The Effect of COVID-19–Related Lifestyle Changes on Depression

Objective@#This study aimed to identify the effect of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)–related lifestyle changes on depression. @*Methods@#This secondary data analysis study included 229,269 adults from a community health survey conducted in the South Korea in 2020. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire about participants’ lifestyle changes related to COVID-19 and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The data were analyzed using a complex sample independent t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis. @*Results@#The mean age of the participants was 48.76; 49.6% were male, and 50.4% were female. The multiple regression showed that depression increased due to COVID-19–related lifestyle changes (physical activity, sleep duration, consumption of convenience foods, alcohol consumption, smoking, and use of public transportation). The explanatory power was 27.3%, and the model was suitable (Wald F=63.75, p<0.001). @*Conclusion@#This study identified the effect of COVID-19–related lifestyle changes on depression, and the results have implications for future depression-relieving interventions.

Analysis of pregnant and breast-feeding women’s unmet healthcare needs / 의료커뮤니케이션

Background@#: The purpose of this study was to identify the contributing factors of unmet healthcare needs of pregnant and breast feeding women. @*Methods@#: This study used raw data from the Korea Community Health Survey(KCHS) which was performed in 2015. Data was analyzed using SPSS 21.0 for descriptive statistics, t test, Chi-square test, and logistic regression. @*Results@#: The significant predictors related to unmet healthcare needs were low level of education, not employed, low income, depression, eat breakfast, sleep duration, low level of subjective health status, and high level of stress. @*Conclusions@#: The results of the study indicate that it is necessary to establish a mental health care program to decrease unmet healthcare needs of pregnant and breast feeding women.

Analysis of Drinking Related to Health Behaviors during Pregnancy: Focus on Community Health Survey Data

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to investigate drinking as a health behavior during pregnancy. @*Methods@#Secondary data obtained from the 2018 Korean Community Health Survey were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis via the software IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 21.0. @*Results@#The multiple regression analysis revealed that age, monthly income, job, depression, lifetime smoking habit, breakfast frequency, and experiences of unmet medical needs were significant drinkingrelated factors connected with health behaviors during pregnancy. @*Conclusion@#Several factors are associated with drinking during pregnancy. To improve health promotion during pregnancy, alcohol prevention programs should be developed that consider one’s socioeconomic status and health behaviors.

Overall health and drinking behavior among pregnant and breastfeeding women in Korea / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES@#The study was to conduct a comparative assessment of drinking behaviors and overall health among pregnant and breastfeeding women.@*METHODS@#This study used data collected from the Korean Community Health Survey in 2015. Data obtained from 2,156 pregnant or breastfeeding women were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the t-test, the chi-square test, and the Pearson correlation coefficient.@*RESULTS@#Current drinking and alcohol consumption were higher among pregnant women than among breastfeeding women. Depression was twice as common among breastfeeding women than among pregnant women, and stress was much higher among breastfeeding women as well. Breastfeeding women also had lower subjective dental health and more unmet medical needs than pregnant women.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Although pregnant women were in better overall health than breastfeeding women, many of them were unable to stop drinking, which is a risky and adverse health behavior that negatively affects maternal and fetal health. In order to reduce drinking among pregnant and breastfeeding women, it is necessary to develop a tailored, standardized educational program and national guidelines.

Overall health and drinking behavior among pregnant and breastfeeding women in Korea / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: The study was to conduct a comparative assessment of drinking behaviors and overall health among pregnant and breastfeeding women.METHODS: This study used data collected from the Korean Community Health Survey in 2015. Data obtained from 2,156 pregnant or breastfeeding women were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the t-test, the chi-square test, and the Pearson correlation coefficient.RESULTS: Current drinking and alcohol consumption were higher among pregnant women than among breastfeeding women. Depression was twice as common among breastfeeding women than among pregnant women, and stress was much higher among breastfeeding women as well. Breastfeeding women also had lower subjective dental health and more unmet medical needs than pregnant women.CONCLUSIONS: Although pregnant women were in better overall health than breastfeeding women, many of them were unable to stop drinking, which is a risky and adverse health behavior that negatively affects maternal and fetal health. In order to reduce drinking among pregnant and breastfeeding women, it is necessary to develop a tailored, standardized educational program and national guidelines.

Overall health and drinking behavior among pregnant and breastfeeding women in Korea / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: The study was to conduct a comparative assessment of drinking behaviors and overall health among pregnant and breastfeeding women. METHODS: This study used data collected from the Korean Community Health Survey in 2015. Data obtained from 2,156 pregnant or breastfeeding women were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the t-test, the chi-square test, and the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Current drinking and alcohol consumption were higher among pregnant women than among breastfeeding women. Depression was twice as common among breastfeeding women than among pregnant women, and stress was much higher among breastfeeding women as well. Breastfeeding women also had lower subjective dental health and more unmet medical needs than pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: Although pregnant women were in better overall health than breastfeeding women, many of them were unable to stop drinking, which is a risky and adverse health behavior that negatively affects maternal and fetal health. In order to reduce drinking among pregnant and breastfeeding women, it is necessary to develop a tailored, standardized educational program and national guidelines.

