PURPOSE: This study investigated the association between sleep duration and hypertension in Korean adults. METHODS: A secondary analysis was performed using data from the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2010. Of the respondents, 5,450 adults over 30 years were included in this analysis. Logistic regression analysis was applied using SAS 9.2. RESULTS: Among Korean adults, the prevalence of hypertension was 28.9% and the mean duration of sleep per night was 6.8 hours. The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) for hypertension was 2.16 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]=1.73-2.69) among adults who slept over 6 hours per night compared to those who slept 8 hours per night. After adjusting for risk factors of hypertension including age, gender, socioeconomic status, and health behaviors (smoking, obesity, alcohol intake, physical activity, and stress), the OR remained significant (OR=1.32, 95% CI=1.03-1.69). CONCLUSION: Short sleep duration should be considered a risk factor for hypertension. Interventions for adequate sleep duration could be added to other lifestyle changes (smoking cessation, weight control, low sodium diet, physical activities, and etc.) for preventing hypertension.
Adult* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Diet ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Korea* ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Motor Activity ; Nutrition Surveys ; Obesity ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Social Class ; Sodium

PURPOSE: This study investigated the association between sleep duration and hypertension in Korean adults. METHODS: A secondary analysis was performed using data from the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2010. Of the respondents, 5,450 adults over 30 years were included in this analysis. Logistic regression analysis was applied using SAS 9.2. RESULTS: Among Korean adults, the prevalence of hypertension was 28.9% and the mean duration of sleep per night was 6.8 hours. The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) for hypertension was 2.16 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]=1.73-2.69) among adults who slept over 6 hours per night compared to those who slept 8 hours per night. After adjusting for risk factors of hypertension including age, gender, socioeconomic status, and health behaviors (smoking, obesity, alcohol intake, physical activity, and stress), the OR remained significant (OR=1.32, 95% CI=1.03-1.69). CONCLUSION: Short sleep duration should be considered a risk factor for hypertension. Interventions for adequate sleep duration could be added to other lifestyle changes (smoking cessation, weight control, low sodium diet, physical activities, and etc.) for preventing hypertension.
Adult* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Diet ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Korea* ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Motor Activity ; Nutrition Surveys ; Obesity ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Social Class ; Sodium

PURPOSE: This study was done to investigate the prevalence of suicidal ideation and associated factors in Korean adults. METHODS: From the database of the 5th Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey conducted in 2010, cross-sectional data for 6,283 adults (> or =20 years) were used in this analysis. RESULTS: One-year prevalence of suicidal ideation was 14.8%. Higher suicidal ideation was found for women, elders, adults who were divorced or separated, who were in the lower socio-economic class, were alcohol dependent, had a short sleep time, and had higher perceived stress and depression. On stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis, depression (odds ratio 6.89 [95% confidence interval 5.18~9.16]), perceived stress(3.52 [2.66~4.65]), being woman (1.72 [1.32~2.26]), being an elder (> or =65 yrs) (1.78 [1.07~2.96]), low education(3.52 [2.66~4.62]) and not married (1.48 [1.04~2.12]) were associated with suicidal ideation in Korean adults. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that suicidal ideation is highly prevalent in Korean adults, especially in people with depression or high perceived stress. Identification of high-risk group and suicide prevention programs are warranted to reduce the prevalence of suicidal ideation.
Adult ; Depression ; Divorce ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Suicidal Ideation ; Suicide

