Age-specific effects of ozone on pneumonia in Korean children and adolescents: a nationwide time-series study / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES@#The aim of this study was to estimate the age-specific effects of 8-hour maximum ozone levels on pneumonia in children and adolescents. @*METHODS@#We performed quasi-Poisson regression analyses for individuals of 0-4 years, 5-9 years, 10-14 years, and 15-19 years of age using nationwide time-series data from the Korea (2011-2015). We constructed distributed lag linear models employing a generalized difference-in-differences method and controlling for other air pollutants. @*RESULTS@#A 10.0-parts per billion increase in 8-hour maximum ozone levels was associated with a higher risk of hospital admissions due to pneumonia at 0-4 (relative risk [RR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.03) and 5-9 years of age (RR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.08), but not at 10-14 (RR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.04) or 15-19 years of age (RR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.06). The association between ozone and hospital admissions due to pneumonia was stronger in cool seasons (from November to April) than in warm seasons (from May to October), but was similar between boys and girls. @*CONCLUSIONS@#Short-term exposure to ozone was associated with a higher risk of pneumonia at 0-4 years and 5-9 years of age, but not at 10-14 years or 15-19 years of age. Our findings can help identify vulnerable periods, determine the target populations for public health interventions, and establish air pollution standards.

Cognitive and Behavioral Outcomes of School-aged Children Born Extremely Preterm: a Korean Single-center Study with Long-term Follow-up

Background@#School-aged children born very preterm have been suggested to have worse cognitive and behavioral outcomes than children born full-term. Executive function (EF) is a higher level of cognitive function related to academic achievement. The present study aimed to evaluate the cognitive (including EF) and behavioral outcomes of Korean children born extremely preterm (EP) and to analyze any biological or socioeconomic risk factors for poor cognitive outcomes in this population. @*Methods@#A total of 71 infants weighing < 1,000 g at birth or born before 30 weeks of gestation (EP group) who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit from 2008 to 2009 were included in this study and compared with 40 term-birth controls. The Korean Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition, Advanced Test of Attention (ATA), Stroop test, Children's Color Trails Test (CCTT), and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) were used.Additionally, the Korean Child Behavior Checklist (K-CBCL) and Korean ADHD Rating Scale (K-ARS) were completed. Perinatal and demographic data were collected and analyzed. @*Results@#The mean full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) score in the EP group was significantly lower than that of the term control group (89.1 ± 18.3 vs. 107.1 ± 12.7; P < 0.001).In the EP group, 26 (37%) children had an FSIQ score below 85, compared to only one child (3%) in the control group. Furthermore, the EP group showed significantly worse EF test results (ATA, Stroop test, CCTT, WCST). Except for the higher social immaturity subscore in the EP group, the K-CBCL and K-ARS scores were not different between the two groups. EP children who received laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) had an 8.8-fold increased risk of a low FSIQ score, and a 1-point increase in the discharge weight Z-score decreased the risk of a low FSIQ score by approximately half in this EP cohort. @*Conclusion@#This is the first Korean study to investigate the cognitive and behavioral outcomes of school-aged children born EP. In the study cohort, EP children exhibited significantly lower FSIQ scores and EF than their full-term peers, and 37% of them had cognitive problems. Nonetheless, except for social immaturity, the behavioral problems werenot different in EP children. Severe ROP and low discharge weight Z-score were identified as independent risk factors for low FSIQ score after adjusting for birth weight.

Ethical Issues at the Beginning of Life

With improvements in the survival rate of high-risk newborns, the need for ethical considerations is increasing. In the event of a conflict of opinion between the parents and the medical staff about the treatment decision, often there are concerns about who needs to make the decision that would be in the best interest of the baby. In this article, focusing on the guidelines for neonatal resuscitation revised in 2020, ethical issues that may arise before and soon after birth are reviewed. In addition, the considerations in determining the treatment direction for neonates with poor prognosis and the care required for babies and their families during the neonatal period have been investigated. Decisions about withholding or discontinuing neonatal resuscitation are often time-pressed since they are often made when labor is imminent or are needed shortly after the baby’s birth. The recommendations put forth by the American Heart Association in 2020 may be referred toward decision making. Since the medical condition of high-risk newborns also often change rapidly following admission, it becomes necessary to review the treatment goals periodically. Though principles suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding the treatment decision of high-risk newborns are available, in Korea, it is also essential to consider the country’s law while discussing life-sustaining treatment. Improving the patient's quality of life is equally important as deciding treatment plans and approaches for sustaining life. Toward this, it becomes necessary that the medical staff treating high-risk newborns be educated on palliative care and build a support system.