Gender Differences in the Effects of Psychosocial Health of Adolescents with Chronic Illness on Quality of Life

PURPOSE: Recently, considering the large number of adolescents suffering from chronic illness, it is important to identify the factors affecting the quality of life (QoL) in order to develop intervention programs. METHODS: Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 21.0. The general characteristics, psychosocial health status, and life satisfaction distributions of the participants were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were calculated to test the reliability of the instrument. The differences in psychosocial health status and life satisfaction according to gender were tested with t-test and Chi-square test. Additionally, multiple regression analysis was used to examine the effect of psychosocial health status on life satisfaction. RESULTS: The multiple regression analysis revealed that depression, ego resilience, and self-esteem were associated with the QoL in both male and female participants. Economic status, subjective health, peer attachment, and smart phone addiction were associated with the QoL in male participants, while exercise time during physical education classes, social withdrawal, and school adaptation were associated with the QoL in female participants. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that a health promotion program should be developed, which reflects gender differences, to improve the QoL of adolescents with chronic illness.

Multilevel Analysis of the Risk Factors in High-Risk Health Behavior among Korean Adolescents

OBJECTIVES: To examine health behaviors among Korean adolescents with a focus on both individual and school-based factors, specifically in relation to predictors of high-risk groups. METHODS: Secondary data analysis was conducted with data from the 8th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey, using descriptive statistics, t tests, χ2 test, and multilevel logistic regression analysis. Health Practice Index was calculated and a range of 0 to 2 was classified as a high-risk group. RESULTS: The results revealed that the individual-level variables of sex, age, stress, depression, subjective health status, school performance, health education, father’s level of education, and living situation were significant predictors of high-risk behaviors. The risk was greater in girls, greater with higher age and higher stress scores, greater in adolescents with depression, greater with lower paternal educational level, and greater in adolescents who did not live with both parents, as were the school-level variables of school grade and school affluence score. The possibility of being in the high-risk group in health behavior was greater if a student attended a school where the Family Affluence Score (FAS) was lower. CONCLUSION: School health education should be expanded to manage students’ high-risk health behaviors, especially in schools that have many students from families with a low affluence status.

The Health Behavior, Disease Prevalence and Risk Factor Analysis of High-risk Drinking Women

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the health behaviors and disease prevalence associated with high-risk drinking among Korean women and conduct risk factor analysis of high-risk drinking. METHODS: The 2012 Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS) was used to sample 59,522 adult women aged 19~64 age who had at least one drink during the previous one year. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, Chi-squared tests, and logistic regression. RESULTS: The results revealed that 19~44 year old, unmarried women - who had graduated high school were high as high-risk drinking. Moreover, smoking, depression and stress were many. Finally, multiple logistic analysis showed that age, marital status, education level, smoking and obesity were significantly related to high-risk drinking. CONCLUSIONS: When investigating factors influencing high-risk drinking, it is important to develop appropriate health promotion programs for women who exhibit high-risk drinking behavior. The results of this study will be useful to development of such programs.

The Relationship between Internet Use and Health Behaviors among Adolescents

PURPOSE: The study was performed in order to identify the relationship between health behaviors and Internet use among adolescents. METHODS: The study used raw data from the Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey that was performed in 2012. Data of a total of 74,186 students were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 18. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: Internet use and health behaviors were significantly related to gender, depression, suicidal intent, parents' educational level, cohabitation with parents at home, school location, and grade. There was a significant association between Internet use and health behaviors in adolescents. CONCLUSION: Health promotion and education programs need to consider factors found relevant in this study.

Effects of Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise on Sexual Function in Employed Middle-aged Women: A Pilot Study / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify effects of pelvic floor muscle exercise on sexual function and to present basic information on promoting sexual function for employed middle-aged women. METHOD: Data were collected from July to September, 2005 from a sample of 25 conveniently selected middle-aged working women from B city. For personal reasons, 10 dropped out, leaving 15 women who were treated with the exercise for 6 weeks. Outcome measures on sexual function were assessed by a self-report questionnaire based on the Female Sexual Function Index (Rosen et al, 2000 and translated by Kim, 2004). Cronbach alpha's for the two studies were .82 and .96 respectively and for this study, .81. Descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The mean score for sexual function was 21.42 (range 2-36). There were significant improvements in total sexual function, and 4 sub-scales of sexual function, sexual arousal, vaginal lubrication, orgasm, and coital pain. No significant improvements in sexual desire or sexual satisfaction were found. CONCLUSION: The small sample means findings must be interpreted with caution, but do suggest that pelvic floor muscle exercise could be an effective exercise for improvement of sexual function.