Assessment of risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck in dental hygienists using video recording / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: Work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) of the neck is a frequent health problem in dental hygienists. This study was conducted to assess the risk factors of neck musculoskeletal disorder (neck MSD) using video recording. METHODS: The subjects were 50 currently working dental hygienists who agreed to participate in this study. A standardized questionnaire about WMSD (NIOSH/KOSHA) was distributed and video recording for neck posture and motion was performed between August and October 2012. The video recording was performed for 5 minutes using the reflective marker attachment on the 7th cervical vertebra. Major observation points included neck flexion angle, number of flexions, and length of static work when performing scaling and prosthetic procedures. Data were analyzed using MedCalc (ver 12.3.0, Mariakerke, Belgium), and the risk factors for neck MSD were assessed using simple and multiple variate analysis. RESULTS: The mean age and work experience of the subjects were 27.9 years and 5 years respectively. The prevalence of neck MSD symptoms that met NIOSH/KOSHA's criteria was 48%. The mean angle of neck flexion was 54.6°, mean maximum angle of flexion was 64.8°, and the mean time of static posture was 4.8 minutes during the 5 minutes recording interval. In the multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted by career, daily work time, and posture, the prevalence of neck MSD symptoms increased by 1.47 times (95% CI=0.24–9.48) with flexion >45°, and by 4.90 times (95% CI=0.91–26.4) when a static posture was preserved for >4.8 minutes CONCLUSIONS: The measured angle of flexion and time of preserved static posture identified further serious than expected. Therefore, to reduce the risk of neck MSD, reasonable and practically applicable guidelines to correct neck bending and tilting, especially to relax the long static posture associated with flexion, should be prepared.

The relevance of subjective health recognition and happiness index of local community residents (Using community health survey data 2014) / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: Health is closely related to an individual's assessment of their quality of life and their subjective level of happiness. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between happiness index and self-rated health by utilizing a community health survey in Korea. METHODS: The study participants were 17,937 people living in Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, who completed a community health survey in 2014. The non-subjective variables included in the statistical analysis were sex, age, region, education, income, and economic activity. The subjective awareness variables included self-rated health, self-rated oral health, chewing difficulty, pronunciation difficulty, and happiness index. Statistical analysis of the data was done using the SPSS 21.0 program. RESULTS: Evaluation of the subjective awareness levels revealed that the respondents that were better educated, whose income levels were higher, and those who engaged in an economic activity found themselves to be in better physical health and oral health. In contrast, the respondents that were female, older, and with residence in the counties reported a higher incidence of chewing difficulty. There was a positive correlation between happiness index and subjective awareness level, and a negative correlation between chewing difficulty and pronunciation difficulty. Happiness index was influenced the most by subjective health levels, followed by income, age, pronunciation difficulty, subjective oral health, chewing difficulty, academic credential, region, and sex. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, in order to improve the happiness index of community residents, regular health checkups and systematic oral health education should be prepared in order to improve awareness of subjective health and reduce discomfort in the oral cavity, and efforts should be made to reduce the gap between regions.

The influence of regional deprivation index on personal happiness using multilevel analysis / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study was to identify the factors that influence the happiness index of community residents, by considering personal and regional aspects, and to use as evidence of efforts for improvement of the happiness index. METHODS: The study was conducted based on information from 16,270 participants who met the data requirement among those who participated in the 2011 South Gyeongsang Community Health Survey. Of the factors that can influence the happiness index, socioeconomic characteristics, health behavior, morbidity, and healthcare use, social contact, and participation in social activities were classified as personal factors; for regional factors, data from the 2010 census were used to extrapolate the regional deprivation indices at the submunicipal-level (eup, myeon, and dong) in South Gyeongsang Province. The happiness index for each characteristic was compared to that for others via t-test and ANOVA, and multilevel analysis was performed, using four models: a basic model for identification of only random effects, model 1 for identification of personal factors, model 2 for identification of regional factors, and model 3 for simultaneous consideration of both personal and regional factors. RESULTS: The mean happiness index was 63.2 points (64.6 points in males and 62.0 points in females), while the mean deprivation index was -1.58 points. In the multilevel analysis, the regional-level variance ratio of the basic model was 10.8%, confirming interregional differences. At the personal level, higher happiness indices were seen in groups consisting of males with high educational level, high income, high degree of physical activity, sufficient sleep, active social contact, and participation in social activities; whereas lower happiness indices were seen in people who frequently skipped breakfast, had unmet healthcare needs, and had accompanying diseases, as well as those with higher deprivation index. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirmed that the happiness index of community residents was influenced by not only personal aspects but also various regional characteristics. To increase the happiness index, interests at both personal and regional levels, as well as community emphasis on creating social rapport and engaging in selective efforts, are needed in vulnerable regions with relatively high deprivation index.

