Characterization of Brighton Collaboration criteria for myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccine in Korean adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Vaccines are vital for public health, but concerns about adverse effects, particularly myocarditis and pericarditis linked to COVID-19 vaccines-, persist. This study investigates the application of Brighton Collaboration case definition to national vaccine safety data related to post-COVID-19 vaccine myo/pericarditis, utilizing claims under the Korea National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NIVCP). METHODS: This study analyzed 190 medical records of individuals who claimed to have developed myo/pericarditis after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, as reported to the NVICP between specified dates, categorizing cases based on the Brighton criteria for myocarditis or pericarditis. RESULTS: Between 2021-2022, NVICP received 190 cases meeting the Brighton criteria for myocarditis or pericarditis at levels 1, 2, or 3. Most cases fell into Level 2 (70%), followed by Level 1 (29%), and one at Level 3 (1%), with Level 1 cases showing a higher hospitalization rate (87.3%) and a notable proportion requiring admission to the Intensive Care Unit (25.5%). Chest pain and Troponin-I/T elevation were common findings in Level 1 cases, while Level 2 cases exhibited similar patterns but at a slightly lower frequency. Electrocardiogram and echocardiography findings differed between the two levels. CONCLUSION: The Brighton Collaboration case definition proved valuable for classifying and assessing AEFI data, enhancing our understanding of the potential relationship between myocarditis and the COVID-19 vaccine.

School Nurses' Experiences and Needs in COVID-19 Pandemic Response: A Qualitative Study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic drastically shifted the public health burden onto the school health system. We, therefore, explored the school nurses' experiences and needs for confronting the pandemic in school settings across Korea. This qualitative investigation enrolled 30 participants after their written consent. A written interview conducted through email and focus group interviews using an online meeting application verified participants' opinions and experiences. Collected data were subjected to text-mining and content analysis. The school nurse was found to be responsible for many tasks, including education on preventive measures with unclear quarantine guidelines. Content analysis identified three key themes: "aggravated difficulties owing to lack of support resulted in burnout," "reflection on supportive resources; direct provisions were helpful," and "needs and suggestions to safeguard students' health in the event of another pandemic." Recommendations should all be considered to keep schools and students safe from future pandemics.

Effects of Melatonin Supplementation on Sleep Quality in Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Evidence on the effectiveness of melatonin in breast cancer patients suffering from sleep disturbances is contradictory, and there have been no meta-analyses on its use in humans with breast cancer. This study investigated the melatonin supplementation effectiveness in alleviating sleep disturbances in breast cancer patients. We searched Embase, PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Clinical trial.org databases for relevant reports by following PRISMA guidelines and collected clinical experimental studies of melatonin supplementation in breast cancer patients. Breast cancer for the population, melatonin supplementation for intervention, including sleep indicator, cancer treatment-related symptoms for outcomes, and clinical trial for humans were the searched keywords. Among the 1917 identified records, duplicates and irrelevant articles were excluded. Among the 48 full-text articles assessed, 10 studies met the criteria for inclusion in a systematic review, and five studies had sleep-related indicators and were included in the meta-analysis after quality assessment. The estimated average effect size (Hedges' g) was -0.79 (p < 0.001) in a random-effects model, thus indicating that melatonin supplementation had a moderate effect in ameliorating sleep quality in breast cancer patients. Pooled data from studies on melatonin supplementation indicate that melatonin administration may alleviate sleep problems related to treatments in breast cancer patients.

Effect of Anxiety and Calling on Professional Quality of Life in COVID-19 Dedicated Nurses in Korea.

This study was conducted to investigate the anxiety, calling, and professional quality of life (ProQOL) of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-dedicated nurses at COVID-19 hospitals and to identify the factors influencing the ProQOL in COVID-19-dedicated nurses. For this descriptive correlational study, data were collected from June to September, 2021, using structural questionnaires completed by 149 nurses working at four general hospitals with inpatient treatment facilities for patients with COVID-19 in Korea. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Multidimensional Calling Measure, and ProQOL 5 were employed for the survey. The data were examined using descriptive analysis, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. The factors influencing compassion satisfaction were state anxiety, trait anxiety, and calling, with an explanatory power of 64%. The factors influencing burnout were trait anxiety and calling, and the explanatory power was 52%. The factors influencing secondary traumatic stress were state anxiety and trait anxiety, and the explanatory power was 23%. Based on the results, lower anxiety and calling influence the ProQOL of COVID-19-dedicated nurses. We propose that programs to raise and maintain ProQOL should be developed and applied.

Health service challenges at senior centres in an urban South Korean community: A mixed-method approach focusing on nurses' roles.

