PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to find taxi drivers' smoking behavior, self-efficacy and expectation level of success in smoking cessation. It will provide useful information for developing nursing interventions in health promotion programs. METHOD: The subjects of this study were 271 taxi drivers in Seoul and its metropolitan area. Data were collected using a self-reported questionnaire asking smoking history, smoking behaviors, health problem, stages of change for smoking cessation, self-efficacy and the expectation level of success in smoking cessation. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics. Pearson's correlation, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Cronbach's a. RESULTS: Of the taxi drivers, 83.8% were current smokers. Stages of change were as follows: 45.8% were in the precontemplation stage, 26.2% in the contemplation stage, 13.7% in the maintenance stage, 12.2% in the preparation stage and 1.5% in the action stage. In addition. 20.3% of the subjects reported health problems such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes mellitus and respiratory disease. The expectation level of success in smoking cessation was positively related with self-efficacy. There were statistically significant differences in the expectation level of success in smoking cessation according to the number of cigarettes per day and nicotine dependency. In addition. there were statistically significant differences in self-efficacy according to the number of cigarettes per day, duration of smoking (years) and nicotine dependency. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that taxi drivers' health problems and smoking rate were serious. Therefore more systematic health promotion programs for smoking cessation should be developed and executed by health care specialists at individual taxi companies.
Delivery of Health Care ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Health Behavior ; Health Promotion ; Heart Diseases ; Hypertension ; Nicotine ; Nursing ; Seoul ; Smoke* ; Smoking Cessation* ; Smoking* ; Specialization ; Tobacco Products ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The role of scintigraphic imaging has moved from the detection of lesions to the tissue-specific characterization of lesions over the past 2 decades. Major advances in nuclear medicine imaging include: 1) positron imaging, 2) improved instrumentation, such as the use of multidetector (dual or triple head) gamma cameras for single photon emission computed tomography, and 3) development of numerous new radiopharmaceuticals for positron or single photon imaging ( labeled glucose analogue, amino acids, fatty acids, hormones, drugs, receptor ligands, monoclonal antibodies, etc). These advanced have resulted in a significantly improved efficacy of radionuclide techniques for the evaluation of various of focal gepatic tumors is reviewed in this article with an emphasis on the clinical applications of various tracer studies and imaging findings.
Amino Acids ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Electrons ; Fatty Acids ; Gamma Cameras ; Glucose ; Hemangioma ; Ligands ; Nuclear Medicine* ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Magnetic resonance (MR) is rapidly emerging technique that provides high quality images and potentially provides much more diagnostic information than do conventional imaging modalities. MRI is conceptually quite different from currently used imaging methods. The complex nature of MRI allows a great deal of flexibility in image production and available information, and key points are as follows. 1. MR offers a non-invasive technique with which to generate in vivo human images without ionizing radiation and with no known adverse biological effects. 2. Imaging mechanism of MRI is quite different from conventional imaging modality and for more accurate diagnostic application, It is necessary for physician to understand imaging mechanism of MRI 3. M.R. makes available basic chemical parameters that may provide to be useful for diagnostic medical imaging and more specific pathophysiologic information which are not available by alternate techniques. 4. M.R. can be produced by number of different methods. This flexibility allows the imaging technique to be applicated for particular clinical purpose. Multiplanar and three dimensional imaging may extend the imaging process beyond the single section available with current CT. 5. Future directions include efforts to; a. Further development of hard ware b. More fastening scan time c. Respiratory and cardiac gated imaging d. Imaging of additional nuclei except hydrogen. e. Further development of contrast media f. MR in vivo spectroscopy g. Real time MR imaging
Comprehension* ; Contrast Media ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Humans ; Hydrogen ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pliability ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Spectrum Analysis

We report metastatic omental hepatocellular carcinoma in two patients with post-lobectomy hepatocellular carcinoma who have had previous abdominal surgery or the rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma. Ometal metastatic masses were similar to primary masses of the liver in pathologic findings as well as in radiologic findings.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Humans ; Liver ; Rupture

