Il Sun Ko

Effects of a three-month therapeutic lifestyle modification program to improve bone health in postmenopausal Korean women in a rural community: a randomized controlled trial.

In this randomized controlled trial, we examined the effects of a 3-month therapeutic lifestyle modification (TLM) intervention on knowledge, self-efficacy, and health behaviors related to bone health in postmenopausal women in rural Korea. Forty-one women ages 45 or older were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n = 21) or control (n = 20) group. The intervention group completed a 12-week, 24-session TLM program of individualized health monitoring, group health education, exercise, and calcium-vitamin D supplementation. Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed significant increases in knowledge and self-efficacy and improvement in diet and exercise after 12 weeks, providing evidence that a comprehensive TLM program can be effective in improving health behaviors to maintain bone health in women at high risk of osteoporosis.

Factors related to incidence of eye disorders in Korean patients at intensive care units.

AIMS The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence rate of eye disorders and further to identify factors related to incidence of eye disorders in intensive care unit patients. BACKGROUND Although the incidence of eye disorders in intensive care unit patients is very high, it is difficult to come to an accurate estimate of number of eye disorders in intensive care unit patients because eye disorders are often perceived to be minor problems. DESIGN A retrospective, descriptive survey design was used. METHOD The medical records of a total 235 patients with eye disorders were identified through a review of the medical records of 2,500 patients hospitalised in the intensive care units of Yonsei University Hospital, Seoul, Korea from January to December, 2004. To examine factors related to eye disorders, 522 patients without eye disorders from the cohort of 2,265 patients were randomly selected. Factors related to incidence of eye disorder were included in a multiple logistic regression model, after screening by the chi-squared test. RESULTS The incidence rate for eye disorders in the intensive care unit patients was 8.6%. From the multiple regression model, the following odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of eye disorder were estimated; length of stay in intensive care unit of at least seven days: 2.8 (1.70-4.70); death: 2.5 (1.47-4.29); drowsy mental state: 2.2 (1.10-4.37); stupor mental state: 7.0 (3.20-15.45); coma mental state: 10.8 (3.47-33.74); no self-respiration: 1.9 (1.00-3.52); positive end expiratory pressure: 2.9 (1.66-4.92); sedatives: 4.2 (2.26-7.74); muscle relaxants: 2.3 (1.11-4.95). CONCLUSIONS Factors related to incidence of eye disorders in intensive care unit patients identified in this study support the need to pay attention to eye problems and eye care in intensive care unit patients. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE An evidence-based eye care protocol should be provided as routine care to prevent eye complication, especially in critically ill patients with mechanical ventilators, positive end expiratory pressure, sedatives or muscle relaxants and for patients whose mental status is decreased.

Factors affecting quality of life in Korean patients with chronic heart failure

AIM Poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) may be one of the most common predictors of mortality and rehospitalization. This study was conducted to identify factors affecting HRQOL in Korean patients with CHF using two HRQOL measurements. METHODS The study included a sample of 114 patients. HRQOL was measured by the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) and the World Health Organizations Quality of Life Instrument - Short Version (WHOQOL-BREF). Multiple regression analyses were performed to analyze the relationship between the factors and HRQOL. RESULTS Significant correlations were found between MLHFQ and WHOQOL-BREF in total and component scores, with the two exceptions of WHOQOL-BREF psychological and MLHFQ physical or total. The perceived economic status, functional status, and sex were factors identified as having an effect on HRQOL. CONCLUSION The MLHFQ was better able to differentiate sex, comorbidity, and functional status. Further studies are needed to implement cost-effective nursing interventions for patients with CHF to improve their HRQOL.

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.

Effects of community-based case management by visiting nurses for low-income patients with hypertension in South Korea.

AIM To assess the effects of a visiting nurse-driven community-based case management program for low-income adults with hypertension. METHODS This single group pretest-post-test study included 22 newly registered low-income adult patients with hypertension in a public health center in Seoul. Visiting nurses delivered a case management program for 2-8 months. Pretest and post-test measurements of blood pressure (BP), knowledge level, and self-management level in terms of diet, lifestyle, physical activity, and medication were obtained. RESULTS The visiting nurse-driven case management was effective in reducing the BP level and improving the knowledge and self-management level of the low-income adults with hypertension in the community. CONCLUSION This study serves as a baseline for visiting nurse-driven case management for low-income patients with hypertension. Its findings suggest that visiting nurse-driven case management targeting the self management of BP can foster improved BP control for newly diagnosed hypertensive patients in low-income populations.

Development of a community health promotion center based on the World Health Organization's Ottawa Charter health promotion strategies

AIM To describe the development process of nursing school-led community health promotion centers (CHPC) to improve the health of the surrounding communities. METHODS This study design was a research and development study. (i) Assessment of health needs by interviewing 359 people in the community to select health programs for the community health promotion center. (ii) Five health promotion strategies from the Ottawa Charter were applied to develop the community health promotion center for a city community. RESULTS (i) The people in the community had higher socioeconomic status levels and better health behaviors compared to the general Korean population, and they also listed chronic health problem management as their first priority health service. (ii) Development of the community health promotion center was done based on the five World Health Organizations Ottawa Charter Health Promotion Strategies: build healthy public policy, create supportive environments, strengthen community actions, develop personal skills, and reorient health services. CONCLUSIONS The present study showed that the WHOs five Ottawa Charter Health Promotion Strategies were useful for developing health promotion centers in the community.

Corrigendum: Evolutionary Concept Analysis of Spirituality

This corrects the article on p. 242 in vol. 47, PMID: 28470161.

Effects of a Three-Month Therapeutic Lifestyle Modification Program to Improve Bone Health in Postmenopausal Korean Women in a Rural Community

In this randomized controlled trial, we examined the effects of a 3-month therapeutic lifestyle modification (TLM) intervention on knowledge, self-efficacy, and health behaviors related to bone health in postmenopausal women in rural Korea. Forty-one women ages 45 or older were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n = 21) or control (n = 20) group. The intervention group completed a 12-week, 24-session TLM program of individualized health monitoring, group health education, exercise, and calcium-vitamin D supplementation. Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed significant increases in knowledge and self-efficacy and improvement in diet and exercise after 12 weeks, providing evidence that a comprehensive TLM program can be effective in improving health behaviors to maintain bone health in women at high risk of osteoporosis.

Effects of a Three-Month Therapeutic Lifestyle Modification Program to Improve Bone Health in Postmenopausal Korean Women in a Rural Community: A Randomized Controlled Trial: EFFECTS OF LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION ON BONE HEALTH

In this randomized controlled trial, we examined the effects of a 3-month therapeutic lifestyle modification (TLM) intervention on knowledge, self-efficacy, and health behaviors related to bone health in postmenopausal women in rural Korea. Forty-one women ages 45 or older were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n = 21) or control (n = 20) group. The intervention group completed a 12-week, 24-session TLM program of individualized health monitoring, group health education, exercise, and calcium-vitamin D supplementation. Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed significant increases in knowledge and self-efficacy and improvement in diet and exercise after 12 weeks, providing evidence that a comprehensive TLM program can be effective in improving health behaviors to maintain bone health in women at high risk of osteoporosis.