Oral health-related quality of life improvements and satisfaction in South Korea: results from the National Health Insurance Coverage Denture Project for the Elderly / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we assessed the effects of the National Health Insurance Coverage Denture Project for the Elderly on the improvement of oral health-related quality of life (QOL) and satisfaction. METHODS: Individuals aged > or =75 years (n=121) participated in the project at dental clinics or public health centers in Busan City, South Korea. Baseline and post-intervention follow-up surveys (personal interview) were conducted between October 2013 and April 2014. RESULTS: Significant improvements were demonstrated in all seven Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) subscales at follow-up. Functional limitation showed the most improvement (2.81 points) followed by physical functionality, physical pain, psychological discomfort, social isolation, mental function, and social function. In addition, participants with no income who were required to pay for their expenses, reported higher satisfaction. The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the rate of improvement on the OHIP-14 ten score increased in cases where participants who had to pay for their expenses (odds ratio [OR], 2.98; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16, 7.66) but decreased for patients who received partial dentures (OR, 0.34; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.89), patients who expressed previous satisfaction with denture costs (OR, 0.37; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.97), and patients who had previous denture experience (OR, 0.43; 95% CI: 0.16, 1.12). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the short period (2 years), the National Health Insurance Coverage Denture Project for the Elderly was able to demonstrate significant improvements in oral health-related QOL. Therefore, the establishment and integration of this project is recommended to maintain and improve the QOL for the rapidly aging population.

The Relationship between Possibility of Bipolar Disorder and Suicidal Attempt in Emergency Room / 정신신체의학

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the factors including possibility of bipolar disorder that are related to intensity of suicidal idea. METHODS: The study subjects consisted of 50 patients who did suicidal attempt and treated at the Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital Emergency Room. All participants underwent psychiatric interview and underwent Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale(C-SSRS), Beck Depression Inventory(BDI), Korean Version of Mood Disorder Questionnaire(MDQ) and Bipolar Spectrum Diagnostic Scale(BSDS) to evaluate patient's suicide attempt, severity of depression and possibility of bipolar disorder. RESULTS: Compared to non-high risk group, suicide high risk group showed significantly higher BDI(p<0.001) and intensity of ideation(IOI) in C-SSRS(p<0.001). Also intensity of ideation(IOI) was correlated with Mood Disorder Questionnaire(MDQ) bipolarity positive(p=0.033). CONCLUSION: The present study indicated that possibility of bipolar disorder plays a significant role in suicide attempters. Assessment of suicide ideation severity and possibility of bipolar disorder should be considered when suicide attempters come to emergency room.

Poor agreement between QuantiFERON-TB Gold test and tuberculin skin test results for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy controls

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated the agreement between the QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-Gold) test and the tuberculin skin test (TST) in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), compared with healthy controls, in Korea. METHODS: We recruited 64 patients with RA and 79 healthy controls at two university hospitals in South Korea. The participants underwent both the QFT-Gold test and the TST simultaneously between August 2006 and February 2009. All patients were diagnosed using the classification criteria for RA revised in 1987 by the American College of Rheumatology. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccination status and current medications were evaluated, and disease activities were assessed using the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints. Eleven patients with RA produced indeterminate QFT-Gold test results and were thus excluded from the kappa analysis. RESULTS: Based on an induration of 10 mm in diameter as the TST cutoff value, the QFT-Gold test and TST demonstrated 75.0% agreement (kappa = 0.23) in patients with RA and 75.9% agreement (kappa = 0.19) in healthy controls. Among the 56 patients with RA who had negative TST results, 11 patients (17.2%) also yielded indeterminate QFT-Gold results. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed poor agreement between the results of the QFT-Gold test and the TST in both RA patients and healthy controls. Based on these findings, we emphasize the importance of making clinical decisions in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis in Koreans with or without RA.

