• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.391-400
• /
• 2005

Objective : This study examined the socioeconomic differentials for the health and health related behaviors among South Korean middle school students. Methods : A nationwide cross-sectional interview survey of 3,449 middle school second-grade students and their parents was conducted using a stratified multi-stage cluster sampling method. The response rate was 93.3%. The socioeconomic position indicators were based on self-reported information from the students and their parents: parental education, father's occupational class, monthly family income, out-of-pocket expenditure for education, housing ownership, educational expectations, educational performance and the perceived economic hardships. The outcome variables that were measured were also based on the self-reported information from the students. The health measures included self-rated health conditions, psychological or mental problems, the feelings of loneliness at school, the overall satisfaction of life and the perceived level of stress. The health related behaviors included were smoking, alcohol drinking, sexual intercourse, violence, bullying and verbal and physical abuse by parents. Results : Socioeconomic differences for the health and health related behaviors were found among the eighth grade boys and girls of South Korea. However, the pattern varied with gender, the socioeconomic position indicators and the outcome measures. The prevalence rates of the overall dissatisfaction with life for both genders differed according to most of the eight socioeconomic position indicators. All the health measures were significantly different according to the perceived economic hardship. However, the socioeconomic differences in the self-rated health conditions and the psychosocial or mental problems were not clear. The students having higher socioeconomic position tended to be a perpetrator of bullying while those students with lower socioeconomic position were more likely to be a victim. Conclusions : The perceived economic hardships predicted the health status among the eighth graders of South Korea. The overall satisfaction of life was associated with the socioeconomic position indicators. Further research efforts are needed to explore the mechanisms on how and why the socioeconomic position affects the health and health related behaviors in this age group.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.211-218
• /
• 2001

Objectives : To develop a Korean version of VSSS-82 for measuring the multi-dimensional satisfaction with community-based mental health services in psychiatric patients and to investigate both the reliability and validity of the Korean version. Methods : The VSSS-82 English version was translated and back-translated with some modification. Data from 68 psychosis patients using community-based mental health services in three Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) was collected through a personal interview survey regarding the satisfaction and suitability of service. Variability of satisfaction and internal consistency, discriminant validity, and concurrent validity of the VSSS-82 Korean version were evaluated. Results : A higher number of dissatisfied subjects and significant pairwise differences for the dimensions were found. The Crohnbach's alpha coefficient, a measure of internal consistency, ranged from 0.56(overall satisfaction) to 0.90(skills and behavior) and significant differences in satisfaction was found in patients by the self-rated suitability of service. Conclusions : The VSSS-82 Korean version is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring multi-dimensional satisfaction with community-based mental health service.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.114-126
• /
• 2022

The relationship between mortality and the Korean Healthy Eating Index ("KHEI") is well established. This study was to investigate the associations between health habits, mental health, and nutritional status and KHEI in older Koreans (aged≥65 years). A total of 4,247 subjects (1,842 men and 2,405 women) that participated in the 2016~2018 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included in the analysis. The lowest scoring KHEI item was milk and milk products. KHEI tertile groups were classified by total KHEI score. Tertile group percentages were related to general characteristics such as gender, residential area, educational level, income level, number of family members, and age. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for general characteristics, showed that ex-smokers (OR: male 1.53 female 2.29), smokers (OR: male 2.90), low hand grip strength (OR: male 1.42 female 1.90), poor self-rated health status (OR: female 1.83), stressful mental status (OR: female 1.51), poor health-related quality of life (OR: female 1.64), poor nutritional status (OR: male 2.88~37.20 female 1.98~16.12), and food insecurity (OR: male 6.87 female 2.03) were significantly related to a lower KHEI. This study suggests that gender-specific associations exist between mental health status and KHEI.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.479-489
• /
• 2014

