• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.2 s.53
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• pp.311-329
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• 1996

This study was designed to compare the level of medical utilization between the urban and rural areas of Korea and to explain the differences between the two regions. Data from the National Health Interview Survey performed by the Korean Institute of Health & Social Affairs in 1992 were used for this study utilizing a sample size of 21,841 people. The level of medical utilization such as the number of physician visits and the number of hospital admissions was compared between the regions with ANOVA. Various determinants for medical use were also compared by univariate analysis. Statistical models which included enabling factors, predisposing factors, need factors and region were constructed for bivariate analysis in order to further elucidate the level of medical utilization. The results were as follows: 1. There was greater medical use, both in terms of physician visits and inpatient care in the rural areas in spite of insufficient health resources. The particular reasons for higher medical utilization in rural areas were attributed to a higher number of initial physician visits as well as a longer the length of stay per hospital admission. Therefore, indicators representing the degree of met need (utilization/need) showed no significant difference between rural and urban areas in spite of the fact that the medical need is larger in rural areas. 2. Use of public health facilities received a significant portion of physician visits in the rural area. The government's effort to enhance primary health care through health centers, health subcenters and the nurse practitioner's post in rural areas has contributed to the increase of access to medical care in the rural areas. 3. There were some differences in the socio-demographic characteristics between two regions ; There were more elderly people over the age of 65: unstable marital status, less education and lower incomes also characterized the rural areas. Therefore, among rural people, there were more predisposing factors for medical use. Additionaly, need factors such as poor self-reported health status and high morbidity level were also high in the rural area. 4. In contrast it was learned that, the supply of health resources was mostly concentrated in the urban areas except for public health facilities. Therefore, geographical access to medical care was lower in the rural area both in terms travel time and travel cost. 5. The coefficient of the region variable was insignificant in the regression model which controlled the supply factor only. However, utilization was significantly higher in urban areas if the model included predisposing factors and need factors in addition to the supply factor. The results were interpreted as rural people have greater medical needs.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.331-336
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• 2009

Objectives : The objectives of this study were to determine the relationship between lifestyle-implementation and metabolic syndrome in an electronics research and development company, and to provide a foundation for health providers of health management programs for setting priorities. Methods : From July 1 to July 16, 2008 we carried out a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Consecutive workers of one R & D company in Seoul, Korea (N=2,079) were enrolled in study. A checklist for lifestyle (from the National Health Insurance Corporation) consisted of questions regarding diet, drinking, smoking and exercise. After the survey, researchers obtained data from health profiles for metabolic syndrome(waist-circumference, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure and fasting blood sugar level). Lifestyle was recorded as good or not good. Statistical analysis of metabolic syndrome and the lifestyle of subjects was done using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results : The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in our study gropu was 13.3% (N=277). After adjustment for age, the adjusted odds ratios (odds ratio, 95% confidence intervals) for metabolic syndrome increased in proportion to the number of bad habits: two (1.72, 1.23-2.44), three (2.47, 1.73-3.56), and four (3.63, 2.03-6.34). Relative to subjects eating both vegetables and meat', the OR for 'meat' eaters was 1.66 (1.18-2.31). Compared with 'nonsmokers and ever-smoker', the OR for 'current-smoker' was 1.62 (1.25-2.10). Compared with 'Healthy drinker', the OR for 'unhealthy drinker' was 1.38 (1.05-1.83). Conclusions : Poor lifestyle was associated with an increased likelihood of metabolic syndrome. These findings suggest that lifestyle-based occupational health interventions for young employees should include a specific diet, smoking cessation, and healthy-drinking programs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7789-7794
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• 2015

