• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.83-89
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• 2005

This study aims to compare a self-reported and expert-observed method on ergonomic risk factors of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs). The checklist was developed based on the results of previous studies, and the symptoms of WMSDs were obtained using a self-reported questionnaire from 1,029 shipyard workers. The risk factors were assessed through the self-report by workers and video analysis by ergonomists. The symptom prevalence at the low back (59.2%), shoulders (50.8 %), and knees (49.7%) were relatively higher than those at other body parts. Odds ratios (ORs) by body parts were 2.48 to 2.90 for the risk job, and the ORs were significantly different from those of the low risk job. The risk factor scores by body parts between workers and ergonomist were very high correlation(r=0.82 to 0.92). The rates of self-report from risk job were 54.0% (elbow and arm) to 72.1 % (low back), but sometimes overestimated(105.7 to 122.6%) than those by ergonomists. The checklist, developed in this study, will be an efficient tool for the evaluation of risk jobs using self-report by workers.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.347-355
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• 2024

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of mental health (MH) symptoms and associated factors among medical students who were engaged in combating the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic in 4 provinces/cities of Vietnam. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 580 participants was conducted at a medical university in Northern Vietnam. MH was assessed using the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, which was previously standardized in Vietnam. Data were collected through a structured self-administered questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to examine the association between MH symptoms and relevant factors. Results: Out of a total of 2703 medical students, 21.5% responded to the questionnaire. Among the 580 respondents, the prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, and stress were 43.3%, 44.0%, and 24.7%, respectively. Factors significantly associated with self-reported depression included being female and having a COVID-19 infection. Similarly, being female and having a COVID-19 infection were significantly associated with self-reported anxiety. Factors associated with self-reported stress included being female, having a personal or family history of MH symptoms, working more than 8 hr/day, and having a COVID-19 infection. Conclusions: COVID-19 has adversely impacted the MH of medical students. Our findings are valuable in their potential to motivate universities, MH professionals, and authorities to offer mental healthcare services to this group. Furthermore, there is a pressing need for training courses designed to equip future healthcare workers with the skills to manage crises effectively.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.30
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• pp.2.1-2.9
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• 2015

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the association between presence of depression symptoms and the exposure level to insecticides among aged population in rural area, determined via measured levels of urinary 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), after controlling for socioeconomic confounding factors. Methods Using a cross-sectional study design, we randomly recruited participants for our study (161 male and 239 female) from rural areas of Asan, Chungnam, Korea. Environmental risk factor exposure was assessed using a questionnaire, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze urinary 3-PBA levels. We used a logistic regression analysis to assess the association of urinary 3-PBA levels with the presence of self-reported depression symptoms. Results After controlling for creatinine levels, the median (interquartile range) concentration of 3-PBA was approximately 1.5 times (p<0.05) higher among female (1.54 [0.90 to 2.35]) ${\mu}g/g$) than among male (1.06 [0.64 to 1.81] ${\mu}g/g$). Our study found that among female participants, the unit increase in 3-PBA levels exhibited a likely positive association (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 1.25) with an increased risk of presence of self-reported depression symptoms, after adjusting for socioeconomic insurance type, daily physical condition, marital status, smoking status, and age. Conclusions Given our finding of a potential association between the presence of self-reported depression symptoms and 3-PBA levels, precautions should be considered to minimize exposure to insecticides and thus protect the health of aged residents in rural areas.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.225-237
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship among the health promoting behaviors, self-reported climacteric symptoms and depression on a cross-sectional survey desist The subjects were 108 middle-aged women who were nonhystrectomized and ranged in age from 40 to 60. They were selected in Seoul and Kyoung-ki province. Korea. Data were collected from Oct. 25 to Nov. 10, 1997 by a structured Questionnaire. The instrument used for this study was the revised Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile(HPLP) developed by Walker, Sechrist and Pender, revised Climacteric Symptoms Scale developed by Chi, Sung Ai, and the Beck's Depression Inventory(BID). The data were analyzed by the SPSS /PC$^{＋}$ program using t-test, ANOVA and Scheffe test as a post hoc and Pearson Correlation Coefficient. The results of the study were as follows ; 1. The mean score of health promoting behaviors was low(2.42$\pm$0.35). There were statistically significant difference in the score of health promoting behaviors according to the educational background. family income, marital satisfaction, and whether or not taking a restoraitve food(t ＝－2.07, F＝2.60~7.57, p＜0.05). 2. The mean score of self-reported climacteric symptoms was 1.69 ; 99% of middle-aged women had symptoms. There were statistically significant difference in the score of middle-aged women's self-reported climacteric symptoms according to the age, number of children, educational background, occupation, family income, marital satisfaction, whether or not receiving hormone replacement therapy(HRT) or consultation experience with a professional, and perceived health status(t＝－2.04~3.69. F＝2.87~11.63, p＜0.05). 3. The mean score of depression was 10.84. There were statistically significant differences in the score of the depression according to the age, number of children, educational background, occupation, marital satisfaction, whether or not receiving menopausal treatment or consultation by a professional, and perceived health status(t ＝－2.25~3.00, F＝3.50~9.24, p＜0.05). 4. Women's degree of health promoting behaviors was a negative correlation with the degree of climacteric symptoms(r＝－0.19, p＝0.03) and the degree of depression(r＝－0.23, p＝0.01). The degree of climacteric stmptoms was a positive correlation with the degree of depression(r＝0.64 p＝0.01). In conclusion. health promoting behavior should be considered when developing nursing strategies for middle-aged women. especially when dealing with climacteric symptoms and depression.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 1997

