• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.85-100
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• 2023

Objectives: To evaluate stress patterns and coping abilities in women with infertility by conducting in-depth interviews. Methods: Ten women with infertility who visited the Korean Medicine Hospital and provided consent after being informed of the purpose and method of the study were selected after meeting the inclusion/exclusion criteria. They were requested to complete a preliminary questionnaire developed by the researchers, the Infertility Stress Scale, and the Korean version of the Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI). Subsequently, each participant was interviewed individually. Results: The preliminary questionnaire was used to evaluate sensitivity to each type of infertility-related stress and ability to express and resolve it. Among all infertility stress types, the largest proportion, accounting for an average of 47.5±26.95%, was that felt by the patient herself. Considering stress awareness intensity, the stress felt by the patient was the highest, with an average score of 4.30±0.64. Relative stress sensitivity due to infertility was the highest, with an average score of 3.90±0.94. Compared with general work stress, the average ability to relieve stress related to problems with spouses was the highest, with a score of 2.50±1.20. The average Infertility Stress Scale score was 2.88±1.35 and FPI score was 2.87±2.52. Conclusions: The highest stress scores were observed for the following items: meaning of children, need for parenthood, and stress due to the diagnosis of infertility. The lowest stress scores were allocated to the item concerning relationships with friends and co-workers. Based on the in-depth interviews conducted after the survey, stress in women with infertility may be classified as emotional, physical, and economic. Thus, the requirement for providing appropriate psychological and emotional support depending on the stress type in addition to general medical treatment for infertility treatment was confirmed.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.118-131
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• 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to provide essential data for the development of a prenatal healthcare intervention program tailored to Vietnamese migrant women. This study assessed the knowledge and the practice of prenatal health management, and the levels of depression among Vietnamese women of childbearing age residing in Korea and Vietnam. Methods: Using a descriptive research design, a structured questionnaire was administered to Vietnamese women of childbearing age, with 113 participants residing in Korea and 196 participants residing in Vietnam. Data was collected from Februay to April 2021. Data was analyzed using t-test and chi-square test. Result: The analysis of knowledge regarding prenatal health management revealed significant differences between married women in both locations, with higher knowledge scores. Regarding prenatal health management practices, no significant differences were found based on marital status or place of residence. Particularly in the item "Will receive regular prenatal check-ups at the hospital." married Vietnamese women in Vietnam had lower scores than unmarried women, and rural women had lower scores than urban women. The lowest score was observed among Korean-residing women in the item "Will seek pregnancy and childbirth information." Regarding depression, married women in Vietnam and women living in rural areas demonstrated significantly higher depression scores. Conclusion: When designing perinatal management interventions for Vietnamese immigrant women, special attention should be given to those originating from rural areas in Vietnam. It is recommended to incorporate the importance of perinatal healthcare and factors related to mental well-being into the intervention program.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.5
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• pp.567-576
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• 2019

Objective : Minimal data exist regarding non-operative management of suspected pseudarthrosis after pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO). This study reports radiographic and clinical outcomes of non-operative management for post-PSO pseudarthrosis at a minimum 5 years post-detection. Methods : Nineteen consecutive patients with implant breakage indicating probable pseudarthrosis after PSO surgery (13 women/six men; mean age at surgery, 58 years) without severe pain and disability were treated with non-operative management (mean follow-up, 5.8 years; range, 5-10 years). Non-operative management included medication, intermittent brace wearing and avoidance of excessive back strain. Radiographic and clinical outcomes analysis was performed. Results : Sagittal vertical axis (SVA), proximal junctional angle, thoracic kyphosis achieved by a PSO were maintained after detection of pseudarthrosis through ultimate follow-up. Lumbar lordosis and PSO angle decreased at final follow-up. There was no significant change in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores and Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) total score, or subscales of pain, self-image, function, satisfaction and mental health between detection of pseudarthrosis and ultimate follow-up. SVA greater than 11 cm showed poorer ODI and SRS total score, as well as the pain, self-image, and function subscales (p<0.05). Conclusion : Non-operative management of implant failure of probable pseudarthrosis after PSO offers acceptable outcomes even at 5 years after detection of implant breakage, provided SVA is maintained. As SVA increased, outcome scores decreased in this patient population.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.61-72
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• 2019

