Factors Influencing Elders' Preventive Behavior for Influenza A (H1N1)

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to examine the relations among anxiety, knowledge, health locus of control and preventive behavior, and to find factors related with preventive behavior. METHODS: The subjects were 269 elderly people of over 65 living in C City. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS. RESULTS: Health promoting behavior was significantly different according to chronic disease, contact with H1N1 patient and perceived health status. The variables that affected the level of preventive behavior were anxiety, knowledge, internal locus of control, external locus of control, chance locus of control and perceived health status. CONCLUSION: According to this study, promoting preventive behavior for H1N1 on the elderly builds up anxiety, knowledge, and health locus of control.

A study on the enamel surface texture and caries susceptibility in interdentally stripped teeth / 대한치과교정학회지

To investigate the difference of texture exhibited on interproximal enamel surface with each different stripping method and the susceptibility of proximal enamel to demineralization after stripping and the application of a topical fluoride gel and sealant, one hundred human premolars, which were previously extracted for orthodontic reasons were evaluated by means of Scanning electron microscopy and laser fluorescence. The results were as follows : 1. No matter what the initial stripping instrument was the furrows that resulted from all the stripping methods were not completely removed by careful polishing. 2. Among the enamel surfaces that were treated with three different initial abrasive instruments, followed by the same polishing method (Sof-Lex(R)disks), the enamel surfaces that were treated with 700 crosscut carbide bur showed the smoothest surfaces. 3. The stripped teeth, no matter what the initial stripping instrument was, were less resistant to initial demineralization than untreated teeth. But no difference in caries susceptibility according to differently stripped methods was found (p<0.001). 4. Teeth treated with APF-gel or sealant were more resistant to demineralization than those treated without other treatment after stripping (p<0.001). 5. Comparing groups treated with APF-gel to groups treated with sealant, the former was more resistant to demineralization than the latter (p<0.05). In conclusion, enamel surfaces that were stripped interproximally were less resistant to demineralization even though various attempts were made to produce smooth, self-cleaning enamel surfaces. Therefore, additional treatment-sealant or calcifying/ fluoridating solution to the stripped enamel surfaces is recommended.

The recognition and management of obesity at primary care in urban area

BACKGROUND: Recently, the prevalence of obesity has increased due to the development of industries and westernized diet pattern. Also, chronic diseases associated with obesity have increased as well Although management of obese patients is important in health promotion programs, there is no data that supports recognition and management of the obesity in primary care. Therefore, surveys concerning such issues were done among internists and family physicians in Seoul. METHODS: In 1997 May, questionnaire was sent by mail to each 887 internists and family physicians working in primary care in Seoul. RESULTS: A total of 186 replied to the questionnaire consisting of 21% of the total. The proportion of respondents who replied that obesity is a problem for management was 66.3%. Diet control and exercise was recognized as the most effective treatment method 82.1% of respondents recognized that failure to control weight was due to patients themselves. Personal experience in managing obesity patients using informational sources was only 14.5%. The proportion of respondents replied that those whose weight and height were measured for all first-visit patients was 50%, that obese patients received care in was 71%. Behavior modifications, diet control, and exercise were widely recommended, but drug therapy was not. 73.6% of respondents simply explained to control weight to obese patients, but only 17.1% continuously evaluated and managed them. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of recognitions for obesity by primary care physicians in urban area was relatively low,regardless of its importance in health promotion. And, screening for obesity and continuous management for obese patients was inadequate. Efforts to manage obesity patients adequately in primary care is necessary.