Mi-Ah Han

Association between levels of physical activity and poor self-rated health in Korean adults: The Third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 2005

OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between level of physical activity and poor self-rated health in Korean adults. STUDY DESIGN A cross-sectional study was conducted on 7,800 adults aged > or =19 years who completed the Health Interview and the Health Behavior Surveys, issued during the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005). METHODS The association between self-rated health and physical activity was tested using Chi-squared test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios of poor self-rated health for different levels of physical activity after adjusting for physical and chronic medical conditions. RESULTS The prevalence of poor self-rated health was significantly lower as the level of physical activity increased, and odds ratios for poor self-rated health were significantly lower for higher levels of physical activity after adjusting for age, marital status, educational status, smoking, alcohol consumption, and the number of physical impairments and chronic medical conditions. The association was similar in different age groups and among healthy respondents and respondents with physical impairments or chronic medical conditions. CONCLUSIONS Physical activity was positively associated with self-rated health in Koreans. The independent association between a lower level of physical activity and poor self-rated health supports public health programmes that encourage regular physical activity.

The Association Between the Socioeconomic Status and Thyroid Cancer Prevalence; Based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2011

The incidence of thyroid cancer has recently increased in most industrialized countries, including Korea. To date, few studies have examined the association between thyroid cancer and socioeconomic status (SES). The current study was based on data collected from a total of 12,276 subjects (5,277 men and 6,999 women) by the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) between 2010 and 2011. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that older age (odds ration [OR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.05), being female (OR, 8.16; 95%CI, 2.99-22.24), being overweight (OR, 1.04; 95%CI, 1.01-1.06), monthly household income (OR, 3.27; 95%CI, 1.16-9.20 for medium-highest household income vs lowest household income; OR, 3.30; 95%CI, 1.16-9.34 for highest household income vs lowest household income), educational level (OR, 2.74; 95%CI, 1.16-6.46 for 10-12 yr vs < 7 yr) and alcohol consumption (OR, 1.89; 95%CI 1.08-3.32) were significant risk factors for thyroid cancer. Our results indicate that the recent increase in thyroid cancer is attributable to better early detection rather than to any increase in actual prevalence.

Psychosocial Stress Levels and Related Factors in some Rural Residents

= ABSTRACT = Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the levels of psychosocial stress and to identify its related factors in some rural residents. Methods: The study subjects were 1,806 adults aged 40-70 years living in Naju City, Jeollanamdo. Sociodemographic characteristics, health-related behavior, social support and personality were collected for statistical analysis. The measurement instrument of psychosocial stress was psychosocial well-being index. The differences on the stress levels between groups were assessed with t-test, ANOVA and hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Results: The results showed that 16.6% of subjects were categorized as high stress, 63.4% as moderate, and 20.0% as normal. Overall, the mean value of PWI was 17.2±9.8 and significantly different by socioeconomic characteristics, health-related behavior, social support and personality. In the case of men, the PWI was significantly deteriorated in the cases of nondrinker or other subjects with no job, lower household income, decreased positive social support, increased negative social support, type A behavior pattern, decrease of internal locus of control or poorer self-esteem. In the case of women, the PWI was significantly deteriorated in the subjects with no job, no spouse, decreased positive social support, increased negative social support, type A behavior pattern, decrease of internal locus of control or poorer self-esteem. Conclusions: The psychosocial stress for rural residents was related with social support and personality. Thus, these results should be considered to reduce stress levels in rural adults.

The Association between Smoking, Alcohol Intake, and Low-Salt Diet: Results from the 2008 Community Health Survey

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to identify the association between health-related behaviors including smok-ing, alcohol intake, and the practice of a low-salt diet using data from a Community Health Survey conducted in 2008. The study subjects were 129,151 persons (19 years and older) without cardiovascular diseases or dia-betes mellitus diagnosis history. An index for evaluating low salinity was created by summing three low sal-inity-related questions (range: 0∼3), and a low-salt diet was defined if the index of low salinity was 3. We examined the levels of smoking and alcohol intake according to the index of low salinity, and conducted multiple logistic regression analysis to examine the odds ratios of low-salt diet practice in relation to smoking and drinking behavior, adjusting for general characteristics. The smoking and drinking status significantly im-proved as the level of low salinity index increase. Adjusting for general characteristics, those with smoking, alcohol intake, or a combined habit of the two behaviors had significantly lower odds ratios for practice of a low-salt diet. In conclusion, smoking and drinking behavior were negatively associated with the practice of a low-salt diet. Based on these findings, it may be necessary to have comprehensive nutritional education pro-grams that consider the multiple effects of smoking, drinking, and a low-salt diet.

Relationship between Low Back Pain and Health-Related Quality of Life among Some Elderly

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the relationship among health-related quality of life of the Cheon-nam region elderly with low back pain. Methods: Data were obtained from cross-sectional surveys conducted as a part of the Community Health Survey 2008. The final analysis included data from 7,003 of the 7,070 elderly participants (aged over 65 years), as 67 responses were excluded since they were inaccurate. Data were analyzed with SPSS for Windows (ver. 19.0), using a χ²-test, a t-test, an ANOVA, and multiple liner regression. The significance threshold was set as p<0.05. Results: Factors related to the health-related quality of life of the elderly were low back pain, age, education level, occupation, subjective health status, subjective stress, drinking status, number of chronic diseases, and sleep duration. Further, health-related quality of life was significantly lower in elderly adults with low back pain. Conclusions: In order to improve health-related quality of life of the elderly and the development of the program for the management of low back pain will be needed to determine, it is considered necessary to study more to follow through the various analysis of in the elderly and health-related quality of life.