Introduction : The aim of this study was to investigate menstrual pattern according to Mibyeong Index(MBI) and compare Mibyeong symptom score according to severity of menstrual pain. Mibyeong Index was designed to measure inconvenience and resilience of subject's complains including four physical symptoms(fatigue, pain, low sleep quality, indigestion) and mental distress including anxiety, anger, depression. Method : We used the clinical data of Korean medicine Date Center(KDC) for subjects who participated in the study of 'Clinical research for collecting of clinical cases based on the personal type of Mibyeng' conducted in Seoul, from June 26, 2015 to June 26, 2017. A total of 566 fertile women aged 30 to 50 who completed the questionnaires were included in this study. In this study, we used items of Mibyeong Index and the menstrual pattern by self-report questionnaires. The date were analyzed through Kruskal Wallis test, Pearson's chi-square test, and one-way ANOVA using SPSS statistics 19.0. Results : Mibyeong status was significantly associated with severity of menstrual pain(p<0.001), worst day of menstrual pain(p<0.05), and type of menstrual pain(low back pain, nausea, depression, and none (respectively, p<0.05)). In addition, The 7-subtype score (fatigue (p<0.001), pain(p<0.001), low sleep quality(p<0.001), indigestion(p<0.001), anxiety(p<0.05), anger(p<0.05) and depression(p<0.05)) of Mibyeong index and total score of Mibyeong Index (p<0.001) showed significant difference for severity of menstrual pain. Conclusion : This result indicates that a close relationship between Mibyeong status and severity of menstrual pain. Further studies are needed but, we hope that this results will be used as the basic data to improve mibyeong status through health care to alleviate dysmenorrhea.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.3-14
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• 2018

Background: Both objective body shape and perceived body image have been known to influence the mental health. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of a combination between actual body mass index (BMI) status and perceived body image with anxiety depressive condition (ADC) in Korean men and women. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data of 26,239 subjects ${\geq}20$ years old from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2014). This study performed a Rao-Scott chi-square and multivariate logistic regression analyses reflecting survey characteristics and used a variety of independent variables such as socio-demographics and health behavior factors. Results: With all independent variables considered, people with normal weight who perceived themselves as overweight were more likely associated with ADC than a referent group with normal weight who perceived themselves as normal weight, as shown for both men (odds ratio [OR], 1.52; confidence interval [CI], 1.07-2.15) and women (OR, 1.25; CI, 1.06-1.48). Meanwhile, compared to the referent group, men with underweight who perceived themselves as underweight showed a lower association with ADC (OR, 0.63; CI, 0.41-0.97), whereas women with underweight who perceived themselves as underweight showed its higher association (OR, 1.47; CI, 1.10-1.96). Conclusion: A certain group of people categorized as a combination between actual BMI status and perceived body image showed a relatively high likelihood of having ADC, and the gender difference in the likelihood of having the condition for a group was clear. Therefore, this study suggests the need to identify the group at a high risk of ADC on the basis of actual BMI status and perceived body image and to develop an appropriate mental health management program for the group.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.220-235
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• 1999

Objectives：The purpose of this study was to evaluate suicidal attitudes, self-image, anxiety and depression on industrial and cultural wemen's high school, and to make a comparative study between suicidal attitudes and anxiety, depression, self-image. Methods：Three hundred twenty-six student(161 persons from industrial wemem's school, 165 persons from cultural wemen's school), who were supposed to different from in psychosocial environment, entered this study. To assess the attitudes toward suicide, Suicide Opinion Questionnaire(SOQ) were done at study. To estimate anxiety, depression, and self-image, Zung' Self-rating Anxiety Scale (ZAS), K-Beck Depression Inventory(KBDI), Offer's Self Image Questionnaire(OSIQ), respectively, were executed in this study. Results：1) We extracted 5 factors after factor analysis based on SOQ results with the response of the 326 subject；ethics, religion, mental illness, acceptability, revenge. Revenge factor were stastically significant between both groups. 2) In OSIQ, family relationship factor & superior adjustment factor were stastically significant between both groups, but, both groups didn't have a significance on ZAS & KBDI. 3) According to correlative analysis between SOQ results and OSIQ, ZAS, KBDI results, ethics factor(SOQ) were converse to BS factor, ET factor, and ME factor in OSIQ. Mental illness factor(SOQ) were in proportion to PP factor(OSIQ). Acceptability factor(SOQ) were in proportion to ZAS & KBDI result. Conclusion：Our subject mostly regarded suicide as sinful ethically ,and as mental illness. But, In that there was neuropsychiatric history and suicidal idea in them, the subjects looked upon suicide as permissive. With significantly high score on ZAS & KBDI, there were more acceptable attitude toward suicide. So, We consider suicide to be used as coping strategy about more stressful event to young adolescent.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.118-125
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• 2019