An Unusual Case of Colon Perforation With Multiple Transmural Ulcers After Use of Polmacoxib and Everolimus in a Metastatic Breast Cancer Patient

Everolimus (Afinitor) is an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin. Polmacoxib (Acelex) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that belongs to the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor family and is mainly used for treatment of arthritis. Intestinal perforation has not been reported previously as a complication of everolimus, and perforation of the lower intestinal tract caused by a selective COX-2 inhibitor is extremely rare. We present here a case of colon perforation that occurred after use of polmacoxib in a metastatic breast cancer patient who had been treated with everolimus for the preceding six months.

Cognitive and Behavioral Outcomes of School-aged Children Born Extremely Preterm: a Korean Single-center Study with Long-term Follow-up

Background@#School-aged children born very preterm have been suggested to have worse cognitive and behavioral outcomes than children born full-term. Executive function (EF) is a higher level of cognitive function related to academic achievement. The present study aimed to evaluate the cognitive (including EF) and behavioral outcomes of Korean children born extremely preterm (EP) and to analyze any biological or socioeconomic risk factors for poor cognitive outcomes in this population. @*Methods@#A total of 71 infants weighing < 1,000 g at birth or born before 30 weeks of gestation (EP group) who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit from 2008 to 2009 were included in this study and compared with 40 term-birth controls. The Korean Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition, Advanced Test of Attention (ATA), Stroop test, Children's Color Trails Test (CCTT), and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) were used.Additionally, the Korean Child Behavior Checklist (K-CBCL) and Korean ADHD Rating Scale (K-ARS) were completed. Perinatal and demographic data were collected and analyzed. @*Results@#The mean full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) score in the EP group was significantly lower than that of the term control group (89.1 ± 18.3 vs. 107.1 ± 12.7; P < 0.001).In the EP group, 26 (37%) children had an FSIQ score below 85, compared to only one child (3%) in the control group. Furthermore, the EP group showed significantly worse EF test results (ATA, Stroop test, CCTT, WCST). Except for the higher social immaturity subscore in the EP group, the K-CBCL and K-ARS scores were not different between the two groups. EP children who received laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) had an 8.8-fold increased risk of a low FSIQ score, and a 1-point increase in the discharge weight Z-score decreased the risk of a low FSIQ score by approximately half in this EP cohort. @*Conclusion@#This is the first Korean study to investigate the cognitive and behavioral outcomes of school-aged children born EP. In the study cohort, EP children exhibited significantly lower FSIQ scores and EF than their full-term peers, and 37% of them had cognitive problems. Nonetheless, except for social immaturity, the behavioral problems werenot different in EP children. Severe ROP and low discharge weight Z-score were identified as independent risk factors for low FSIQ score after adjusting for birth weight.

Development and Application of Advance Care Planning Workbooks to Facilitate Communication with Children and Adolescent Patients: A Pilot Test / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

Purpose@#This study presents the process of designing workbooks for advance care planning appropriate for the Korean cultural setting and describes actual case studies. @*Methods@#This study focused on single inductive case studies of the utilization of an advance care planning workbook and recruited individual participants. @*Results@#The workbook for adolescents contained six sessions and the workbook for children contained seven sessions. The workbook sessions led to four major discoveries: 1) considering the Korean cultural context, discussions on life and death must be held indirectly; 2) the role of the counselor as a supporter is crucial for the workbook to be effective; 3) the workbook must be accessible regardless of the seriousness of the illness; and 4) patients must be able to make their own choice between the workbook versions for children and adolescents. Six facilitating factors improved engagement: 1) the role of the counselor as a supporter; 2) building trust with the patient; 3) affirming freedom of expression on topics the patient wished to avoid talking about; 4) having discussions on what private information to keep secret and to whom the information can be disclosed; 5) discovering and regularly discussing relevant topics; and 6) regular communication and information-sharing with the patient’s medical service providers. Conclusion: It is necessary to build on actual case studies regarding workbooks for children and adolescents in order to expand the usage of these workbooks to all relevant medical institutions in Korea.

