• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.122-131
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• 2013

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the point prevalence of anxiety, depression and the associated risk factors in hospitalized patients with cancer. Methods: A total of 114 patients with cancer who admitted to the Cancer Center in St. Mary's Hospital were enrolled for a day. The patients were asked to complete Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS). Sociodemographic and cancer related clinical variables were also evaluated. Results: The point prevalence of anxiety and depression was 10.5% and 34.2%, respectively, as assessed with HADS. Logistic regression models revealed that distant metastasis was significantly associated with anxiety in patients with cancer and previous chemotherapy and Low socioeconomic status were significantly associated with depression. Conclusions: Our results indicate that more than one third of patients with cancer suffer from either anxiety or depression. In addition, previous chemotherapy as well as low socioeconomic status and distant metastasis were associated risk factors of anxiety and depression, respectively. These findings suggest the need for screening and systematized psychosocial intervention for psychological distress in hospitalized patients with cancer.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.163-173
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• 2013

Objectives: There has been an increase in the use of mind-body therapies to control cardiovascular risk factors recently. This trial was designed to determine whether the 'jeol'(Korean Buddhists' prostration) meditation program, as a new mind-body intervention, was effective in managing stress, depression and controlling cardiovascular risk factors in women working at a geriatric hospital. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial to determine whether the 'jeol' meditation program could improve stress, anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular risk factors in women. We randomly assigned 57 participants to the intervention(29 participants) or control(28 participants) group. The subjects in the intervention group participated in a group Jeol meditation program once weekly, and practiced at home. The following variables were assessed: stress(Psychosocial Wellbeing Index), depression(Beck's Depression Inventory), body mass index(BMI), waist circumference, hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c), homeostasis model assessment(HOMA), low-density lipoprotein(LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol, and triglyceride were assessed. Results: After the 8-week program, 2 participants from the intervention group and 1 from the control group dropped out. The subjects in the intervention group exhibited decreased scores for stress(t=5.102, p<0.01), depression(t=5.259, p<0.01), BMI(t=2.942, p=0.007), and waist circumference(t=2.582, p=0.016); however these scores did not demonstrate a significant decrease in participants of the control group. The other variables showed no significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: The 'jeol' meditation program evidently reduced stress, anxiety, depression, body weight, and waist circumference in women, which suggests that this program could be employed as a mind-body therapies.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.244-251
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• 2008

Purpose: This research was aimed to explore the major subjects and research themes and to classify characteristics of the key words in the Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education 2007. Method: A total of 33 published papers during 2007 were analyzed with structured analysis forms. Result: Most of the research subjects were healthy people such as student nurses and RNs. The topics of education related research were categorized into 9 domains: educational methods, educational curriculum, study type & methods, knowledge level & contents, psychosocial variables related to knowledge & education, attitude, behavior, development & evaluation of educational programs, and effects of educational programs. The most common key words in this papers were concepts related to health risk factors and health promotion. Quantitative research was used about 70% overall, while experimental design was 18.2%. Conclusion: Most of the subjects were healthy people and the most common domain was health related concepts in the Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education. In addition, key words and topics were on nursing educational issues. It can be concluded that the Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education has published mainly education focused papers.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.347-353
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• 2016

Background: This study aimed to investigate the relation between key strike forces and musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS). Moreover, this study presents a key strike force measurement method to be used in a workplace setting. The correlation between key strike force characteristics and MSS was previously studied, but the measurement methods used either a single-key switch or force platforms applied under the keyboard. Most of the studies were conducted in a laboratory setting. The uniqueness of measurement methods in the current study is their ability to measure forces applied to a specific key in a workplace setting and to provide more information about specific key strike forces during typing. Methods: Twenty-four healthy computer workers were recruited for the study. The demographic questionnaire, and self-reported questionnaires for psychosocial status (General Nordic Questionnaire for Psychological and Social Factors at Work) and for detecting MSS were filled up, which later helped in dividing the participants into two groups (12 participants with pain and 12 without pain). Participants typed a predetermined text that utilized the instrumented keys multiple times. The dynamic forces applied to the keys were recorded and collected, using four thin and flexible force sensors attached to the preselected keys according to their location. Results: The results demonstrated that participants with high levels of MSS, specifically in the back and neck, in the last year exerted significantly higher key strike forces than those with lower levels of symptoms (p < 0.005). Conclusion: The key strike force exerted while typing on a keyboard may be a risk factor for MSS, and should therefore be considered in ergonomic evaluations and interventional programs.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.110-122
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• 1978