Associated Factors of Impaired Fasting Glucose in Some Korean Rural Adults

OBJECTIVES This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and its related characteristics among healthy adults in some Korean rural areas. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study using the data from 1352 adults who were over the age 40 and under the age 70 and who were free of diabetes mellitus (DM), cardiovascular diseases and other diseases and who participated in a survey conducted as part of the Korean Rural Genomic Cohort Study. IFG was defined as a serum fasting glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dL. RESULTS The prevalence of IFG was 20.4% in men, 15.5% in women and 12.7% overall. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the independent risk factors for IFG were male gender, having a family history of DM, the quartiles of gamma glutamyltransferase and high sensitive C-reactive protein and the waist circumference. The homeostatis model assessment for insulin resistance was very strongly associated with IFG. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and MS components was higher in the subjects with IFG then in those with normal fasting glucose (NFG). CONCLUSIONS The result of study could supply evidence to find the high risk population and to determine a strategy for treating IFG. Further research is needed to explain the causal relationship and mechanisms of IFG.

Back strength and relevance of CPR chest compression

Purpose : The purpose of the study is to investigate the quality and relevance of back strength or chest compression which is applied by isotonic exercise of hip joint. Methods : Subjects were 37 students who participated in the BLS course and accepted the informed consent from December 7 to 8, 2012. During CPR performance, back strength was measured by the researcher. CPR was used the manikin for practical training with using PC, conducted by standard CPR for 2 minutes, Quality of chest compressions included average chest compression depth, rate, and recoil ratio. Results : Back strength (kg) is related to the chest compression depth (mm) (r

Higher breast cancer prevalence associated with higher socioeconomic status in the South Korean population; Has it resulted from overdiagnosis?

Recently, breast cancer prevalence has increased in South Korea. In this study, we investigated the correlation between breast cancer prevalence and socioeconomic status. This study enrolled 27,331 people who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) IV–VI (2007–2015). In addition, we obtained data from the Korean Statistical Information Service (KSIS) on the breast cancer age-standardized incidence rate (AIR), the age-standardized mortality rate (AMR), the number of women screened, and the number of newly diagnosed patients. The KHANES data showed that breast cancer prevalence was significantly associated with educational level (odds ratio [OR], 2.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–3.77 for 10–12 vs. ≤ 6 years of education, and OR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.10–5.06 for ≥ 13 vs. ≤ 6 years of education). However, there was no significant association of breast cancer prevalence with monthly household income. In a separate analysis of the AIR, AMR, and number of women screened for breast cancer, the AIR increased with the number of women screened, whereas the AMR did not. Furthermore, the number of newly diagnosed patients in all age groups increased over time. The present results demonstrate that the recently increased breast cancer prevalence documented in South Korea may be attributable to earlier detection rather than to a real increase in prevalence, and that breast cancer may be overdiagnosed.

Factors related to ethical values among some paramedic students

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the level of ethical values and its related factors among some paramedic students. Methods: The subjects of this study were 480 paramedic students from five universities located in G-metropolitan city and J province. Data were collected using a self-a...

Relationship between health risk behaviors, oral health-related quality of life (OHIP-14) and happiness in soldiers

Objectives: Dental implants are one treatment method for tooth loss. The purpose of this study is to investigate the status of experience and intention for dental implants and related factors among elderly. Methods: The participants were 244 elderly residing in rural areas with age over 65 in Samhoeup, Yeongamgun and Jeollanamdo, Korea. Chi-square tests, t-tests, and a multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to investigate the factors influencing the experience and intention of implants. Results: Many elderlies residing in rural areas rural elderly had experienced tooth loss (83.6%). The proportion of dental implant experience was 30.9% and intention to receive implants was 57.8%. The odds ratio (OR) for experience of implants was significantly higher for participants with a lower number of chronic diseases (0: OR=12.48, 95% CI=2.12-73.38, 1: OR=4.95, 95% CI=1.66-14.72), they have dental treatment experience during the past 1 year (OR=6.61, 95% CI=1.83-23.89), they have surrounding person who have experience of implant (OR=18.06, 95% CI=2.81-115.99), higher dental implant recognition (OR=3.97, 95% CI= 1.92-8.23). The odds ratio (OR) for dental implant intention was significantly higher for participants with a lower age (65-69: OR=8.18, 95% CI=2.38-278.08, 70-79: OR=3.17 95% CI=1.04-9.68), lower number of chronic diseases (0: OR=4.15, 95% CI=1.00-17.29), they have drink alcohol (OR=5.03, Cl=1.31-19.34), they have surrounding person who has experience of implant (OR=3.22, 95% CI=1.30-8.02), they have not experience of tooth loss (OR=4.65, Cl=1.22-17.70), higher dental implant recognition (OR=2.69, 95% CI=1.55-4.67). Conclusions: In the future, it is necessary to utilize the results of this study to address loss of teeth and to support dental implant treatment selection through improved increased awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of dental implants.