• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.63-80
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• 2009

Objectives: This study identified how personal characteristics, healthy behavior and social capital might influence on physical activity of adults. Methods: This study used data from the health survey of a city of Korea. We surveyed 1,000 adults sampled by stratified sampling methods from 67,889 households. Outcome variable was the stage of physical activity which was broken into 5 categories. Sociodemographic factors, healthy behavior, self-rated health status and social capital were used as control variables. Sociodemographic factors included age, sex, educational status, economic status measured by deprivation score, residential period within survey city. Social capital was measured by Integrated Questionnaire for the Measurement of Social Capital (SC-IQ). This study used chi-square test and ordered logistic regression models to examine the associations between independent variables and physical activity. Variables were added to the regression model in three groups using a hierarchical approach. Results: Physical activity was significantly more likely to become active if they have higher educational status, healthier behavior. Among the six dimensions of SC-IQ, only "groups and networks" that is structural dimensions of social capital and "trust and solidarity" that is cognitive dimensions of social capital were significantly related to physical activity of adults. We found that a person having higher density of membership and having larger size of networks showed the high possibility of active physical activity. A person having high solidarity was significantly associated with physical activity, but general trust was inversely related to physical activity. Output dimensions of social capital did not show significant relationship to physical activity. Conclusion: We found that social capital is useful concept to explain health behaviors like physical activity. However we must consider social, cultural and political context of the study to evaluate the effect of social capital to health status and health determinants and to capture the exact meaning of relationship between them. We suggest further researches to refine the concept of social capital and to explain the relationship of social capital to diverse health determinants.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.349-361
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• 2014

This study was examined the general trends in social activity participation, the flow degree, and the psychological well-being of middle-aged women in Korea and explored how psychological well-being varies according to various sociodemographic variables, social activity participation, and the flow degree. This study provided practical insights into how the psychological well-being of middle-aged women can be enhanced. Data were gathered from 302 middle-aged women between the ages of 40 and 60 by using a structural questionnaire. The statistical methods included a descriptive analysis, a t-test, and a regression analysis using SPSS WIN 18.0. According to the results of the hierarchical regression analysis, the key variables influencing the psychological well-being of middle-aged women included the flow degree in terms of social activity participation and the education level. These variables explained 30% of the psychological well-being of middle-aged women. The higher the education level and the flow degree, the stronger the psychological well-being was. Social activity participation and the flow degree had greater effects on psychological well-being than sociodemographic characteristics. In particular, an increase in the flow of social activities increased psychological well-being. This suggests a need to improve the psychological well-being of middle-aged women by providing them with an environment where they can play social roles. One way to accomplish this is by linking retraining and life-long education-related activities to employment or volunteer activities. This study demonstrates the importance of the flow degree for the psychological well-being of middle-aged women. The results have important policy and theoretical implications.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2016

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the sociodemographic factors of stroke patients.Methods: Patients were hospitalized at Korean medical hospitals with cerebral hemorrhage and infarction and then discharged between September 2013 and August 2014. We investigated the patients’ general character and risk factors, then the patients were classified according to the regions where they reside.Results: The results indicated that having hypertension and diabetes mellitus as an underlying disease was more common in stroke patients from the country. No other statistical significance was noted among the indexes of any other results.Conclusions: Based on these results, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were more important risk factors in patients from the country than they were for city residents. Further large-scale studies are needed to generalize the findings of this study.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.67-81
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to analyze the report conducted in 2014 by the Ministry of Health and Welfares on influences of private insurance coverage on the use of Korean medicine. Methods : We analyzed Ministry of Health and welfares report on the use and consumption of Korean medicine to fit the purpose of this study. Comparison between private insurance holders and non-holders was made in the areas of sociodemographic characteristics, patient distribution by disorders, total number of disorders and existence of complex diseases, general perception of Korean medicine, and medical expenses and visits. Logistic regression analysis was made to verify the private insurance coverage. Results : Among sociodemographic characteristics, significant differences were observed in age distribution, education, professions, income level, and housing factors. But genders, area of residence, and marital status didn't show significant differences. Other significant differences including side effects, experience with Korean medicine, herbal medicine and acupuncture treatments, and main visiting facilities were shown between private insurance holders and non-holders. Majority of disorders treated with Korean medicine were musculoskeletal issues, and criteria of number of disorders, multiple diseases factors, and medical expenses/visits showed significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions : Summarizing above results indicate that holding a private insurance in addition to National Health Insurance contributes significant influences on the use of Korean medicine.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2008