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a community-based health education and communication programme on reducing liver fluke infections caused by the consumption of uncooked fish among people in a high-risk area of Thailand. Materials and Methods: The study was quasi-experimental in nature, with three-stages. Stage 1 involved a situational and capacity analysis of designated communities in Khon Kaen province. This was followed by the development of a model for community-based health education and communication to prevent liver fluke infections among high-risk people, and, lastly, implementation and evaluation of the model were performed. Data were collected using both qualitative and quantitative methods. In total, 390 people were surveyed, and quasi-experimental and comparison groups, each with 90 people, were assessed between May 2011 and April 2012. Analysis was using statistical OR, 95 % CI, the Willcoxon matched pairs signed ranks test, the chi-square test, and the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The findings showed that most respondents had a high level of knowledge and understanding of liver fluke disease (89.5%, 95% CI:86.0-92.4), and positive attitudes toward the prevention of the disease (94.4%, 95% CI:91.6-96.4). However, with regard to changes in consumption of uncooked fish, most respondents were still in the pre-contemplation phase (55.1%, 95% CI:50.0-60.1), followed by the contemplation phase, 22.6%. Furthermore, four factors were found to be associated with the consumption of uncooked fish - the consumption of alcohol (OR 4.16, 95% CI:1.79-9.65), gender (OR 3.17, 95% CI:1.53-6.54), smoking (OR 3.03, 95% CI:1.31-7.05), and age 40 years and above (OR 2.68, 95% CI:1.02-7.05). After nine months of the health education and communication programme using local media based on local wisdom, culture and persons, the results showed that, compared to the control group, members of the experimental group had a higher level of knowledge, a better attitude and lower levels of ill-advised consumption behaviour. Also, it was found that consumption of uncooked fish, by an assessment of the level of stage of change, was reduced. (p-value 0.002). Conclusions: The health education and communication programme developed as part of the study was effective in changing the consumption of uncooked fish. Therefore, this approach should be promoted in other high-risk areas in Thailand in the future.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.185-191
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• 2020

This study aims to understand the differences in cultural and emotional perceptions about the color image of public healthcare facilities in Romania, an Eastern European country that is relatively lacking in recognition but is gradually expanding trade. For this, color images were selected through a review of previous studies, and a questionnaire survey was constructed based on the colorimetric data by visiting 8 public healthcare facilities such as medical facilities, 4 social sports facilities, and 8 nursing facilities. An online survey was conducted on the color image of public facilities with 89 Koreans and 86 Romanians, and frequency and cross-analysis was conducted using the SPSS statistical analysis program to examine the color images of public healthcare facilities of Koreans and Romanians. The difference in perception was identified. As a result, it was found that there was a statistically significant difference in the perception of color images of public healthcare facilities between countries in vocabulary evaluation and image evaluation, and this was interpreted as different meanings for groups residing in different cultures. Therefore, it implies that cultural differences in perception should be considered when establishing an environment related to this in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.235-244
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• 1998

Hand washing is an important component of hygiene program for food handlers. Hands can be a source of direct or indirect contamination of foods with pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, the effectiveness of hand washing methods and the use of 70% alcohol solution against transient skin bacteria was tested in an university foodservice facility. 70% alcohol solution is sprayed for 5 seconds automatically when hands are placed in the dispenser. Samples were taken using swab technique in meat cutting area, vegetable trimming area, and vegetable cutting area: before and after washing hands according to planned methods, and after being sprayed with 70% alcohol solution after washing hands. The bacteriological analysis of total plate counts, coliform, fecal coliform of food handlers' hands was done. Statistical data analysis was completed with Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis model using the SPSS program. The levels of initial contamination of workers' hand were significantly different by the work areas($x^2$=9.156, p<0.01). Workers in the vegetable trimming area had more heavily soiled hands than in the other work areas. Mean of TPC counts and coliform was 8.97×$10^5$ CFU/12.4$cm^2$, 2.93×$10^2$ MPN/12.4$cm^2$ respectively, but fecal coliform was not detected. Transient bacteria were removed from hands after washing and using 70% alcohol solution but were not removed completely. Mean reduction percentage in TPC varied among work areas and ranged from 93.19% to 94.99%, and in coliforms from 97.31% to 100%. A significant difference in TPC was found between before and after hand disinfection (Z=-2.714, p<.01) and between standardized hand washing procedures and un-standardized hand washing procedures(z=-2.301, p<.01). Subjects using the hand sanitizer showed a great elimination of TPC(99.45% reduction), but this effect was valid only after following proper washing procedures. Based on the results, the most effective hand washing method was recommended as the combination of the standardized hand washing procedure with warm-water and use of the 70% alcohol solution. The results can be used to develop hand hygiene programs and training strategies for enhancing hand hygiene practices for food handlers in foodservice operations.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.303-314
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• 2002

