Objectives: This research analyzed and compared housing transaction prices and depression rates according to housing types before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data on housing transaction prices and depression rates from 2018 to 2022 in 25 districts of Seoul, South Korea, were utilized. Dummy variables were employed to account for potential confounders influencing the relationship between the variables. Statistical analysis was conducted using R, and the relationship between depression rates and housing transaction prices was examined through Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and panel data regression analysis. Results: The results of OLS and one-way random effects models indicated a significant relationship between apartment (p<.05) and officetel (p<.001) transaction prices and depression. However, detached/semi-detached and row/townhouse transaction prices did not exhibit a significant relationship with depression. Conclusion It was observed that as apartment and officetel transaction prices increased in Seoul before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, depression rates also increased. Considering that changes in housing prices by housing type in South Korea may impact the mental health of local residents, it is deemed necessary to consider healthy housing and housing prices as comprehensive determinants of mental health.

Objectives: This research analyzed and compared housing transaction prices and depression rates according to housing types before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data on housing transaction prices and depression rates from 2018 to 2022 in 25 districts of Seoul, South Korea, were utilized. Dummy variables were employed to account for potential confounders influencing the relationship between the variables. Statistical analysis was conducted using R, and the relationship between depression rates and housing transaction prices was examined through Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and panel data regression analysis. Results: The results of OLS and one-way random effects models indicated a significant relationship between apartment (p<.05) and officetel (p<.001) transaction prices and depression. However, detached/semi-detached and row/townhouse transaction prices did not exhibit a significant relationship with depression. Conclusion It was observed that as apartment and officetel transaction prices increased in Seoul before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, depression rates also increased. Considering that changes in housing prices by housing type in South Korea may impact the mental health of local residents, it is deemed necessary to consider healthy housing and housing prices as comprehensive determinants of mental health.

Objectives: This research analyzed and compared housing transaction prices and depression rates according to housing types before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data on housing transaction prices and depression rates from 2018 to 2022 in 25 districts of Seoul, South Korea, were utilized. Dummy variables were employed to account for potential confounders influencing the relationship between the variables. Statistical analysis was conducted using R, and the relationship between depression rates and housing transaction prices was examined through Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and panel data regression analysis. Results: The results of OLS and one-way random effects models indicated a significant relationship between apartment (p<.05) and officetel (p<.001) transaction prices and depression. However, detached/semi-detached and row/townhouse transaction prices did not exhibit a significant relationship with depression. Conclusion It was observed that as apartment and officetel transaction prices increased in Seoul before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, depression rates also increased. Considering that changes in housing prices by housing type in South Korea may impact the mental health of local residents, it is deemed necessary to consider healthy housing and housing prices as comprehensive determinants of mental health.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a digital group reminiscence program on elderly patients with mild dementia who were registered with Day Care Centers. Methods: The study was conducted with elderly patients with mild dementia in Day Care Centers in D city. The patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group and were assessed for cognitive function, depression, and ego integrity using pre-test and post-test designs. A digital group reminiscence program was applied to the experimental group. Data was collected from July 5 to September 17, 2021, using questionnaires in three sessions. Results: The pre-test cognitive function score was 12.00 in the experimental group and 11.09 in the control group. The post-test cognitive function score was 19.20 in the experimental group and 14.42 in the control group. The later cognitive function score was 18.00 in the experimental group and 13.31 in the control group. The pre-test depression score was 8.32 in the experimental group and 9.91 in the control group. The post-test depression score was 6.05 in the experimental group and 8.82 in the control group.The later depression score was 6.94 in the experimental group and 9.02 in the control group. The pre-test ego integrity score was 41.39 in the experimental group and 39.55 in the control group. The post-test ego integrity score was 57.95 in the experimental group and 51.41 in the control group. The later ego integrity score was 55.88 in the experimental group and 42.15 in the control group. Cognitive function, depression, and ego integrity showed significant differences according to group (p<.05), time (p<.001), and interaction between group and time (p<.01). Conclusion The digital group reminiscence program was found to be effective in improving cognitive function and ego integrity and reducing depression in elderly patients with mild dementia. Further research is needed to explore the effects of repetitive digital group recall programs based on the progress, course, age, and communication level of dementia.

Objectives: Handwashing is one of the most effective methods to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. This study assessed the related factors and reasons for not practicing handwashing at school among adolescents. Methods: We analyzed data collected from 57,303 adolescents who participated in the 15th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2019. Results: The proportions of not washing hands “before meals at school” and “after using the toilet at school” were 15.9% and 4.4%, respectively. The adjusted odds ratio for not washing hands before meals at school was significantly higher in girls (Odds Ratio [OR]=1.52, 95% Confidence Intervals [CI]=1.42-1.63), metropolitan city (OR=1.32, 95% CI=1.11-1.56), city (OR=1.29, 95% CI=1.08-1.54), higher grade, higher academic performance, lower economic status, not handwashing at home (OR=14.36, 95% CI=13.37-15.42), and without annual personal hygiene education (OR=1.41, 95% CI=1.33-1.49). Reasons for not washing hands at school among adolescents who do not wash their hands before meals at school included ‘it is bothersome (52.3%)’, ‘there is no soap or hand sanitizer (13.8%)’, and ‘I do not feel the need (9.5%)’. Conclusions Improving handwashing before meals at school among adolescents requires raising awareness of the importance of handwashing before meals and establishing a suitable environment and handwashing-encouraging culture.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to suggest the direction of the Healthy Village project for rural residents in accordance with the prolonged COVID-19 by investigating the digital environment for major health problems, the role of a health leader, necessary projects, and non-face-to-face projects for Healthy Village members in the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods: Telephone interview surveys were conducted with 585 residents from November 30, 2020 to December 21, 2020. Results: Health problems perceived by residents were in the order of concerns about infection (48.5%), depression (32.5%), difficulties in using medical services (9.4%), and lack of exercise (7.7%). The role of the health committee in the COVID-19 situation was “encouraging people to follow quarantine rules” with 91.3%. As a necessary health village project, there was a high demand for the provision of health products and mental health projects. 17.9% said that there is a computer or smart device connected to the Internet in their home, and 42.2% said that there is someone in the village who can easily get help if there is a problem in accessing and using Internet information. 36.9% were able to watch videos, and 22.2% were able to use the Internet through public facilities. Conclusion In a public health crisis, where the provision of public health and medical services to rural residents is not smooth, it is necessary to manage health and quarantine through health leaders in the village, and it is required to establish a digital environment infrastructure that can conduct community participatory health village projects in a non-face-to-face environment.

