Purpose: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are widely prescribed for postmenopausal women with breast cancer and are known to cause musculoskeletal pain. This study aimed to identify factors associated with AI continuation intention among breast cancer survivors (BCS). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 123 BCS (stages I–III), who had been taking AIs for at least 6 weeks. Participants were recruited from a cancer center in Goyang, Korea, from September to November 2019. Descriptive statistics, Welch analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and simple linear regression were used for the analysis. Results: Belief in endocrine therapy was a significant predictor of AI continuation intention (β=.66, p<.001). The majority of participants (87.0%) reported experiencing musculoskeletal pain since taking AIs and the score for the worst pain severity within 24 hours was 5.08±2.80 out of 10. Musculoskeletal pain, however, was not associated with AI continuation intention. Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) was clinically significant (≥13) for 74.0% of the respondents (mean, 17.62±7.14). Musculoskeletal pain severity and pain interference were significantly associated with FCR (r=.21, p<.05; r=.35, p<.01, respectively). Pain interference was significantly associated with belief in endocrine therapy (r=–.18, p<.05). Conclusion AI continuation intention can be modified by reinforcing patients’ belief in endocrine therapy. Musculoskeletal pain may have a negative effect on belief in endocrine therapy and increase FCR among BCS. Thus, awareness of musculoskeletal pain during AI therapy should be raised and further research is required to develop multidisciplinary pain management strategies and clinical guidelines to reinforce belief in endocrine therapy.

Purpose: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are widely prescribed for postmenopausal women with breast cancer and are known to cause musculoskeletal pain. This study aimed to identify factors associated with AI continuation intention among breast cancer survivors (BCS). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 123 BCS (stages I–III), who had been taking AIs for at least 6 weeks. Participants were recruited from a cancer center in Goyang, Korea, from September to November 2019. Descriptive statistics, Welch analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and simple linear regression were used for the analysis. Results: Belief in endocrine therapy was a significant predictor of AI continuation intention (β=.66, p<.001). The majority of participants (87.0%) reported experiencing musculoskeletal pain since taking AIs and the score for the worst pain severity within 24 hours was 5.08±2.80 out of 10. Musculoskeletal pain, however, was not associated with AI continuation intention. Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) was clinically significant (≥13) for 74.0% of the respondents (mean, 17.62±7.14). Musculoskeletal pain severity and pain interference were significantly associated with FCR (r=.21, p<.05; r=.35, p<.01, respectively). Pain interference was significantly associated with belief in endocrine therapy (r=–.18, p<.05). Conclusion AI continuation intention can be modified by reinforcing patients’ belief in endocrine therapy. Musculoskeletal pain may have a negative effect on belief in endocrine therapy and increase FCR among BCS. Thus, awareness of musculoskeletal pain during AI therapy should be raised and further research is required to develop multidisciplinary pain management strategies and clinical guidelines to reinforce belief in endocrine therapy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) in community-dwelling Korean women 60 years or older, and to identify factors associated with self-reported and medically diagnosed UI. METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of data from the 2008 Actual Living Condition of the Elderly and Welfare Need Survey, which used a stratified two-stage cluster sampling method to select a representative sample of 8,961 elderly Korean women. RESULTS: Of the 8,961 women in this study, 579 (6.5%) had self-reported UI, and 209 (2.3%) were medically diagnosed with UI. As patient age and exercise ability of the upper extremities increased, risk for self-reported UI decreased (odds ratio [OR], 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96-0.99; OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98-0.99, respectively). In contrast, as the number of limited instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) increased, the risk for self-reported UI increased (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.24-1.35). Overweight women were 1.94 times more likely to have self-reported UI compared to underweight women. Women with a history of stroke or asthma were more likely to have self-reported UI compared to women with no history. Also, women who reported being in good health were less likely to have UI, compared to women who reported being in poor health (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.31-0.70). Medically diagnosed UI was negatively associated with the number of limited IADL and exercise ability scores for the lower extremities (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.80-0.92; OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97-0.99, respectively). In contrast, as the exercise ability score for the upper extremities increased, so did the risk for medically diagnosed UI (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03). CONCLUSIONS: An interventional program for home visit health services is needed for incontinent women who are highly dependent on others for IADL.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Asthma ; Exercise ; Female ; Health Services ; House Calls ; Humans ; Korea ; Lower Extremity ; Overweight ; Prevalence ; Social Conditions ; Stroke ; Thinness ; Upper Extremity ; Urinary Incontinence*