OBJECTIVES: This study is to investigate the prevalence and related factors of metabolic syndrome among Korean adults aged 20 years and above. METHODS: From the database of the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V) conducted in 2010, data of 5,670 adults who responded to all the questionnaires of health interview and had metabolic syndrome in the health examination were included in this analysis. SAS 9.2 was used for statistical analysis with complex sample survey modules and commands. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome based on the criteria proposed by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) was 18.8%. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in each group was: 20.7% of women, 43.1% among elderly over 70 years old, 40.6% of the divorced or the separated, 27.6% of recipients of economic support from the government, 23.6% of people who had alcohol dependency problem, and 43.7% of overweight or obese adults. Independent risk factors based on the multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that prevalence of metabolic syndrome was associated with female (odds ratio 1.59 [95% confidence interval 1.20-2.11]), age (50s 3.95 [2.11-7.37], 60s 5.62 [2.98-10.61], 70s 10.56 [5.25-21.25]), high school education (0.52 [0.37-0.74]), clerk occupation (2.14 [1.27-3.60]), divorced marital status (1.72 [1.15-2.59]), alcohol dependency (1.86 [1.16-2.98]), higher BMI (14.08 [10.60-18.70]). CONCLUSIONS: The metabolic syndrome is prevalent among Korean adult population according to IDF criteria. Several demographic characteristics and potentially modifiable factors are associated with metabolic syndrome. Identification of this high-risk group and management of these modifiable factors are warranted to reduce the prevalence of metabolic syndrome.
Adult ; Aged ; Dependency (Psychology) ; Divorce ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Marital Status ; Nutrition Surveys ; Occupations ; Overweight ; Phenothiazines ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This study investigated the association between sleep duration and hypertension in Korean adults. METHODS: A secondary analysis was performed using data from the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2010. Of the respondents, 5,450 adults over 30 years were included in this analysis. Logistic regression analysis was applied using SAS 9.2. RESULTS: Among Korean adults, the prevalence of hypertension was 28.9% and the mean duration of sleep per night was 6.8 hours. The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) for hypertension was 2.16 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]=1.73-2.69) among adults who slept over 6 hours per night compared to those who slept 8 hours per night. After adjusting for risk factors of hypertension including age, gender, socioeconomic status, and health behaviors (smoking, obesity, alcohol intake, physical activity, and stress), the OR remained significant (OR=1.32, 95% CI=1.03-1.69). CONCLUSION: Short sleep duration should be considered a risk factor for hypertension. Interventions for adequate sleep duration could be added to other lifestyle changes (smoking cessation, weight control, low sodium diet, physical activities, and etc.) for preventing hypertension.
Adult ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Diet ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Motor Activity ; Nutrition Surveys ; Obesity ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Social Class ; Sodium

OBJECTIVES: Since the report of the first confirmed case in Daegu on February 18, 2020, local transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Korea has continued. In this study, we aimed to identify the pattern of local transmission of COVID-19 using mathematical modeling and predict the epidemic size and the timing of the end of the spread. METHODS: We modeled the COVID-19 outbreak in Korea by applying a mathematical model of transmission that factors in behavioral changes. We used the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data of daily confirmed cases in the country to estimate the nationwide and Daegu/Gyeongbuk area-specific transmission rates as well as behavioral change parameters using a least-squares method. RESULTS: The number of transmissions per infected patient was estimated to be about 10 times higher in the Daegu/Gyeongbuk area than the average of nationwide. Using these estimated parameters, our models predicts that about 13,800 cases will occur nationwide and 11,400 cases in the Daegu/Gyeongbuk area until mid-June. CONCLUSIONS We mathematically demonstrate that the relatively high per-capita rate of transmission and the low rate of changes in behavior have caused a large-scale transmission of COVID-19 in the Daegu/Gyeongbuk area in Korea. Since the outbreak is expected to continue until May, non-pharmaceutical interventions that can be sustained over the long term are required.

OBJECTIVES: Since the report of the first confirmed case in Daegu on February 18, 2020, local transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Korea has continued. In this study, we aimed to identify the pattern of local transmission of COVID-19 using mathematical modeling and predict the epidemic size and the timing of the end of the spread. METHODS: We modeled the COVID-19 outbreak in Korea by applying a mathematical model of transmission that factors in behavioral changes. We used the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data of daily confirmed cases in the country to estimate the nationwide and Daegu/Gyeongbuk area-specific transmission rates as well as behavioral change parameters using a least-squares method. RESULTS: The number of transmissions per infected patient was estimated to be about 10 times higher in the Daegu/Gyeongbuk area than the average of nationwide. Using these estimated parameters, our models predicts that about 13,800 cases will occur nationwide and 11,400 cases in the Daegu/Gyeongbuk area until mid-June. CONCLUSIONS We mathematically demonstrate that the relatively high per-capita rate of transmission and the low rate of changes in behavior have caused a large-scale transmission of COVID-19 in the Daegu/Gyeongbuk area in Korea. Since the outbreak is expected to continue until May, non-pharmaceutical interventions that can be sustained over the long term are required.

