BACKGROUND: The present study was to apply the Health Belief Model (HBM) to identify factors associated with an assertive behavior of asking smokers not to smoke among college students in Korea when they were exposed to secondhand smoke. METHODS: Data were collected from college students (n=2,061, 66.5% females) at two universities in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. A main outcome measure was the assertive behavior. HBM factors including perceived susceptibility to illness, perceived severity of illness, perceived barrier to the assertive behavior, and cues to action were self-administrated. RESULTS: The mean of the assertive behavior (range 1-5 points) was 2.20 points with 39.1% never being assertive and 4.2% always being assertive. Based on results of a multiple logistic regression analysis, high levels of perceived severity (odds ratio, OR 2.04, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.40-2.97) and perceived barrier (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.41-2.08) were significantly associated with the assertive behavior, while perceived susceptibility and cues to action were not. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived severity and perceived barrier of the HBM model were significant factors associated with the assertive behavior among college students. Modifying these factors may lead to enhancing the assertive behavior of asking smokers not to smoke when college students were exposed to secondhand smoke.
Assertiveness ; Cues ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Models, Theoretical ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Smoke ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution

The Diego blood group system consists of two pairs of antigens, Dia and Dib The incidence of Dia is low among pure Caucasian, Blacks, Polynesian and Eskimo, however, the rnongolians and American indians have both Dia and Dib. We report a case of two days old male who was admitted on first day of life for jaundice and subsquently exchange transfusion was performed on second day of life for bilirubin of 20 mg/dl. The blood groups of patient and his mother were both Rh D positive 0 type. Direct and indirect Coombstest were strong positive in the patient and indirect Coombstest was positive in his mother. We found anti-Dib antibody in his rnother's serum. The phenotype of Diego blood group system of the patient and his mother were Di (a+b+) and Di (a+b- ), respectively and hemolytic anemia in this case was due to anti-Dib antibody.
African Continental Ancestry Group ; Anemia, Hemolytic ; Bilirubin ; Blood Group Antigens ; Humans ; Incidence ; Indians, North American ; Inuits ; Jaundice ; Male ; Mothers ; Phenotype

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between health behaviors and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among vulnerable children in a community. METHODS: Using data from 'The Obesity Prevention Framework for Vulnerable Children', a secondary analysis was conducted for 165 children (ages 8~12 years) and their parents who were recruited from 16 K-gu Community Child Centers in Seoul. Six types of health behaviors related to eating and activity were assessed. Each behavior was categorized into the non-recommended vs. recommended levels. The scores of the recommended levels of the six health behaviors were summed up for the composite score of health behaviors. HRQOL was measured by KIDSCREEN-52. RESULTS: The groups with a non-recommended level of fast food intake and sedentary behavior had a significantly lower total score of KIDSCREEN-52 than those with a recommended level. Moreover, the lower composite score of health behaviors was significantly associated with the lower total score of KIDSCREEN-52. CONCLUSION: Among the vulnerable children, the six recommended health behaviors and their composite score were in significant positive associations with the HRQOL levels. Therefore, nursing strategies for enhancing the recommended levels of health behaviors are needed for vulnerable children.
Child* ; Eating ; Fast Foods ; Health Behavior* ; Humans ; Nursing ; Obesity ; Parents ; Quality of Life* ; Seoul ; Vulnerable Populations ; Child Health

The purpose of this study was to understand barrier factors affecting nutrition education jobs and determining priorities according to frequency of occurrence of obstacles. Focus group interview (FGI) was conducted on 11 nutrition teachers, and the result are summarized by the phenomenological analysis method. The barriers of nutrition education consisted of three categories, seven themes, and 10 sub-themes. The three categories were divided into work burden, recognition of nutrition education, and limitations of the nutrition education environment. Recognition of nutrition education was further divided into internal recognition from nutrition teachers and individual and external recognition from students and staff. The results showed that the most frequent barrier experienced by nutrition teachers in the work burden category was heavy work loads of foodservice management, followed by irrational working environment. In addition, limitations of the nutrition education environment consisted of absence of standard curriculum and textbooks, inadequate education infrastructure, and inadequate class time. To improve this, it is necessary to reduce nutrition teacher's food service management and develop standard curriculum and educational materials for nutrition education.
Curriculum ; Education* ; Focus Groups ; Food Services ; Humans ; Methods

PURPOSE: The present study was to apply the Attitudes-Social influence-Efficacy (ASE) model in order to identify factors associated with the assertive behavior of non-smoking college students when they are exposed to secondhand smokes in Korea. METHODS: Data were collected from non-smoking college students (N=1,656, 76.6% female) at two universities in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. The main outcome measure was the assertive behavior. ASE factors such as attitudes toward being assertive, social influences, and self-efficacy as well as socio-demographic, health- related, and smoking-related factors were self-administrated. RESULTS: The mean of the assertive behavior (range 1~5 points) was 2.23; 37.6% was not at all assertive, while 4.3% was always assertive. Higher assertiveness was significantly correlated with a higher level of positive attitude, social influence and self-efficacy (p<.05 for all). Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that the social influence was the strongest factor associated with the assertive behavior (beta=0.430, p<.001, R2=.246), followed by self-efficacy, motive to assertiveness, having any family member who had diseases, and male gender. These factors explained the assertive behavior by 39.7%. CONCLUSION: The ASE model may explain the assertive behavior of non-smoking college students under secondhand smoke exposure. Social influence and self-efficacy were significant factors associated with their assertive behavior.
Assertiveness ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Seoul ; Social Behavior ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution*

