• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.57 no.3
• /
• pp.279-287
• /
• 2024

Objectives: This study validated the Vietnamese version of the Disaster Adaptation and Resilience Scale (DARS) for use in vulnerable communities in Vietnam. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 595 adults from 2 identified communities. The original DARS assessment tool was translated, and the validity and reliability of the Vietnamese version of DARS (V-DARS) were assessed. The internal consistency of the overall scale and its subscales was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega reliability coefficients. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to evaluate its construct validity, building upon the factor structure identified in exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Construct validity was assessed based on convergent and discriminant validity. Results: Following the established criteria for EFA, 8 items were removed, resulting in a refined V-DARS structure comprising 35 items distributed across 5 distinct factors. Both alpha and omega reliability coefficients indicated strong internal consistency for the overall scale (α=0.963, ω=0.963) and for each of the 5 sub-scales (all>0.80). The CFA model also retained the 5-factor structure with 35 items. The model fit indices showed acceptable values (RMSEA: 0.072; CFI: 0.912; TLI: 0.904; chi-square test: <0.01). Additionally, the convergent and discriminant validity of the V-DARS were deemed appropriate and satisfactory for explaining the measurement structure. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the V-DARS is a valid and reliable scale for use within vulnerable communities in Vietnam to assess adaptive responses to natural disasters. It may also be considered for use in other populations.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.102 no.3
• /
• pp.428-436
• /
• 2013

To obtain biological basic data for the conservation strategies establishment of a rare mistletoe species, Loranthus tanakae(Loranthaceae) in Korea, the distribution range, habitat characteristics and an assessment of the conservation status on the natural populations of L. tanakae were investigated. As a result, the natural populations of L. tanakae were distributed in Bakdudaegan from Mt. Chiri to Mt Seorak in Korea penninsula, and 97.8% of surveyed individuals of the mistletoe species were found in Gangwon province. In natural populations, 1,385 individuals of L. tanakae were parasitic on 480 host trees, and distributed in sunshiny ridges of mountains of altitude range of 353 m to 1,250 m. The range of host trees of L. tanakae were composed of 5 families, 6 genera, 9 species, 1 subspecies, and of these, Quercus mongolica was preferred with 81.5% (389 trees among 480 host trees). As a result of assessing the conservation status through IUCN, L. tanakae was evaluated as Vulnerable (VU). It was considered that Mt. Seorak, Mt. Taegi and Mt. Odae population as habitats with the highest density of distribution of natural populations of L. tanakae should be designated as the protected areas. Thus, conservation strategies and related methods of the natural populations of L. tanakae were also discussed for the sustainable conservation.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.54 no.4
• /
• pp.399-405
• /
• 2016

Poor subsistence farmers who live in a semi-arid area of northern Ethiopia build irrigation systems to overcome water shortages. However, there is a high risk of malaria transmission when increased standing water provides more favorable habitats for mosquito breeding. This is a serious problem because there are many barriers to malaria control measures and health care systems in the area. Using a causal loop diagram and computer simulations, the author attempted to visually illustrate positive and negative feedbacks between mosquito and human populations in the context of Simret, which is a small village located in northern Ethiopia and is generally considered a malaria-free area. The simulation results show that the number of infectious mosquitos increases to 17,215 at its peak, accounting for 3.5% of potentially dangerous mosquitos. At the same time, the number of sick people increases to 574 at its peak, accounting for 15% of local population. The malaria outbreak is controlled largely because of a fixed number of vulnerable people or local population that acts as an intermediate host.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.7
• /
• pp.4025-4032
• /
• 2013

Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for all US populations including Asian Americans. CRC screening has considerable benefits to prevent CRC and reduce mortality. The purpose of this article was to review the published literature on rates of colorectal cancer screening and factors associated with colorectal cancer screening practice among Asian Americans. Methods: Through searching electronic reference databases from 2000 to 2013, 30 articles were found on Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese Americans. Findings: Asian Americans had significantly low ratesfor CRC screening; Korean Americans reported the lowest rates, while higher screening rates were found among Japanese Americans. Older age, longer length of stay in the US, and having a physician's recommendation were the most common facilitators to receiving screening. The common inhibiting factors were financial issues, employment status, and worries/fears about the procedure. Conclusions: Despite a number of Asian Americans being vulnerable to CRC, individual Asian subgroups were underserved with CRC screening and intervention. Further studies should focus on each individual Asian subgroup and culturally proficient CRC screening intervention programs should be developed for each.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.177-182
• /
• 2012

It is widely recognised that changes in size and isolation of habitat patches have a negative impact on species richness and the distribution and persistence of populations. Thus, the aim of the research was to analyze the change, distribution and spatial characteristics of woodlands in an urban fringe landscape. The results indicated that there was a common trend of woodland loss across all landscape types while no new woodlands were established during 1976 and 2009. Small patches (less than 5 ha in size) were particularly vulnerable to and more likely to disappear due to human activities such as urbanisation. Changes in woodland cover were clearly observed between 1976 and 2009. Loss of many woodlands was caused by residential and infrastructural developments. As a result, woodlands were becoming smaller and more isolated. This trend probably had adverse effects on biodiversity. This woodland information can be used to identify the potential and specific needs for conservation planning in rapidly developing urban areas.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Broadcast Engineers Conference
• /
• 2019.06a
• /
• pp.127-128
• /
• 2019

