Gwang Suk Kim

Posture management program based on theory of planned behavior for adolescents with mild idiopathic scoliosis.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a devised posture management program based on the Theory of Planned Behavior in adolescents with mild idiopathic scoliosis. METHODS A quasi-experimental study was conducted. It involved a nonequivalent comparison group design with pretest and posttest. Forty-four female adolescents with mild idiopathic scoliosis participated; data from 35 participants (20 for the test group, 15 for the control group) were used for the final analyses. The devised posture management program ran for 6 weeks. Posture management behavioral determinants (attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention) as cognitive outcomes and muscular strength and flexibility as physical outcomes were measured three times: at baseline, week 6 and week 8. Cobbs angle as another physical outcome was measured twice: at baseline and week 8. Descriptive analysis, repeated measures analysis of variance and t test were used for data analyses. RESULTS Attitude, perceived control, and behavioral intention were consistently enhanced by the posture management program. The intervention increased flexibility and muscular strength and decreased Cobbs angle, which reduced spinal curvature. Frequency of posture management exercise showed a gradual increase in the test group. CONCLUSION The results indicate that the posture management program is effective in maintaining posture management behavior in adolescents with mild idiopathic scoliosis for both cognitive and physical outcomes. The posture management program should be helpful in expanding the role of school nurses in improving the health status of adolescents with mild idiopathic scoliosis.

Comparison of the Hospice Systems in the United States, Japan and Taiwan

PURPOSE The aim of hospice care is to provide the best possible quality of life both for people approaching the end of life and for their families and carers. The Korean government has been implementing a pilot project for hospital hospice services and trying to develop the national hospice system. To assist in the development of the Korean hospice system, the Korean government supported the present study comparing the hospice systems of three countries, United States, Japan, and Taiwan, which currently have a developed hospice system. METHODS Data from three countries were collected in the following ways: reviewing hospice related literature, searching government documents on the Internet, collecting government hospice data, surveying six hospice institutions in each country, and conducting an international workshop. RESULTS The hospice system was evaluated by comparing hospice management systems and hospice cost systems. The comparison of the hospice management system included five items of hospice infra structures and four items of hospice services. The hospice cost system included four items: funding source, hospital hospice cost, day care hospice cost, and home hospice cost. CONCLUSIONS Based on the comparison of three countries, the most interesting thing was that home hospice care accounted for more than 90% of all hospice services in the United States and Taiwan. The results of this study will aid the countries that are in the process of developing a hospice system including Korea, which has been implementing a pilot project only for hospital hospice services.

Assessing Correlates of Physical Activity Levels in Female University Students

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to examine the level of physical activity and influencing factors in female college students. Method: Cross-sectional survey data including physical activity, exercise self-efficacy, social influences on physical activity, and perceived health status were collected from 213 subjects. Data from 204 subjects were analyzed. Results: The mean level of physical activity was 2,750.97 MET-min/week. Physical activity showed a positive association with exercise self-efficacy as well as social influences, and a negative association with age. Stepwise multiple regressions showed that physical activity among female college students was predicted by type of leisure activity, relative health status, social influences, and age. Conclusion: The findings suggest that a program for improvement of physical activity in female college students should include interesting and dynamic leisure activities and strategies for performing together with friends should be developed.

Correlates of depressive symptoms in married immigrant women in Korea.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the correlates of depressive symptoms among women who have immigrated to Korea for marriage. Design and Sample: Cross-sectional data reflecting Korean language fluency, acculturation, acculturative stress, general stress, and marital satisfaction were collected from 223 married immigrant women. Findings: There was a significant negative correlation between depressive symptoms and Korean language fluency as well as between depressive symptoms and Korean acculturation. Multiple linear regression revealed that depressive symptoms among married immigrant women were predicted by levels of acculturative stress, general stress, marital satisfaction, and type of household. The model including each of these variables accounted for 41.9% of the variance in depressive symptoms in these women. Conclusions: Prevention programs for the management of depression in immigrant women should include an evaluation of acculturative conflict and stress and should consider marital and family conditions.

Ecological Risk Factors of Childhood Obesity in Korean Elementary School Students

The purpose of this study was to examine ecological correlates of obesity among Korean children. Cross-sectional data, including measurements of height and weight, were collected by questionnaire from 1,644 children in the fifth and sixth grades. A multiple logistic regression model incorporating individual- and school-level variables determined factors of childhood obesity. Intrapersonal factors associated with obesity included gender, computer use, and dissatisfaction with body image; significant interpersonal factors included low level of the father’s education and encouragement to engage in physical activity. School-level factors that were significant predictors included location in Gyeonggi province, having two or more school exercise facilities, physical-education classes of 2 hr per week, higher fat content of school lunch, and higher number of classes in the school. The findings indicate that multifaceted, multilevel prevention strategies to manage and prevent childhood obesity should include behavioral modification, familial support, and improvement of school environments.

Geographical and Sociodemographic Risk Factors for Allergic Diseases in Korean Children

PURPOSE (a) To examine geographical distribution of childhood allergic diseases in Korea and (b) to identify geographical and sociodemographic risk factors for allergic diseases. METHODS Data on doctor-diagnosed asthma during lifetime and allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis during the past 12 months of 8,631 children (≤ 18 years) were obtained from the Third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, along with information on housing type and presence of an indoor smoker. The SaTScan program identified geographical case clusters of allergic diseases, and multiple logistic regression determined risk factors, including geographical case clusters, for each allergic disease. RESULTS Prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis was 3.2%, 13.2%, and 15.5%, respectively. Older children (10-18 years) were more likely to have allergic rhinitis whereas younger children were more likely to have atopic dermatitis. It is noteworthy that children living in areas of geographical risk for asthma and atopic dermatitis were more likely to develop the respective allergic disease than children living in other areas (odds ratio [OR] = 3.47 for asthma, and OR = 9.74 for atopic dermatitis). CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that the areas in which children live may influence the development of certain allergic diseases. Implications include the need to assess geographical location of children with allergic diseases and to develop community-based preventive programs for children with allergic diseases.