PURPOSE: Early diagnosis is the primary method aimed at controlling breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to analyze some factors affecting the performance of mammography screening among women with a family history of breast cancer in Korea. METHODS: This study applied a descriptive design method through structured self-report questionnaires. The Care Seeking Behavior Theory provided a theoretical framework for the study. Factors measured in this study represent demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables including anxiety, barriers, utility, habits, perception, and facilitators. A total of 212 participants, of at least 20 years old, were sampled from April 8, 2010 to March 31, 2011. The data was analyzed by logistic regression method using the Statistical Package for the Social Science 18.0 software. RESULTS: Of the 212 participants, 122 women (57.5%) went through mammography screening. The results of the analysis showed that (a) age (Odds Ratio [OR]=1.10, p<.001), (b) facilitating influences (OR=1.83, p=.008), (c) perception of mammography importance (OR=1.92, p=.011), (d) barriers to mammography (OR=0.60, p=.031), and (e) utility of mammography (OR=2.01, p=.050) significantly affect mammography screening. CONCLUSION: The results underscore the impact that psychosocial variables in obtaining mammography have on adherence to screening. Women with a family history of breast cancer should be given accurate information and recommendation about mammography by healthcare provider and a regular source of healthcare.
Anxiety ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Delivery of Health Care ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Health Behavior ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Mammography ; Mass Screening ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Social Sciences ; Women's Health

No abstract available.
Anemia*

BACKGROUND: There is little evidence on the prevalence of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among cancer patients. We aimed to investigate its prevalence, and to identify gender differences in factors associated with SHS exposure among cancer patients. METHODS: Participants were 304 patients who have been treated via either inpatient or outpatient clinics in the National Cancer Center. SHS exposure was defined as an individual's experience of SHS exposure during the past month. Gender-stratified analysis was performed by using a logistic regression analysis with potential covariates. RESULTS: SHS exposure was prevalent in 69.5% of the total participants, specifically in 57.1% of men and 62.7% of women; however, it did not differ significantly by gender. The prevalence of SHS exposure at home was significantly greater in women (20.7%) than in men (4.4%) (P=0.048). Among men, age < or =50 years (Adjusted odds ratio [OR]=3.11; confidence interval [CI]=1.05-9.24), employed status (Adjusted OR=3.15; CI=1.38-7.19), and having family smokers (Adjusted OR=0.32; CI=0.12-0.82) were significantly associated with SHS exposure. Among women, employment status (Adjusted OR=2.67; CI=1.40-5.10), good self-rated health (Adjusted OR=2.35; CI=1.20-4.61), and having family smokers (Adjusted OR=2.03; CI=1.05-3.91) were significantly associated with SHS exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer patients were exposed to SHS by 69.5% during the past month. Among cancer patients, factors associated with SHS exposure differed by gender. Therefore, gender-specific strategies for preventing SHS exposure are needed for cancer patients.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Employment ; Female ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution*

PURPOSE: The study was performed to evaluate effects of aroma therapy on the anxiety, blood pressure and pulse of uterine leiomyoma patients before surgery and to apply it as the actual nursing intervention. METHOD: From Aug. 1st to Nov. 30th, 2007, the experimental group (n=30) and the control group (n=30) were selected in 1 hospital, Busan. Lavender and Bergamot oil mixed together at a 3:2 ratio was applied to the experimental group two times at 8-9 pm the day before surgery and twice 30 minutes before the surgery. Anxiety, VAS, blood pressure, and pulse were measured to evaluate the effects of aroma therapy. The data analysis was done using the SPSS/PC 12.0 program using chi-square test and t-test. RESULTS: Hypothesis 1 was supported. The VAS of the experimental group was lower than control group after aroma therapy. Hypothesis 2 was partly supported. The systolic blood pressure and pulse of experimental group was significantly decreased, but diastolic blood pressure wasn't difference. The VAS, systolic blood pressure and pulse of control group were increased. CONCLUSION: The study verified that the aroma therapy is a very effective nursing intervention that can reduce anxiety before surgery. It is recommended to apply aroma therapy actively to patients experiencing anxiety before surgery procedure.
Anxiety ; Aromatherapy ; Blood Pressure ; Humans ; Lavandula ; Leiomyoma ; Plant Oils ; Statistics as Topic

PURPOSE: We aimed to examine the effects of an integrated physical activity (PA) program developed for physically inactive workers on the theoretical basis of the PRECEDE-PROCEED model. METHODS: Participants were 268 workers in three departments of L manufacturing unit in South Korea. The three departments were randomly allocated into integration (n=86) (INT), education (n=94) (ED), and control (n=88) (CT) groups. The INT group received self-regulation, support, and policy-environmental strategies of a 12-week integrated PA program, the ED group received self-regulation strategies only, and the CT group did not receive any strategies. After 12 weeks, process evaluation was conducted by using the measures of self-regulation (autonomous vs. controlled regulation), autonomy support, and resource availability; impact evaluation by using PA measures of sitting time, PA expenditure, and compliance; and outcome evaluation by using the measures of cardiometabolic/musculoskeletal health and presenteeism. RESULTS: Among process measures, autonomous regulation did not differ by group, but significantly decreased in the CT group (p=.006). Among impact measures, PA compliance significantly increased in the INT group compared to the CT group (p=.003). Among outcome measures, the changes in cardiometabolic/musculoskeletal health and presenteeism did not differ by group; however, systolic blood pressure (p=.012) and a presenteeism variable (p=.041) significantly decreased only in the INT group. CONCLUSION: The integrated PA program may have a significant effect on increases in PA compliance and significant tendencies toward improvements in a part of cardiometabolic health and presenteeism for physically inactive workers. Therefore, occupational health nurses may modify and use it as a workplace PA program.
Blood Pressure ; Compliance ; Education ; Health Expenditures ; Health Promotion ; Korea ; Motor Activity* ; Occupational Health ; Occupational Health Nursing ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Presenteeism ; Process Assessment (Health Care) ; Risk Factors ; Self-Control