The colors of apparel have become an important element to be used strategically in order to give differentiated character at the level of fiber and fabric production. The colors of apparel have a close relationship with the skin colors of consumers and their preference colors. This study was carried out to classify the skin colors of Korean elderly women into several similar skin colors and to analyse their preference colors. Sample size was 471 Korean elderly women. With color spectrometer, JX-777, we measured 4 points of the body; cheek with removing cosmetics off, forehead, rear neck and arm on the interior part near elbow. All subjects had been shown with 40 color chips and answered the preference colors of apparel and the preference colors. Data weirs analysed to classify skin colors using K-means Cluster Analysis and Duncan test. Independent variables for Cluster Analysis were 12 variables out of L value, a value and b value of 4 points. In doing so, we used SPSS WIN 10 statistical package. Findings were as follows: 1) The skin colors of the Korean elderly women were composed of skin colors of YR, R, and Y. 2) 355 subjects were classified into 4 kinds of skin color groups. 3) The average face color of type 1 was 6.7YR 5.1/4.3 and 56 observations out of 355 subjects were composed of Type 1 and of Type 2 was 6.1YR 6.1/4.5 and 166 observations out of 355 and of 3 Type 6. YR 4.8/4.2 and 75 observations out of 355 and of Type was 6.17 YR 5.7/4.7 and 58 observations out of 355. 4) The average skin color of Type 1 was 7.0YR 5.9/4.4 and of Type 2 was 7.2YR 6.3/4.2 and of Type 3 was 7.0YR 6.2/4.2 and of Type 4 was 7.6YR 5.4/4.2 respectively. 5) The mean values of 12 variables between the 4 classified face color and skin color groups showed significantly different except H value of skin color. 6) All 4 groups showed that the most preference color of apparel and the most preference color were 2.5R 5/14 respectively.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.121-139
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate regional commitment index(RGI) of hospital in Korea, and the relationship RGI and hospital characteristics, such as foundation, region, size. Therefore, we are to suggest fundamental information to make and evaluate healthcare resource policy in hospital- and government-level. Methods : The 'Patient Survey 2002(administered by Ministry of Health and Social Welfare(MOHW)' was analyzed. We selected the patient data of the hospitals above 100 beds. Then, we calculated the RGI, number of same cases divided by all cases in each hospital. By using SPSS/win ver 14.0, statistical analysis such as t-test, ANOVA, correlational and regression analysis was carried out. Results : The results are as follows. 1. Overall mean and standard deviation of RGI were revealed as 0.805${\pm}$0.225 in inpatients, and 0.871${\pm}$0.184 in outpatient. The median of inpatients' and outpatients' RGI were 0.890 and 0.933. The RGI of inpatients of private hospitals were revealed significantly higher than that of the public(public: 0.727, private: 0.822). However, outpatients' RGI was not revealed as significantly different. 2. The RGI of general specialty hospitals were significantly lower than others, therefore we could think that more inpatients and outpatients of general specialty hospitals flowed in from others province or metropolitan cities than other hospital types. 3. The RGI of hospitals holding above 400 beds were significantly lower than others in inpatients and outpatients. 5. The RGI of hospitals were significantly different among sixteen province and metropolitan cities. The RGI inpatients of Gwangju and Daejon metropolitan city were lowest sub-group(0.659, 0.664), and the RGI inpatients of Jeju was revealed as highest, 0.979. 6. Available beds, total doctors, and total employees were negatively correlated with RGI of inpatients and outpatients. 7. The significant influencing factors to RGI of inpatients and outpatients were appeared samely such as available beds, wide healthcare region, hospital size, and foundation type. Conclusions : It is considered that RGI of hospital represent competitive power in healthcare market. Also, the competitive advantage and quality of hospital clustered by characteristics could made out by RGI. Therefore, the results of this study would be useful to develop and evaluate hospital policy of individual hospital or local government.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.243-251
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate how nurses who take care of terminal patients perceive fluid therapy and how this therapy is currently being used in hospitals. Methods: This survey included 200 nurses, 87 of whom were working in the oncology units of 3 university hospitals in Seoul, Korea, and 113 were working in 18 hospice centers. The data for this study were collected by means of structured questionnaires and analyzed by using the Statistical Analysis System software. The differences in perception towards fluid therapy between nurses working in oncology units and those working in hospice centers were examined using the $x^2$ test and analysis of covariance. Results: Fluid therapy was perceived more negatively by the nurses from hospice centers than by those from oncology units. Continuous subcutaneous infusion was used in hospice centers, but not in oncology units. In addition, the average amount of fluid infused daily differed significantly between the oncology units and hospice centers. Conclusion: Our results show that there were differences in the perception towards fluid therapy between nurses in different clinical settings. Nurses caring for terminal and palliative care patients should not simply provide or withhold fluid therapy, but rather develop a wider range of views on fluid therapy, focusing on effective alternative interventions.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.81-92
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the emotion and preference for shoes styles through empirical research, in accordance with personality type, age and fashion innovativeness of female students. This study was a survey research through convenience sampling of 224 college students. In order to select shoes style, a pre-classification through dictionary and online search was done to choose the representative eight styles of shoes to college students. Personality types was determined from the modified measures of the brief MBTI to fit this study, and the emotional scale of sensibility was revised from the previous studies. SPSS statistical analysis were executed as follows: First, preference and emotion on shoes styles were significantly different in accordance with the shoes type and the diagram from the results of correspondence analysis showed some relationship between the sensibility and shoes styles showing 4~5 clusters. Second, the sensibility and preference had significant difference in some type of shoes according to the personality types of college students. Third, there was a significant difference in the shoes preference and sensibility by accordance of the degree of fashion innovativeness. And there was a significant difference in preference of shoes according to the purchase frequency of consumers. We hope this data is useful to this current dynamic market of shoes to the both sides of producer and consumers.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.477-482
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• 2012