Overview of Korean Community Health Survey

In 2008, the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) initiated Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS), the first nationwide survey to provide data that could be used to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate community health promotion and disease prevention program. This community-based cross-sectional survey has been conducted by 253 community health centers, 36 community universities and 1,500 interviewers. The KCHS standardized questionnaire is developed jointly by KCDC staff, a working group of health indicators standardization subcommittee and 16 metropolitan cities and provinces with 253 regional sites. The KCHS was administered by trained interviewers and the quality control of KCHS was improved by introduction of computer-assisted personal interview in 2010. The questionnaire was reviewed annually so that revised and/or new questions could be added based on public health policy. The additional questions included the fixed and rotating cores, emerging issues and optional modules. The standardized questionnaire of KCHS covered a wide variety of health topics, which could be used to assess the prevalence of personal health behaviors related to causes of disease. The KCHS data allows that the differences of health issues among provinces can be directly compared. Furthermore, the provinces can use these data for their own cost-effective health interventions to improve health promotion and disease prevention.

The Influence of Individual-Level Social Capital on Depression / 農村醫學 地域保健

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the relationship between individual-level social capital and depression. METHODS: Data from the 2009 Community Health Survey were analyzed for this study. We used chi-square tests and hierarchical logistic regression analyses to determine the relationship between individual-level social capital and depression. The Korean version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale was used to measure depression. RESULTS: After controlling for socio-demographic factors such as, health behavior and chronic illness morbidity, that are associated with individual-level social capital, trust and informal participation significantly affected depression. Respondents with "be trust"(0.536, 95% CI 0.419-0.685) and who participate in "informal groups"(0.657, 95% CI 0.516-0.836) had significantly lower odds ratios of depression. CONCLUSIONS: Considering and introducing measures to increase the social capital of residents, need reduce depression. It is especially necessary to enhance resident empowerment.

Effect of An Education Program on the Pregnant Women to Improve the Correct Recognition and Choice among the BCG Vaccination Methods / 한국역학회지

PURPOSE: The most effective and basic Tb preventive measure is BCG vaccination. Even though the Intradermal vaccination method in BCG vaccination is known to be the most accurate method in preventing the advanced Tb, nowdays most of the Korean civilian hospitals utilize multipuncture BCG vaccination method ,which is quite contrary to the national standard intradermal vaccination method. Therefore I decided to inform and educate the pregnant women who would be in a position to choose the BCG vaccination method. This will help them understand the BCG vaccination methods properly. We should urge the intradermal method which is acknowledged as the national standard vaccination method. METHODS: The questionnaire was mailed twice to 214 pregnant women requring the antenatal care who visited any of the 9 health centers in Busan from the period of Aug to Oct. 2007. The 1st questionnaire was done in 214 pregnant women prior to education concerning the BCG vaccination methods and Tb, and the 2nd questionnaire was done after education. Contents of the questionnaire were general knowledges for BCG vaccination method, intention of selection for BCG vaccination, knowledges for the adverse effect, etc. Data analysis was performed utilizing SPSS (ver12) and the pregnant women's change in concept was comparatively analyzed with percentage, chi-square -test . RESULTS: Considering the general characteristics of the pregnant women who participated in the study, the highest percentage was noticed in their 15-28 gestational weeks (60.8%), Age over 30 (70.1%), Education level-college graduate (76.6%). Recognition to the presence of two types BCG vaccination method was 27.6% before education and 95.3% after education which showed a marked improvement (p=0.0001). After education, 82.2% of pregnant women decided to choose intradermal BCG vaccination method at birth which was 23.4% before education (p=0.0003). Despite the fact that intradermal BCG method is the national standard vaccination method, some of them prefer multipuncture BCG vaccination method, because most of the scars (41.3%), the civilian hospitals do it (35.7%), because of the lack of the education and information from the health centers and public institutions (17.4%). The future selection of BCG vaccination methods as follows: before education, intradermal BCG vaccination 31.0%, multipuncture BCG vaccination 14.6%, uncertain 54.4%, and after education, intradermal BCG vaccination 72.4%, multipuncture BCG vaccination 2.8%, uncertain 24.8% (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The pregnant women were not fully aware of intradermal and multipuncture BCG vaccination methods. Through education and information, it was possible for them to thoroughly recognize the BCG vaccination methods. In order to urge the intradermal BCG vaccination method, the health centers and public institutions need to educate and inform the pregnant women regarding the intradermal BCG vaccination method which is the standard vaccination method in Korea.

