Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) to manage healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) has emerged as one of the most significant public health issues in Korea. The purpose of this study is to draw implications in IPC policies by analyzing the context, process, and major actors in policy development and comparatively analyzing IPC policy contents of Korea with three other countries. Additionally, IPC policies were analyzed in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to provide implications for future pandemics and HCAI events. Methods: This study incorporates a qualitative approach based on document and content analysis, applying codes and thematic categorization. IPC policy contents are comparatively analyzed by adopting the concept model, developed by the World Health Organization, which consists of core components of IPC structure at the national and facility level. Results: National IPC policies were developed within a complex social and political context, through the involvement of various stakeholders. IPC policies in Korea place a high emphasis on establishing IPC programs and built environments in healthcare facilities, whereas there were potentials for improvement in policies involving patients and promoting a safety culture. IPC policies, which currently focus on general hospitals and certain functions of hospitals, should further be expanded to target all healthcare facilities and functions, to ensure more efficient and sustainable IPC responses in the current and future disease outbreaks. Conclusion IPC is a complex policy arena and lessons learned from the analysis of existing policies in the context of COVID-19 should provide valuable strategic implications for future policies.

In order to obtain baseline data for quality improvement of the catering services, a survey was carried out to investigate the consumer use and satisfaction with catering services. Subjects were 171 women who had used catering services within a year previously, and were replied to a questionnaire. The results were as follows: With respect to the use of the catering service, most reasons for using the catering service were no time and no cooking skills, and most events using catering services were the first birthday party and 100th day party for baby. The preferred meal cost was 8,000-10,000 won per person. With respect to customer satisfaction, over 60% of the people were satisfied with catering service which they had used ; they were satisfied with service quality and quantity of the dishes provided whereas they showed a little bit dissatisfaction in desserts and seasonal foods. It is recommended that supplying of sufficient desserts, and development of new and various menus according to seasons should be required to improve the consumer satisfaction with catering services.
Chungcheongbuk-do* ; Consumer Satisfaction ; Cooking ; Female ; Humans ; Meals ; Quality Improvement ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Seasons

The purpose of this study was to investigate fast-food consumption and it's nutrient density, and the correlation between subject's characteristics and consumption frequency of fast-foods among middle school students. The questionnaires were distributed to 150 male and 190 female students in Cheongju city. The data were analyzed using SAS and statistics used were percent of frequency, chi-test, t-test, and pearson's correlation coefficient. The main reasons for using fast-food restaurants were 'good taste' and 'convenience'. The major concerns when the subjects choose fast-foods were 'taste (65.9%), price (20.3%) and 'nutrition' (6.0%). The consumption pattern of fast-foods go as follows: twice a month (42.3%), once a week (31.5%), and less than once a week. The number of fast food items that the subjects ate for one meal was two (46.0%) or three (33.2%). The most frequently chosen combination of foods for number of two choices was beefburger and cola . The mean average energy intake from fast foods for one meal was 620.7 kcal for male, 504.5 kcal for female. The energy ratio of carbohydrate :protein :fat from fast foods was 49 :14 :43, which means fat intake is much higher than recommended level (20%). Fiber was appeared to be the lowest on the nutrient density which was 17.7% of the recommended level for Koreans, vitamin C was next (22.8% for male, 20.7% for female). In mineral, iron was the lowest (71.8% for male, 67.1% for female), and protein was over 100% for both males and females. Frequency of fast food intake was positively correlated with eating frequency of the salty, the sweets, ham, caffeine containing foods, instant noodles, and cookies. In conclusion, frequent consumption of fast foods can lead unbalanced nutrient intakes for middle school students, and those who consumed fast foods frequently showed undesirable food habits in their daily meal. Therefore, nutrition education for middle school students should be needed to encourage them to choose more nutritious food and have healthier dietary pattern.
Ascorbic Acid ; Caffeine ; Chungcheongbuk-do* ; Cola ; Eating ; Education ; Energy Intake ; Fast Foods ; Female ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Iron ; Male ; Meals ; Restaurants

