• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제56권6호
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• pp.487-494
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• 2023

Objectives: Community organization is a resident-led movement aimed at creating fundamental social changes in the community by resolving its problems through the organized power of its residents. This study evaluated the effectiveness of health community organization (HCO), Gangwon's Health-Plus community program, implemented from 2013 to 2019 on residents' health behaviors. Methods: This study had a before-and-after design using 2011-2019 Korea Community Health Survey data. To compare the 3-year periods before and after HCO implementation, the study targeted areas where the HCO had been implemented for 4 years or longer. Therefore, a total of 4512 individuals from 11 areas with HCO start years from 2013 to 2016 were included. Complex sample multi-logistic regression analysis adjusting for demographic characteristics (sex, age, residential area, income level, education level, and HCO start year) was conducted. Results: HCO implementation was associated with decreased current smoking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57 to 0.95) and subjective stress recognition (aOR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.97). Additionally, the HCO was associated with increased walking exercise practice (aOR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.71), and attempts to control weight (aOR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.64). No significant negative changes were observed in other health behavior variables. Conclusions: The HCO seems to have contributed to improving community health indicators. In the future, a follow-up study that analyzes only the effectiveness of the HCO through structured quasi-experimental studies will be needed.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.18-27
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• 2024

Objectives: This study investigated the association between exacerbated economic hardship during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and changes in the health behaviors of Korean adolescents. Methods: We analyzed data from the 2021 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey and included 44 908 students (22 823 boys and 22 085 girls) as study subjects. The dependent variables included changes in health behaviors (breakfast habits, physical activity, and alcohol use) that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aggravation of economic hardship by COVID-19 and the subjective economic status of the family were used as exposure variables. Multiple logistic regression analysis was utilized to calculate the prevalence odds ratios (PORs). Results: Severe exacerbation of a family's economic hardship due to COVID-19 was negatively associated with the health behaviors of adolescents, including increased breakfast skipping (POR, 1.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.55 to 2.21 for boys and POR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.27 to 1.92 for girls) and decreased physical activity (POR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.19 to 1.57 for boys and POR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.19 to 1.60 for girls). These negative changes in health behaviors were further amplified when combined with a low subjective family economic status. Conclusions: The experience of worsening household hardship can lead to negative changes in health behavior among adolescents. It is crucial to implement measures that address the economic challenges that arise from stressful events such as COVID-19 and to strive to improve the lifestyles of adolescents under such circumstances.

• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.1-11
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• 2021

이 연구의 목적은 천식과 만성폐쇄성폐질환 환자들의 미세먼지에 대한 인식, 지식, 예방행위 수준과, 예방행위에 영향을 미치는 요인을 확인하기 위한 것이다. 이 연구는 서술적 조사연구로 연구대상은 대구광역시 소재 일개 대학병원 호흡기전문질환센터를 방문한 만 19세 이상, 만 80세 이하의 만성호흡기질환자를 편의표본추출하였고, 2019년 12월부터 2020년 1월까지 구조화된 자기기입식 설문조사로 자료를 수집하여, 총 212부의 자료를 분석 대상으로 하였다. 연구대상자는 212명이었으며, 이중 천식 112명(52.8%), 만성폐쇄성폐질환 100명(47.2%)이었다. 미세먼지에 대한 인식, 지식, 예방행위의 평균 점수(10점 만점)는 천식 환자는 각각 7.92점, 6.99점, 7.10점이었고, 만성폐쇄성폐질환자는 각각 7.72점, 6.24점, 6.80점 이었다.미세먼지 지식 점수는 천식환자가 만성폐쇄성폐질환자보다 유의하게 높았다(p=0.007). 미세먼지 예방행위 수준에 영향을 미치는 요인은 천식은 인식 점수, 지식 점수, 연령이며, 만성폐쇄성폐질환은 인식 점수가 유의한 요인이었다. 이상의 결과 천식과 만성폐쇄성폐질환 환자의 예방행위에 영향을 주는 요인은 천식은 인식 점수, 지식 점수, 연령이며, 만성폐쇄성폐질환은 인식점수였다. 미세먼지 예방행위 수준을 높이는 것은 미세먼지로 인한 만성호흡기질환의 악화를 막을 수 있으므로, 질환에 따른 대상자의 특성을 고려한 중재 프로그램의 개발과 지속적이고 반복적인 교육이 요구된다.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.199-214
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• 1998