This study was aimed to investigate dysfunctional attitudes, stress coping strategies and depressive symptoms in psychiatric patients. The subjects of this study consisted of 210 patients(138 schizophrenic patients, 29 depression patients, 43 alcohol dependence patients) according to DSM-IV criteria. Futhermore, the instruments were K-BDI(Beck Depression Inventory-Korean version), DAS(Dysfunctional Attitude Scale) and multidimensional coping strategy scale. The results were the following. 1) There were statistically significant correlations between depressive symptoms and dysfunctional attitudes in psychiatric patients. 2) In terms of coping strategies, there were positive correlations between depressive symptoms and focus on and venting emotions, accommodation, active forgetting, self-criticism, positive comparison, fatalism, passive withdrawal. Whereas, there was significant negative correlation between depressive symptom and active coping. 3) In terms of coping strategies, there were significant correlations between dysfunctional attitudes and focus on and venting emotions, active forgetting, self-criticism, positive comparison, fatalism, passive withdrawal. 4) Depression groups reported significantly higher BDI scores than schizophrenia groups. 5) In depression groups, DAS scores were significantly higher than those in schizophrenia groups. 6) In terms of coping strategies according to diagnosis, there were significant differences in venting emotions, active forgetting and self-criticism. As for venting emotions, alcoholic groups were scored significantly higher than schizophrenic groups. As for active forgetting, depression groups were scored significantly higher than schizophrenic groups. In self-criticism, depression groups and alcohol dependence groups reported significantly higher scores than schizophrenic groups.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.304-311
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the self-reported symptoms of occupational asthma, occupational rhinitis, and respiratory symptoms between a direct exposure to flour dust group and a non-exposure group from the bakery industry. Methods: The participants were 62 workers directly exposed to flour dust and 30 non-exposed workers. The survey was composed of questions related to general characteristics. Korean self-reported respiratory symptoms(SNU-93), occupational asthma, and occupational rhinitis data was collected from April to July 2017. Results: The smoking rate among the direct exposure to flour dust workers was 67.7% and the mean of working hours(11-12) was 96.8%. The SNU-93 questionnaire revealed that respiratory symptoms in the chest and wheezing or whistling were significantly higher among the direct-exposure group than non-exposure group. The response for occupational asthma symptoms was significantly higher in the direct exposure group(2.4 points) than in the non-exposure group(1.6 points). Conclusion: In order to decrease the symptoms of these respiratory diseases among bakery workers exposed to flour dust, it is necessary to reduce working hours and the smoking rate. The performance of periodic medical examinations is needed to find abnormal respiratory diseases. In addition, workers who have been diagnosed with asthma and rhinitis should consider switching to a process that is not exposed to flour dust.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.917-924
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• 2015

