Current Status of Outsourced Food Service Operations According to the Type of Long-Term Care Institution and Plans for Improvement

This study aimed to explore the status of food service outsourcing behavior of long-term care institutions (LTCIs) through a cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire administered between July 16th and August 7th, 2020. The survey respondents were either dietitians or facility managers, who worked at 731 nursing homes, 477 group homes, and 673 day-care centers. Approximately 25.9% of nursing homes, 11.7% of group homes, and 33.1% of day-care centers used a managed-services company to operate their food service units.The main reason for outsourcing food service by nursing homes was related to the staffing of dietitians and cooks, whereas group homes and day-care centers outsourced food services due to factors relating to meal costs and the cooking process. Almost all the LTCIs entered into private contracts for outsourced food services. Only a few food service contracts included the types of meals, nutrition standards such as protein and calories per meal, and the parameter or ratio of food cost. Of the respondents, 84.5% from nursing homes, 87.5% from group homes, and 87.1% from day-care centers agreed that the quality of outsourced food services of the LTCIs should be regulated. Meals are essential for maintaining the health and functional status of LTCI users. As more LTCIs outsource their food services, we suggest the following: (1) Increasing the minimum dietitian staffing standards for LTCIs as per the Welfare of Senior Citizens Act and requiring at least one dietitian for every nursing home, (2) Making it mandatory to use a standard food service contract template when drafting food service contract, and (3) Developing realistic standards for food service operations considering the size and operation type of the LTCIs.

Factors associated with Behaviors that Reduce Exposure to Environmental Hormones among Nursing Students / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE@#This study aimed to examine the factors associated with behavior that reduces exposure to environmental hormones among nursing students.@*METHODS@#Data were collected from 160 nursing students in D and B cities, using self-report questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0, and the analyses included descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient test, and stepwise multiple regression.@*RESULTS@#Behavior that reduces exposure to environmental hormones differed significantly in terms of the participants' knowledge about environmental hormones. Behavior that reduces exposure to environmental hormones was negatively correlated with knowledge of environmental hormones, attitude towards pro-environmental behavior, and environmental self-efficacy; these factors were significant predictors of behavior that reduces exposure to environmental hormones, and accounted for 27.0% of the variance.@*CONCLUSION@#Environmental self-efficacy was identified as the most significant factor affecting behavior that reduces exposure to environmental hormones in nursing students. Therefore, it is necessary to develop programs to improve pro-environmental behavior and environmental self-efficacy in nursing students.

Factors associated with Behaviors that Reduce Exposure to Environmental Hormones among Nursing Students / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the factors associated with behavior that reduces exposure to environmental hormones among nursing students.METHODS: Data were collected from 160 nursing students in D and B cities, using self-report questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0, and the analyses included descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient test, and stepwise multiple regression.RESULTS: Behavior that reduces exposure to environmental hormones differed significantly in terms of the participants' knowledge about environmental hormones. Behavior that reduces exposure to environmental hormones was negatively correlated with knowledge of environmental hormones, attitude towards pro-environmental behavior, and environmental self-efficacy; these factors were significant predictors of behavior that reduces exposure to environmental hormones, and accounted for 27.0% of the variance.CONCLUSION: Environmental self-efficacy was identified as the most significant factor affecting behavior that reduces exposure to environmental hormones in nursing students. Therefore, it is necessary to develop programs to improve pro-environmental behavior and environmental self-efficacy in nursing students.

Effectiveness of Participatory Action-Oriented Training (PAOT) Methods for the Management Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Manufacture Workers for Three-years / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of Participatory Action-Oriented Training (PAOT) programs in korean manufacture workers with metabolic syndrome for three years. METHODS: A total of 890 workers with risks of metabolic syndrome were recruited from one workplace. The experimental group (n=51) received PAOT program for the preventive management on metabolic syndrome, while the control group (n=51) received conventional program. RESULTS: In the experimental group who participated in PAOT program, percentage of achieved action plans was 73.4% at three months, 75.8% at six months, 82.8% at three years. After three years, the rate of risk factor in the experimental group has significantly decreased from 1.94±1.77 to 0.76±1.25 for moderate exercise, and from 1.72±2.01 to 1.04±1.59 for the strenuous exercise. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure has significantly decreased from 125.06±11.83 to 117.65±19.94, from 83.45±13.38 to 76.39±8.09 mmHg. In addition, risk factor score also decreased from 3.31±0.61 to 1.41±0.89. CONCLUSION: To improve the effectiveness of PAOT program for the management of risk factors of metabolic syndrome, there is a need to continue implement programs and analyze the long-term effects are required in the workplace.