• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.399-409
• /
• 2002

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to provide basic data to develop a future health promotion program through the comparison of health promoting behavior and perceived health status between Koreans and Korean-Americans. Methods: The subjects of this study were 411 adults recruited from religious organizations located in the Yongnam area, Korea, and Chicago, U.S.A. The instruments used in the study were Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP) developed by Walker, Sechrist & Pender (1995), and the Health Self Rating Scale designed by North Illinois University. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, ANCOVA, ANOVA and Duncan test with the SPSS program. Results: 1) The mean HPLP score was 2.26 in Koreans and 2.43 in Korean-Americans, showing a significant difference between the two groups. 2) In subscales of HPLP, both groups showed the highest practices in 'interpersonal relationship' and the lowest practices in 'physical activity'. 3) The mean score of perceived health status was 2.26 in Koreans and 2.43 in Korean-Americans, showing a significant difference between the two groups. 4) Health promoting behavior was significantly different by family income in Koreans, but significantly different by age and family income in Korean-Americans. 5) Perceived health status was significantly different by family income and marital status, but significantly different by age, education, and family income. 6) The HPLP was not correlated with perceived health status in Koreans, but positively correlated with perceived health status in Korean-Americans. Conclusion: The study findings suggest a need to develop a health promotion program, in which physical activity and stress management for Koreans and Korean-Americans are emphasized, and cultural and environmental elements are considered, for better understanding of their health related issues.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.139-158
• /
• 2013

This research aimed to determine how a combined yoga and tea meditation program would affect the happiness of adolescents. The investigation was conducted over a total of 11 sessions held twice a week with 15 female middle-school students. Each session lasted 90 min and comprised preparation for 5 min, Hatha yoga for 50 min, tea meditation for 15 min, the expression of feelings for 15 min, and 5 min were allocated to finishing the program and announcing the next session time. A t-test was performed before and after the program to analyze the effects of the program. A goodness of fit test, which is related to the improvement of happiness, was done through a path analysis. As a result, we were able to determine meaningful changes in the t-test scores of happiness, stress, and quality of life. The scores of mindfulness, physical self-concept, and self efficiency changed positively, but meaningful changes were not shown. To derive a final conclusion, we verified the mediator effect with respect to happiness through a structural model. Consequently, physical self-concept was activated as a promoter for improving self-efficiency and mindfulness. Mindfulness was the key factor that improved the happiness of the adolescent subjects.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.113-124
• /
• 2002

The objectives of this study was to investiage the effects of sitting posture on carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) continues to be one of the most widely publicized maladies of the cumulative trauma disorder. Many studies have reported a positive association between CTS and highly repetitive work, high force, and poor posture. High force and repetitive work have especially been associated with CTS, but the evidence for work being a primary cause of CTS is strongest when these factors are combined. In addition to carpal tunnel syndrome, hand, wrist, and other disorders are attributed to these work-related movements. Such disorders are referred to as repetitive stress injuries, cumulative trauma disorder, overuse syndromes, and chronic upper limb pain syndrome. Incorrect posture also may play a role in the development of CTS in people who work at a computer and other types of keyboards. The tendency to roll the shoulders forward, round the lower back, and thrust the chin forward can shorten the neck and shoulder muscles, compressing nerves in the neck. This, in turn, can affect the wrist, fingers, and hand. The treatment and prevention of carpal tunnel syndrome continue to be approached with a segmental view of the human body. For example, the most common ergonomic solution for carpal tunnel syndrome associated with keyboard use is to keep the wrists in a neutral position by using a wrist rest in front of the keyboard and good sitting posture.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.132-137
• /
• 2011

Bee venom acupuncture (BVA), as a kind of herbal acupuncture, involved injecting diluted bee venom into acupoints and is used for pain, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients. BVA is growing in popularity, especially in Korea, and is used primarily for pain relief in many kinds of diseases. However, the effect of bee venom anti-inflammatory related action in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced chondrocyte stress have not been reported yet. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bee venom of cell viability and inflammatory cytokine in rat articular chondrocyte cultures stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. Inflammation was induced in rat chondrocytes by treatment with $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ LPS. The change of cell viability were decreased in chondrocytes after treatment with lipopolysaccharide. The cell viability revealed that BV exerted no significant cytotoxicity in the rat chondrocyte. Bee venom inhibited decreased cell viability in the presence of lipopolysaccharide ($10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) in a dose dependent manner(0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and $5.0{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) at bee venom(p<0.05). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ production in the presence of lipopolysaccharide($1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) was also inhibited in a dose dependent manner (p<0.05 from bee venom $0.1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$). Interleukin (IL)-6 production in the presence of lipopolysaccharide ($10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) was inhibited as well (p<0.05 at bee venom 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and $5.0{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, respectively). Our results demonstrate that bee venom was a anti-inflammatory agent of chondrocytes. Bee venom may exert its anti inflammatory effects through inhibition of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 synthesis, and may then pain relief and reduce the articular destruction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.76-86
• /
• 2021