This study was undertaken to explain weight control behavior and intention of obese children and adolescents as measured by the elements of the health belief model. A total of 732 obese students from 28 schools in Seoul metropolitan area and their mothers were assessed with a self-administered questionnaire. The analyzed results are as follows; 1. Among obese students, 45.3% of male students and 57.2% of female students, a significantly higher portion than male students, reported that they had tried to lose weight within the recent year. Exercise was the most frequently used method to lose weight followed by diet control, drug use, and specialized clinic visits, in descending order. 2. Male students were more likely to try to lose weight if they perceived a low threat level and their mother had a job, and female students were more likely to try to lose weight if they were younger in age, perceived a low threat level and had strong external motivating factors. 3. Female students showed a significantly higher level of intention to obesity control than male students, and the intention level of their mothers also showed the same trend. 4. In male students, the degree of weight dissatisfaction, weight control experience, the level of obesity related beliefs of students, the educational level of the mother and economic status of the family were significant predictors of intention to obesity control, and in females, age, the level of obesity related beliefs of students and intention of their mothers were significant. In the mothers of male students, obesity index of students, age of the mother and the level of obesity related beliefs of the mother were significant predictors of intention of the mother, and in the mothers of female students, obesity index of students, occupational status of the mother and obesity related beliefs of the mother were significant. 5. According to the path model of intention to obesity control, the degree of weight dissatisfaction had the most powerful effect in male students, and perceived net benefit level was the most important variable in female students. Since the weight control behavior and intention of obese students were more predictable by the degree of weight dissatisfaction than the obesity index, we can conclude that only the students dissatisfied with their weight are well motivated for obesity control. There can be a discrepancy between the mother and her child's beliefs and intention status(especially in male students), so the therapists should also assess the student's opinion as well as the mother's. In female students, the perceived net benefit level wag the most important predictor of intention to obesity control, therefore the intervention program should pay particular attention to the positive benefits of weight control rather than negative aspects(threats) of obesity.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한예방의학회 1998년도 제50차 추계 학술대회 연제집
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• pp.299-300
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• 1998

• 한국학교보건학회지
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.177-187
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine tuberculosis-related knowledge, attitude and preventive behaviors of middle school students and to investigate socio-demographic and health-related factors. Methods: 198 male and 188 female middle school students in M city were recruited for the survey. Independent sample t-test, One-way ANOVA and $Scheff{\acute{e}}^{\prime}s$ test and Pearson's correlation were performed to examine factors associated with tuberculosis-related knowledge, attitude and preventive behaviors. Results: The percentage of correct answers to questions testing tuberculosis-related knowledge was very low, 33%. The mean scores of attitude and preventive behaviors were 3.02 and 2.90 out of 4 (highest score), respectively. Middle school students who had experiences of health education or tuberculosis-related education showed significantly higher scores than their counterparts in all factors - knowledge, attitude, and preventive behaviors. Parental education, academic achievement, smoking, sleeping time, infectious disease education, and source of tuberculosis information were associated with knowledge, attitude, and preventive behaviors. Knowledge about tuberculosis had a positive correlation with attitude and preventive behaviors. Conclusion: The level of tuberculosis-related knowledge, attitude, and preventive behaviors was very low among middle school students. In addition, school health education was highly related to a higher level of knowledge, attitude, and preventive behaviors regarding tuberculosis. Therefore, to intensify students' preventive behaviors against tuberculosis and other infection diseases, sustainable school health education should be provided for middle school students who are at risk of developing tuberculosis.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.156-163
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• 2012