Objectives : We examined the effect of sociodemographic factors, cancer, and psychiatric disorders on suicide by gender and age-specific patterns in South Korea. Methods : The study is a case-control study. Claim data was obtained from the national health insurance database and national death registration database. The number of people who committed suicide was 11,523, which was matched with a control group consisting of ten times as many people at 115,230 selected from the national health insurance and medical aids beneficiaries. The medical utilization of the case group was one year before death and that of the control group was from July 1,2003 to June 30, 2004. Four variables-address, economic status, presence of a psychiatric disease, and cancer-were used in multiple logistic regression analyses. Results : Living in cities or in rural areas showed a greater risk for suicide than living in a metropolitan city. Low economic status, the presence of a psychiatric disorder, and cancer were also statistically meaningful risk factors for suicide. The three major psychiatric diseases, schizophrenia, alcohol abuse, and bipolar disorder, were meaningful in all age groups, but the scale of the odds ratio differed by the age group. Only the psychiatric disorder variable was meaningful in the adolescent group, whereas a psychiatric disorder and economic status were meaningful for the young adult group, and all variables were meaningful for the middle-aged group. A psychiatric disorder and cancer were meaningful in the elderly group, economic status was meaningful for male subjects, and address was meaningful for female subjects. Conclusions : Factors such as living in city or rural areas, low economic status, the presence of a psychiatric disorder, and cancer were statistically meaningful risk factors in suicide. These factors also differed by age group. Therefore, policymakers should establish policies for suicide prevention that are relevant for each age group.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1313-1323
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• 2016

To study the full health effects of parental radiation exposure on the children of the atomic bomb survivors, the Radiation Effects Research Foundation developed a cohort of 76,814 children born to atomic bomb survivors (F1 generation) to assess cancer incidence and mortality from common adult diseases. In analyzing radiation-associated health information, it is important to be able to adjust for sociodemographic and lifestyle variations that may affect health. In order to gain this and other background information on the F1 cohort and to determine willingness to participate in a related clinical study, the F1 Mail Survey Questionnaire was designed with questions corresponding to relevant health, sociodemographic, and lifestyle indicators. Between the years 2000 and 2006, the survey was sent to a subset of the F1 Mortality Cohort. A total of 16,183 surveys were completed and returned: 10,980 surveys from Hiroshima residents and 5,203 from Nagasaki residents. The response rate was 65.6%, varying somewhat across parental exposure category, city, gender, and year of birth. Differences in health and lifestyle were noted in several variables on comparison across city and gender. No major differences in health, lifestyle, sociodemographics, or disease were seen across parental exposure categories, though statistically significant tests for heterogeneity and linear trend revealed some possible changes with dose. The data described herein provide a foundation for studies in the future.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7535-7540
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• 2015