With the epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, the number of infected patients was rapidly increasing in Daegu, Korea. With a maximum of 741 new patients per day in the city as of February 29, 2020, hospital-bed shortage was a great challenge to the local healthcare system. We developed and applied a remote brief severity scoring system, administered by telephone for assigning priority for hospitalization and arranging for facility isolation (“therapeutic living centers”) for the patients starting on February 29, 2020. Fifteen centers were operated for the 3,033 admissions to the COVID-19 therapeutic living centers. Only 81 cases (2.67%) were transferred to hospitals after facility isolation. We think that this brief severity scoring system for COVID-19 worked safely to solve the hospital-bed shortage. Telephone scoring of the severity of disease and therapeutic living centers could be very useful in overcoming the shortage of hospital-beds that occurs during outbreaks of infectious diseases.

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of a non-face-to-face obesity management program, implemented during the pandemic. Methods: The non-face-to-face obesity management program used the Intervention mapping protocol (IMP). The program was put into effect over the course of eight weeks, from September 14 to November 13, 2020 in 48 overweight and obese adults, who applied to participate through the Daegu Citizen Health Support Center. Results: IMP was first a needs assessment was conducted; second, goal setting for behavior change was established; third, evidence-based selection of arbitration method and performance strategy was performed; fourth, program design and validation; fifth, the program was run; and sixth, the results were evaluated. The average weight after participation in the program was reduced by 1.2kg, average WC decreased by 3cm, and average BMI decreased by 0.8kg/m 2 (p<0.05). The results of the health behavior survey showed a positive improvement in lifestyle factors, including average daily intake calories, fruit intake, and time spent in walking exercise before and after participation in the program. A statistically significant difference was seen (p<0.05). The satisfaction level for program process evaluation was high, at 4.57±0.63 point. Conclusion The non-face-to-face obesity management program was useful for obesity management for adults in communities, as it enables individual counseling by experts and active participation through self-body measurement and recording without restriction by time and place. However, the program had some restrictions on participation that may relate to the age of the subject, such as skill and comfort in using a mobile app.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic greatly impacted the health and economy worldwide. Children and adolescents are less affected by COVID-19 but are more vulnerable to secondary damage, such as mental health. We would like to evaluate the subjective economic changes caused by COVID-19 in Korea and adolescents’ mental health status. Methods: The data are based on the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey, published by the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention in South Korea. It is an annual cross-sectional national representative survey of middle and high school students. There were 54,948 subjects, and the survey was conducted from August 3, 2020 to November 13, 2020. We investigated usual stress, loneliness, anxiety, sadness and hopelessness, and suicidal ideation. Results: We found that the odds ratio of adolescent mental health increased as the economic deterioration caused by COVID-19 increased. Overall, it was more severe in female students, and the greater the economic change, the worse the anxiety in boys and the worse the sadness and hopelessness in girls. Conclusion We hope that it will be possible to prevent and intervene early in adolescents, considering not only the risk of infection from COVID-19 but also mental health, especially mental health related to the economic deterioration caused by COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to develop the models for regional cardiac surgery centers, which take regional characteristics into consideration, as a policy measure that could alleviate the concentration of cardiac surgery in the metropolitan area and enhance the accessibility for patients who reside in the regions. METHODS: To develop the models and set standards for the necessary personnel and facilities for the initial management plan, we held workshops, debates, and conference meetings with various experts. RESULTS: After partitioning the plan into two parts (the operational autonomy and the functional comprehensiveness), three models were developed: the ‘independent regional cardiac surgery center’ model, the ‘satellite cardiac surgery center within hospitals’ model, and the ‘extended cardiac surgery department within hospitals’ model. Proposals on personnel and facility management for each of the models were also presented. A regional cardiac surgery center model that could be applied to each treatment area was proposed, which was developed based on the anticipated demand for cardiac surgery. The independent model or the satellite model was proposed for Chungcheong, Jeolla, North Gyeongsang, and South Gyeongsang area, where more than 500 cardiac surgeries are performed annually. The extended model was proposed as most effective for the Gangwon and Jeju area, where more than 200 cardiac surgeries are performed annually. CONCLUSION: The operation of regional cardiac surgery centers with high caliber professionals and quality resources such as optimal equipment and facility size, should enhance regional healthcare accessibility and the quality of cardiac surgery in South Korea.
Delivery of Health Care ; Education ; Gangwon-do ; Health Facilities ; Health Services Accessibility ; Humans ; Korea ; Quality of Health Care ; Thoracic Surgery*