Assessing the Fear Factor of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Korea Using the COVID-19 Phobia Scale: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background@#A study on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) phobia among students revealed that fear of contracting COVID-19 was associated with commuting to school and spending time with others at school. Therefore, it is the need-of-the-hour for the Korean government to identify factors affecting COVID-19 phobia among university students and to consider these factors while framing the policy direction for the process of returning to normalcy in university education. Consequently, we aimed to identify the current state of COVID-19 phobia among Korean undergraduate and graduate students and the factors affecting COVID-19 phobia. @*Methods@#This cross-sectional survey was conducted to identify the factors affecting COVID-19 phobia among Korean undergraduate and graduate students. The survey collected 460 responses from April 5 to April 16, 2022. The questionnaire was developed based on the COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S). Multiple linear regression was performed on the C19P-S scores using five models with the following dependent variables: Model 1, total C19P-S score; Model 2, psychological subscale score; Model 3, psychosomatic subscale score; Model 4, social subscale score; and Model 5, economic subscale score. The fit of these five models was established, and a P-value of less than 0.05 (F test) was considered statistically significant. @*Results@#An analysis of the factors affecting the total C19P-S score led to the following findings: women significantly outscored men (difference: 4.826 points, P = 0.003); the group that favored the government’s COVID-19 mitigation policy scored significantly lower than those who did not favor it (difference: 3.161 points, P = 0.037); the group that avoided crowded places scored significantly higher than the group that did not avoid crowded places (difference: 7.200 points, P < 0.001); and those living with family/friends scored significantly higher than those in other living situations (difference: 4.606 points, P = 0.021). Those in favor of the COVID-19 mitigation policy had significantly lower psychological fear than those who were against it (difference: -1.686 points, P = 0.004). Psychological fear was also significantly higher for those who avoided crowded places compared to those who did not difference: 2.641 points, P < 0.001). Fear was significantly higher in people cohabitating than those living alone (difference: 1.543 points, P= 0.043). @*Conclusion@#The Korean government, in their pursuit of a policy that eases COVID-19-related restrictions, will also have to spare no efforts in providing correct information to prevent the escalation of COVID-19 phobia among people with a high fear of contracting the disease. This should be done through trustworthy information sources, such as the media, public agencies, and COVID-19 professionals.

Difference in the practice of COVID-19 prevention according to the reliability of COVID-19 response among high school students in Korea / 農村醫學 地域保健

Objectives@#This study aimed 1) to investigate high school students’ reliability on COVID-19 responses in schools and private academies and 2) to identify the differences in COVID-19 prevention practice. @*Methods@#This cross-sectional survey collected data from 200 high school respondents, using an anonymous online questionnaire designed by the Yonsei Global Health Center, from July 2 to 17, 2020 in this study. Chi-square tests were conducted to analyze the differences in preventative practices and practice rates between schools and private academies. Binary logistics regression analysis was conducted to identify the factor affecting the reliability of COVID-19 response. @*Results@#These high school students reliabilityed the schools’ COVID-19 response more than the private academy. In addition, students who studied only at school did more COVID-19 prevention practices than students who studied both at school and academy. There was a significant difference in avoiding public transportation (p=.028), sitting in one row while having a meal (p=.011) in the practice rates depending on the schools’ COVID-19 response. A significant difference in Covering the mouth when coughing and sneezing (p-.041) was also found in the practice rates depending on the private academies’ COVID-19 response. @*Conclusion@#The reason why schools were more reliable than private academies was that there are health teachers. Because schools are supervised by the ministry of education, the Ministry of education and local government need to work together to manage and monitor the COVID-19 response in the academies through cooperation between two organizations. In addition, it is necessary to arrange a temporary circulation health teacher who will provide the COVID-19 prevention education at the academies.

Determining Public Opinion of the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea and Japan: Social Network Mining on Twitter / 대한의료정보학회지