Background: This study was aimed to identify the level of awareness and compliance on the nosocomial infection control among clinical nurses. Methods: Data was collected from Sept. 15 to Oct. 10, 2001 and obtained from the nurses working at six general hospitals in Daegu city and Kyungpook province. Five hundred sixteen nurses were answered to the 36 item questionnaire which was composed of the hand washing(5 items), the management of sterile article(7 items), the management of contaminated article(8 Items), the administration of medication(8 items) and the environment management(8 items). Results: The mean score of the awareness about the infection control was 3.59/4. In sub-sections, the mean score of the administration of medication was 3.66, the hand washing was 3.65, the environmental management was 3.60, the sterile article management was 3.57, and the contaminated article management was 3.48. The mean score of the compliance about the infection control was 0.78/1. In sub-sections, the mean score of the administration of medication was 0.88, the sterile article management was 0.80, the hand washing was 0.76 and theenvironment management was 0.76. There was positive correlation between the level of the awareness and the compliance on the nosocomial infection control. Conclusion: Therefore, it should be required that the development of the educational programs and the supportive policy of the hospital about infection control for the nurses.
Compliance* ; Cross Infection* ; Daegu ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Hand ; Hand Disinfection ; Hospitals, General ; Infection Control ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Background: This study was aimed to identify the level of awareness and compliance on the nosocomial infection control among clinical nurses. Methods: Data was collected from Sept. 15 to Oct. 10, 2001 and obtained from the nurses working at six general hospitals in Daegu city and Kyungpook province. Five hundred sixteen nurses were answered to the 36 item questionnaire which was composed of the hand washing(5 items), the management of sterile article(7 items), the management of contaminated article(8 Items), the administration of medication(8 items) and the environment management(8 items). Results: The mean score of the awareness about the infection control was 3.59/4. In sub-sections, the mean score of the administration of medication was 3.66, the hand washing was 3.65, the environmental management was 3.60, the sterile article management was 3.57, and the contaminated article management was 3.48. The mean score of the compliance about the infection control was 0.78/1. In sub-sections, the mean score of the administration of medication was 0.88, the sterile article management was 0.80, the hand washing was 0.76 and theenvironment management was 0.76. There was positive correlation between the level of the awareness and the compliance on the nosocomial infection control. Conclusion: Therefore, it should be required that the development of the educational programs and the supportive policy of the hospital about infection control for the nurses.
Compliance* ; Cross Infection* ; Daegu ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Hand ; Hand Disinfection ; Hospitals, General ; Infection Control ; Surveys and Questionnaires

In order to investigate the cumulative incidence and risk factors for diabetic retinopathy among non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, 116 patients which given diagnosis of diabetes at age 30 years or older who had been followed-up for more than 10 years and were initially free from retinopathy were analysed retrospectively. Several risk factors for retinopathy were analysed at the initial examinations: sex, age at the onset, age at the initial examination, duration, fasting plasma glucose(FPG), two-hour postpradial plasma glucose(pp2), blood pressure, hypertension status, therapeutic regimen, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, body mass index. After a mean follow-up time of 11.7 years. The cumulative incidence was 31.0%. By univariate analysis. Significant risk factors of retinopathy were age at the onset, age at the initial examination. FPG, PP2, therapeutic regimen. However, By using multivariate analysis. Independent risk factors were not found.
Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Retinopathy* ; Diagnosis ; Fasting ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Plasma ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Triglycerides

Recently, we have experienced case of juxtapapillary retinal angioma. This patient was a 32-year-old Korean woman who visited our hospital because of blurred vision in her left eye for about 20 days. At the time of examination, the visual acuity of this eye was 0.3. Ophthalmoscopic examination revealed a sherical, highly vascularized tumor at the temporal margin of the optic papilla and peripapillary retinal exudates. This case was presented with a brief review of the literature.
Adult ; Exudates and Transudates ; Female ; Hemangioma* ; Humans ; Optic Disk ; Retinaldehyde* ; Visual Acuity

Midtrimester genetic amniocentesis has been a gold standard for prenatal diagnosis in antenatal care since last 25 years. After the triple serum marker test was introduced as a prenatal screening method for Down syndrome, the frequency of genetic amniocentesis was increased. OBJECTIVE: To determine the complication, risk of amniocentesis and detection rate of chromosomal abnormality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective clinical analysis of 1,064 midtrimester genetic amnicentesis in IL Sin Christian Hospital antenatal clinic from Jan 1995 to Dec 1997. Chi square test was used for the statistical analysis and p value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Amnicentesis were significantly increased in the age of 35-39 yrs and 40yrs over. And also the incidence of chromosomal abnormality was higher than younger age group. The indications of amnicentesis were screen positive of triple marker test(43%), advanced maternal age(20.8%), abnormal beta-hCG level, past history of chromosome abnormality or malformed baby and abnormal alpha-FP level in order. Total number of chromosomal abnormalities was 30 and the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities was 2.8%(30/1,064). The complications were developed in 13 cases and fetal loss rate was 0.78%(9/1,064). CONCLUSION: The detection rate of chromosomal abnormality in midtrimester amnicentesis for prenatal diagnosis was high and relatively safe procedure but, we should be attention to more careful manipulation.
Amniocentesis ; Biomarkers ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Down Syndrome ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second* ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to describe the decision making of nurses in a VIP ward. METHOD: The methodology of collecting and analyzing the data was based on the grounded theory of Strauss and Corbin (1998). The data were collected through an in-depth interview, which were audio-taped and transcribed. The data were collected from 10 nurses from July to November 2007. RESULTS: The core category on VIP ward nurses' decision making was named as "adjusting with flexibility and deepened insight." The causal condition was established by 'the patients who wanted to be treated specially.' The contextual conditions included 'caring patients from various departments,' 'differences depending on the nurses' clinical experience,' and 'client-centered atmosphere in the VIP ward.' The intervening conditions included 'problem solving styles of nurses', 'attitudes of patients and family members', 'nurse-doctor relationships', and 'accessibility to information.' It was confirmed that nurses changed their action-interaction strategies depending on the intervening conditions, thus resulted in the nurses' role conflict and the need to expand their consciousness. CONCLUSION: The result of this study indicates that nurse's decision making depends on their experiences and the nature of social context in which nursing occurs.
Atmosphere ; Consciousness ; Decision Making ; Humans ; Pliability ; Qualitative Research