Chunmi Kim

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Clonorchiasis among the Populations Served by Primary Healthcare Posts along Five Major Rivers in South Korea

Objectives: Clonorchiasis is an infectious disease caused by the Chinese liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and risk factors of clonorchiasis among the populations served by primary healthcare posts along five major rivers in South Korea. Methods: Forty primary healthcare posts that are located less than 5 km from one of the five rivers were selected from 26 counties. For the purpose of the survey, community health practitioners selected the nearest villages from the riversides in their own catchment area. From January to May 2009, a total of 2788 stool samples were collected and examined using the formalin–ether sedimentation technique. Village inhabitants were also interviewed by means of questionnaires in order to obtain information on potential risk factors. Results: The prevalence rates of clonorchiasis at various river basins were as follows: Seomjin River, 21.3%; Nakdong River, 13.5%; Geum River, 9.2%; Han River, 7.6%; and Yeongsan River, 4.9%. The total number of people infected with C. sinensis was 329 (11.3%). By gender, 14.3% of males and 7.6% of females were infected. In case of both males and females, the prevalence rate was highest in those in their 40s. Consumption of raw freshwater fish was confirmed as a risk factor based on a logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that clonorchiasis is still highly prevalent among the inhabitants of riverside areas in southern Korea, and, accordingly, it is necessary to implement a systematic control program in the endemic areas.

An Evaluation of the Fundamental Nursing Practice in Clinical Settings by Triangulation Method

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify effectiveness of fundamental nursing practices in clinical settings. Method: This study adopted the triangulation method. Using one group pre-post test design, this study identified differences in self efficacy between pre and post clinical practice. The study was also designed to describe the nursing student`s experience of clinical practice by using content analysis Results: 1) All students experienced bedmaking, BST check, V/C check, positioning, transferring, assisting with moving and positioning, and ROM. Sixty percent of students experienced giving oral care, and forty percent experienced shampooing patient`s hair. 2) While the mean score of self efficacy was 3.88 in the pre-test, it decreased to 3.76 in the post-test. They were statistically different from each other. 3) Seven categories were elicited from the result of content analysis on the nursing student`s experience, which were `ignorant stranger`, `facing the gap between theory and practice`, `resolving the uncertainty of clinical setting`, `getting used to fundamental nursing practice`, `motivated by a desire to study and self-development`, `understanding the nursing profession`s job`, and `being helpful for the future career`. Conclusion: Fundamental nursing practice in clinical settings is a useful strategy that improves fundamental nursing skills and motivates student`s self-development.

Structural Equation Modeling to Assess Discrimination, Stress, Social Support, and Depression among the Elderly Women in South Korea

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to find the relationship and conceptual model of discrimination, stress, support, and depression among the elderly in South Korea. METHODS This was a cross-sectional descriptive study involving 207 community-dwelling elders. Data were collected through questionnaires from May 5 to May 31, 2014 in community senior centers, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t test, analysis of variance, Scheffé test, and structural equation modeling. RESULTS There were significant effects of discrimination on stress, support on stress and stress on depression. Moreover, there were two significant indirect effects observed between discrimination and depression, and between support and depression. For each indirect effect, the mediating factor was stress. Additionally, there was no direct effect between discrimination and depression or support. CONCLUSIONS This study found that social support and discrimination had indirect effects on depression through stress. More specifically, decreased stress led to a reduction of depression. Therefore, social support based on a thorough understanding of stress is very important for caring elderly who are depressive.

Effects of autogenic training on stress response and heart rate variability in nursing students.

PURPOSE This study was undertaken to confirm the effects of autogenic training (AT) on stress response and heart rate variability in nursing school students experiencing stress related to clinical training. METHODS The study was carried out from September 2012 to April 2013 in a quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group using a pretest-posttest design. The participants were 40 nursing students in their third year at either of two nursing colleges. All consented to participate. Nineteen nursing students at one college were assigned to the experimental group and underwent the 8-week AT program, and the other 21 were assigned to the control group and did not undergo any training. Stress response was assessed by questionnaire and HRV was measured three times, that is, before the program, at the end of the program, and 6 months after the end of the AT program. RESULTS A significant time/group interaction was found for stress response (F = 4.68, p = .012), a subjective indicator. However, no significant interaction was found for the objective indicators of heart rate variability, normalized low frequency (F = 2.59, p = .090), normalized high frequency (F = 2.59, p = .090), or low frequency to high frequency ratio (F = 1.38, p = .257). CONCLUSION The results suggest that AT provides an acceptable approach to stress reduction in nursing students.