Validity and Reliability of Self-Report in Cancer Screening

BACKGROUND: The study was aimed to examine the validity and the reliability of self-report of gastric cancer screening (endoscopy or upper GI), mammography, and Pap smear. METHODS: The study subjects for validity included those who had undergone 276 endoscopies or UGIs, 127 mammograms, and 125 Pap smears performed at a health promotion center of P and I university hospital during January 1, 1999 to June 30, 1999 and January 1, 2002 to June 30, 2002. The study subjects for reliability included those who had undergone 86 endoscopies or UGIs, 31 mammograms, and 33 Pap smears who went through two surveys. The data was collected by mail or telephone interview. We calculated the sensitivity of self-reports by comparing the self-report and the laboratory results as a gold standard, and the agreement between repeateds reportings. RESULTS: The sensitivities based on the test year were 49.3% for gastric cancer screening, 56.7% for mammography, and 53.6% Pap smear, and the sensitivities on the test month were 39.1%, 45.7%, and 46.4%, respectively. The agreement between the two self-reporting on the test year were 59.6% for gastric cancer screening, 67.7% for mammography, and 63.6% Pap smear, and the agreement on the test month were 82.3% for gastric cancer screening, 74.2% for mammography, and 72.7% for Pap smear. CONCLUSION: Self-report alone may not provide accurate or reliable data on the cancer screening compliance. It is recommended to utilize other objective data for cancer screening. And it would be helpful to utilize a memo-book as a reminder to screen for cancer in order to enhance the validity and the reliability of self-report.

Therapeutic evaluation of sustained-releasing praziquantel (SRP) for clonorchiasis: Phase 1 and 2 clinical studies

Sustained-releasing praziquantel (SRP) tablet was designed for single dose treatment regimen of clonorchiasis. A previous pre-clinical study confirmed its sustained-releasing characteristics and a better cure rate than conventional praziquantel (PZQ). In this clinical study, the pharmacokinetics of this SRP tablet were investigated in human volunteers (phase 1; 12 volunteers), and its curative efficacy was examined in clonorchiasis patients (phase 2; 20 volunteers). In the phase 1 clinical study, blood concentrations of both tablets showed wide individual variation. The AUC(last) of SRP was 497.9+/-519.0 ng.hr/ml (mean+/-SD) and PZQ of 628.6+/-695.5 ng.hr/ml, and the AUC(inf) of SRP was 776.0+/-538.5 ng.hr/ml and of PZQ 658.6+/-709.9 ng.hr/ml. C(max) values of SRP and PZQ were 90.7+/-82.2 ng/ml and 214.9+/-251.9 ng/ml, and T(max) values were 3.42+/-1.43 hr and 1.96+/-1.23 hr, respectively. SRP tablets showed similar AUC values, but lower C(max) and longer T(max) values than PZQ. In the phase 2 study, SRP at 30 mg/kg (single dose) achieved a 60% cure rate and a 95.5% egg reduction rate. The cure rate of a single dose SRP was unsatisfactory compared with that of the conventional PZQ dose, but much better than that achieved by a single dose PZQ.

Monitoring of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and the metabolites in Workers using Coal tar Paints / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the exposure levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and urinary 1-hydroxypyrene(1-OHP) were surveyed among the workers using coal tar paint. METHOD: The study subjects for the exposed group were 107 male coal tar workers in 10 factories, and for the comparison group were 201 male clerk workers who had never been exposed to coal tar paint. Ambient PAHs, and pre-shift and end-shift urinary 1-OHP were sample and 16 PAHs were analysed. Smoking history was recorded during the survey day. RESULTS: The geometric mean of ambient concentration of total PAHs was 120.17 microgram/m3. Naphthalene had the highest level among the 16 PAHs. The pre-shift 1-OHP in the exposed group (8.89 micro mol/mol creatinine) was significantly higher than that in the control group (0.29 micro mol/mol creatinine). The end-shift 1-OHP in the exposed group (19.02 micro mol/mol creatinine) was significantly higher than that in the pre-shift (8.89 micro mol/mol creatinine) (Ed- confirm). 1-OHP of smokers was significantly higher than that of non-smokers in both groups. The difference between pre-shift and end-shift 1-OHP in smokers (12.40 micro mol/mol creatinine) was twice as high as that in non-smokers (6.06 micro mol/mol creatinine). The difference of 1-OHP between smokers and nonsmokers was 7.59 micro mol/mol creatinine in pre-shift and 13.96 micro mol/mol creatinine in end-shift. Thus, the effect of smoking and exposure to PAHs on 1-OHP may not be additive. In regression analysis for 1-OHP, the significant independent variables were pre-shift 1-OHP and PAHs. The direction of these variables was positive. When the analysis was performed in workers exposed to higher PAHs, smoking was significant independent variable. CONCLUSION: The above results suggest that not only ambient PAHs but also smoking, one of the most important non-occupational PAHs source, influenced the level of 1-OHP. Moreover, the effect of smoking to 1-OHP changed according to the exposure level of PAHs.