Background The bone graft for the alveolar cleft has been accepted as one of the essential treatments for cleft lip patients. Precise preoperative measurement of the architecture and size of the bone defect in alveolar cleft has been considered helpful for increasing the success rate of bone grafting because those features may vary with the cleft type. Recently, some studies have reported on the usefulness of three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) assessment of alveolar bone defect; however, no study on the possible implication of the cleft type on the difference between the presumed and actual value has been conducted yet. We aimed to evaluate the clinical predictability of such measurement using 3D CT assessment according to the cleft type. Methods The study consisted of 47 pediatric patients. The subjects were divided according to the cleft type. CT was performed before the graft operation and assessed using image analysis software. The statistical significance of the difference between the preoperative estimation and intraoperative measurement was analyzed. Results The difference between the preoperative and intraoperative values were $-0.1{\pm}0.3cm^3$ (P=0.084). There was no significant intergroup difference, but the groups with a cleft palate showed a significant difference of $-0.2{\pm}0.3cm^3$ (P<0.05). Conclusions Assessment of the alveolar cleft volume using 3D CT scan data and image analysis software can help in selecting the optimal graft procedure and extracting the correct volume of cancellous bone for grafting. Considering the cleft type, it would be helpful to extract an additional volume of $0.2cm^3$ in the presence of a cleft palate.