Development and Application of Advance Care Planning Workbooks to Facilitate Communication with Children and Adolescent Patients: A Pilot Test / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

Purpose@#This study presents the process of designing workbooks for advance care planning appropriate for the Korean cultural setting and describes actual case studies. @*Methods@#This study focused on single inductive case studies of the utilization of an advance care planning workbook and recruited individual participants. @*Results@#The workbook for adolescents contained six sessions and the workbook for children contained seven sessions. The workbook sessions led to four major discoveries: 1) considering the Korean cultural context, discussions on life and death must be held indirectly; 2) the role of the counselor as a supporter is crucial for the workbook to be effective; 3) the workbook must be accessible regardless of the seriousness of the illness; and 4) patients must be able to make their own choice between the workbook versions for children and adolescents. Six facilitating factors improved engagement: 1) the role of the counselor as a supporter; 2) building trust with the patient; 3) affirming freedom of expression on topics the patient wished to avoid talking about; 4) having discussions on what private information to keep secret and to whom the information can be disclosed; 5) discovering and regularly discussing relevant topics; and 6) regular communication and information-sharing with the patient’s medical service providers. Conclusion: It is necessary to build on actual case studies regarding workbooks for children and adolescents in order to expand the usage of these workbooks to all relevant medical institutions in Korea.

Effects of Early Phosphorus Intake on Respiratory Distress in Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infants

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to investigate the effect of early phosphorus intake on respiratory distress in extremely low-birth-weight infants (ELBWIs) with a high incidence of hypophosphatemia. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study to target 164 ELBWIs admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in Seoul National University Children's Hospital. Birth characteristics, nutritional intake, and electrolyte levels during the first week were investigated as predictors that would affect the clinical outcomes. The correlations among invasive ventilation at postnatal age of 2 weeks, moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and phosphorous intake were analyzed. RESULTS: Hypophosphatemia (phosphorus level <4 mg/dL) was observed in 72.0% of the subjects. The rates of invasive ventilation (P=0.001) and moderate-to-severe BPD (P=0.005) were significantly lower in the high phosphorus intake group (≥0.7 mM/kg/day) than in the low phosphorus intake group (<0.7 mM/kg/day). Phosphorus intake during the first week was a significant factor affecting invasive ventilation at 2 weeks of age (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 8.212; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.256 to 28.896; P=0.001) and moderate-to-severe BPD (adjusted OR, 3.402; 95% CI, 1.274 to 9.084; P=0.015). CONCLUSION: Early insufficient phosphorus intake confers a significantly higher risk with invasive ventilation at 2 weeks of age and moderate-to-severe BPD. Therefore, early sufficient phosphorus supply may improve respiratory outcomes in ELBWIs.

Palliative Care Practitioners' Perception toward Pediatric Palliative Care in the Republic of Korea / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the current status of pediatric palliative care provision and how it is perceived by the palliative care experts. METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted with 61 hospice institutions. From September through October 2017, a questionnaire was completed by experts from the participating institutions. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0. RESULTS: Among 61 institutions, palliative care is currently provided for pediatric cancer patients by 11 institutions (18.0%), all of which are concentrated in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi and Gyengsang provinces; 85.2% of all do not plan to provide specialized pediatric palliative care in the future. According to the experts, the main barriers in providing pediatric palliative care were the insufficient number of trained specialists regardless of the delivery type. Experts said that it was appropriate to intervene when children were diagnosed with cancer that was less likely to be cured (33.7%) and to move to palliative care institutions when their conditions worsened (38.2%); and it was necessary to establish a specialized pediatric palliative care system, independent from the existing institutions for adult patients (73.8%). CONCLUSION: It is necessary to develop an education program to establish a nationwide pediatric palliative care centers. Pediatric palliative care intervention should be provided upon diagnosis rather than at the point of death. Patients should be transferred to palliative care institutions after intervention by their existing pediatric palliative care team at the hospital is started.

How to Implement Quality Pediatric Palliative Care Services in South Korea: Lessons from Other Countries / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

PURPOSE: Pediatric palliative care (PPC) is emphasized as standard care for children with life-limiting conditions to improve the quality of life. In Korea, a government-funded pilot program was launched only in July 2018. Given that, this study examined various PPC delivery models in other countries to refine the PPC model in Korea. METHODS: Target countries were selected based on the level of PPC provided there: the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, and Singapore. Relevant literature, websites, and consultations from specialists were analyzed by the integrative review method. Literature search was conducted in PubMed, Google, and Google Scholar, focusing publications since 1990, and on-site visits were conducted to ensure reliability. Analysis was performed on each country's process to develop its PPC scheme, policy, funding model, target population, delivery system, and quality assurance. RESULTS: In the United Kingdom, community-based free-standing facilities work closely with primary care and exchange advice and referrals with specialized PPC consult teams of children's hospitals. In the United States, hospital-based specialized PPC consult teams set up networks with hospice agencies and home healthcare agencies and provide PPC by designating care coordinators. In Japan, palliative care is provided through several services such as palliative care for cancer patients, home care for technology-dependent patients, other support services for children with disabilities and/or chronic conditions. In Singapore, a home-based PPC association plays a pivotal role in providing PPC by taking advantage of geographic accessibility and cooperating with tertiary hospitals. CONCLUSION: It is warranted to identify unmet needs and establish an appropriate PPD model to provide need-based individualized care and optimize PPC in South Korea.