Effects of Cadmium on Placental Function and Reproduction in Rats / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the toxic effects of cadmium on placental function and reproduction in rats. For this study, the mRNA levels of the placental prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) gene family, placental trophoblast cell frequemcy and reproductive data were analyzed. METHODS: Pregnant F344 Fisher rats (200 g+/-23 g) were intraperitoneally injected with 0, 0.5, and 5.0 mg/kg B.W/day of cadmium (CdCl2) dissolved in saline from days 7-11 or 16-20 of pregnancy, and were sacrificed at days 11 or 20, respectively. The mRNA levels were analyzed by Northern blot hybridization and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The hormone concentration was analyzed by radioimmunoassay and the frequemcy of the placental trophoblast cells was observed by histochemical study. Reproductive data were surveyed at day 20 of the pregnancy and after the births. Statistical analysis was carried out using the SAS program (version 8.1). RESULTS: The mRNA levels of the PRL-GH gene family were reduced dose dependently by cadmium. The mRNA levels of Pit-1a and -b isotype genes were also reduced by cadmium. The hormone concentration of PL-Iv and -II was decreased by cadmium. During the second half of pregnancy (days 11-21), a high dose of cadmium exposure significantly reduced the frequency of spongiotrophoblast and trophoblast giant cells that secrete the PRL-GH hormones. In the last stage of pregnancy (day 20), a high dose of cadmium exposure induced the apoptosis of spon-giotrophoblast cells in the junctional zone of the placenta. Reproductive data such as placental and infant weight, number of live fetuses were decreased, and number of resorptions and dead fetuses, post-implantation loss were increased significantly in the cadmium exposed group compared with the control. CONCLUSIONS: Cadmium disrupts the functions of the placenta and these effects leads to reproductive disorders in rats.

Evaluation of Field Epidemiology Specialist Training Program Based on the Satisfaction and the Changes of Educational Needs / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the learning achievement and satisfaction levels for the Field Epidemiology Specialist Training Program (FESTP), on infectious disease control between March 19 and October 31, 2002. METHODS: The FESTP was designed as a set of 84 hours curricula including lectures, discussions, self-studies, and field practicals, and organized both centrally and locally by the Division of Communicable Disease Control of the National Institute of Health and 11 universities. Before and after the program, a questionnaire survey on the educational need (49 items) and satisfaction (15 items) was conducted on 484 trainees, who were responsible for communicable disease control and immunization at 242 regional health centers. The data were analyzed with paired t-tests for comparison of the educational needs between the pre and post scores. RESULTS: The average score for satisfaction was 3.06 out of 5.0; with relatively higher scores for sincerity (4.10) and professionalism (4.01) of the tutors, adequacy (3.54) and clearness (3.51) of the evaluation criteria, usefulness (3.54) and fitness (3.52) of the contents, but with relatively lower satisfaction for schedule (2.96) and self-studies (2.91). The average for requirement for education improved, as shown by the decrease from 2.72 to 2.22 (p< .0001) with the biggest decrease in the outbreak investigation from 2.60 to 2.08. CONCLUSION: The FESTP was evaluated as being effective, the trainees showed moderate satisfaction and decrease educational needs. However, the actual schedules and self-studies should be rearranged to improve the satisfaction level.