Objectives: This study intended to determine significant factors that influence the health-related quality of life ("HRQoL"; EuroQol 5 Dimension health-related quality of life (EQ_5D) & EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQ_VAS)) of the elderly in Korea. Methods: This study was based on 3,903 subjects aged 65 years or more who participated in the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V), 2010~2012. The HRQoL was analyzed by various factors (general characteristics, health habits, mental health, chronic diseases, nutrient intakes). SPSS statistics for complex samples (Windows ver. 21.0) was used. Results: The HRQoL was higher in the males, those with higher educational level or higher income level while it was lower in those belong to single households. In particular, the EQ_5D was significantly higher in the group who reported walking practice, moderate physical activity (male), and the group who reported no vigorous physical activity (female). The EQ_VAS was significantly higher in the group who reported walking practice. Both EQ_5D and EQ_VAS were significantly lower in the group with stress, melancholy, suicidal thinking, and osteoarthritis. EQ_5D was significantly lower in the group with < 75% Estimated Energy Requirements (EER) in energy intake, and with < Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) in iron or niacin intake. A stepwise regression analysis revealed that i) higher educational level (male), and good self-rated health status significantly increased the EQ_5D, ii) age, alcohol intake (male), melancholy (female), suicidal thinking, osteoarthritis, and niacin intake deficiency (male) significantly decreased the EQ_5D, iii) higher income level (male) and good self-rated health status significantly increased the EQ_VAS, and iv) age (male), stress, suicidal thinking (female) and osteoarthritis significantly decreased the EQ_VAS. Conclusions: This study suggested that general characteristics, mental health, osteoarthritis, and niacin intake were associated with the HRQoL. Prospective research of long-term control is needed to establish the causal relationship between factors and the HRQoL.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.112-124
• /
• 2024

This study investigated the factors associated with HINT-8 (Korean health-related quality of life instrument with eight items), including health habits, hand grip strength, chronic disease, chewing function, mental health, and nutrient intake. In this study, the health-related quality of life (HRQoL; HINT-8) was assessed using the data from the 2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VIII) among Koreans aged over 65, with HINT-8 being evaluated based on the general characteristics. Of the participants from KNHANES VIII, 1,455 subjects were analyzed using SPSS statistics complex samples (Windows ver. 27.0). The HINT-8 score was significantly lower in females and in those aged 75 years or older, lowest educational level, lowest income level, and single households. Logistic regression analysis, adjusted for the general characteristics, revealed a significant association between a lower HINT-8 group and various factors: low aerobic physical activity (OR=1.71, 95% CI=1.25~2.35), low hand grip strength (OR=1.34, 95% CI=1.02~1.78), chewing difficulties (OR=2.17, 95% CI=1.62~2.92), poor self-rated health status (OR=6.11, 95% CI=4.42~8.45), stressful mental status (OR=3.57, 95% CI=2.27~5.63) and poor calcium status (OR=1.45, 95% CI=1.11~1.88). On the other hand, this study could not reveal a significant association between a lower HINT-8 group and factors such as smoking, drinking, chronic disease, and nutrient intake status, except for calcium intake. This study suggests that HINT-8 is associated with aerobic physical activity, hand grip strength, chewing function, mental health, and calcium intake, but not with smoking, drinking, chronic disease, and nutrient intake.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.295-308
• /
• 2012

This study aimed to investigate gender differences in prevalence and correlates of depression and suicidal ideation among Korean adolescents. The analysis was performed using data from the 2009 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. Logistic regression models and Wald chi-square statistics were used to identify the difference in the coefficients between the gender-specific models. Female students reported higher prevalence for depression(42.9%) than male students(31.4%), as well as higher level of suicidal ideation(girls:23.1%, boys:14.7%). Lower school achievement, worse self-rated health status, more conflicts were associated with higher level of depression and suicidal ideation. The impact of school achievement and conflicts with friends on mental health was greater among girls than boys. We suggest that the efficient strategies focusing on the gender differences should be established to improve mental health among Korean adolescents.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.188-194
• /
• 2017

