Association between Perceived Susceptibility to Fine Dust Exposure and Wearing Masks, Attitude toward Respiratory Disease Prevention Education in Farmers / 農村醫學 地域保健

Objectives@#This study aimed to investigate health risk awareness pertaining to fine dust exposure and the use of face masks in farmers, as well as their attitude toward education regarding fine dust-related respiratory disease prevention. @*Methods@#In total, 295 farmers were interviewed in a survey using a structured questionnaire to obtain data on general characteristics, farming-related characteristics, health risk awareness pertaining to fine dust exposure, attitude toward education on fine dust-related respiratory disease prevention and the use of face masks. This study was analyzed the correlation between the perceived susceptibility to fine dust exposure and willingness to participate in education on fine dust-related respiratory disease prevention. @*Results@#The mean score for perceived susceptibility to fine dust exposure was 3.8 (out of 5), and the participants were highly willing to receive education on fine dust-related respiratory disease prevention. In Multiple response analysis of reactions to exposure to fine dust generated during work, 221 participants responded that they practiced at least one preventive action; participants gave a positive response to "wearing masks" (56.1%), "personal hygiene, such as hand washing." (52.9%). In terms of education methods, 94 (33.6%) participants preferred to learn online or via text messages. @*Conclusions@#The significant correlation between the perceived susceptibility to fine dust exposure and willingness to participate in education on fine dust-related respiratory disease prevention shows the importance of promoting education on prevention. The results of this study can help understand as reference for education on fine dust-related respiratory disease prevention.

Descriptive analysis of prevalence and medical expenses of cancer, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, psychiatric disease, and musculoskeletal disease in Korean firefighters

Descriptive analysis of prevalence and medical expenses of cancer, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, psychiatric disease, and musculoskeletal disease in Korean firefighters

BACKGROUND@#Firefighters are exposed to many dangerous working conditions. Many studies have identified the risk of disease for firefighters, but only a few studies have addressed the medical expenses of firefighters, which represents a concrete scale of disease. Our purpose in this study was to determine the medical expenditures of firefighters to assess the overall scale of disease in Korea. We focused on cancer, mental disorders, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, and musculoskeletal disease, the prevalence of which was expected to be high in firefighters.@*METHODS@#This study utilized National Health Insurance Service data. We targeted firefighters, police officers, and government officials. We classified disease based on the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems codes. We compared prevalence by the age-standardized prevalence rate, considering standard distribution of the population. Medical expenditure of disease was defined as outpatient fees, hospitalization fees, and drug costs. Total medical expenditures were calculated by the sum of those 3 categories.@*RESULTS@#The age-standardized prevalence of cancer, mental disorders, and cardiovascular disease in firefighters was slightly higher than or similar to that of government officials and police officers (no significant difference). However, medical expenditures for stomach cancer, mental disorders, and most cardio-cerebrovascular diseases were higher in firefighters than in others. In particular, firefighters spent 12 times more money for ischemic heart disease than did government officials. Of musculoskeletal diseases, lumbar disc disorder had the highest expenditures among firefighters.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The age-standardized prevalence of most of diseases of firefighters was not as high as in the other groups, but the medical expenses of firefighters were much higher than those of government officials and police officers.

Descriptive analysis of prevalence and medical expenses of cancer, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, psychiatric disease, and musculoskeletal disease in Korean firefighters

BACKGROUND@#Firefighters are exposed to many dangerous working conditions. Many studies have identified the risk of disease for firefighters, but only a few studies have addressed the medical expenses of firefighters, which represents a concrete scale of disease. Our purpose in this study was to determine the medical expenditures of firefighters to assess the overall scale of disease in Korea. We focused on cancer, mental disorders, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, and musculoskeletal disease, the prevalence of which was expected to be high in firefighters.@*METHODS@#This study utilized National Health Insurance Service data. We targeted firefighters, police officers, and government officials. We classified disease based on the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems codes. We compared prevalence by the age-standardized prevalence rate, considering standard distribution of the population. Medical expenditure of disease was defined as outpatient fees, hospitalization fees, and drug costs. Total medical expenditures were calculated by the sum of those 3 categories.@*RESULTS@#The age-standardized prevalence of cancer, mental disorders, and cardiovascular disease in firefighters was slightly higher than or similar to that of government officials and police officers (no significant difference). However, medical expenditures for stomach cancer, mental disorders, and most cardio-cerebrovascular diseases were higher in firefighters than in others. In particular, firefighters spent 12 times more money for ischemic heart disease than did government officials. Of musculoskeletal diseases, lumbar disc disorder had the highest expenditures among firefighters.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The age-standardized prevalence of most of diseases of firefighters was not as high as in the other groups, but the medical expenses of firefighters were much higher than those of government officials and police officers.

Screening Molecular Chaperones Similar to Small Heat Shock Proteins in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

To screen molecular chaperones similar to small heat shock proteins (sHsps), but without alpha-crystalline domain, heat-stable proteins from Schizosaccharomyces pombe were analyzed by 2-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Sixteen proteins were identified, and four recombinant proteins, including cofilin, NTF2, pyridoxin biosynthesis protein (Snz1) and Wos2 that has an alpha-crystalline domain, were purified. Among these proteins, only Snz1 showed the anti-aggregation activity against thermal denaturation of citrate synthase. However, pre-heating of NTF2 and Wos2 at 70degrees C for 30 min, efficiently prevented thermal aggregation of citrate synthase. These results indicate that Snz1 and NTF2 possess molecular chaperone activity similar to sHsps, even though there is no alpha-crystalline domain in their sequences.

Contents Analysis of Health Textbooks for Elementary Schools / 한국간호교육학회지

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to analyse the content of health-textbooks in elementary school in order to offer the basic data required for development or revision of health-textbook for elementary school. METHODS: This study was methodological study of the content of health-textbooks. The study sample consisted of 10 health-textbooks of elementary school which were edited in 2009~2010. The components of contents divides into holistic analysis and specific areas. RESULTS: One textbook was no introductory remarks and 2 textbooks were no preface. The health-textbooks consisted of 7 areas and were comprehensive for school education. The proportion of each was different in 10 textbooks. Sexuality and health was accounted for the largest portion of the seven areas in both the fifth and sixth grade. However, given that the mortality rate for the child's safety accidents is higher than in developed countries, the proportion of accident prevention and first aid can be relatively weak area. CONCLUSION: It is essential that health-textbooks empower schoolers to make healthy decisions through the promotion of useful life skills that provide a more integrated concept of health. Therefore, there is a need for approaches to health textbook to integrate more values of health.

Nursing Students' Attitude toward Death and Perception on Hospice Care / 종양간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine nursing students' attitude toward death and perception on hospice care. METHODS: The survey was performed with 277 nursing students in three universities in Daegu and Busan. The data was collected by questionnaires and were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Regarding the attitude on death, 93.9% of the subjects had ever thought about death. They worried about separation and sadness with family (39.7%). About half (48.7%) of the subjects considered death as a final process of the life. With regard to the perception of hospice, 93% of the subjects heard about hospice through books or nursing courses (83.8%). The best hospice management institution was considered the one run by religious groups or non-profit organizations with government support (33.9%). Ideal model of hospice setting in Korea was hospital or institution specialized with hospice care (47.7%). The barriers the subjects thought to effective hospice care in Korea was the lack of the public consensus on the need for hospice program (37.9%). The average perceptions about the purpose of hospice care was 4.38, whereas, the average of the need of hospice care was 4.06. CONCLUSION: The findings of the study provides the basis for expanding nursing practice and education related to hospice care.