Trends in Birth Weight and the Incidence of Low Birth Weight and Advanced Maternal Age in Korea between 1993 and 2016

BACKGROUND: As the aging society progresses, the average age of mothers is also increasing. Advanced maternal age has been known to be associated with perinatal outcomes, as well as birth weight (BW). In this study, we aimed to investigate the perinatal factors associated with low birth weight infants (LBWIs) using birth statistics of the Korean population. METHODS: Birth statistics between 1993 and 2016 from the Korean Statistical Information Service were reviewed. We investigated 12,856,614 data points, which included the number of births, BWs, percentage of preterm births and LBWIs, multiple pregnancies, and maternal age. RESULTS: The proportion of LBWIs delivered by mothers of advanced maternal age has gradually increased since 1993. In addition, the proportion of older mothers (≥ 35 years old) giving birth to LBWIs has increased over the years. Average BW has a negative correlation with the ratio of preterm births, LBW, multiple births, and advanced maternal age. The mean BW also has a negative correlation with maternal age. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the average BW continues to decline, and the incidence of LBWIs is increasing in Korea since 1993. This study also revealed that several perinatal factors, including percentage of preterm births, LBWIs, multiple births, and maternal age influence the mean BW. Although this study did not investigate the effects of decreasing mean BW on perinatal health, future research is worth discussing.

Improved Regional Disparities in Neonatal Care by Government-led Policies in Korea

BACKGROUND: Although the number of high-risk neonates has increased in Korea, hospitals were reluctant to open or maintain neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) due to the low medical cost. Consequently, there were regional disparities in facilities, equipment, and neonatal health outcomes. For these reasons, the Korean government began to invest in neonatal care during the last decade. We identified the status of NICUs in Korea and assessed changes after the government-driven policies. METHODS: We surveyed 87 of 89 hospitals that operated NICUs in 2015. The questionnaire assessed the number of NICU beds, admission and mortality rates of very low birthweight infants (VLBWIs), personnel status, equipment and facilities, and available multidisciplinary approach. Current data was compared with the previous studies and changes in the status and function of the nationwide NICU from 2009 and 2011. RESULTS: During the last 7 years, there was an increase of 462 NICU beds, which met the required number estimated by the number of births and covered about 90% of regional VLBWI births. Status of facilities and equipment improved in all regions in Korea but there were still regional differences in multidisciplinary approach and human resources. The difference in odds ratios for mortality of VLBWI between regions decreased compared to 2009. CONCLUSION: There was improvement in regional disparities of neonatal care and mortality of premature babies with the government investment in Korea. Further supports are required for human resources and referral system.

Healthcare access challenges facing six African refugee mothers in South Korea: a qualitative multiple-case study / 소아과

PURPOSE: Following legal reform in 2013, the annual number of asylum seekers entering South Korea has increased from 1,143 in 2012 to 5,711 in 2015. We interviewed six African refugee mothers of young children regarding their health needs and barriers to access maternal child health services. METHODS: We recruited mothers who had visited a clinic for immigrants between July 2013 and August 2015. Participants were African refugee women, aged over 18 years, who had given birth in Korea within the previous 5 years and had come to Korea over a year before recruitment. Interview questions examined participants' experiences in pregnancy and childbirth and concerns regarding their child's health status. Initial data analysis involved all researchers' immersion in the entire collection of transcripts. We then noted recurrent topics and themes and identified similar issues. RESULTS: At the time of giving birth, 5 participants were asylum seekers and one had undocumented status. The following barriers impeded their access to maternal child healthcare: socioeconomic factors (unstable social identity, low economic status, difficulty obtaining health insurance), language barriers (lack of linguistically appropriate health information, limited access to translation services), and cultural barriers (religious and cultural differences). Weak social support also hindered access to healthcare soon after migration; however, social links with the community emerged as a key coping strategy following settlement. CONCLUSION: We identified barriers to maternal and child healthcare and coping strategies among African refugee mothers in Korea. Future research should assess refugees' health status and improve health access and literacy among refugee mothers.