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the content and effectiveness of psychosocial support interventions for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: The following databases were searched with no limitation of the time period: Ovid-MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Ovid-Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, NDSL, KoreaMed, RISS, and KISS. Two investigators independently reviewed and selected articles according to the predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. ROB 2.0 and the RoBANS 2.0 checklist were used to evaluate study quality. Results: Based on the 14 selected studies, psychosocial support interventions were provided for the purpose of (1) informational support (including GDM and diabetes mellitus information; how to manage diet, exercise, stress, blood glucose, and weight; postpartum management; and prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus); (2) self-management motivation (setting goals for diet and exercise management, glucose monitoring, and enhancing positive health behaviors); (3) relaxation (practicing breathing and/or meditation); and (4) emotional support (sharing opinions and support). Psychosocial supportive interventions to women with GDM lead to behavioral change, mostly in the form of self-care behavior; they also reduce depression, anxiety and stress, and have an impact on improving self-efficacy. These interventions contribute to lowering physiological parameters such as fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and 2-hour postprandial glucose levels. Conclusion Psychosocial supportive interventions can indeed positively affect self-care behaviors, lifestyle changes, and physiological parameters in women with GDM. Nurses can play a pivotal role in integrative management and can streamline the care for women with GDM during pregnancy and following birth, especially through psychosocial support interventions.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the content and effectiveness of psychosocial support interventions for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: The following databases were searched with no limitation of the time period: Ovid-MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Ovid-Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, NDSL, KoreaMed, RISS, and KISS. Two investigators independently reviewed and selected articles according to the predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. ROB 2.0 and the RoBANS 2.0 checklist were used to evaluate study quality. Results: Based on the 14 selected studies, psychosocial support interventions were provided for the purpose of (1) informational support (including GDM and diabetes mellitus information; how to manage diet, exercise, stress, blood glucose, and weight; postpartum management; and prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus); (2) self-management motivation (setting goals for diet and exercise management, glucose monitoring, and enhancing positive health behaviors); (3) relaxation (practicing breathing and/or meditation); and (4) emotional support (sharing opinions and support). Psychosocial supportive interventions to women with GDM lead to behavioral change, mostly in the form of self-care behavior; they also reduce depression, anxiety and stress, and have an impact on improving self-efficacy. These interventions contribute to lowering physiological parameters such as fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and 2-hour postprandial glucose levels. Conclusion Psychosocial supportive interventions can indeed positively affect self-care behaviors, lifestyle changes, and physiological parameters in women with GDM. Nurses can play a pivotal role in integrative management and can streamline the care for women with GDM during pregnancy and following birth, especially through psychosocial support interventions.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate partnerships with nurses, social support and readiness for discharge among mothers of premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and to examine the factors associated with readiness for discharge.METHODS: A survey was conducted among 85 mothers of premature infants hospitalized in a NICU in Seoul, Korea. The collected data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, the t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson' correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression using SPSS version 25.0.RESULTS: The results of the regression analysis showed that partnerships with nurses (β=.32, p=.011) and parenting experience (β=.32, p=.001) were significantly associated with readiness for discharge.CONCLUSION: To improve the readiness for discharge among mothers of premature infants, developing strategies to strengthen their partnership with nurses and to provide family-centered care will be needed.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Korea ; Linear Models ; Mothers ; Parenting ; Parents ; Patient Discharge ; Seoul