Objectives: It is necessary to examine groups carrying out sexually risky behavior because the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is high among them. In this study, the prevalence of STDs among homosexuals and sexbuying men in South Korea was investigated, along with their sexual risk factors. Methods: Men who have sex with men (MSMs, n=108) were recruited in Seoul and Busan by applying the time location sampling method, while sex-buying men (n=118) were recruited from a john school in Gyeonggi province, the suburbs of Seoul. Dependent variables included past or present infection with syphilis, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and human immunodeficiency virus. Independent variables included health behavior, social support, sexual behavior, and safe sex. Results: It was found that when the MSMs were non-drunk while having sexual intercourse (odds ratio [OR], 0.132), they showed a higher STD infection rate when they had a higher number of anal sex partners (OR, 5.872), rarely used condoms (OR, 1.980), had lower self-efficacy (OR, 0.229), and were more anxious about becoming infected with an STD (OR, 3.723). However, the men who paid for sex showed high STD infections when they had more sex partners (OR, 2.286) and lower education levels (OR, 3.028). Conclusions: STD infections among the two groups were high when they were engaged with many sex partners and not having protected sex. In other words, there was a gap in risky sex behavior within such groups, which was significantly related to the possibility of developing an STD. Therefore, the preventive intervention against STDs for these groups needs to be expanded to include management of sex behaviors.

• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.97-105
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• 2007

Objectives: This study examines the drinking behaviors and the relationship between drinking and smoking behaviors among some Korean university students. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted in May, 2006. A total of 1,163 students(715 male and 448 female) completed questionnaires, who were randomly selected in a university in Gyeongsangbuk-Do, Korea. Results: The overall drinking and smoking rates for male subjects were 88.7% and 37.2%, and those for females were 83.5% and 2.2%, respectively. Among the male drinkers 39.9% smoked, while 16.0% of the male non-drinkers were smokers. As male drinkers drink more often, heavier amount per drinking episode, even on a binge, their smoking rate was high. The subjects reported there was positive reinforcement between drinking and smoking behaviors. Conclusions: The drinking rate of students was relatively high, especially for male students drinking behavior was strongly correlated with smoking behavior. Health promotion programs should be targeted at university students considering drinking and smoking behaviors simultaneously.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제55권5호
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• pp.455-463
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• 2022

Objectives: Economic hardship has a serious impact on adolescents' mental health. The financial impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was more severe for low-income families, and this also impacted adolescents. This study aimed to examine the associations of economic deterioration (ED) caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and low socioeconomic status (SES) with adolescents' suicidal behaviors. Methods: This study analyzed data from the 2020 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, which included 54 948 middle and high school students. Odds ratios (ORs) of suicidal ideation, suicidal planning, and suicide attempts related to ED and SES were calculated using multivariable logistic regression. We calculated relative excess risks due to interaction to assess additive interactions. Results: The ORs for suicidal ideation, suicidal planning, and suicide attempts related to combined severe ED and low SES were 3.64 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.13 to 4.23), 3.88 (95% CI, 3.09 to 4.88), and 4.27 (95% CI, 3.21 to 5.69), respectively. Conclusions: ED and low SES were significantly associated with suicidal behaviors in adolescents. Although no significant additive interaction was found, the ORs related to suicidal ideation, suicidal planning, and suicide attempts were highest among adolescents from low-income families with severe ED. Special attention is needed for this group, considering the increased impact of economic inequality due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.113-123
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• 2014

Objectives: Several previous studies have found that healthy behaviors substantially reduce non-communicable disease incidence and mortality. The present study was performed to estimate the prevalence of four modifiable healthy behaviors and a healthy lifestyle among Korean adults according to socio-demographic and regional factors. Methods: We analyzed data from 199 400 Korean adults aged 19 years and older who participated in the 2010 Korean Community Health Survey. We defined a healthy lifestyle as a combination of four modifiable healthy behaviors: non-smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, regular walking, and a healthy weight. We calculated the prevalence rates and odds ratios of each healthy behavior and healthy lifestyle according to socio-demographic and regional characteristics. Results: The prevalence rates were as follows: non-smoking, 75.0% (53.7% in men, 96.6% in women); moderate alcohol consumption, 88.2% (79.7% in men, 96.9% in women); regular walking, 45.0% (46.2% in men, 43.8% in women); healthy weight, 77.4% (71.3% in men, 73.6% in women); and a healthy lifestyle, 25.5% (16.4% in men, 34.6% in women). The characteristics associated with a low prevalence of healthy lifestyle were male gender, younger age (19 to 44 years of age), low educational attainment, married, living in a rural area, living in the Chungcheong, Youngnam, or Gwangwon-Jeju region, and poorer self-rated health. Conclusions: Further research should be implemented to explore the explainable factors of disparities for socio-demographic and regional characteristics to engage in the healthy lifestyle among adults.