Objectives@#This study analyzed the perceptions and emotions of Korean and Japanese citizens regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It examined the frequency of words used in Korean and Japanese tweets regarding COVID-19 and the corresponding changes in their interests. @*Methods@#This cross-sectional study analyzed Twitter posts (Tweets) from February 1, 2020 to April 30, 2020 to determine public opinion of the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea and Japan. We collected data from Twitter (https://twitter.com/), a major social media platform in Korea and Japan. Python 3.7 Library was used for data collection. Data analysis included KR-WordRank and frequency analyses in Korea and Japan, respectively. Heat diagrams, word clouds, and rank flowcharts were also used. @*Results@#Overall, 1,470,673 and 4,195,457 tweets were collected from Korea and Japan, respectively. The word trend in Korea and Japan was analyzed every 5 days. The word cloud analysis revealed “COVID-19”, “Shinchonji”, “Mask”, “Daegu”, and “Travel” as frequently used words in Korea. While in Japan, “COVID-19”, “Mask”, “Test”, “Impact”, and “China” were identified as high-frequency words. They were divided into four categories: social distancing, prevention, issue, and emotion for the rank flowcharts. Concerning emotion, “Overcome” and “Support” increased from February in Korea, while “Worry” and “Anxiety” decreased in Japan from April 1. @*Conclusions@#As a result of the trend, people’s interests in the economy were high in both countries, indicating their reservations on the economic downturn. Therefore, focusing policies toward economic stability is essential. Although the interest in prevention increased since April in both countries, the general public’s relaxation regarding COVID-19 was also observed.

Related Factors of Depression according to Individual Attributes and Regional Environment: Using Multi-Level Analysis / 보건행정학회지

Background@#This study is aimed to verify individual and regional-level factors affecting the depression of Koreans and to develop social programs for improving the depressive status. @*Methods@#This study used individual-level variables from the Korean Community Health Survey (2018) and used the e-regional index of the Korean Statistical Information Service as the regional-level variable. A multi-level logistic regression was executed to identify individual and regional-level variables that were expected to affect the extent of depressive symptoms and to draw the receiver operating characteristic curve to compare the volume of impact between variables from both levels. @*Results@#The results of the multi-level logistic regression analysis in regards to individual-level factors showed that older age, female gender, a lower income level, a lower education level, not having a spouse, the practice of walking, the consumption of breakfast higher levels of stress, and having high blood pressure or diabetes were associated with a greater increase in depressive symptoms. In terms of regional factors, areas with fewer cultural facilities and fewer car registration had higher levels of depressive symptoms.The comparison of area under the curve showed that individual factors had a greater influence than regional factors. @*Conclusion@#This study showed that while both, individual and regional-level factors affect depression, the influence of the latter was relatively weaker as compared to the first. In this sense, it is necessary to develop programs focused on the individual, such as social prescribing at the local or community-level, rather than the city and nation-level approach that are currently prevalent.

Financing Mechanisms of Social Prescribing Projects:A Systematic Review / 보건행정학회지

Aging populations and the increasing mental health issues among them have set a new challenge for the international community, governments, and people. Given this, society’s role is very important, and involving the local community in resolving the problems can play a pivotal role. The current study presented the systematic review of the financing mechanism and cost-effectiveness of the “social prescribing” (SP) project in the United Kingdom and how SP can be adapted for other settings. The data showed comparatively low running costs and the overall effectiveness of SP projects. The running cost of SP projects varied between £54,525 and £1.1 million. The cost-effectiveness of the projects reported as 12% and the return of investment was about 50% depending on the type of analysis and the activities implemented. This type of intervention can be one of the options that support solving the issues of aging populations and their accompanying mental disorders.

Financing Mechanisms of Social Prescribing Projects:A Systematic Review / 보건행정학회지

Aging populations and the increasing mental health issues among them have set a new challenge for the international community, governments, and people. Given this, society’s role is very important, and involving the local community in resolving the problems can play a pivotal role. The current study presented the systematic review of the financing mechanism and cost-effectiveness of the “social prescribing” (SP) project in the United Kingdom and how SP can be adapted for other settings. The data showed comparatively low running costs and the overall effectiveness of SP projects. The running cost of SP projects varied between £54,525 and £1.1 million. The cost-effectiveness of the projects reported as 12% and the return of investment was about 50% depending on the type of analysis and the activities implemented. This type of intervention can be one of the options that support solving the issues of aging populations and their accompanying mental disorders.

Clinical or Radiological Findings Suggestive of Spontaneous Intestinal Perforation in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants with Gasless Abdomen