A study on the morbidity of syphilis among 729 workers in Po Hang and Ul San Industiral Complexes at the routine periodical examination was performed. In addition to the morbidity, factors related to the disease infection such as educational level, religion, preventive measures taken by the workers, history of urethritis, and so on were studied and analysed to check significant relation. The results were as follows: 1. VDRL and RPR tests were undertaken to determine the sensitivity and specificity of RPR test which was utilized for all the workers studied. It revealed 86.4% of sensitivity and 87.7% of specificity from RPR test, and 81.8% of sensitivity and 90.1% of specificity from the VDRL test compared with RPCF test. There were 87.4% of agreement rate between RPR and VDRL. Actually, RPR was more sensitive but less specific than VDRL, and found to be a satisfactory screening test for syphilis especially in the fields. 2. Among the workers in Po Hang Area 24.0% of them revealed reactive result, and in Ul San Area 5.2% revealed reactive result showing 4.6 times of risk among workers in Po Hang Area. 3. There were no statistically significant differences between RPR reactive rates and personal characteristics such as educational level, religion, history of urethritis experience, history of coitus with prostitute, and preventive measures of V.D. taken by workers if evaluated by area of Po Hang and Ul Srn separately. 4. V.D. could be encountered as an occupational disease in certain conditions of working places and the psychosocial problems of workers. And so, it is necessary that all the workers working in special estates such as in Po Hang Industrial Complex should be checked to be screened out by RPR test at periodical examinations and part of pre-employment examination also should include RPR test to be compared with. Regardless of the workmen's compensation, establishment of V.D. treatment clinic or system for such industrial workers is urgently needed. Health education regarding V.D. is another subject to be performed.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate whether and how the symptoms of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affect the stress and depressive symptoms in Korean soldiers. Methods : Data were collected on 131 subjects through self-report using the Korean Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Scale (K-AADHDS), Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Korean Wender Utah Rating Scale (K-WURS), and the Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument (BEPSI-K). Student t-tests, Pearson Correlation, Logistic regression, and Path analysis were performed. Results : The scores related to adult ADHD symptoms on the K-AADHDS and K-WURS were correlated with stress scores on the BEPSI-K (r=0.529, p<0.001 and r=0.484, p<0.001) and with depressive symptoms on the CES-D (r=0.686, p<0.001 and r=0.628, p<0.001). Scores related to adult ADHD on the K-AADHDS were the most significant risk factors for stress (O.R=1.198, 95% CI=1.104-1.299), and depressive symptoms (O.R=1.306, p95% CI=1.112-1.534). Path analysis on depressive symptoms showed that adult ADHD symptoms affected stress and depressive symptoms. Conclusion : The results suggest that it may be important to consider the evaluation and treatment of adult ADHD in soldiers. Prospective studies with larger numbers of subjects are warranted to further explore the relevance of the present results.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.120-132
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• 2018

Purpose: This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis designed to investigate effects of alcohol management programs for Korean university students. Methods: Research results published until October 14, 2016 were systematically collected in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis). A total of 12 papers were selected for the meta-analysis. To estimate the effect size, meta-analysis of the studies was performed with the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.0. Results: The mean effect size of 12 studies in total (Hedges' g=-0.36; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: -0.76~0.05) was not significant statistically. In a study of college students classified as problematic drinking (total of 9), the drinking program showed a median effect size of Hedges' g=-0.57(95% CI: -0.96~-0.18). Results of the drinking-related outcome variables showed a significant effect size (Hedges' g=-0.61; 95% CI: -1.10~-0.13), but psychosocial related outcome variables were not significant (Hedges' g=-0.50; 95% CI: -1.24~0.23). Conclusion: It can be seen that the alcohol management program for college students has a significant effect on controlling the problem drinking of college students. In addition, application of a differentiated drinking program with problem drinkers selected as a risk group will be effective in controlling drinking and drinking related factors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6833-6838
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• 2013