An Effect of Massive Proteinuria in Pregnancy Induced Hypertension / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: This study was investigated on the relationship the degrees of proteinuria with the maternal characteristics, maternal and the neonatal outcomes. The correlation between the result of single urine protein- to-creatinine ratio and the amount of 24 hour urine protein was also investigated. METHODS: From December 1999 to June 2002, 63 patients were enrolled in this study. They were divided into two groups by the degree of proteinuria at 24 hour urine, single urine and dip stick test, respectively. Each two groups was compared with the maternal characteristics, gestational age, the maternal and the neonatal outcomes. The correlation between single urine protein-to-creatinine ratio and the amount of 24 hour urine protein was analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Each two groups of single urine and dip stick test had no differences in maternal characteristics, gestational age, maternal and the neonatal outcomes. However, in two of 24 hour urine, massive proteinuria group had poor maternal and neonatal outcomes compared with control group (p value 0.01). Single urine protein-to-creatine ratio and the amount 24 hour urine protein had borderline correlation (p value 0.064). CONCLUSION: The presence of proteinuria influences on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Moreover, the massive proteinuria group had more maternal and neonatal complication than control group. The result of single urine protein-to-creatine ratio had borderline correlation with the amount of protein in 24 hour urine collection.

A Review Study for Developing Health Profiles to Measure the Self-Perceived Health Stati of Koreans / 예방의학회지

Valid evaluation of self-perceived health status is important for the promotion of individual health and quality of life. In advanced countries, many types of health profile have been developed, and currently, the SF-36, NHP, and EuroQol, etc, are widely used. However, the outcomes of these profiles may vary according to regional, cultural or emotional backgrounds. For these reasons a Korean Health Profile should be developed. In this study, we reviewed the concept of self-perceived health status, and its significance to public health, and reviewed some of the differences between the available profiles in 139 related publications. Based on this review, we are trying to develop a Korean Health Profile in order to measure the self-perceived health stati of Koreans.

A Trial for Development of Health Profile (KHP 1.0) to Measure the Self-Perceived Health Status of Korean / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The 1990s has seen advances in the conceptualization of self-perceived health status which has important roles for individual health and the quality of life. Many types of standardized questionnaires have been developed with the current wide use of SF-36, NHP, andEuroQol. However, the outcomes of these tools may be different with regard to regional, cultural and emotional backgrounds. The purpose of this study was to trial the development of a Korean Health Profile (KHP 1.0) to measure the self-perceived health stati of Koreans. METHODS: The KHP 1.0 was designed on the basis of the Medical Outcome Study Form 36 (SF-36), the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), and the EuroQOL. It was composed of 9 scales; physical functioning, role limitation-physical, pain, general health, energy, social isolation, sleep, role limitation-emotional, and emotional health. Self-reported chronic disease conditions, and the Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), were also checked for the evaluation of clinical validity. This study was conducted, from December 2000 to January 2001, on 800 middle-aged parents, with four high school students, with 100 retest sets being conducted two weeks later. From the 800 subjects there were 588 complete responses (effective response 73.5%). The reliability of the test-retest results, and the factor analysis on the validity of the KHP 1.0 components, were evaluated using the SPSS (ver 10.0) software. RESULTS: The reliability of the KHP 1.0 was good with Cronbach's alpha (> 0.6), test-retest correlation coefficients (> 0.5), but with no significant differences from the paired t-test. From the psychometric validity tests, the 9 scales of the KHP 1.0 were divided into two components; physical and mental, and trimmed to the established model with 55% of the total variance, with the exception of role limitation-emotional. The clinical validity on the basis of the comparison for the four characteristic groups; healthy, physical conditions only, mental conditions only, and physical and mental conditions were also good. CONCLUSIONS: The KHP 1.0 appears to be a valid measurement tool of self-perceived health stati of Koreans, although there are limitations, i.e. sample size was too small, a limited number of middle-aged subjects, and it was based on unconfirmed diagnoses, etc. Therefore, further study is required to standardize the assessment.

Prevalence Rate of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Among the Elderly in Busan / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia in elderly people, aged 65 or above, residing in Busan Metropolitan City. METHODS: Total of 1, 101 old people, aged 65 or above, living in Busan as of December 31, 2001 were selected using stratified three-stage cluster sampling. Cognitive impairment was determined from the MMSE-K score, and dementia confirmed from five psychometric measures and the Barthel index. The crude prevalence, sex-age adjusted for the Korean population, were obtained. RESULTS: With the cut-off point for cognitive impairment was set at 24 points, or below, on the MMSE-K scale, the crude rate of cognitive impairment was 29.3% (15.7% for men and 37.5% for women), and the sex-age adjusted prevalence was 30.5% (17.5% for men and 37.0% for women). When the cut-off point for cognitive impairment was set at 20 points, or below, on the MMSE-K scale, the crude rate of cognitive impairments were 10.0% (4.1% for men and 13.5% for women), and 10.6% (4.7% for men and 13.1% for women), respectively. The crude dementia, and the sex-age adjusted rates were 7.4% (2.4% for men and 10.5% for women), and 8.0% (2.7% for men and 10.0% for women), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dementia in this study was somewhat lower than that reported by other domestic and foreign studies. Our results related to the difference in time and space, diagnostic tools, response rates, and distribution of male and female subjects, etc.