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) and analyze its association with instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in community-dwelling older men in Korea. METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of data from the Actual Living Condition of the Elderly and Welfare Need Survey conducted in the year 2008. Data was subjected to hierarchical logistic regression analysis to examine the association of IADL and BPH with UI in older men, entering IADL and BPH in model 1, and age, body mass index (BMI) and education in model 2, and then comorbidities and walking speed in model 3. RESULTS: Of 6,185 men, 243 (3.9%) had self-reported UI. The prevalence of UI was 1.8% in men aged 60-64 years and 11.7% in those aged 85 years and above, indicating an increase in the prevalence of UI with their age. IADL and BPH remained the only significant factors associated with UI in model 1 (odds ratio [OR], 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44-1.64 and OR, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.47-5.10, respectively), model 2 (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.40-1.61 and OR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.42-5.07), and model 3 (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.32-1.54 and OR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.36-4.90). CONCLUSIONS: IADL limitations and presence of BPH were associated with UI in older men after controlling for BMI, education, comorbidities, and walking speed. Thus, UI should be assessed in older Korean men with IADL decline and BPH. Gender-sensitive interventions to attenuate IADL limitations and manage BPH should be developed and applied to improve UI in older men.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Comorbidity ; Education ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Prevalence ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Social Conditions ; Urinary Incontinence* ; Walking

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify utilization of the work-family support policy (WFSP) and factors affecting retention intention among Korean female military officers. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey recruited 103 married female officers from the Korean Army, Navy, and Air force with preschool-aged children through convenience and snowball sampling. Via online surveys from June to November, 2018, the participants self-reported retention intention, work-family conflict, job satisfaction, and utilization of the WFSP. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Retention intention (22.29±5.98) was reported at the mid-level, lower than scores reported in the literature for female workers. Work-family conflict (32.51±5.29) and job satisfaction (63.10±7.45) were above the midpoint levels. Use of maternity leave (100.0%) and parental leave (92.2%) was high, especially compared to the rates of child-care day off (20.4%) and parenting time (20.4%). ‘Noticeable increases in childcare services within the army’ (22.8%) was reported as the supportive measure needed the most by female military officers. Job satisfaction (β=.43, p≤.001), the use of parenting time (β=−0.29, p=.002), living type (β=−.18, p=.043), and service type (β=−.16, p=.035) significantly influenced retention intention. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the priority areas of importance within the WFSP and suggest that a family-friendly culture can improve female officers' retention intention. Accordingly, policy changes at the Ministry of National Defense improving the system to enhance a family-friendly culture in the military is expected to strengthen the retention intention of female officers and contribute to excellence in the military workforce.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Intention ; Job Satisfaction ; Linear Models ; Military Personnel ; Parental Leave ; Parenting ; Parents

Purpose: A convenience-oriented lifestyle in young people is accompanied by greater consumption ofand exposure to endocrine disruptors, which can affect reproductive health, especially in women. Weaimed to identify factors that influence protective behaviors against endocrine disruptors among femalecollege students in South Korea. Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey design, we recruited 199 female college students. A selfadministeredquestionnaire was used, and data were collected at the site. Results: A healthy lifestyle, information utilization, receiving peer advice on avoiding exposure toendocrine disruptors, and a history of environmental illnesses were found to be significant factors,explaining 42.0% of the variance in protective behaviors against endocrine disruptors. Conclusion Health consequences of environmental hazards and importance of maintaining a healthylifestyle need to be emphasized in young women's healthcare. Health professionals should advocate forand empower women to protect themselves against endocrine disruptors.

Purpose: A convenience-oriented lifestyle in young people is accompanied by greater consumption ofand exposure to endocrine disruptors, which can affect reproductive health, especially in women. Weaimed to identify factors that influence protective behaviors against endocrine disruptors among femalecollege students in South Korea. Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey design, we recruited 199 female college students. A selfadministeredquestionnaire was used, and data were collected at the site. Results: A healthy lifestyle, information utilization, receiving peer advice on avoiding exposure toendocrine disruptors, and a history of environmental illnesses were found to be significant factors,explaining 42.0% of the variance in protective behaviors against endocrine disruptors. Conclusion Health consequences of environmental hazards and importance of maintaining a healthylifestyle need to be emphasized in young women's healthcare. Health professionals should advocate forand empower women to protect themselves against endocrine disruptors.