How Much Do Older Adults Living Alone in Rural South Korea Know About Dementia? / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the level of dementia knowledge of older Korean adults living alone in rural areas and to identify related factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive design was applied. The participants were 231 older adults living alone who were recruited from 12 of the 13 primary health care posts in the rural area of Chuncheon. Participants’ level of dementia knowledge was assessed using the Dementia Knowledge Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the t-test, analysis of variance, chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney test were applied. RESULTS: Participants’ mean age was 77.3±5.4 years, and women comprised 79.7% of the sample. Over half of the participants (61.9%) had no formal education, and all the participants were enrolled in Medical Aid. The participants’ average percentage of correct answers was 61.6%. The highest rate (94.4%) was for the item “Dementia can change one’s personal character.” The item with the lowest proportion of correct answers was “Dementia is not treatable” (23.4%). Dementia knowledge was significantly associated with age, education, health coverage, source of living expenses, and dementia risk. CONCLUSIONS: Dementia knowledge among Korean rural older adults living alone was relatively low. Participants’ misconceptions about symptoms and treatment could hinder them from seeking early treatment. The results of this study suggest the need for active outreach and health care delivery for rural older adults living alone in South Korea.

Effect of Program Promoting Intention to Exercise Performance Based Theory of Planned Behavior in the Elderly

PURPOSE: This study is aimed at grasping the benefit/effect of program promoting intention to exercise performance based theory of planned behavior in the elderly who live in the rural areas with degenerative joint diseases (DJDs). METHODS: There were 2 groups; 32 people in the experimental group and 24 in the control group, all above the age of 60. Program promoting intention to exercise performance was applied to the experimental group for 12 weeks. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed a significant the increase of attitude towards exercise, subjective norm, perceived behavior control, exercising intention, and exercise performance. Also, pain as a physical function, joint stiffness, ADLs, body flexibility, parallel, perceived health state as a psychological function, and life satisfaction were significantly improved. CONCLUSION: We expect that program promoting intention to exercise performance is used in nursing practice for the elderly with DJDs are needed to manage lifestyle.

The Effects of a Nutrition and Body Shape Education Program as Part of Health Promoting Projects in an Elementary School

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a nutrition education program as part of health promoting projects in an elementary school. A total of 168 students in the 4th grade were enrolled in the program for 6 months. A self-administered questionnaire was developed to assess nutrition knowledge and dietary habit. Nutrient intakes and body shape perceptions were measured using 24-hour recall method and self-ratings of body shape figures, respectively. The education program was conducted in various ways, focused on healthy dietary behavior, nutrients' roles and sources, and proper body shape perceptions, etc. After the education program, nutrition knowledge and dietary habit were significantly improved. Dietary habit scores were significantly and positively related to nutrition knowledge levels. Body shape perceptions were significantly and properly changed after the program. Dissatisfaction with perceived current body shape and discrepancy between shapes desired and considered healthy were significantly decreased. But girls still indicated a desire to be leaner than shapes which were perceived current and considered healthy. Nutrient intakes were partly improved by the program, but some nutrients, such as calcium, folate, zinc, sodium and niacin, were still remained deficient or excessive. These findings indicate that enhancement of nutrition knowledge is extended to the improvement of dietary habit. In addition, establishment of proper body shape perception is closely related to healthy dietary habits and is required to good nutrition and health.

The Effect of Preoperative Teaching on the Emotional Status of Patients Prior to Surgery / 성인간호학회지

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of preoperative teaching as a nursing intervention on the emotional status of the patients prior to surgery. The method of this study was Nonequivalent Control Group Non-Synchronize Design. The data were selected from H universuty hospital in Seoul, and they consisted of an experimental group-30patients, and a control group-30 patients. The questionnaire consisted of 28 Preoperative Stress Inventory(Kang, 1998), and 16 State-Trait Anxiety Inventory(Spielberger, 1972). The collected data were analized by means of frequency, percentage, x2 test, t-test and paired t-test with SPSS WIN. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The level of stress prior to surgery was significantly lower for the preoperative teaching group than for the control group(t=2.61, p< .01). 2. The level of anxiety prior to surgery was not significantly lower for the preoperative teaching group than for the control group. 3. The difference level of the anxiety level the prior to surgery was significantly higher for the preoperative teaching group than for the control group(t=2.82, p< .01). In conclusion, preoperative teaching is a beneficial nursing intervention that has a positive effect on the stress and anxiety of patients prior to surgery. Therefore it is recommended to use the preoperative teaching program as a nursing intervention for patients prior to surgery.