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between work-related stress and depressive symptoms among dental hygienists. Methods: This survey of dental hygienists was conducted in Gyeonggi province, South Korea. Total of 198 dental hygienists were interviewed in 2014. The occupational stress was evaluated by depression symptoms, which was assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory Scale. To estimate the odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals, logistic regression model was used. Results: Depressive symptoms were reported 46.0%(n=91) among dental hygienists. We found that the work-related stress increased with age, smoking(OR=5.16; 95% CI 1.73-15.3), and those who had the poor perceived health status(OR=4.22; 95% CI=1.50-11.86) was associated with the risk of depressive symptoms. After controlling potential confounders, such as dental hospital(OR=11.05; 95% CI=1.02-118.9), 5-7 years time since first employment(OR=0.15; 95% CI=0.03-0.89), and the group with the high job stress(OR=2.84; 95% CI=1.22-6.79) showed higher risks of depressive symptoms than did no depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the risk of depression appears to be related to age, smoking, self-reported health status, type of dental facility, years of practice and the stress of job.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.132-143
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify effects of a self-management program on symptom and functional status, health perception, and quality of life(QOL) of patients with CHF. Methods: Patients with CHF as defined through clinical judgment using the Framingham criteria and EF<50% were enrolled in the study (experimental: 21, control: 20). The symptom focused self-management program consisted of coping behaviors for symptoms including dyspnea, chest discomfort/pain, dizziness, ankle edema, and basic self-management including medications, diets, activity, lifestyle changes. Experimental group received an educational booklet after survey, and periodic telephone follow-up by a trained nurse. Data were collected the 3rd day after admission and at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after discharge using questionnaires. Results: Significant differences were found in the presence of symptoms, health perception, and QOL between groups during follow-up. Although no significant difference was found in functional status, the experimental group reported better functional status than the control group. Conclusion: By facilitating self-management of CHF using tailored interventions including education programs and telephone monitoring, it is expected that patients will be able to monitor their symptoms routinely, adhere to therapeutic regimen, and have a better QOL.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.296-306
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• 2022

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of peripheral neuropathy symptoms, self-care ability, and disturbances to daily life on quality of life (QoL) among gynecological cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: The participants included 144 patients with gynecological cancer undergoing anticancer chemotherapy at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, South Korea, from December 1, 2021 to January 28, 2022. Convenience sampling was used to recruit patients who had received 4 or more cycles of chemotherapy using a paclitaxel-platinum regimen, and a self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, the t-test, analysis of variance, Scheffé test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis were performed. Results: Most of the participants had ovarian cancer (70.1%) or endometrial cancer (14.6%), and the most common number of treatment cycles was 6 to 10 (29.2%). The mean QoL (60.83±19.89) was greater than the midpoint. The regression model analyzing the patients' QoL was statistically significant (F=15.38, p<.001) with an explanatory power of 56.7%. Self-care ability (β=.39, p<.001), disturbances to daily life (β=-.38, p<.001), the duration of peripheral neuropathy symptoms (β=2.14, p=.034), and regular exercise (β=-2.12, p=.036) were found to significantly affect QoL. Conclusion: Efforts to improve the self-care ability of gynecological cancer patients who have experienced peripheral neuropathy after receiving chemotherapy and mitigate disturbances to their daily life can improve their QoL. Healthcare professionals should identify peripheral neuropathy symptoms and examine the effects of the symptoms on patients' daily lives. Improving the self-care ability of patients and alleviating their limitations in daily life may improve QoL.

• Child Studies in Asia-Pacific Contexts
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.27-45
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• 2014

The present study investigated the developmental pattern of Korean mothers' depressive symptoms from a week prior to birth through four months postpartum in a nationally represented survey sample in Korea, using a Latent Growth Curve model. Mother-reported four factors-maternal self-efficacy in parenting, father's participation in childcare, a number of hours mothers worked per week, child's emotional temperament-were examined as the predictors of depressive symptoms over time in the context of Korean culture. Effects of maternal depressive trajectories on their infants' developmental outcomes at the first year were also examined. Findings were as follows: First, mothers' reports of depressive symptoms decreased at the first month after birth and then increased again during the first 4 months postpartum. Second, mothers' perceived low spousal involvement in childcare, low parental self-efficacy, and their infants' difficult temperament at four-month old had significantly positive relations to the initial level of maternal depressive symptoms whereas the low spousal involvement in childcare and low maternal self-efficacy factors significantly predicted the changes of trajectories of maternal depressive symptoms. Third, the trajectories, in turn, predicted warm and responsive maternal parenting style at the fourth month. Subsequently, the parenting style had a significant longitudinal impact on the development of children's communication, problem-solving, and personal-social abilities. Based on these findings, awareness, preventive and interventional programs might be built to facilitate Korean mothers suffering severe postpartum depressive symptoms and further promote optimal early development of Korean children.