The purpose of this study was to investigate fast-food consumption and it's nutrient density, and the correlation between subject's characteristics and consumption frequency of fast-foods among middle school students. The questionnaires were distributed to 150 male and 190 female students in Cheongju city. The data were analyzed using SAS and statistics used were percent of frequency, chi-test, t-test, and pearson's correlation coefficient. The main reasons for using fast-food restaurants were 'good taste' and 'convenience'. The major concerns when the subjects choose fast-foods were 'taste (65.9%), price (20.3%) and 'nutrition' (6.0%). The consumption pattern of fast-foods go as follows: twice a month (42.3%), once a week (31.5%), and less than once a week. The number of fast food items that the subjects ate for one meal was two (46.0%) or three (33.2%). The most frequently chosen combination of foods for number of two choices was beefburger and cola . The mean average energy intake from fast foods for one meal was 620.7 kcal for male, 504.5 kcal for female. The energy ratio of carbohydrate :protein :fat from fast foods was 49 :14 :43, which means fat intake is much higher than recommended level (20%). Fiber was appeared to be the lowest on the nutrient density which was 17.7% of the recommended level for Koreans, vitamin C was next (22.8% for male, 20.7% for female). In mineral, iron was the lowest (71.8% for male, 67.1% for female), and protein was over 100% for both males and females. Frequency of fast food intake was positively correlated with eating frequency of the salty, the sweets, ham, caffeine containing foods, instant noodles, and cookies. In conclusion, frequent consumption of fast foods can lead unbalanced nutrient intakes for middle school students, and those who consumed fast foods frequently showed undesirable food habits in their daily meal. Therefore, nutrition education for middle school students should be needed to encourage them to choose more nutritious food and have healthier dietary pattern.
Ascorbic Acid ; Caffeine ; Chungcheongbuk-do* ; Cola ; Eating ; Education ; Energy Intake ; Fast Foods ; Female ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Iron ; Male ; Meals ; Restaurants

This study was undertaken to explain weight control behavior and intention of obese children and adolescents as measured by the elements of the health belief model. A total of 732 obese students from 28 schools in Seoul metropolitan area and their mothers were assessed with a self-administered questionnaire. The analyzed results are as follows; l. Among obese students, 45.3% of male students and 57.2% of female students, a significantly higher portion than male students, reported that they had tried to lose weight within the recent year. Exercise was the most frequently used method to lose weight followed by diet control, drug use, and specialized clinic visits, in descending order. 2. Male students were more likely to try to lose weight if they perceived a low threat level and their mother had a job, and female students were more likely to try to lose weight if they were younger in age, perceived a low threat level and had strong external motivating factors. 3. Female students showed a significantly higher level of intention to obesity control than male students, and the intention level of their mothers also showed the same trend. 4. In male students, the degree of weight dissatisfaction, weight control experience, the level of obesity related beliefs of students, the educational level of the mother and economic status of the family were significant predictors of intention to obesity control, and in females, age, the level of obesity related beliefs of students and intention of their mothers were significant. In the mothers of male students, obesity index of students, age of the mother and the level of obesity related beliefs of the mother were significant predictors of intention of the mother, and in the mothers of female students, obesity index of students, occupational status of the mother and obesity related beliefs of the mother were significant. 5. According to the path model of intention to obesity control, the degree of weight dissatisfaction had the most powerful effect in male students, and perceived net benefit level was the most important variable in female students. Since the weight control behavior and intention of obese students were more predictable by the degree of weight dissatisfaction than the obesity index, we can conclude that only the students dissatisfied with their weight are well motivated for obesity control. There can be a discrepancy between the mother and her child's beliefs and intention status(especially in male students), so the therapists should also assess the student's opinion as well as the mother's. In female students, the perceived net benefit level was the most important predictor of intention to obesity control, therefore the intervention program should pay particular attention to the positive benefits of weight control rather than negative aspects(threats) of obesity.
Adolescent* ; Ambulatory Care ; Child* ; Diet ; Drug and Narcotic Control ; Employment ; Female ; Humans ; Intention* ; Male ; Mothers ; Obesity ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Seoul

PURPOSE: This study was performed to develop a proper self-administered survey instrument which can be used to measure psychiatric stress symptoms in Korean dental laboratory technicians, and to investigate the relationship between the symptom dimensions and stress inducing factors, such as psychological distress, stress inducing overload, work demand, work procedure and so forth in them. METHODS: Prepared questionnaires were mailed to 1,000 dental laboratory technicians who were systematically selected. There were 786 responses to the questionnaires. All the data obtained were analyzed with SAS program. RESULTS: Fifty items for the stress symptom checklist for dental technician(SCLD) were selected after a pilot test, interviews and literature reviews. Stress symptoms were classified into the following 6 categories, i.e, somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, and hostility symptom. Factor analysis for validity was carried out for corroboration, using the SCL-90-R as a standard. CONCLUSION: SCLD had the reasonable reliability and validity. We believe that this study provides validity and reliability for new self-report questionnaire, it will make a significant contribution to assessment of stress symptoms.
Anxiety ; Checklist ; Dental Technicians ; Depression ; Hostility ; Humans ; Laboratories, Dental* ; Postal Service ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surveys and Questionnaires