AIMS: We aim to identify challenges and recommendations for senior centre health services focusing on nurses' roles in an urban South Korean community. BACKGROUND: Senior centres can potentially provide easily accessible and cost-effective health services to older adults. It is essential to identify current challenges to improve health services. METHOD: This study used an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. Quantitative descriptive data were obtained from a survey of all nurses at senior centres in Seoul (n = 30). For the qualitative data, focus group interviews were conducted with various senior centre stakeholders (n = 15). RESULTS: Two main themes, discrepancy between services and needs and reform senior centres, were identified with six subthemes. CONCLUSIONS: Challenges identified included insufficient availability to meet health service needs, overlapping health services, and no legal clarification of nurses' roles. Recommendations to improve the senior centre health services include to focus on the centres' main goals, function as health and welfare hubs, establish legal guidelines, and provide adequate nurse staffing. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The senior centres need to hire more nurses and define nurses' occupational roles legally for the centres to serve as a hub connecting medical care and welfare.

[The Effects of Programs on Body-Image Improvement in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis].

PURPOSE: This study's objective was to investigate the effects of programs that improve adolescents' body image, using a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A literature search was performed in eleven electronic databases, using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines. Population characteristics, contents of the programs, and measured outcomes were systematically reviewed from 21 selected studies. To estimate the size of the effects, meta-analysis was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. RESULTS: The contents of the programs that aimed to improve body image included physical, psychological, interpersonal, and sociocultural interventions. Sixteen studies were meta-analyzed to estimate the effect size of body-image improvement programs. Results showed that the program for body-image improvement had significant effects on body satisfaction (effect size [ES] = 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.23 to 0.89), and body dissatisfaction (ES = - 0.15, 95% CI = - 0.23 to - 0.08). CONCLUSION: The program for body image improvement in adolescents includes a combination of physical, psychological, interpersonal relationship, and socio-cultural dimensions. The program that seeks to improve body image appears to be effective at increasing body satisfaction, and at reducing body dissatisfaction in adolescents. Thus, it is necessary to develop and apply multidimensional programs for adolescents to have a positive body image.

Effects of oral health programmes on xerostomia in community-dwelling elderly: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: While common in the elderly, dry mouth can negatively affect their oral health and nutritional status. Self-administered oral care by the elderly can improve their oral health and prevent oral diseases. This study aimed to identify the content of oral health promotion programmes for community-dwelling elderly and to determine which programmes are effective in improving oral health decreasing xerostomia in these populations. METHODS: A systematic literature search and meta-analysis was conducted using the PRISMA guidelines. All available papers published in English or Korean were searched between 1 June and 13 June 2018. The relevant databases in PubMed Central, MEDLINE, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library and Embase, as well as open dissertation and academic searches, were performed. Data were extracted from the selected studies based on PICOS, and the health outcomes of the elderly were subjected to meta-analysis categorized by salivary secretion rates and oral health-related quality of life (OHQoL). RESULTS: A total of nine studies had sufficient data for a systematic review and meta-analysis. The intervention programmes consisted mainly of oral health promotion programmes, mouth exercises, toothbrushing and salivary massage. The meta-analysis indicated that elderly participating in oral health programmes had significantly increased oral salivary secretion rates and OHQoL (effect sizes of 0.63 and 0.80, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Oral health promotion programmes in the elderly provide the positive effects of relieving dry mouth and improving OHQoL. This systematic review confirmed the contents and effects of the oral health promotion programmes provided to community-dwelling elderly.

Smartphone-Based Health Program for Improving Physical Activity and Tackling Obesity for Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The need for physical activity for health promotion is recognized, yet young adults still perform insufficient physical activity. Smartphone health programs can be applied easily without time and space constraints, and various mobile health programs based on smartphone applications have recently been developed and applied. This study aimed to measure the effects of mobile smartphone-based health programs on physical activity and obesity outcomes in young adults through a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched publications in English through electronic databases up to May 2019. Studies were included that provided interventions to improve physical activity using smartphone applications for young adults. After assessing study quality, data were extracted and synthesized concerning whether smartphone interventions affect health outcomes including physical activity and weight using Meta-Analysis software. Four randomized controlled studies and a quasi-experimental study were analyzed. They provided information related to health management, diet, physical activity, and personalized feedback using smartphone applications. The meta-analysis showed that smartphone-based health interventions significantly affect weight loss and increase physical activity. This study provides modest evidence for using smartphone health programs to improve young adults' physical activity, weight control, and body mass index (BMI). Future research is needed to understand long-term effects and the reliability of increasing physical activity through smartphone health programs.

Evaluation of the Korean version of the self-assessment of nursing informatics competencies scale.