Objectives: Environmental pollution is a significant global issue. Both objective (scientifically measured) environmental pollution and perceived levels of pollution are important predictors of self-reported health. The purpose of this study was to compare the associations between perceived environmental pollution and health in China, Japan, and South Korea. Methods: Data were obtained from the East Asian Social Survey and the Cross-National Survey Data Sets: Health and Society in East Asia, 2010 (n=7938; China, n=3866; Japan, n=2496; South Korea, n=1576). Results: South Koreans perceived environmental pollution to be the most severe, while Japanese participants perceived environmental pollution to be the least severe. Although the Japanese did not perceive environmental pollution to be very severe, their self-rated physical health was significantly related to perceived environmental pollution, while the analogous relationships were not significant for the Chinese or Korean participants. Better mental health was related to lower levels of perceived air pollution in China, as well as lower levels of perceived all types of pollution in Japan and lower levels of perceived noise pollution in South Korea. Conclusions: Physical and mental health and individual socio-demographic characteristics were associated with levels of perceived environmental pollution, but with different patterns among these three countries.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.188-198
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The present study was conducted to examine the effects of a health counseling program by occupational health nurses on the unemployed visiting the Employment Welfare Plus Center. Methods: The one-group pretest-posttest design was used. The study presented a secondary analysis of the data collected in a health counseling program run by occupational health nurses for the unemployed visiting the Employment Welfare Plus Center. Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Shapiro-Wilk test, ${\chi}^2$ test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to analyze 158 data collected between October 5, 2015 and January 5, 2016. Results: After the intervention, the participants showed a significant decrease in the level of stress index (uBioMacpa), stress (discomfort), musculoskeletal pain and depression. In addition, the participants showed a significant increase in self-rated general health, exercise and regular eating behavior. Conclusion: The health counseling program offered by occupational health nurses is an effective intervention to improve the physical and mental health of the unemployed individuals visiting the Employment Welfare Plus Center.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.29-41
• /
• 2004

Objectives: This study was to identify socioeconomic factors and health-related behaviors influencing on HRQOL(health-related quality of life) for the older adults in rural area. Methods: 483 subjects aged over 65 years responded a direct interview, which covered HRQOL, BMI, socioeconomic characteristics, and health-related behaviors including smoking, drinking, and exercise. Results: Overall, the mean number of healthy days were 15.1 days and not significantly different by sex. Men didn't show a significant difference in HRQOL by age group. But women reported lower levels of healthy days and higher levels of activity limitation and physical unhealthy days with increasing age. Results from ANCOVA showed HRQOL to be significantly associated with education, job, and family type. Men presented no significant difference in HRQOL by health-related behaviors, but women who have been drinking, or have less number of chronic diseases reported higher mean healthy days and lower activity limitation days, physical unhealthy days, and mental unhealthy days. Older adults who reported good to excellent self-rated health were higher healthy days and lower activity limitation, physical unhealthy days, and mental unhealthy days than those who reported fair to poor health status. Conclusions: The HRQOL for the older adults in rural area was related to socioeconomic characteristics, health-related behaviors and self-rated health status. A better understanding of factors related to HRQOL would help to improve the older adults' quality of life.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.240-248
• /
• 2015

Background: Recovery from fatigue is important in maintaining night workers' health. This study compared the course of self-reported recovery after 2-week 12-hour schedules consisting of either night shifts or swing shifts (i.e., 7 night shifts followed by 7 day shifts) to such schedules consisting of only day work. Methods: Sixty-one male offshore employees-20 night workers, 16 swing shift workers, and 25 day workers-rated six questions on fatigue (sleep quality, feeling rested, physical and mental fatigue, and energy levels; scale 1-11) for 14 days after an offshore tour. After the two night-work schedules, differences on the $1^{st}$ day (main effects) and differences during the follow-up (interaction effects) were compared to day work with generalized estimating equations analysis. Results: After adjustment for confounders, significant main effects were found for sleep quality for night workers (1.41, 95% confidence interval 1.05-1.89) and swing shift workers (1.42, 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.94) when compared to day workers; their interaction terms were not statistically significant. For the remaining fatigue outcomes, no statistically significant main or interaction effects were found. Conclusion: After 2-week 12-hour night and swing shifts, only the course for sleep quality differed from that of day work. Sleep quality was poorer for night and swing shift workers on the $1^{st}$ day off and remained poorer for the 14-day follow-up. This showed that while working at night had no effect on feeling rested, tiredness, and energy levels, it had a relatively long-lasting effect on sleep quality.