Knowledges and Attitudes of College Student to Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: Though AIDS is one of the most serious and world-wide health problem, there have been developed no effective control measure but individually oriented prevention. This study was performed to help preparing the efficient control program for college student who are sexually active, considered as a risk group for HIV infection. METHODS: Subjects were 852 college students of one university in Gyungsangnam-do. From September to October 2001, questionnaire survey on the students' knowledge and attitude, and status of health education about AIDS (HEAIDS) was done. Collected data was analyzed using SAS (ver 6.21) program. RESULTS: The subjects were freshman (52.1%) and enrollment (47.9%), with department of medicine (19.1%), nursing (25.8%), health administration (9.1%), business (11.4%), chemical (16.2%), food (8.8%), gymnastics (9.5%). Though about 90% of them agreed with the necessity of HEAIDS, half of them (54.7%) had no experience of HEAIDS and most (88.1%) of them considered it had been insufficient. The informations about AIDS was acquired mainly from TV newspaper (73.0%), but partly from specified health education (16.1%). They have no experience of unsafe sexual contact (96.1%), however, they considered that they can have accidental sexual contact (22.7%) in the future. Response for intention to use of preventative condom use was certainly (66.7%) and questionable (33.3%). About the knowledges on HIV infection and transmission, most of them knew relatively well about no curative medicine (94.8%), infected by sexual contact (85.7%), common use of needle (96.4%), transfusion (95.2%), transplantation (89.8%), longitudinal infection (88.7%). However, the correct answer rate was relatively low in clinical spectrum; can maintain normal life with medical care (31.0%), and some transmission route; kiss (46.9%), cough sneezing (45.8%), common use of bowl towl (49.1%) and bath (43.4%), insect like mosquitos (49.1%), razor (35.4%). The mean level of the knowledges on HIV infection and transmission was 67.5 and 71.6 out of a possible 100, respectively. The knowledge level (p=0.003) and certainty to use of preventable condom use (p=0.001) was higher in HEAIDS experienced group. Experiences to HEAIDS was more in enrollment (50.5%) than freshman (40.5%) (p=0.004), medicine (51.4%) than health (32.1%) and general (41.9%) by department group (p=0.001). With regard to the attitudes on HIV infection, they didn't agreed with 'had intention to check themselves for HIV infection (94.2%)', 'case or suspected case can attend to same school with my children (71.8%)', 'had intention to join in clinical trial of new regimen for AIDS (74.4%)'. CONCLUSIONS: This result showed that present status of HEAIDS for college students is still insufficient. Because the knowledges and attitudes about AIDS are influenced by HEAIDS, professional and efficient education program would be emphasized on the practical level for health protection, eg, preventative condom use. This study has also another meanings to reveal the positive effect and to recall the motive for individual-based prevention

Effects of Chromium Exposure on the Level of Urinary 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the possibility of utilizing DNA adduct as a carcinogenic biological marker for workers exposed to chromium, and the effect of chromium exposure on the formation of urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine(8-OH-dG) was also evaluated. METHODS: The chromium concentrations of venous blood and urine were measured in 20 chromium exposed workers(exposure group) and in 11 chromium workers(control group) who were not exposed. The concentration of 8-OH-dG in their urine was determined using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. RESULTS: The blood chromium concentration was significantly higher in the exposure group ( 0.46+/-0.18 microgram/100 ml) than in control group(0.27+/-0.15 microgram/100 ml), but the urinary chromium concentration was not significantly higher in the exposure group. The urinary 8-OH-dG was higher in the exposure group(1.71+/-1.82 micromol/mol creatinine) than that in the control group(0.45+/-0.46 micromol/mol creatinine) and was significantly correlated with the blood chromium concentration(r=0.49). Results of multiple regression analysis revealed that the level of urinary 8-OH-dG depended upon the level of the blood chromium conc entration ( r2= 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: Urinary 8-OH-dG was significantly related to chromium exposure and this finding suggests the possibility that urinary 8-OH-dG could be used as a biological index of chromium induced DNA damage.