Purpose: Non-benzodiazepine hypnotic drugs (including zolpidem) are associated with an increased risk of suicide and suicidal ideation. Considering the wide usage of zolpidem, this drug should be considered a possible etiology for stupor or coma in any patient exposed to this drug. However, there are no reports on zolpidem blood levels in emergency department patients in Korea. We therefore reviewed the analyzed data of a toxicology laboratory at one university affiliated hospital. Methods: The sex, age, chief symptoms, suspiciousness of poisoning, and presumption of poison were analyzed from January 2018 to June 2019. The detection frequency and level of zolpidem in the patient blood were compared to the mental changes presented, which is the main consequence of zolpidem. Results: A total of 229 toxicological analyses, requested to a toxicological laboratory at one university affiliated hospital, were reviewed. Among 229 patients, the mean age was 54.3±20.7 years old with 113 women and 116 men. 8.7% of patients have psychiatric illness and 39.7% were poisoned intentionally. The chief symptoms detected were: mental change 55.0%, gastrointestinal 14.4%, cardiovascular 10.5%, focal neurological 7.4%, respiratory 3.5%, none 8.7%, and unknown 0.4%. A request for detailed reports revealed that causative poisons were specified only in 20.1% cases. Zolpidem was detected in 22.3% cases (51/229), with median blood level 1.26 mg/L (interquartile 0.1, 5.06 mg/L) and urine 0.90 mg/L (interquartile 0.11, 5.6 mg/L). Furthermore, zolpidem was more frequently detected in toxicology analysis of patients where mental change was the primary symptom, as compared to other symptoms (32.5% vs. 9.7%, p<0.01). Conclusion: This study reported the blood level of zolpidem in suspected poisoning patients admitted to the emergency department.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup3
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• pp.107-111
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• 2016

This study aimed to determine sleep disorders and associated risk factors in leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy in Imam Khomeini Hospital of Sari, Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015 with 100 patients selected. Inclusion criteria included complete mental and psychological health and being over 18 years old, and exclusion criteria included suffering other cancers, other chronic diseases, concurrent radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality standard questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaire consisted of mental sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep quality, sleep disturbances, use of sleeping drugs, and impaired daily functioning. Data were analyzed by software SPSS 18 and by using descriptive and inferential tests (Pearson, Spearman, T-test and chi-square). Totals of 47 men (47%) and 53 women (53%) with a mean age of $44.1{\pm}1.7$, participated in the study. The mean overall score of sleep quality was $9.3{\pm}3.9$, which represents the average sleep quality in most participants. T-test shows that males have better sleep quality than females (t=2.1; 95%CI:0.004-0.25; P<0.01). Also the sleep quality increased with age (r=0.22, P=0.03). Results show that the amount of sleep quality was only moderate in most patients, so it is necessary to take coping strategies to improve their quality of sleep.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7459-7466
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• 2013

Background: Some 60 years after introduction of the Papanicolaou smear worldwide, cervical cancer remains a burden in developing countries where >85% of world new cases and deaths occur, suggesting a failure to establish comprehensive cervical-cancer control programs. Effective interventions are available to control cervical cancer but are not all affordable in low-income settings. Disease awareness saves lives by risk-reduction as witnessed in reducing mortality of HIV/AIDS and smoking-related cancers. Subjects and Methods: We initiated a community-based awareness program on cervical cancer in two low-income Muslim Uyghur townships in Kashi (Kashgar) Prefecture, Xinjiang, China in 2008. The education involved more than 5,000 women from two rural townships and awareness was then evaluated in 2010 and 2011, respectively, using a questionnaire with 10 basic knowledge questions on cervical cancer. Demographic information was also collected and included in an EpiData database. A 10-point scoring system was used to score the awareness. Results: The effectiveness and feasibility of the program were evaluated among 4,475 women aged 19-70 years, of whom >92% lived on/below US$1.00/day. Women without prior education showed a poor average awareness rate of 6.4% (164/2,559). A onetime education intervention, however, sharply raised the awareness rate by 4-fold to 25.5% (493/1,916). Importantly, low income and illiteracy were two reliable factors affecting awareness before or after education intervention. Conclusions: Education intervention can significantly raise the awareness of cervical cancer in low-income women. Economic development and compulsory education are two important solutions in raising general disease awareness. We propose that implementing community-based awareness programs against cervical cancer is realistic, locally affordable and sustainable in low-income countries, which may save many lives over time and, importantly, will facilitate the integration of comprehensive programs when feasible. In this context, adopting this strategy may provide one good example of how to achieve "good health at low cost".

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2018

Objectives: Problem behaviors pose a great obstacle to daily functioning in children with neurodevelopmental deficits and are an important target for treatment. In this study, we translated the Behavior Problems Inventory (BPI)-01 into Korean language and tested its psychometric properties. Methods: We attained the approval of the BPI author and performed standard translation-back translation. Then, professional caregivers examined appropriateness according to cultural and situational contexts in order to make necessary modifications of the Korean version of the BPI. Results: The BPI-01, Korea-Scales of Independent Behavior-Revised (K-SIB-R), and Child Behavior Checklist were completed for 98 autistic spectrum disorder or intellectual development disorder participants (mean age=28.3, standard deviation=7.3, range=10.1-51.7). The inter-rater reliability of the BPI-01 was found to be high (r=0.992-1.000). As for the results for concurrent validity for subscale items of BPI-01 and scales of SIB, correlations between SIB and BPI-01 subscales were statistically significant (r=0.357-0.672). Discussion: The Korean version of the BPI-01 showed good psychometric properties with high reliability and sufficient convergent validity. Further examination of the validity of BPI-01 should be carried out with inclusion of younger aged children and a closer look at less frequently occurring symptoms.