우리나라는 현재 지상파 UHDTV 재난경보 방송서비스에 관한 연구를 진행 중에 있다. 한편, 노인, 장애인 등 재난취약계층은 재난 발생 시 최초 상황의 인지와 대응에 어려움을 겪어 일반 대중과의 재난 대응 격차는 커지고 있는 상황이다. 본 논문에서는 연구가 진행중인 지상파 UHDTV 재난경보 방송서비스를 기반으로 재난약자 그룹의 재난 상황 판단, 피난에 도움이 되는 맞춤형 미디어 전달이 가능한 재난메시지 확장 방안을 제안하며, 재난약자의 최적대피 및 대피형평성을 확보하기 위한 연구로 활용될 것을 기대한다.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.137-145
• /
• 2024

Stunting, a condition characterized by impaired growth and development in children, remains a major public health concern worldwide. Over the past decade, emerging evidence has shed light on the potential role of gut microbiota modulation in stunting. Gut microbiota dysbiosis has been linked to impaired nutrient absorption, chronic inflammation, altered short-chain fatty acid production, and perturbed hormonal and signaling pathways, all of which may hinder optimal growth in children. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of existing research exploring the bidirectional relationship between stunting and the gut microbiota. Although stunting can alter the gut microbial community, microbiota dysbiosis may exacerbate it, forming a vicious cycle that sustains the condition. The need for effective preventive and therapeutic strategies targeting the gut microbiota to combat stunting is also discussed. Nutritional interventions, probiotics, and prebiotics are among the most promising approaches to modulate the gut microbiota and potentially ameliorate stunting outcomes. Ultimately, a better understanding of the gut microbiota-stunting nexus is vital for guiding evidence-based interventions that can improve the growth and development trajectory of children worldwide, making substantial strides toward reducing the burden of stunting in vulnerable populations.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.100-105
• /
• 2020

Northern pipevine (Aristolochia contorta) commonly inhabits marginal areas between waterside and terrestrial vegetation. In particular, A. contorta is ecologically important in the marginal areas as a food plant of dragon swallowtail butterfly (Sericinus montela), which is designated as vulnerable species in the Republic of Korea. For long-term sustainability of the plant population, assessment of the genetic diversity of exist populations should be conducted. Genomic DNA of A. contorta leaf samples were extracted from four populations where the vigorous growth were observed in the South Korea. Intra-population genetic diversity and inter-population genetic distance were assessed using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) with five polymorphic random primers. Overall genetic diversity was lower, compared to other wetland species (h: 0.0607 ~ 0.1401; I: 0.0819 ~ 0.1759), while GP showed the highest intra-population genetic diversity. Despite of the geographical distance, GP showed the larger genetic distance from other populations. This result seemed to be caused by the fragmented habitat and lower sexual reproduction of A. controta. Mixture of the different source populations and construction of the proper environmental condition such as shade and physical support for sexual reproduction should be considered for conservation of A. contorta population.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.131-145
• /
• 2019

Korea has set up a radiation emergency planning zone based on the 「Act on Physical Protection and Radiological Emergency」 to protect residents living near nuclear power plants in the event of nuclear disasters. Little research has been conducted on the appropriateness of existing nuclear evacuation facilities because of a general lack of interest in nuclear accidents. This research addresses this gap by analyzing the location adequacy of evacuation facilities in Busan's emergency protection planning area based on vulnerable populations and accessibility analyses. The Gijang-gun which has the greatest risk, shows that only 4.05% of the total urban area was included in the evacuation service area within 5 minutes while only 36.93% of Geumjeong-gu and 37.23% of Haeundae-gu were included in the evacuation-enabled area. In addition, evaluation facilities in the elderly population hotspots were lacking, and there was a wide gap between dongs within the same Gu. Thus, additional evacuation facilities need to be designated and installed considering the spatial equity between areas and safety of both the public and vulnerable populations.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.80-91
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of the study quantitatively investigates the experience of unmet healthcare service utilization by rural populations in vulnerable areas during the COVID-19 pandemic based on Andersen's behavior model. At the same time, this study attempts to describe the experiences of unmet healthcare service utilization among participants in vulnerable rural areas by analyzing qualitative contents through open-ended question. Methods: Data were collected from October to November 2022 using Qualtrix, a web-based survey platform. A total of 863 participants completed an online survey. Quantitative data were analyzed using 𝑥² test and logistic regression analysis. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: The factors affecting participants' unmet healthcare service utilization were type of residential area and underlying disease. The qualitative analysis identified; four categories and nine sub-categories. Conclusion: Based on these findings, it is necessary to develop a disaster nursing response model according to the type of residential areas and the number of people.