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiologic findings suggestive of spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) in extremely-low-birth-weight infants (ELBWIs) with persistent gasless abdomen, and to investigate the usefulness of abdominal ultrasonography for the diagnosis of SIP. METHODS: In total, 22 infants with birth weights less than 1,000 g who showed persistent gasless abdomen on simple abdominal radiography were included. Perinatal, neonatal, and perioperative clinical findings were retrospectively reviewed, and the risk factors for intestinal perforation were evaluated. Abdominal sonographic findings suggestive of intestinal perforation were also identified, and postoperative short-term outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: In total, eight of the 22 infants (36.4%) with gasless abdomen had SIP. The number of infants with patent ductus arteriosus who were treated with intravenous ibuprofen or indomethacin was significantly higher in the SIP group than in the non-SIP group (P<0.05). Greenish or red gastric residue, abdominal distension, or decreased bowel sound were more frequent in infants with SIP (P<0.05), in addition to gray or bluish discoloration of abdomen, suggestive of meconium peritonitis (P<0.05). Pneumoperitoneum on simple abdominal radiography was found in only one of the eight infants (12.5%) with SIP. Intramural echogenicity and echogenic extramural material on abdominal ultrasonography were exclusively observed in infants with SIP. Four infants (50%) with SIP died after surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: Intestinal perforation may occur in ELBWIs with gasless abdomen. As intramural echogenicity and extraluminal echogenic materials on abdominal ultrasonography are indicative of SIP, this technique could be useful for diagnosing SIP.

Comparative Study of Health Care System in Three Central Asian Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan / 보건행정학회지

BACKGROUND: The objectives of the study are to find out the effect of the implementing reform in three Central Asian countries, identify its impact on health status and health care delivery systems. This study address to identify strong and weak points of the health systems and provide a recommendation for further health care organization. METHODS: A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of implemented policy on health care system efficiency and equity. Secondary data were collected on selected health indicators using information from the World Health Organization Global Health Expenditure Database, European Health Information Platform, and World Bank Open Data. RESULTS: In terms of population status, countries achieved relatively good results. Infant mortality and under-5 mortality rate decreased in all countries; also, life expectancy increased, and it was more than 70 years. Regulations of the health systems are still highly centralized, and the Ministry of Health is the main organ responsible for national health policy developing and implementation. Among the three countries, only Kyrgyzstan was successful in introducing a national health system. Distribution of health expenditure between public expenditure and out-of-pocket payments was decreased, and out-of-pocket payments were less the 50% of total health expenditure in all countries, in 2014. CONCLUSION: After independent, all three countries implemented a certain number of the policy reform, mostly it was directed to move away from the old the Soviet system. Subsequent reform should be focused on evidence-based decision making and strengthening of primary health care in terms of new public health concepts.

Development of a Web Database System for a Comprehensive Hypertension Management Program in the Primary Health Care Setting of Urban Areas of Peru / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this case report is to introduce the development process, structure, characteristics, and effectiveness of the web database (DB) system developed for the hypertension management program in the primary health care setting in the low-income urban areas of Peru. METHODS: A Korean research team cooperated with a Peruvian IT startup company to develop a web DB system to improve the data management of the hypertension management program. The entire web application infrastructure was hosted using the Amazon Web Service. Two different web platforms were established for the user groups of health workers and researchers (program managers). RESULTS: A total of 2,827 program participants were registered in the web DB system until December 2017. Health professionals can input the participant data while providing consultation to the program participants, and the data is accumulated in the web DB in real time. Input errors or data loss is prevented by setting restrictions in the data entry system. During the 4-year project period, 7,696 hours of working time and USD 39,536.48 for data management were saved as the result of web DB system utilization. CONCLUSIONS: The developed web DB system contributed to improve the health condition of the health program participants by providing necessary information to the health professionals at the right time. This case report could be a reference for other researcher to develop web databases for their own context, especially in developing countries.

A Comparative Study on the Factors Affecting the Successful Aging between Users and Non-users of Kyung-ro-dang for Community Care Policy Activation / 보건행정학회지

BACKGROUND@#The purpose of this study was to identify the status of Successful Aging among the elderly aged 65 and over in rural areas and to compare factors related with Successful Aging between “kyung-ro-dang” users and non-users.@*METHODS@#A total of 181 elderly aged 65 or older were selected from four districts (Heung-upri, Mejiri, Sajerri, and Daeanri) of Wonju city. A survey method using face to face interviews was applied to collect information. Successful aging was measured on a 5-point Likert-type scale using the successful aging scale developed for the Korean elderly, which indicates the higher the score, the higher the level of successful aging. Descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were computed; the level of significance was set at 5%. Hierarchical polynomial regression was applied to find out the factors associated with successful aging.@*RESULTS@#Of the total, 112 elders used kyung-ro-dang and 69 elders who did not use kyung-ro-dang. The level of successful aging of the elderly was higher among kyung-ro-dang users than non-users. The factors related to successful aging among kyung-ro-dang users were walking and social participation. Users who walk more than 4 times per week and social participation activities have a higher level of satisfaction. In the case of non-users, a higher level of monthly income, having a spouse, social support, and social participation associated with a higher level of successful aging.@*CONCLUSION@#Monthly income, social participation, and social factors were found to be related to successful aging along with physical and mental health conditions among the elderly in rural areas. Therefore, it can be concluded that income, social as well as mental and physical factors, are more critical for successful aging in the rural community care in Korea.

