OBJECTIVES: Utilizing social network analysis, this study aimed to analyze the main keywords in the literature regarding the health literacy of and the use of online health information by aged persons over 65. METHODS: Medical Subject Heading keywords were extracted from articles on the PubMed database of the National Library of Medicine. For health literacy, 110 articles out of 361 were initially extracted. Seventy-one keywords out of 1,021 were finally selected after removing repeated keywords and applying pruning. Regarding the use of online health information, 19 articles out of 26 were selected. One hundred forty-four keywords were initially extracted. After removing the repeated keywords, 74 keywords were finally selected. RESULTS: Health literacy was found to be strongly connected with 'Health knowledge, attitudes, practices' and 'Patient education as topic.' 'Computer literacy' had strong connections with 'Internet' and 'Attitude towards computers.' 'Computer literacy' was connected to 'Health literacy,' and was studied according to the parameters 'Attitude towards health' and 'Patient education as topic.' The use of online health information was strongly connected with 'Health knowledge, attitudes, practices,' 'Consumer health information,' 'Patient education as topic,' etc. In the network, 'Computer literacy' was connected with 'Health education,' 'Patient satisfaction,' 'Self-efficacy,' 'Attitude to computer,' etc. CONCLUSIONS: Research on older citizens' health literacy and their use of online health information was conducted together with study of computer literacy, patient education, attitude towards health, health education, patient satisfaction, etc. In particular, self-efficacy was noted as an important keyword. Further research should be conducted to identify the effective outcomes of self-efficacy in the area of interest.
Computer Literacy ; Consumer Health Information ; Education ; Health Education ; Health Literacy* ; Humans ; Internet ; Medical Subject Headings ; National Library of Medicine (U.S.) ; Patient Education as Topic ; Patient Satisfaction

OBJECTIVE: Currently, preparation for childbirth is becoming an increasingly popular addition to patient education. Because of this interest, it seems advisable to review the evidence on the effect of prepared childbirth. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Lamaze preparation on labor and delivery. METHODS: To investigate whether prepared-childbirth courses offer measurable physical advantages, we compared the labor and delivery characteristics of 80 primiparas who had taken Lamaze-training classes with 76 control patients who had not. We reviewed retrospectively obstetrical records of 156 pregnant women delivered in Ewha Womans University MokDong Hospital from January to December, 1997. RESULT: The length of the first stage of labor in the group that attended childbirth preparation classes was 5.70 hours and 6.93 hours in the comparison group. This difference was statistically significant (P= .040). The mean duration of the second stage of labor in attenders was 42.43 minutes and 41.16 minutes in the nonattenders(P= .719). Average duration of labor in attenders was 1.07 hours shorter than in nonattenders (P= .075). The cesarean section rate in attenders was 25% compared with 36.8% in nonattenders (P= .10920). CONCLUSION: No statistical significance was found in this study. However we need to be aware that the length of first stage of labor was shorter and the rate of cesarean section was lower in prepared group. Childbirth education should be integrated into prenatal health care to be readily available for all women.
Cesarean Section ; Delivery of Health Care ; Female ; Humans ; Parturition ; Patient Education as Topic ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Prenatal Education ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: The purposes of the study were to identify level of health literacy and factors influencing health literacy of migrant workers. METHODS: Data were collected using a cross sectional correlational design. Participants were 128 migrant workers in Korea. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test, and hierarchical multiple regression with the SPSS 18.0 program. RESULTS: The health literacy level of migrant worker was low and they had difficulty in understanding patient education materials and medical forms. Factors influencing health literacy were residential areas (city or rural), education level, length of stay in Korea, and ability to understand spoken Korean. Regression model accounted for 14.2% of the variance in health literacy. CONCLUSION: Lower levels of health literacy make it difficult for migrant works to visit medical facilities and perform health behaviors appropriately. Therefore, diverse strategies should be developed by nurses to enhance the health literacy level of migrant workers.
Health Behavior ; Health Literacy ; Health Status ; Humans ; Korea ; Length of Stay ; Patient Education as Topic ; Transients and Migrants

The National Health Screening program has been implemented in Korea since 1980. First, we had searched recent scientific evidences and verified the accuracy of the data on target oral diseases. In order to determine the validity, we searched scientific bibliographic data and concluded that dental caries and periodontal disease were major oral problems. Second, we developed new improved forms for National Oral Health Screening. To improve these forms, we reviewed previous forms and gathered expert opinions. The new forms were consistent with the examination forms given to all age groups, and information on oral health conditions, dental education needs, and post-treatment care was included in the modified forms. We then designed manuals for dentists, which contained information on the screening criteria as well as consultation and patient education guidelines. The manuals were divided into three parts, including explanation of the screening criteria, standard of the decision, and education and consultation guidelines. By using these new and modified National Oral Health Screening forms, we expect an improvement in the National Oral Health Screening Program and enhancement in the oral health condition of patients.
Adult ; Counseling ; Dental Caries ; Dentists ; Education ; Education, Dental ; Expert Testimony ; Humans ; Infant ; Korea ; Mass Screening* ; Oral Health* ; Patient Education as Topic ; Periodontal Diseases ; Tooth Diseases

No abstract available.
Humans ; Patient Education as Topic* ; Primary Health Care*