The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine the hopelessness and depression levels of parents of children diagnosed with cancer and undergoing cancer treatment and factors affecting these levels. The study was carried out with parents of 44 children receiving treatment in a paediatric haematology clinic of a university hospital. Data were collected using a survey form, the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) and the Beck Depression Scale (BDS). The mean BDS score of the mothers and fathers was $18.3{\pm}11.30$ and $15.2{\pm}11.33$, respectively. The mean BHS score of the mothers was $6.45{\pm}4.40$, whereas the mean BHS score of the fathers was $5.88{\pm}4.27$. The results showed that the levels of hopelessness and depression among the mothers were higher than among the fathers (p<0.001). There was a positive relationship between the hopelessness and depression scores of the mothers and the fathers (p<0.05), and the levels of hopelessness and depression scores of the fathers increased as those of the mothers increased. A weak financial situation of the family increased the hopelessness and depression levels of the fathers. The hopelessness and depression levels of the mothers who were supported by their families and relatives were decreased compared to those without such support (p<0.05). The results show that the parents of children with cancer face many psychosocial and spiritual problems. Using simple screening tools, nurses can identify at-risk parents and direct them to support services. We conclude that actively encouraging families to avail themselves of support resources and supporting them financially would positively affect the levels of depression and hopelessness of parents of children with cancer.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.135-145
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• 2023

Antibiotics are frequently administered during pregnancy. Although necessary to address acute infections, their use facilitates antibiotic resistance. Other associations have also been found with the use of antibiotics, such as perturbations of gut bacteria, delays in microbial maturation, and increased risks of allergic and inflammatory diseases. Little is known about how the prenatal and perinatal administration of antibiotics to mothers affects the clinical outcomes of their offspring. A literature search was conducted of the Cochrane, Embase, and PubMed engines. The retrieved articles were reviewed by two authors and verified for relevance. The primary outcome was the effect of pre- and perinatal maternal antibiotic use on clinical outcomes. Thirty-one relevant studies were included in the meta-analysis. Various aspects are discussed, including infections, allergies, obesity, and psychosocial factors. In animal studies, antibiotic intake during pregnancy has been suggested to cause long-term alterations in immune regulation. In humans, associations have been found between antibiotic intake during pregnancy and different types of infections and an increased risk of pediatric infection-related hospitalization. A dose-dependent positive association between pre- and perinatal antibiotic use and asthma severity has been reported in animal and human studies, while positive associations with atopic dermatitis and eczema were reported by human studies. Multiple associations were identified between antibiotic intake and psychological problems in animal studies; however, relevant data from human studies are limited. However, one study reported a positive association with autism spectrum disorders. Multiple animal and human studies reported a positive association between pre- and perinatal antibiotic use by mothers and diseases in their offspring. Our findings have potentially significant clinical relevance, particularly considering the implications for health during infancy and later in life as well as the related economic burden.

• Mood & Emotion
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2012

Suicide is a complex behavior associated with various neurobiological and psychosocial factors. It is considered that genetic polymorphism combined with environmental stress such as child-adolescent trauma make differences in neurobiological systems, which cause psychiatric disorders or pessimistic personality, impulse-aggressive behaviors, lack of judgment, and finally result in suicidal behavior. Much progress in the neurobiology of suicide has been made over the several decades. There seems to be a hereditary disposition to suicide independent of psychiatric disorder. The changes in neurotransmitters, neurohormones, neurotrophic factors, cytokines, lipid metabolisms related with their genetic polymorphism can contribute to disturbance of signal transductions and neuronal circuits vulnerable to suicide. It is likely that the main factors are dysfunctions of serotonin (5-HT) and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Our understanding about the neurobiology of suicide is still limited. However, clinical practice could be assisted by neurobiological findings capable of making the detection of risk populations with higher sensitivity and the development of new treatment interventions. The settlement of biological markers in suicidal behaviors and their relationships is required.