A Study on the Curriculum of Global Health Education / 한국간호교육학회지

PURPOSE: This study aimed to understand current global health education and suggest its future direction for Korean undergraduate nursing students. METHODS: After reviewing literature to identify key concepts applicable to global health nursing curricula, the authors analyzed global health curricula from 98 nursing colleges by using a framework that was developed for this study. RESULTS: Among the 201 nursing colleges, 98 (48.8%) schools offered one or more global health-related courses. The titles of these courses were divided into two categories: Multiculturalism and international nursing. Multicultural courses were offered mainly for freshmen (40.5%) or sophomore students (40.5%), whereas international nursing courses were offered mainly for senior students (35.9%). These courses trained nursing students to be culturally competent in providing nursing care for immigrants or foreign travelers living in South Korea. CONCLUSIONS: It is evident that interest in global health education is growing in South Korea. However, the scope and content of global health education needs to be broadened beyond multiculturalism and international nursing so that it can prepare nursing students to promote global health equity, reduce global health disparities, and work competently with globally-focused organizations.

Study on the Musculoskeletal Subjective Symptoms Disorders and Health Promotion Behavior of Daily Plant Construction Workers in One Area / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: This research is a correlative study to assess the relationships of musculoskeletal subjective symptoms disorders and health promotion behavior of the daily plant construction workers. METHODS: The subjects were comprised of 306 daily plant construction workers by self-reported questionnaires on October 19, 2011. The instruments used for this study were musculoskeletal subjective symptoms disorders (NIOSH) and health promotion lifestyle profile II (HPLP-II). The data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 14.0. RESULTS: The scores of health promotion behavior of daily plant construction workers were 2.13, and the scores of health promotion behavior were significantly different depending on gender (t=-2.51, p=.013), religion (t=3.10, p=.002), owning house (t=2.59, p= .010), exercise (t=6.01, p<.001), time to rest during work (t=2.21, p=.027), and work satisfaction (F=8.97, p<.001). The musculoskeletal subjective symptoms disorders attack rate was 90.5%. The results of the correlative study to assess relationships showed significant negative correlation between musculoskeletal subjective symptoms disorders and health promotion behavior (r=-1.45, p=.011). CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that it was lower level of health promotion behavior level. Therefore, to increase the health promotion behavior of the daily plant construction workers, a great deal of efforts are required at the level of the government, employers and workers.

Study on the Musculoskeletal Subjective Symptoms Disorders and Health Promotion Behavior of Daily Plant Construction Workers in One Area / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: This research is a correlative study to assess the relationships of musculoskeletal subjective symptoms disorders and health promotion behavior of the daily plant construction workers. METHODS: The subjects were comprised of 306 daily plant construction workers by self-reported questionnaires on October 19, 2011. The instruments used for this study were musculoskeletal subjective symptoms disorders (NIOSH) and health promotion lifestyle profile II (HPLP-II). The data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 14.0. RESULTS: The scores of health promotion behavior of daily plant construction workers were 2.13, and the scores of health promotion behavior were significantly different depending on gender (t=-2.51, p=.013), religion (t=3.10, p=.002), owning house (t=2.59, p= .010), exercise (t=6.01, p<.001), time to rest during work (t=2.21, p=.027), and work satisfaction (F=8.97, p<.001). The musculoskeletal subjective symptoms disorders attack rate was 90.5%. The results of the correlative study to assess relationships showed significant negative correlation between musculoskeletal subjective symptoms disorders and health promotion behavior (r=-1.45, p=.011). CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that it was lower level of health promotion behavior level. Therefore, to increase the health promotion behavior of the daily plant construction workers, a great deal of efforts are required at the level of the government, employers and workers.

Korean Nurses' Knowledge about Hereditary Colorectal Cancer / 종양간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate Korean nurses' knowledge about hereditary colorectal cancer (HCRC). METHODS: A modified 15-item HCRC knowledge questionnaire was developed based on previous research. One hundred and forty-eight nurses have completed the questionnaire from February to April, 2011. RESULTS: The average score of nurses' knowledge was 11.25+/-1.54. Ninety-seven percent of nurses knew about colonoscopy check up schedule and family pedigree. However, only 20% of nurses knew about the rate of passing on mutation genes to offspring and risk of developing CRC among carriers. Only 13.5% of nurses had previous genetic education experiences. Working in oncology units, taking care of CRC patients, and participating in genetic education were not associated with nurses' HCRC knowledge. CONCLUSION: Various factors influence nurses' knowledge about HCRC. Repeated study with larger national sample of nurses is recommended to identify the factors affecting nurses' knowledge level in order to develop efficient genetic education programs for HCRC patients and their families by nurses.

Ageing Experiences of Nurses with Overseas Employment: Focusing on the Korean Nurses Dispatched to Germany in the 1960s and 1970s / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: Global shortages in nursing and strong demand for nursing services provided Korean nurses with more overseas employment opportunities, especially in the developed countries such as the United States and Canada. The purpose of this study was to explore the ageing experiences of the Korean nurses dispatched to Germany in the 1960s and 1970s. METHODS: The researcher interviewed 10 Korean nurses living in four cities in Germany. Interviews were performed twice in January and July, 2010, and the data, in the form of field notes and interview transcripts, were analyzed using the Agar's (1980) ethnographic method. RESULTS: The ageing experiences of the participants can be summarized into three theme stages: coming upon old age, reluctantly realizing getting old, and finally accepting being old. The first stage is characterized by 'wiring money to homeland all throughout youth,' second 'still feeling like a stranger anywhere,' and finally 'burying homeland in heart.' CONCLUSION: The research findings not only suggest crucial materials for training prospective nurses overseas for their successful settlement, but also shed lights on related problems and solutions with ageing experience in overseas employment.

Effects of Gum-chewing on the Recovery of Bowel Motility and Length of Hospital Stay after Surgery for Colorectal Cancer / 종양간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a gum-chewing on the recovery of bowel motility and days of hospitalization after surgery for colorectal cancer. METHODS: This study used a non-equivalent control group and non-synchronized design. Thirty-four patients undergoing abdominal surgery for colorectal cancer were assigned to either gum-chewing group (n=17) or control group (n=17). The patients in the gum-chewing group chewed gum for 10 min three times daily from the first postoperative morning until the day they began oral intake. Outcome variables were time of first flatus, time of first bowel movement, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Gum-chewing was effective in enhancing the first passage of flatus, but was not effective in enhancing time of bowel movement and length of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Gum-chewing can be utilized as a useful nursing intervention to shorten the time of the first flatus of postoperative colectomy.

Recapturing the Lives and Experiences of Korean Nurses Dispatched to Germany in the 1960s and 1970s / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: While there exist a good number of studies on Korean nurses who were dispatched to Germany in 1960s and 1970s in sociological or labor economic perspectives, there have been few studies on their experiences from a nursing perspective. The purpose of this study is to recapture their lives and experiences from a nursing point of view. METHODS: This paper adopts an Agar's ethnographic approach which is more suitable to investigate personal qualitative experiences of those Korean nurses. The data were collected from group discussion and individual interview, and field observation with 10 dispatched Korean nurses. RESULTS: The experiences of those dispatched nurses to Germany can be summarized into three themes: challenging to life, embracing new life, and giving a meaning to life. Challenging to life involved 'hope and anxiety,' and embracing new life was reflected by 'wonderment and envy' and 'loneliness and sorrow.' Lastly, they took pride in their contributions to their mother country and also felt something lacking that they had not been properly evaluated. CONCLUSION: By rediscovering their lives and experiences from a nursing perspective, this study argues for more future studies to reexamine their impact and contribution to the nursing field in Korea.