A Study on the Problem Drinking and Its Related Factors among Adolescents in South Korea: Focusing on Men and Women

PURPOSE: This study was done to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of problem drinking among adolescents in South Korea. METHODS: The data of Youth Health Risk Behavior web-based Survey (2015) collected by Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was analyzed using logistic regression for this study. RESULTS: The problem drinking (defined as two or more points in the CRAFFT) among current drinkers was 36.1%. Risk factors of the problem drinking were sexual activity after drinking (odds 6.33 for men, 4.72 for women), experience of smoking (odds 4.70 for men, 5.12 for women), experience of artificial abortion (odds 4.57 for women), experience of pregnancy (odds 4.45 for women), sexual transmitted infection (odds 1.90 for men, 2.53 for women), depression (odds 2.11 for men, 2.15 for women) and suicidal idea (odds 2.53 for men, 1.88 for women). CONCLUSION: It is necessary to develop proper problem drinking prevention programs focusing on men and women. Adjusted health education programs will contribute to maintain their health and protect effectively from these risk taking behaviors.

Systematic Review of Exercise Effects on Health Outcomes in Women with Breast Cancer

PURPOSE: Exercise is commonly recommended to women after breast cancer surgery, yet it is difficult for patients and health professionals to adopt safe and beneficial types and modes of exercise. Thus studies on exercise interventions targeting women with breast cancer treatment were systematically reviewed. METHODS: The review process and quality assessment of the studies followed the guideline of the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency. Relevant studies were obtained from electronic databases, and two trained reviewers independently analyzed the studies. Of the 902 articles sorted, 11 were selected. Then, quality assessment for each study was carried out with the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) checklist. RESULTS: Seven different types of exercise interventions were identified from 3 quasi-experimental and 8 randomized controlled trial studies. The interventions varied in duration from several days to 13 weeks, and tended to show significant effects on psychological outcomes and upper body functions within a short-term period and were effective in alleviating lymphedema at a longer 1-year point. Supervised, professional intervention had significant effects on health indicators and a higher adherence rate. CONCLUSION: Well-designed exercises are effective and beneficial for improving women's physical, physiological, and psychological health outcomes after breast cancer treatment as well as to facilitate changes in exercise behaviors. The feasibility of applying intervention protocols, efficiency of interventions, and strengths of exercise protocols should be further examined.

Marital Intimacy and Quality of Life in Women With Breast Cancer / 종양간호학회지

PURPOSE: The study was aimed to investigate the levels of marital intimacy and quality of life (QOL) among women with breast cancer. METHODS: As a descriptive study, a total of 67 married women with breast cancer was recruited via convenient sampling from a breast clinic in an university hospital. A structured, self-reported questionnaire was administered to the participants. RESULTS: The most participants were housewives in their 40s and 50s, and were in high socioeconomic status. Two thirds of women perceived the marital intimacy with their spouse were increased after the diagnosis of breast cancer. Women's marital intimacy significantly differed by their levels of education. The level of cognitive intimacy was the highest among the subscales, whereas, sexual intimacy was the lowest. The family factor of QOL showed the highest score, and there were differences in QOL by employment status and cancer stage. The QOL and marital intimacy were not correlated significantly. CONCLUSION: Further research on the couples with breast cancer and intervention for increasing their marital intimacy are needed in the future.