Purpose: This study was conducted to describe the experience of school health teachers in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using content analysis. Ten school health teachers were recruited from 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and 2 high schools in Seoul, using purposive sampling. They participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews in person or using an online communication system from January to February, 2021. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Three main categories and nine generic categories emerged from the analysis. Firstly, it was discovered that school health teachers had psychological and physical stress to cope with COVID-19 due to the 1) fear of the unexpected infectious disease, 2) burden of having to deal with it alone, 3) breakdown of personal life and physical exhaustion and 4) heavy duty as a health teacher caused by the lack of an organic cooperation system with institutions related to school infectious diseases. Secondly, school health teachers had an increased sense of empowerment in regard to infectious disease management as a result of 1) feeling rewarded and appreciated and 2) gaining confidence and trust in infectious disease management. Finally, school health teachers experienced the urgent need for an effective response strategy for infection control because of the 1) confusion over infectious disease response due to lack of practical manuals applicable to the field as well as training, 2) disappointing response system without an expert response team dedicated to managing infectious diseases in schools, and 3) growing awareness of the need for change. Conclusion: It is expected that school health teachers' experience of COVID-19 will be used as important data for building effective and advanced school infectious disease response systems.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.143-151
• /
• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of being aware of the physical and psychosocial environment of the school on subjective feeling of happiness in Korean middle and high school students. Methods: The data of "Health and lifestyle Survey (2019)" conducted by the National Youth Policy Institute were analyzed after receiving approval though the website. A total of 5,311 middle and high school students were included in the analysis. Descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis were executed using SAS 9.4. Results: The mean score of subjective feeling of happiness was 6.92±0.56 out of 10. From the univariate analysis, the more positive the perception of the physical school environment was, such as classrooms, restrooms, exercise facilities, catering facilities, health facilities, other school facilities and school uniform, the higher the subjective feeling of happiness was (p for all <.001). In addition, the psychosocial environment of the school was significantly related to the happiness of adolescents (p<.001). After controlling for gender, school level, school grade, socio-economic status, and stress, positive perception of classrooms (B=0.04, p<.001), catering facilities (B=0.01, p=.021), health facilities (B=0.08, p<.001), and the psychosocial environment of the school (B=0.18, p<.001) was significantly associated with happiness of the students. Conclusion: Positive perception of the school environment was found to increase happiness in adolescents. Therefore, efforts should be made to make classrooms, catering facilities, and health facilities a pleasant space as well as to create a school atmosphere that values health.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.257-266
• /
• 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of psychological and other risk factors on the recurrence of nonspecific neck pain. To achieve this, a nationwide cohort provided by the National Health Insurance Service in South Korea, with a three-year follow-up, was used. Methods: The study included patients who did not experience neck pain for the first year but were diagnosed with nonspecific neck pain (ICD-10 code: M54.2) in the second year. The progress of their neck pain recurrence was followed up for the next two years. Medical records, including age, gender, health insurance premium quintile, regional health vulnerability index score, initial onset duration, total hospitalization duration, and secondary diagnosis at onset, were extracted for analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the recurrence rate and risk factors for nonspecific neck pain recurrence. Results: Among a total of 591,215 patients, 29.2% experienced recurrence within two years. Patients with psychological disorders had a higher recurrence rate (30.6-33.8%) than those without psychological disorders (29.2%). Specifically, mood disorders (OR = 1.16) and stress-related disorders (OR = 1.06) were identified as risk factors for the recurrence of nonspecific neck pain. Older age (OR = 1.16-1.43), being female (OR = 1.17), being employed (OR = 1.23), and using medial aids (OR = 1.41) were also identified as risk factors. Conclusion: This study provides evidence for a high recurrence rate of nonspecific neck pain and highlights the need to consider psychological factors as well as personal factors in comprehensive interventions to prevent recurrent nonspecific neck pain.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.39-50
• /
• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine the factors for self-rated health by gender in South Korean adolescents. Methods: The population consisted of a nationally representative sample of adolescents(n= 37,414 boys, 37,522 girls) in middle and high school who completed the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey(KYRBWS) in 2011. Using logistic regression analysis, self-rated health was regressed on all predictors, including socioeconomic factors, behavioral and psychological factors. All analysis were conducted according to gender. Results: Girls showed more negative self rated health than boys (respectively 28.4%, 40.7%). Adolescent perceptions of health was associated with socioeconomic status, behavioral and psychological factors. Logistic regression analysis revealed that physical activity, body weight perception, despair, level of happiness and stress were the main influencing factors. Conclusions: The findings show that adolescent perceptions of their health are associated with overall sense of functioning, which are associated with health behaviors and psychological factors. Further interventions that focus on improving health behaviors and psychological health may make adolescents more healthy.

