Haeryun Park

Tobacco use and acculturation among Californians of Korean descent: A behavioral epidemiological analysis

This study presents population estimates of cigarette use among adults of Korean descent residing in California. Data were drawn from telephone interviews with adults (N=2,830) developed from a random sampling of listed persons in California with Korean surnames. A total of 86% of attempted interviews were completed, and 85% of the interviews were conducted in Korean. Less acculturated men and more acculturated women reported higher present and predicted future rates of smoking after multivariate statistical controls were applied. Sharply divergent rates of cigarette use were found between the genders. Although men did not smoke their first cigarette or smoke cigarettes regularly earlier than women, both groups began smoking later than adults born in the United States. To be effective, tobacco intervention efforts must be tailored specifically to cultures of each minority. Results suggest that acculturation processes influence tobacco use differentially by gender, and future research is needed to identify the implications of processes in tobacco initiation and cessation.

Smoking cessation patterns and predictors among adult Californians of Korean descent.

This paper describes smoking cessation among adult California residents of Korean descent, based on a telephone survey (N = 2,830). The overall quit rate (number of former smokers divided by number of ever-smokers) was 55.0% (55.8% among males and 49.6% among females). Acculturation was negatively associated with 90-day abstinence after controlling for demographic, social support, health belief, environmental, lifestyle, and respiratory illness history variables (OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.38-0.91). Those with lower acculturation, higher body mass index, a social network discouraging smoking, home smoking restriction, correct beliefs about smoking harm, and significant concern about ones health were most likely to quit smoking for 90 days or longer. Results suggest that social and situational conditions should be included in the design of smoking cessation interventions among Koreans.

Smoking on Both Sides of the Pacific: Home Smoking Restrictions and Secondhand Smoke Exposure Among Korean Adults and Children in Seoul and California

INTRODUCTION This study, informed by ecological frameworks, compared the prevalence, predictors, and association of home smoking restrictions with secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe) between Koreans in Seoul, South Korea, and Korean Americans in California, United States. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was drawn from telephone interviews with Korean adults in Seoul (N = 500) and California (N = 2,830) during 2001-02. Multivariable regressions were used for analyses. RESULTS Koreans, compared with Korean Americans, had significantly fewer complete home smoking bans, 19% (95% CI: 16-23) versus 66% (95% CI: 64-68), and were more likely to not have a home smoking restriction, 64% (95% CI: 60-69) versus 5% (95% CI: 4-6). Home smoking restrictions were associated with lower home SHSe; however, the impact was consistently larger among Korean Americans. Households with more SHSe sources were less likely to have the strongest home smoking restrictions, where the difference in complete bans among Korean Americans versus Koreans was largely among those at low risk of SHSe, 82% (95% CI: 76-86) versus 36% (95% CI: 17-57), while high-risk Korean American and Koreans had similar low probabilities, 10% (95% CI: 7-13) versus 7% (95% CI: 3-13). CONCLUSIONS Consistent with ecological frameworks, exposure to Californias antismoking policy and culture was associated with stronger home smoking restrictions and improved effectiveness. Interventions tailored to Korean and Korean American SHSe profiles are needed. Behavioral interventions specifically for high-risk Korean Americans and stronger policy controls for Koreans may be effective at rapidly expanding home smoking restrictions.

Home smoking policy and environmental tobacco smoke exposure among Koreans in Seoul

The adverse effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) have been documented extensively.1 Homes are a major source of ETS exposure, particularly those with smokers. Exposure can be reduced by banning smoking inside homes.2–4 Despite having one of the highest smoking rates among men worldwide,5 little is known about home smoking policies in the Republic of Korea. This study examined the prevalence of home smoking bans in Seoul and their association with ETS exposure at home. In 2002, telephone interviews were completed with 500 Seoul residents aged 18 years or older, using random digit dialling and stratification by gender. A total of 50% of eligible respondents were interviewed. Respondents indicated whether no one is allowed to smoke in your home; only special guests are allowed to smoke; people are allowed to smoke only in certain areas; or people allowed to smoke anywhere. Respondents were classified as smokers if they had smoked 100 or more cigarettes and …

Nutrient intakes of infants with atopic dermatitis and relationship with feeding type

[This corrects the article on p. 57 in vol. 9, PMID: 25671069.].

Socio-demographic factors and diet-related characteristics of community-dwelling elderly individuals with dysphagia risk in South Korea.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to determine dysphagia risk among community-dwelling elderly people living at home. We also examined the impact of socio-demographic variables on dysphagia risk as well as the relationship between dysphagia risk and dietary characteristics. SUBJECTS/METHODS The study sample included 568 community-dwelling individuals, aged 65 years and above, who were living independently in their own home in Seoul, Gyeonggi, or Gwangju in South Korea. We used a dysphagia risk assessment scale to screen for dysphagia risk and the Mini nutritional assessment to evaluate the nutritional status. Associations between dysphagia risk and other variables were assessed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Of the 568 subjects, 350 (61.6%) were classified into the dysphagia risk group (DR) and 218 (38.4%) were classified into the normal group (non-DR). Being female (odds ratio (OR) = 1.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.28–2.59), being 75 years and older (OR = 2.40, 95% CI = 1.69–3.42), having a lower education level (OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.33–3.97), and having a lower perceived economic status (OR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.32–3.60) were more frequently observed with dysphagia risk compared to those who did not have such characteristics. Lowered mastication ability (OR = 14.40, 95% CI = 4.43–46.95), being at risk of malnutrition or malnourished (OR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.75–4.23), lowered appetite (OR = 3.27, 95% CI = 2.16–4.93), and decreased food intake (OR = 2.95, 95% CI = 1.83–4.78) were observed more frequently in the DR group than in the non-DR group when adjusting for potential confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS It is necessary to develop and apply integrated programs to improve the dietary habits and nutritional status of elderly individuals at risk for dysphagia, especially for women aged 75 years or older with lower educational and economic levels.

Comparison of the Attitude Toward Healthy Eating Between Commuty Nutrition Services Users and Non-Users

Abstract After the amendment of the National Health Promotion Act in 1995, the awareness of community nutrition services has consistently been expanded in Korea. Among 230 health centers, 20 pilot health centers offered nutrition intervention programs mainly focused on nutrition education activites related to maternal and child health and chronic diseases. For advocating the nutrition services for the community through health centers we carried out an effect evaluation study for the 400 subjects of the pilot health centers. In each of the 20 pilot health centers, 10 nutrition service users and 10 nutrition program non-users were surveyed on first-come-first-basis. More than 95% of the subjects whether or not they had experienced the nutrition services answered that nutrition services through health centers are necessary. There were statistically significant differences in attitudes and behavior modification intentions between the two groups of the subjects. The higher the trust for the dietician, the more positive their attitude toward healthy eating was. These results show the promising future of the public health nutrition services in Korea and the importance of the dietitians role.