Since chronic diseases have emerged as a major cause of death worldwide, people has been exposed to large amounts of information on healthy eating practices that are important aspects of its prevention and management. Food literacy, the functional, interactive, and critical ability to manage dietary information with the aim of improving health, is of global interest. In South Korea (hereafter Korea), there is currently a lack of food literacy research, despite its pertinence for the development of public health policies that are tailored to recipients' ability to understand and address health and nutrition issues. In this study, the research trend and policy implications of food literacy are derived through reviewing preceding studies related to food literacy in Korea and elsewhere. Existing literature on food literacy in Korea placed much emphasis on the functional ability of food literacy. Future research on the operational definitions of interactive and critical food literacy and their health effects in Korea is necessary. In addition, there is a lack of research on the development and validation of measurement tools that evaluate integrative concepts of food literacy. To accurately examine the relationships among food literacy, diet, and health, standardized measurement tools that can comprehensively evaluate food literacy frameworks for various Korean sub-population groups should be developed. Based on such future studies, an investigation of health promotion programs or policies on reducing the cognitive burden of food literacy would contribute to improving heathy eating practices in Korea.
Cause of Death ; Chronic Disease ; Consumer Health Information ; Diet ; Eating ; Food Labeling ; Health Education ; Health Literacy ; Health Promotion ; Korea ; Literacy ; Public Health

OBJECTIVETo survey the status of oral cavity hygiene knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of rural acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) carriers and take corresponding intervention measures to improve the oral health of these patients.

METHODSFrom May to August in 2009, the methods of anonymous face to face structured interview and oral examination at the scene were carried out at the baseline in rural AIDS patients/HIV-carriers. According to the results of the survey, intervention measures were taken. The results of the intervention and the oral hygiene status were compared before and after the intervention.

RESULTSThe oral health status of 82 AIDS patients and HIV-carriers were in poor before the intervention, and the knowledge of AIDS-related oral health of 76 AIDS patients and HIV-carriers was promoted after interventions, "scaling can spread AIDS" were 22 cases (27%), and after the intervention 41 patients (54%) think that can spread (χ(2) = 20.066, P < 0.001). The oral diseases of related AIDS were decreased dramatically, 68 patients (83%) had gingivitis before intervention and 47 cases (62%) after the intervention (χ(2) = 8.852, P = 0.003). The personal oral cavity hygiene and related oral KAP of AIDS caused by subjective factors had improved to different extent, "brushing teeth over 3 min at every turn", there were over 36 cases (44%) before intervention and 45 patients after intervention (59%) (χ(2) = 4.017, P = 0.045).

CONCLUSIONSThe oral hygiene and KAP of AIDS patients and HIV-carriers in rural areas were poor and improved after intervention.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; psychology ; Adult ; Dental Scaling ; adverse effects ; Female ; Gingivitis ; epidemiology ; HIV Seropositivity ; psychology ; Health Education ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oral Health ; Oral Hygiene ; Patient Education as Topic ; Rural Population ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Evaluating the effects of odontology education in the program of school odontology and odonto-stomatogy care for school children of a primary school in the school years 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 showed: the good attitude of school children toward dento-oral health, their most recognised the need of annual dental examination. The rate of school children who brush the teeth at least two times a day enhanced from 66.2% to 87.7% and the time taken for > 3 minutes brushing enhanced 35.4% - 71.5%, while the use of toothpick reduced by 26.2%. There were differences in various dento-oral indices before and after intervention.
Education, Dental ; Health ; Education ; Self Care

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the public perceptions of the incidence rates and survival rates for common cancers with the actual rates from epidemiologic data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a survey of Korean adults without history of cancer (n=2,000). The survey consisted of questions about their perceptions regarding lifetime incidence rates and 5-year survival rates for total cancer, as well as those of eight site-specific cancers. To investigate associated factors, we included questions about cancer worry (Lerman's Cancer Worry Scale) or cared for a family member or friend with cancer as a caregiver. RESULTS: Only 19% of Korean adults had an accurate perception of incidence rates compared with the epidemiologic data on total cancer. For specific cancers, most of the respondents overestimated the incidence rates and 10%-30% of men and 6%-18% of women had an accurate perception. A high score in "cancer worry" was associated with higher estimates of incidence rates in total and specific cancers. In cancers with high actual 5-year survival rates (e.g., breast and thyroid), the majority of respondents underestimated survival rates. However, about 50% of respondents overestimated survival rates in cancers with low actual survival rates (e.g., lung and liver). There was no factor consistently associated with perceived survival rates. CONCLUSION: Widespread discrepancies were observed between perceived probability and actual epidemiological data. In order to reduce cancer worry and to increase health literacy, communication and patient education on appropriate risk is needed.
Adult ; Breast ; Caregivers ; Data Collection ; Female ; Friends ; Health Literacy ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Korea* ; Lung ; Male ; Patient Education as Topic ; Survival Rate

Health education materials are widely used to increase awareness and knowledge, change attitudes and beliefs, and help individuals adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors. Health professionals should provide patients with written health education materials that are patient-oriented and designed according to best practice principles in written health education material design. Health education materials are only effective if they are read, understood, and remembered by patients. Existing guidelines including Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) and Simplified Measure of Gobbledygoop (SMOG) offer concrete, useful tips on how to design visuals and how to choose appropriate language for patient education. These guidelines suggest that it is important to address key components including plain language, layout and design, organization, culturally sensitive graphics, and desired patient behavior. This report offers useful tips for creating effective health education materials.
Health Education ; Health Occupations ; Humans ; Life Style ; Patient Education as Topic ; Practice Guidelines as Topic