Background: Early initiation of smoking and chewing of diverse forms of tobacco among youth in India is a significant driver for tobacco epidemic in India. Several socio-demographic factors are predictors of tobacco use in populations, especially among youth. Interventions which address these socio-demographic factors can help policy makers to curb new initiations and avert morbidity and mortality due to tobacco use. Objective: To study the various sociodemographic variables associated with tobacco use among youth in India. Materials and Methods: Secondary analysis of data from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey-India 2009-10 for the age group of 15-24 years was performed and predictors of smoking and smokeless tobacco were analyzed using data on occupation, education, and other sociodemographic factors. Results: In India there are a total of 51.3 million (22.1%) youth (15-24 years) tobacco users. Of these 35.1 million consumes chewable tobacco (15.1%), 16.2 million smoke (7%) and 1.6 million are dual users (3.1%). Males, urban, less educated, un-employed and those belonging to middle class preferred smoking over chewing; whereas, females, rural, students and those belonging to low socio-economic class are predictors of smokeless tobacco use. The major determinants of dual users are male sex, poor socio-economic strata and student class. The overall tobacco use was higher among males, rural populations, lower socioeconomic strata and un-employed class. Conclusions: India's youth is more susceptible to the tobacco addiction, especially of smokeless tobacco. Youth from rural India especially students, girls and those from poor socio-economic strata prefer to use smokeless tobacco products whereas urban, male and those less educated prefer smoking tobacco products. More population-based and region-focused research is needed to understand initiation patterns into tobacco use among youth so as to inform policymakers to devise new policy measures to curb the growing epidemic.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.21-42
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• 2011

This study examined the effects of social capital, ego-resilience and sociodemographic variables on children's Happiness. The subjects were 426 5th and 6th grade students living in Seoul. Collected data was subjected to descriptive statistical analysis, t-test, and multiple regression analysis. Results were :(a) Happiness index was higher in the fifth grade and the higher the economic level. There were no significant differences in gender. (b) Ego-resilience was deeply related to Children's Happiness.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.323-331
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• 2011

Objective: This study aimed to examine the level of risk perception related to pesticide contamination of food products and associated sociodemographic factors, as well as investigate the association with environmental pollution preventive behaviors. Methods: Based on data from Social Survey conducted in 2008 among a nationally representative sample of the population 15 years or older, we estimated proportions and 95% confidence intervals of the risk perception of pesticide contamination of food products. Logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the effects of sociodemographic status on risk perception. Results: Among respondents, those who feel anxious about the risks of pesticide contamination of domestic food products accounted for 40.4%, whereas the proportion rose to 87.0% with imported food products. These numbers showed that levels of anxiety about the pesticide contamination of imported food products were ranked at the top, and those for domestic products were at the bottom of the list of all environmental pollutants examined in the survey. Significantly related factors to anxiety about pesticide contamination of food products included women, the 40-50 age group, university graduates, married, non-manual employment, having school-aged children, and owning one's own home. The population attempting to prevent environmental pollution showed higher levels of anxiety about pesticide contamination of food products than did those who were not taking such steps. Conclusion: Compared to other forms of environmental pollution, Koreans show the highest levels of anxiety about pesticide contamination of imported food products. Therefore, it is necessary to establish appropriate regulations and transparent risk communication with the public about the safety of imported food.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.1141-1145
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• 2013

Delay in seeking treatment for breast cancer is a barrier to the early diagnosis and management of the disease, resulting in a poorer prognosis. We here estimated the prevalence of delayed presentation for breast cancer and identified possible influential sociodemographic factors in a cross-sectional study of 250 patients diagnosed with primary breast cancer at the Radiotherapy and Oncology Clinic in Kuala Lumpur Hospital. Data were collected by face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire and from medical records. We examined associations between delayed presentation (presenting to a physician more than 3 months after self-discovery of a symptom) and sociodemographic characteristics, practice of breast self examination (BSE), history of benign breast disease, family history of breast cancer and type of symptom, symptom disclosure and advice from others to seek treatment using multiple logistic regression. Time from self-discovery of symptom to presentation ranged from tghe same day to 5 years. Prevalence of delayed presentation was 33.1% (95%CI: 27.4, 39.3). A significantly higher proportion of delayers presented with late stages (stage III/IV) (58.3% vs. 26.9%, p<0.001). Divorced or widowed women (OR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.11, 4.47) had a higher risk of delayed presentation than married women and women who never performed breast self examination were more likely to delay presentation compared to those who regularly performed BSE (OR: 2.74, 95% CI: 1.33, 5.64). Our findings indicate that delayed presentation for breast cancer symptoms among Malaysian women is high and that marital status and breast self examination play major roles in treatment-seeking for breast cancer symptoms.