Fetal and preterm infant microbiomes: a new perspective of necrotizing enterocolitis / 소아과

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating condition of hospitalized preterm infants. Numerous studies have attempted to identify the cause of NEC by examining the immunological features associated with pathogenic microorganisms. No single organism has proven responsible for the disease; however, immunological studies are now focused on the microbiome. Recent research has investigated the numerous bacterial species residing in the body and their role in diseases in preterm infants. The timing of initial microbial colonization is a subject of interest. The microbiome appears to transfer from the mother to the newborn, as well as to the fetus. Cross-talk between the fetus and fetal microbiome takes place continuously to generate a unique immune system. This review examined the transfer of the microbiome to the human fetus, and its potential relationship with NEC.

Influence of Routine Probiotic Supplementation on the Incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Late Onset Sepsis

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the influence of routine probiotic supplementation on causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality, such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and late onset sepsis. METHODS: All neonates born at <32 weeks of gestation and weighing <1,500 g admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit during the study period were included. The study period was divided into the pre-probiotic period, between January 2009 and February 2011, and the probiotic period, between November 2012 and December 2014. The probiotic given was a mixture of Lactobacillus plantarum, L. rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium lactis and B. longum, administered at the time of the first feeding over 2 mL once daily. RESULTS: A total of 358 infants were screened for enrollment, with 149 infants included in the pre-probiotic group (mean birth weight 937 g, mean gestational age 27.9 wk), and 158 in the probiotic group (1,040 g, 28.6 wk). Probiotics had no statistically significant impact on NEC and late onset sepsis. However, three cases of probiotic related sepsis occurred after the infants were routinely administered probiotics in our unit. CONCLUSION: Routine probiotic supplementation did not reduce the incidence of NEC in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. However, severe sepsis was caused by strains in the probiotic administered to patients. Therefore, routine prophylactic use of probiotic in VLBW infants should be performed cautiously.

Decolonization of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Role in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

PURPOSE: We aimed to assess the incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization and infection in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) by using various decolonization methods and to evaluate their efficacy. METHODS: Medical records of all neonates who were admitted to the NICU of Seoul National University Children's Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Surveillance culture were obtained for all neonates in the NICU 48 hours after admission. Three periods with different decolonization methods were compared; Period 1 was without any decolonization measures (July 1, 2009 to August 26, 2010). In period 2, intranasal mupirocin and chlorhexidine gluconate bathing were administered to MRSA-colonized neonates (August 27, 2010 to September 6, 2011). In period 3, only chlorhexidine bathing was performed for MRSA-colonized infants (September 7, 2011 to August 31, 2012). RESULTS: A total of 1,378 infants were admitted to the NICU during the study period. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were similar among the 3 periods. The incidence of MRSA colonization per 1,000 patient-days was 6.27 for period 1, 7.02 for period 2, and 6.29 for period 3; however, these values were not significantly different. The incidence of MRSA infection was highest in period 3, with 0.69 cases per 1,000 patient-days; however, this finding was not significant. The MRSA infection/colonization ratio also did not differ significantly among the 3 study periods. CONCLUSION: Decolonization of MRSA in the NICU with the application of chlorhexidine gluconate bathing alone or in combination with intranasal mupirocin were not effective in decreasing the incidence of MRSA colonization and infection.

The Association between Admission Hypothermia and Neonatal Outcomes in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the effect of admission hypothermia on neonatal outcomes in very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs). METHODS: Medical records of 153 preterm infants, with birth weights <1,500 g and gestational ages <32 weeks, were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical characteristics and neonatal outcomes in infants who experienced moderate hypothermia during the first hour of life (Group I) were compared to those in infants with mild hypothermia or normothermia (Group II). RESULTS: Fifty of 153 infants experienced moderate hypothermia after birth. Group I had lower birth weight than Group II (867.8±304.4 g vs. 1,140.3±247.5 g, P<0.001), and were younger than Group II (27.6±2.6 weeks vs. 29.1±1.9 weeks, P<0.001). Adjusted proportion of moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn (PPHN) were higher in Group I than in Group II (56% vs. 21.8%, P=0.005), (9.1% vs. 1.5%, P=0.019). Multiple logistic regression analysis that did not control for PPHN (model II) showed that gestational age (Odds ratio [OR] 0.93, P=0.001), moderate hypothermia (OR 4.07, P=0.013), and surgical patent ductus arteriosus (OR 4.96, P=0.023) were associated with moderate to severe BPD. Association of moderate hypothermia with moderate to severe BPD was invalid when further multiple logistic regression analysis adjusting for PPHN (model I), which had a strong association with moderate to severe BPD (OR=15.46, P=0.039), was performed. CONCLUSION: Moderate hypothermia after birth in VLBWIs was associated with PPHN and moderate to severe BPD. The association between moderate hypothermia and moderate to severe BPD might be mediated by PPHN.