• Journal of Korea Association of Health Promotion
• /
• v.2 no.3
• /
• pp.73-96
• /
• 2004

Along with a development of medical technology, a variety of tests, such as laboratory tests, x-ray and endoscopies are being used in health screening tests. As the tests determine the quality of health screening, test items and methods should be carefully selected. This study was to get hold of the test items of major health screening programs in Korea Most of the health screening programmes focused upon detection of risk factors and diagnosis of life - style related diseases (diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, hypercholesterolemia, overweight, drinking, smoking, cerebrovascular diseases, osteoporosis) ,cancers (stomach, cervix, lung, breast, liver, colon, prostate, ovary, pancreas, thyroid, esophagus) , infectious diseases (hepatitis, tuberculosis, sexually-transmitted diseases, parasites) , chronic obstructive respiratory diseases, chronic renal diseases (bacteriuria hematuria, proteinuria) , anemia, glaucoma, hearing loss, Alzheimer disease, stress, early psychiatric diseases. The health screening tests were basic physical examination, basic laboratory tests (CBC, urinalysis, liver function tests, lipid tests, glucose, HbAlc, uric acid, electrolytes, serological tests (HBsAg, HBs-Ab, HCV-Ab, HIV-Ab, VDRL) EKG, x-ray (chest PA, CT) , endoscopy (gastroscopy, colonoscopy) , sonography(abdomen, thyroid, pelvis, breast) ,cytology (cervix) , bone density, tumor markets (NMP22, alpha-FP, CEA, CA-19-9, CA12S, PSA) and eye tests. Advanced technologies, like CT, PET, MRI, MRT/Angio, molecular testings) were widely used in hospital health screening programmes .In summary, a variety of tests were utilized in health screening in Korea. Those tests were utilized by stages or according to sex and age in most of health screening programmes, however a few program used tests to excess disregarding health screening subjects.

• Journal of Korea Association of Health Promotion
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.9-25
• /
• 2004

Along with a development of medical technology, a variety of tests, such as laboratory tests, x-ray and endoscopies are being used in health screening tests. As the tests determine the quality of health screening, test items of major health screening program in Korea. Most, of the health screening programmes focused upon detection of risk factors and diagnosis of life-style related diseases(diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, hypercholesterolemia, overweight, drinking, smoking, cerebrovascular diseases, osteoporosis), cancers(stomach, cervix, lung, breast, liver, colon, prostate, ovary, pancreas, thyroid, esophagus), infections diseases(hepatitis, tuberculosis, sexually-transmitted diseases, parasites), chronic obstructive respiratory diseases, chronic renal diseases(bacteriuria, hematuria, proteinuria), anemia, glaucoma, hearing loss, Alzheimer disease, stress and earlypsychiatric diseases. The health screening tests were basic physical examination, basic laboratory tests( CBC, urinalysis, liver function tests, lipid tests, glucose, HbA1c, uric acid, electrolytes, serological tests(HBsAg, HBs-Ab, HCV-Ab, HIV-Ab, VDRL) EKG, x-ray(chest PA, CT) endoscopy(gastroscopy, colonoscopy), sonography (abdomen, thyroid, pelvis, breast), cytology(cervix), bone density, tumor markers(NMP22, alpha-FP, CEA, CA-19-9, CA125, PSA and eye tests. Advanced technologies, like CT, PET, MRI, MRI/Angio, molecular testing were widly used in hospital based health screening programmes. In summary, a variety of tests were untilized in health screening in Korea. Those tests were utilized by stages or according to sex and age in most of health screening programmes, however a few programs used tests excessvely disregarding health screening subjects.