Evaluation of Hypertension Prevention and Control Programs in Lima, Peru

OBJECTIVES: The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) established 4 health centers to provide hypertension screening and a health support program in a deprived urban area of Lima, Peru. This case report provides a mid-term evaluation of the KOICA’s hypertension prevention and control programs. METHODS: A follow up study was performed on 663 residents who were diagnosed with prehypertension or hypertension (Stage 1 and 2) in the 4 KOICA health centers. Patients participated in programs designed to prevent and control hypertension through education sessions over the course of 6 months. Using simple descriptive statistics and computer simulations, we evaluated the effect of hypertension prevention and control programs on the participants. RESULTS: The KOICA health programs appeared to significantly contribute to lowering the blood pressure (BP) of the participants. The total number of participants with normal BP increased from none to 109. Overall, the female and younger patients responded better to the KOICA programs than the male and older participants. In addition, the average systolic BP, diastolic BP, and body mass index of all participants was significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: The KOICA programs were effective at lowering blood pressure, particularly amongst the prehypertension group than the Stage 1 and 2 hypertension groups. This suggests that providing an extensive screening service for adults with prehypertension will help control hypertension in the early stages.

Cost-benefit Analysis of Nutrition Management Program for Children Aged Under 5 Years in DR Congo / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the economic efficiency of a nutrition management program for children under 5 years of age in Kenge, Kwango District, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) from 2014 to 2016. METHODS: The economic efficiency of a nutrition management program for children under 5 years of age who have recovered from malnutrition status was evaluated using a cost-benefit analysis. The costs were analyzed according to the executed budget incurred during the project period. The benefits were estimated as the monetary value of the saved lives of children under 5 years of age. The economic efficiency of the program was determined by the Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR). The BCR was calculated by dividing the total discounted benefit by the total discounted costs. The project is economically efficient when the BCR is greater than 1. RESULTS: The costs of the nutrition management program were calculated as 1,677,609,648 Korean Won (KRW). A total of 2,466 children survived with improved malnutrition status through this program. The benefit for the reduction of mortality for children under 5 years of age was estimated to be 6,814,354,467 KRW, the estimated value of life for 2,466 children. The BCR was 4.06. CONCLUSIONS: The nutrition management program for children under 5 years of age in DR Congo was found to be a cost-effective project. Successful and efficient Official Development Assistance (ODA) for a health project requires integrated and comprehensive strategies and specialized international development consulting to improve efficiency. Future nutrition management programs should take into account the national health program to maintain the sustainability of the project.

Differences in Dietary Life and Health related Factors According to Obesity in Poor Urban Peruvian Adolescents / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the differences in dietary life and health related factors, such as drinking behavior, exercise and leisure activities, mental health, and subjective perception for oneself according to obesity in poor urban Peruvian adolescents. METHODS: A total of 1,532 Peruvian adolescents were selected from six schools in poor regions using stratified random sampling. The subjects were classified into two groups based on their BMI: ‘normal weight group (NW group=980)’ or ‘overweight and obese group (OWOB group=293)’. The differences in the general characteristics, dietary life, drinking behavior, physical activity and leisure, mental health and subjective perception of oneself in the two groups were compared. χ2 analysis and independent sample t-test were performed using the SPSS program ver. 24. RESULTS: For the total and male students, the frequency of breakfast and dinner were significantly lower in the OWOB group than in the NW group (all p < 0.001). For total and female students, the percentage of subjects who received nutrition education was significantly higher in the OWOB group than in the NW group (all p < 0.05). For total students, the percentage of subject who exercised more than five days/week was lower in the OWOB group than in the NW group (p < 0.05). For the total and female students, the subjective health status was worse in the OWOB group than in the NW group (all p < 0.05). The subjective body image was significantly different between the OWOB group and NW group in the total, male and female subjects (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of meals and exercise, and the subjective perceptions of the health status and body image differed according to obesity in poor urban Peruvian adolescents. Therefore, a school-based intervention program focused on regular meal and exercise, and adequate subjective perceptions for health status and body image need to be developed to prevent adolescent obesity.