Background: Nonpharmaceutical intervention strategy is significantly important to mitigate the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread. One of the interventions implemented by the government is a school closure. The Ministry of Education decided to postpone the school opening from March 2 to April 6 to minimize epidemic size. We aimed to quantify the school closure effect on the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods: The potential effects of school opening were measured using a mathematical model considering two age groups: children (aged 19 years and younger) and adults (aged over 19). Based on susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered model, isolation and behavior-changed susceptible individuals are additionally considered. The transmission parameters were estimated from the laboratory confirmed data reported by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from February 16 to March 22. The model was extended with estimated parameters and estimated the expected number of confirmed cases as the transmission rate increased after school opening. Results: Assuming the transmission rate between children group would be increasing 10 fold after the schools open, approximately additional 60 cases are expected to occur from March 2 to March 9, and approximately additional 100 children cases are expected from March 9 to March 23. After March 23, the number of expected cases for children is 28.4 for 7 days and 33.6 for 14 days. Conclusion The simulation results show that the government could reduce at least 200 cases, with two announcements by the Ministry of education. After March 23, although the possibility of massive transmission in the children's age group is lower, group transmission is possible to occur.

OBJECTIVES: According to the World Health Organization, there have been frequent reports of Ebola virus disease (EVD) since the 2014 EVD pandemic in West Africa. We aim to estimate the outbreak scale when an EVD infected person arrives in Korea. METHODS: Western Africa EVD epidemic mathematical model SEIJR or SEIJQR was modified to create a Korean EVD outbreak model. The expected number of EVD patients and outbreak duration were calculated by stochastic simulation under the scenarios of Best case, Diagnosis delay, and Case missing. RESULTS: The 2,000 trials of stochastic simulation for each scenario demonstrated the following results: The possible median number of patients is 2 and the estimated maximum number is 11 when the government intervention is proceeded immediately right after the first EVD case is confirmed. With a 6-day delay in diagnosis of the first case, the median number of patients becomes 7, and the maximum, 20. If the first case is missed and the government intervention is not activated until 2 cases of secondary infection occur, the median number of patients is estimated at 15, and the maximum, at 35. CONCLUSIONS Timely and rigorous diagnosis is important to reduce the spreading scale of infection when a new communicable disease is inflowed into Korea. Moreover, it is imperative to strengthen the local surveillance system and diagnostic protocols to avoid missing cases of secondary infection.

OBJECTIVES: In Korea, as immunity levels of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the population acquired through previous infections and vaccinations have decreased, booster vaccinations have emerged as a necessary measure to control new outbreaks. The objective of this study was to identify the most suitable vaccination strategy for controlling the surge in COVID-19 cases. METHODS: A mathematical model was developed to concurrently evaluate the immunity levels induced by vaccines and infections. This model was then employed to investigate the potential for future resurgence and the possibility of control through the use of vaccines and antivirals. RESULTS: As of May 11, 2023, if the current epidemic trend persists without further vaccination efforts, a peak in resurgence is anticipated to occur around mid-October of the same year. Under the most favorable circumstances, the peak number of severely hospitalized patients could be reduced by 43% (n=480) compared to the scenario without vaccine intervention (n=849). Depending on outbreak trends and vaccination strategies, the best timing for vaccination in terms of minimizing this peak varies from May 2023 to August 2023. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that if the epidemic persist, the best timing for administering vaccinations would need to be earlier than currently outlined in the Korean plan. It is imperative to continue monitoring outbreak trends, as this is key to determining the best vaccination timing in order to manage potential future surges.