BACKGROUND: In order to assess nursing students' informatics competency, we need a comprehensive Korean version scale that reflects the important advances in nursing informatics and can make up for the lack of an existing measure. This study aimed to cross-culturally adapt the Self-Assessment of Nursing Informatics Competencies Scale (SANICS) into Korean (K-SANICS) and verify its validity and reliability with nursing students. METHODS: The design of this study was a methodological approach to translate and evaluate the Korean version tool (K-SANICS). A total of 254 nursing students at four universities in Korea completed a structured questionnaire including background characteristics and the K-SANICS. Reliability and validity of the 30-item K-SANICS were evaluated using Cronbach's α, content validity, factor analysis, and contrasted groups approach. RESULTS: Cronbach's α was .95. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to verify the scale's construct validity, identifying 30 items across six categories: advanced skills for clinical informatics, basic application skills, basic computer skills, roles in nursing informatics, skills for clinical applications, and attitude toward computers in nursing. CONCLUSION: The K-SANICS may be used as a reliable assessment tool of nursing students' nursing informatics competencies. It is expected that the K-SANICS will contribute to establishing, operating, and evaluating nursing informatics curricula and also can be used in a clinical setting.

Seniors centre-based health intervention programmes in the United States and South Korea: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Despite the great need for health interventions among seniors centre participants, this matter has received little attention. AIM AND DESIGN: This systematic review aimed to identify what types of health interventions are effective and feasible for seniors centre participants. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Ovid, CINAHL, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and RISS were searched. REVIEW METHODS: We searched for health intervention studies conducted in seniors centres published in English and Korean between 1990 and 2014. Of 907 screened articles, 22 studies of all types of experimental designs were selected. RESULTS: Selected studies were grouped by intervention domain: health promotion (n = 8), safety (n = 5), chronic disease management (n = 6), and comprehensive wellness (n = 3). Overall, 59.1% of the interventions were provided by nurses. The health interventions resulted in positive effects on seniors centre participants' knowledge, health behaviours, clinical indices, and hospitalization rates. Few studies reported on feasibility outcomes such as satisfaction and cost-effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the impact and ease of access to older people at seniors centres, health interventions and services within seniors centres should be strengthened. There is potential for nursing to spearhead seniors centre health intervention programmes to enhance active ageing for participants.

Development of a scale to measure diabetes self-management behaviors among older Koreans with type 2 diabetes, based on the seven domains identified by the American Association of Diabetes Educators.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to develop the Diabetes Self-Management Behavior for Older Koreans (DSMB-O). This scale is based on the seven relevant domains that have been identified by the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) and is adjusted for sociocultural and age-related characteristics. METHODS: Four phases were used to develop of the DSMB-O as a criterion-referenced measure. In phases 1 and 2, the DSMB-O adopted the AADE's seven domains and established a self-report questionnaire using a small number of items that are applicable to older Koreans. In phase 3, the DSMB-O was formulated with 16 preliminary items, including seven subitems. By assessing the content validity, 14 items (including five subitems) were selected. The final phase involved evaluating the DSMB-O's psychometric properties, including test-retest reliability, content validity, and criterion-related validity, using data from 150 older Koreans with type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: The coefficients of agreement and Cohen's Kappa for the test-retest reliability test ranged from 0.32 to 1.0 and -0.07 to 1.0, respectively. For the content validity, the values of both the item- and scale-level content validity indices were 1.0. The scores from the DSMB-O were positively correlated with the scores from the Korean version of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Questionnaire. CONCLUSION: The DSMB-O is short and easy for older Koreans to use, as well as having acceptable levels of reliability and validity. Hence, the DSMB-O can be a useful tool to evaluate diabetes self-management behaviors in older Koreans with type 2 diabetes.

Intervention mapping protocol for developing a theory-based diabetes self-management education program.

Development of behavior theory-based health promotion programs is encouraged with the paradigm shift from contents to behavior outcomes. This article describes the development process of the diabetes self-management program for older Koreans (DSME-OK) using intervention mapping (IM) protocol. The IM protocol includes needs assessment, defining goals and objectives, identifying theory and determinants, developing a matrix to form change objectives, selecting strategies and methods, structuring the program, and planning for evaluation and pilot testing. The DSME-OK adopted seven behavior objectives developed by the American Association of Diabetes Educators as behavioral outcomes. The program applied an information-motivation-behavioral skills model, and interventions were targeted to 3 determinants to change health behaviors. Specific methods were selected to achieve each objective guided by IM protocol. As the final step, program evaluation was planned including a pilot test. The DSME-OK was structured as the 3 determinants of the IMB model were intervened to achieve behavior objectives in each session. The program has 12 weekly 90-min sessions tailored for older adults. Using the IM protocol in developing a theory-based self-management program was beneficial in terms of providing a systematic guide to developing theory-based and behavior outcome-focused health education programs.