodic refresher training and supportive supervision. Conclusions: Quality assurance of a cervical cancer screening program is a key element to ensure that the providers perform VIA correctly and confidently.