This case report presents 2 patients with gastroesophageal junction cancer who both underwent totally minimally invasive esophagectomy with colon interposition. Patients 1 and 2, who were 43-year-old and 78-year-old men, respectively, had distinct clinical presentations and medical histories. Patient 1 underwent minimally invasive robotic esophagectomy with a laparoscopic total gastrectomy, colonic conduit preparation, and intrathoracic esophago-colono-jejunostomy. Patient 2 underwent completely robotic total gastrectomy, colon conduit preparation, and intrathoracic esophago–colono–jejunostomy. The primary challenge in colon interposition is assessing colon vascularity and ensuring an adequate conduit length, which is critical for successful anastomosis. In both cases, we used indocyanine green fluorescence angiography to evaluate vascularity. Determining the appropriate conduit is challenging; therefore, it is crucial to ensure a slightly longer conduit during reconstruction. Because totally minimally invasive colon interposition can reduce postoperative pain and enhance recovery, this surgical technique is feasible and beneficial.

This case report presents 2 patients with gastroesophageal junction cancer who both underwent totally minimally invasive esophagectomy with colon interposition. Patients 1 and 2, who were 43-year-old and 78-year-old men, respectively, had distinct clinical presentations and medical histories. Patient 1 underwent minimally invasive robotic esophagectomy with a laparoscopic total gastrectomy, colonic conduit preparation, and intrathoracic esophago-colono-jejunostomy. Patient 2 underwent completely robotic total gastrectomy, colon conduit preparation, and intrathoracic esophago–colono–jejunostomy. The primary challenge in colon interposition is assessing colon vascularity and ensuring an adequate conduit length, which is critical for successful anastomosis. In both cases, we used indocyanine green fluorescence angiography to evaluate vascularity. Determining the appropriate conduit is challenging; therefore, it is crucial to ensure a slightly longer conduit during reconstruction. Because totally minimally invasive colon interposition can reduce postoperative pain and enhance recovery, this surgical technique is feasible and beneficial.

This case report presents 2 patients with gastroesophageal junction cancer who both underwent totally minimally invasive esophagectomy with colon interposition. Patients 1 and 2, who were 43-year-old and 78-year-old men, respectively, had distinct clinical presentations and medical histories. Patient 1 underwent minimally invasive robotic esophagectomy with a laparoscopic total gastrectomy, colonic conduit preparation, and intrathoracic esophago-colono-jejunostomy. Patient 2 underwent completely robotic total gastrectomy, colon conduit preparation, and intrathoracic esophago–colono–jejunostomy. The primary challenge in colon interposition is assessing colon vascularity and ensuring an adequate conduit length, which is critical for successful anastomosis. In both cases, we used indocyanine green fluorescence angiography to evaluate vascularity. Determining the appropriate conduit is challenging; therefore, it is crucial to ensure a slightly longer conduit during reconstruction. Because totally minimally invasive colon interposition can reduce postoperative pain and enhance recovery, this surgical technique is feasible and beneficial.

This case report presents 2 patients with gastroesophageal junction cancer who both underwent totally minimally invasive esophagectomy with colon interposition. Patients 1 and 2, who were 43-year-old and 78-year-old men, respectively, had distinct clinical presentations and medical histories. Patient 1 underwent minimally invasive robotic esophagectomy with a laparoscopic total gastrectomy, colonic conduit preparation, and intrathoracic esophago-colono-jejunostomy. Patient 2 underwent completely robotic total gastrectomy, colon conduit preparation, and intrathoracic esophago–colono–jejunostomy. The primary challenge in colon interposition is assessing colon vascularity and ensuring an adequate conduit length, which is critical for successful anastomosis. In both cases, we used indocyanine green fluorescence angiography to evaluate vascularity. Determining the appropriate conduit is challenging; therefore, it is crucial to ensure a slightly longer conduit during reconstruction. Because totally minimally invasive colon interposition can reduce postoperative pain and enhance recovery, this surgical technique is feasible and beneficial.