Stigma of Mental Illnesses as Perceived by North Korean Defectors Living in South Korea

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to provide the information of the stigmas of mental illness such as psychosis, alcoholism, attempt suicide, and depression among North Korean defectors. METHODS: We examined stigma for the mental illnesses of 639 North Korean defectors aged 19 to 65 years who live in the Settlement Support Center for North Korean Refugees. The stigmas of mental illnesses were assessed using the Perceived Devaluation-Discrimination Scale We directly compared the stigma level between North Korean defectors and the general population of South Korea. RESULTS: North Korean defectors had higher perceived stigmas of psychosis and alcoholism and lower perceived stigmas of depression than South Koreans. Perceived stigma associated with attempted suicide was similar for North Korean defectors and South Koreans. Only marital status in sociodemographic variables had associations with higher perceived stigma of psychosis, alcoholism, and depression in the North Korean defectors. North Korean defectors, who spent more than one year in transit country, had associations with lower perceived stigma of psychosis and alcoholism. North Korean defectors, who had the experience of compulsory repatriation to North Korea or North Korean family in South Korea, had an association with higher perceived stigma of depression. CONCLUSION: North Korean defectors had higher perceived stigmas of psychosis and alcoholism and lower perceived stigmas of depression than South Koreans. Further studies are needed to document serial changes in stigmas for mental illnesses associated with the receipt of education at the Settlement Support Center for North Korean defectors.

Influenza Vaccination Coverage and Its Associated Factors among North Korean Defectors Living in the Republic of Korea

This study aimed to examine influenza vaccination coverage of North Korean defectors (NKD) in the Republic of Korea (Korea) and explore the factors affected the vaccination coverage. Total 378 NKD were analyzed. Four Korean control subjects were randomly matched by age and gender from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V (n = 1,500). The adjusted vaccination coverage revealed no statistical difference between the defectors group and indigenous group (29.1% vs. 29.5%, P = 0.915). In the aged under 50 group, the vaccination coverage of NKD was higher than that of Korean natives (37.8% vs. 25.8%, P = 0.016). However in the aged 50 yr and over group, the vaccination coverage of North Korean defectors was lower than that of the natives (28.0% vs. 37.6%, P = 0.189). Even the gap was wider in the aged 65 yr and over group (36.4% vs. 77.8%, P = 0.007). Gender and medical check-up experience within 2 yr showed association with the vaccination coverage of NKD. Influenza vaccination coverage of aged defectors' group (aged 50 yr and over) was lower than indigenous people though overall vaccination coverage was similar. Further efforts to increase influenza vaccination coverage of this group are needed.

Effects of Brief Advice from Family Physicians on the Readiness to Change of Korean Male At-risk Drinkers / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: This study examined the effects of the method of delivery of brief advice on the readiness to change in at-risk drinkers. METHODS: The participants were 103 at-risk male drinkers who visited Chungnam National University Hospital for general health examinations. Baseline data on drinking behavior, readiness to change drinking behavior, and sociodemographic characteristics were obtained from a questionnaire. Family physicians gave two minutes of advice by telephone or in-person. The brief advice comprised a simple statement that the patient's drinking exceeded the recommended limits and could lead to alcohol-related problems. It also included advice to moderate one's drinking. One month later, the readiness to change was assessed again by telephone. The improvement in the readiness to change according to each method of delivery was investigated. RESULTS: Initially, among the 58-patient in-person advice group, 12 patients were in the precontemplation stage, 38 in the contemplation stage, and 8 in the action stage. One month after the advice was given to the patients, the distribution had changed significantly (P < 0.001) to 1, 21, and 36 patients, respectively. Among the 45-patient telephone advice group, 7 patients were in the precontemplation stage, 32 patients were in the contemplation stage, and 6 patients were in the action stage before the advice. The distribution had changed significantly (P < 0.001) to 1, 17, and 27 patients, respectively, 1 month after the advice. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that brief advice by family physicians is effective in improving the readiness to change of at-risk drinkers, regardless of the delivery method.