Cost-benefit Analysis of Nutrition Management Program for Children Aged Under 5 Years in DR Congo / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the economic efficiency of a nutrition management program for children under 5 years of age in Kenge, Kwango District, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) from 2014 to 2016. METHODS: The economic efficiency of a nutrition management program for children under 5 years of age who have recovered from malnutrition status was evaluated using a cost-benefit analysis. The costs were analyzed according to the executed budget incurred during the project period. The benefits were estimated as the monetary value of the saved lives of children under 5 years of age. The economic efficiency of the program was determined by the Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR). The BCR was calculated by dividing the total discounted benefit by the total discounted costs. The project is economically efficient when the BCR is greater than 1. RESULTS: The costs of the nutrition management program were calculated as 1,677,609,648 Korean Won (KRW). A total of 2,466 children survived with improved malnutrition status through this program. The benefit for the reduction of mortality for children under 5 years of age was estimated to be 6,814,354,467 KRW, the estimated value of life for 2,466 children. The BCR was 4.06. CONCLUSIONS: The nutrition management program for children under 5 years of age in DR Congo was found to be a cost-effective project. Successful and efficient Official Development Assistance (ODA) for a health project requires integrated and comprehensive strategies and specialized international development consulting to improve efficiency. Future nutrition management programs should take into account the national health program to maintain the sustainability of the project.

Differences in Dietary Life and Health related Factors According to Obesity in Poor Urban Peruvian Adolescents / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the differences in dietary life and health related factors, such as drinking behavior, exercise and leisure activities, mental health, and subjective perception for oneself according to obesity in poor urban Peruvian adolescents. METHODS: A total of 1,532 Peruvian adolescents were selected from six schools in poor regions using stratified random sampling. The subjects were classified into two groups based on their BMI: ‘normal weight group (NW group=980)’ or ‘overweight and obese group (OWOB group=293)’. The differences in the general characteristics, dietary life, drinking behavior, physical activity and leisure, mental health and subjective perception of oneself in the two groups were compared. χ2 analysis and independent sample t-test were performed using the SPSS program ver. 24. RESULTS: For the total and male students, the frequency of breakfast and dinner were significantly lower in the OWOB group than in the NW group (all p < 0.001). For total and female students, the percentage of subjects who received nutrition education was significantly higher in the OWOB group than in the NW group (all p < 0.05). For total students, the percentage of subject who exercised more than five days/week was lower in the OWOB group than in the NW group (p < 0.05). For the total and female students, the subjective health status was worse in the OWOB group than in the NW group (all p < 0.05). The subjective body image was significantly different between the OWOB group and NW group in the total, male and female subjects (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of meals and exercise, and the subjective perceptions of the health status and body image differed according to obesity in poor urban Peruvian adolescents. Therefore, a school-based intervention program focused on regular meal and exercise, and adequate subjective perceptions for health status and body image need to be developed to prevent adolescent obesity.

International Health Cooperation and Challenges for Official Development Assistance / 보건행정학회지

As the United Nations announced Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, the world changed its development goals from focusing on efficiency to equity. As a result, in the health sector, universal health coverage (UHC) has become one of the main issues. This paper reviews and discusses on future direction and issue of official development assistance program for developing countries. Korea International Cooperation Agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs published on Korea International Cooperation Agency's mid-term health strategy 2016–2020 developed on participation program with stakeholder including governments, civil society partner organizations, and educational institutions. The SDGs expands non-communicable diseases, UHC, and global health security from the existing Millenium Development Goals health sector. Progress toward UHC underpins the achievement of all other targets under SDG Goal 3. Progress in reducing health inequality across the life course is drawing on overall data and from specific target. In order to achieve SDG 3, a multi-disciplinary approach, convergence between IT and u-health of this development, is desirable.

Determinants of Health in Korea: A Comparative Analysis among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Countries / 보건행정학회지

BACKGROUND: This study aims to utilize Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) data to identify macroscopic determinants of health at national level and to utilize it in health policy development through comparison and analysis with Korea. METHODS: The potential years of life lost (PYLL) were used as dependent variables and 19 indicators were selected as health determinants to be independent variables based on the results of previous studies. Data analysis was done using SAS ver. 9.4 package (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) and model used in technical statistics concerning PYLL by countries, multi-linearity test between independent variables and OECD economic studies were modified and used. RESULTS: From 1994 to 2012, the average PYLL for OECD countries was 4,262.9 years, the highest in Estonia and the lowest in Iceland. As a result of the analysis using the fixed effect model, the significant variables affecting PYLL were four variables: gross domestic product, nitric oxide, tobacco consumption, and number of doctors. The health determinants that had more influence on the PYLL of Korean people compared to other OECD countries were tobacco consumption, calorie consumption, fat intake and total health expenditure. CONCLUSION: In order to effectively reduce unnecessary deaths, we must continue to strengthen our smoking policy and nutrition policies such as calorie and fat intake. It is necessary to prevent the increase of total health expenditure due to the increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases and to strengthen the public health aspect.

A Comparative Study on Primary Health Care in Republic of Korea and Republic of Uzbekistan / 보건행정학회지

BACKGROUND: Primary health care (PHC) plays a major role to ensure the basic right and equal distribution of the essential health care services. This study presents comparative analyses of PHC in Korea and Uzbekistan, discusses the existing scenario and the challenges, and provides recommendations. METHODS: This study reviewed secondary data from Korea's National Statistical Information Service and the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistic, regulatory legislation, research reports, and policy papers by research and international institutions. We focus on comparing input and outcome health data, PHC structure, and health expenditure. RESULTS: Overall health status of the population in Korea is better than in Uzbekistan; both countries achieved more than 95% immunization coverage. The reforms implemented in both countries provide initial health care service delivery. However, there are several challenges such as the distribution of the staff between urban and rural areas and interest of the graduates on specialization rather than working in PHC system. CONCLUSION: PHC plays an important role in the provision of medical services to the population, addressing both health and social problems; it is the best tool for achieving universal coverage for basic health needs of the population. The community health practitioners in Korea and nurses in Uzbekistan plays main role in universal coverage through providing essential health care services. Continuous reform of the PHC system should be directed to strengthen the capacity of the PHC staff in health promotion knowledge and activities as well as to encourage population to improve their own health.

A Comparative Study on Primary Health Care in Republic of Korea and Republic of Uzbekistan / 보건행정학회지

BACKGROUND: Primary health care (PHC) plays a major role to ensure the basic right and equal distribution of the essential health care services. This study presents comparative analyses of PHC in Korea and Uzbekistan, discusses the existing scenario and the challenges, and provides recommendations. METHODS: This study reviewed secondary data from Korea's National Statistical Information Service and the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistic, regulatory legislation, research reports, and policy papers by research and international institutions. We focus on comparing input and outcome health data, PHC structure, and health expenditure. RESULTS: Overall health status of the population in Korea is better than in Uzbekistan; both countries achieved more than 95% immunization coverage. The reforms implemented in both countries provide initial health care service delivery. However, there are several challenges such as the distribution of the staff between urban and rural areas and interest of the graduates on specialization rather than working in PHC system. CONCLUSION: PHC plays an important role in the provision of medical services to the population, addressing both health and social problems; it is the best tool for achieving universal coverage for basic health needs of the population. The community health practitioners in Korea and nurses in Uzbekistan plays main role in universal coverage through providing essential health care services. Continuous reform of the PHC system should be directed to strengthen the capacity of the PHC staff in health promotion knowledge and activities as well as to encourage population to improve their own health.

Relationship between Health Risk Behaviors and Toothbrushing among School-Going Adolescents in Poor Urban Areas of Peru / 치위생과학회지

The aim of this study was to explore the association between daily toothbrushing frequency and health risk behaviors of school-going adolescents in poor urban areas of Peru. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 959 school-going adolescents 11∼19 years of age in poor urban areas of Peru in 2014. Health risk behaviors we assessed in the study were smoking; drinking; consuming sugar-sweetened soft drinks (more than one cup); leisure time activities including watching television, playing games, and using the Internet; and never or rarely handwashing with soap. Daily toothbrushing frequency was divided into two groups (once and twice daily). For statistical analyses, the chi-square test and hierarchical logistic regression were used at 5% level of significance. Of the total respondents, 63 (14.3%) were boys and 53 (10.3%) were girls and 116 (12.1%) engaged in toothbrushing (≤once a day). According to the adjusted logistic regression analysis for socio-demographic characteristics, two behaviors (leisure time use activities, including watching television, playing games, and using the Internet (odds ratio [OR], 2.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20∼4.35), and never or rarely hand washing with soap (OR, 4.09; CI, 2.48∼6.75) were statistically associated with toothbrushing frequency (≤once a day). We found two health risk behaviors (leisure time activities, including watching television, playing games, and using the Internet, and never or rarely handwashing with soap) associated with toothbrushing frequency among adolescents in the study area. Thus, oral health promotion programs should consider these health risk behaviors associated with toothbrushing frequency.