PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a tool to measure job stress related to occupational characteristics of infection control nurses. METHODS: The tool was developed through the steps of literature reviews, preparatory questions, and a test of validity and confidence. The participants were 212 infection control nurses from 145 Korean hospitals. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Cronbach's alpha coefficients, item analysis, factor analysis. RESULTS: Through factor analysis, 38 items in four domains and nine factors were derived. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the final instrument was .95. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that the measurement tool is reliable and valid to measure the job stress of infection control nurses.
Infection Control*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the training effectiveness and behavior towards the elderly of 180 caregiver trainees. METHODS: Data were collected from five caregiver training institutions located in G city. All subjects were surveyed about the training effectiveness and behavior towards the elderly by using the Training Effectiveness Scale and the Behavior towards the Elderly Scale. Data were analyzed by SPSS/WIN 12.0 program. RESULTS: The study subjects gained a training effectiveness score of 3.84 out of 5 points and a behavior towards the elderly score 3.40 out of 4 points. The training effectiveness differed significantly depending on subject's characteristics, intention to work as a caregiver, and hours of training. There were significant differences in behavior towards the elderly depending on their age and hours of training. The training effectiveness was significantly correlated with the level of behavior towards the elderly. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrated the necessity of developing a level of educational training that will help improve caregiver trainees' care by positively changing their behavior towards the elderly.
Aged ; Caregivers ; Humans ; Intention

PURPOSE: This study was designed to construct a structural model for explaining model health-related quality of life in acquired people with physical disabilities. METHOD: The hypothetical model of this study was consisted of 6 latent variables and 14 observed variables. Exogenous variables included in this model were physical status and economical level. Endogenous variables were social attitudes, family function, self-esteem, and health-related quality of life. Data were collected from 226 acquired people with physical disabilities residing in Seoul and Kyunggi-do from January to February, 2005. The collected data were analyzed using SAS 8.2 version and LISREL 8.32 version program. RESULTS: The results of the fitness test of the modified model were follow as; chi-square=67.479 (df=50, p=.05), GFI= .959, AGFI=.914, SRMR=.049, NFI=.961, NNFI=.979, CN=249.244. Health-related quality of life was influenced directly by physical status, economic level, and social attitudes and accounted for 88.8% of the variance by these factors. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that physical status is the most significant effect on health-related quality of life, and social attitudes and economic level are important factors having influences on health- related quality of life. Therefore improving physical status and economic level, and modifying negative attitudes are necessary to increase health-related quality of life of acquired people with acquired physical disabilities.
Disabled Persons ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Models, Structural ; Quality of Life* ; Seoul

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate effects of aroma foot bath on urination status (Prostatic Symptom and bother score due to urinary symptoms) and stress related to urination in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: This study consists of pre- and post-tests in a non-equivalent group design. The 52 BPH patients selected by random sampling in G City were assigned to two groups (experimental group=26, control group=26). Data of their general characteristics, urination status and stress related to urination were collected using self-reported questionnaires. Aroma Foot Bath was performed to the experimental group for 15-20 minutes every day for a week. Descriptive statistics and independent t-test were used for the analyses in this study with the SPSS/WIN 21.0 version program. RESULTS: Prostatic symptom and bother score due to urinary symptoms in the experimental group were improved than those in the control group (t=-7.94, p<.001). Compared to the control group, the stress related to urination in the experimental group (t=-8.78, p<.001) was significantly reduced (t=-5.21, p<.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that aroma foot bath is effective in improving urination status and reducing stress related to urination in BPH patients.
Aromatherapy ; Baths* ; Foot* ; Humans ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Urination Disorders ; Urination*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether subjective health and social support influence depression directly or indirectly through self-control of the physically disabled. METHOD: A five item General Health Short Form (SF-36) Health Survey Questionnaire was used to measure subjective health. Social support and self-control were measured by Social Support Questionnaire 6 and Mastery Scale. The level of depression was measured by CES-D (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression). RESULT: The level of depression was high (M=22.23). Seventy percent of the subjects were depressed. Subjective health and satisfaction with social support influenced self-control. Subjective health influenced the level of depression directly and indirectly, but self-control influenced the level of depression only directly. CONCLUSION: Subjective health and satisfaction with social support influenced depression through self-control in physically disabled persons. Therefore, when we manage these subjects' depression, it is seemed that program which lowers the level of depression by assessing and correcting these factors should be prepared.
Depression* ; Disabled Persons* ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The purpose of the study was to investigate Body Mass Index (BMI), the perception of weight problem and the level of self-esteem and depression in high school and college females. The convenience sample consisted of 303 high school females and 481 college females. Data were collected between November 1999 and December 1999. Subjects ranged in age from 15 years and 26 years. BMI was calculated based on the subject's self-reported body weight and height. Self-perception of having a weight problem was evaluated by a single item question. The Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale were utilized to measure the level of self-esteem and depression symptoms. BMI mean scores were 19.92 and 19.83 in high school females and college females, respectively. Based on BMI, 79.2 percent of high school females and 85.2 percent of college females were in a normal weight range. Only 2.6 percent of high school females and 1.5 percent college females were obese. Both high school and college females perceived their body weight problem as moderately severe. The mean scores of depression were 20.33 in high school females and 21.69 in college females. Sixty percent of high school females were depressed and 73.4 percent of college students. There was no significant difference between two groups in BMI. However, high school females perceived their weight problem more severe than college females. College females had higher levels of self-esteem and depression than high school females. BMI and perceptions of weight problem revealed a positive relationship in both groups. Results of the study revealed that a perception of weight problem contributed significantly to predict the level of self-esteem and depression in both groups. BMI score had significant effect on only college females' self-esteem. In the study, even though the mean score of BMI was in a normal range, subjects perceived their weight problems as moderatley severe. Since the perception of a weight problem influenced the level of self-esteem and depression, health care providers need to teach them about the normal weight range in BMI criteria.
Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Depression* ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Female* ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Reference Values ; Self Concept

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influencing factors on health-related quality of life of physically disabled persons. METHOD: Data was collected from 96 persons with a physical disability in three cities in Korea from June to September, 2003. Social support and depression were measured by a Social Support Questionnaire 6 (SSQ6) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression questionnaire (CES-D). The Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale was used to measure self-esteem. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was measured using Smith Kline Beecham Quality of Life Scale (SBQOL). The SPSS WIN 11.0 version program was used for data analysis. RESULT: There were significant differences of HRQOL according to monthly income and economic status. All subjects had a high level of depression and low self-esteem. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study show that self-esteem and the size of the social support network are significant influencing variables on HRQOL in physically disabled persons. Nursing intervention and counseling programs which improve self-esteem and increase the size of a social support network are needed to promote HRQOL in physically disabled persons.
Social Support ; Self Concept ; Questionnaires ; *Quality of Life ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Korea ; Humans ; *Health Status ; Female ; Disabled Persons/*psychology ; Depressive Disorder/complications ; Aged ; Adult

This study aimed at surveying recreational scuba divers in order to determine demographic characteristics such as diving certification level and diving times, history of medical illnesses or injuries, and incidence of accidents or risks during underwater diving. For this, the authors contacted the managers of 190 diving clubs, which are listed on an online site called "DiveWeb." Responses were obtained from 87 diving clubs, amounting to a total of 154 completed questionnaires. The authors also visited a 4-day-long "Seoul International Sports & Leisure Industry Show" and collected 168 completed questionnaires from certified divers who visited the show. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS for Windows, version 17.0. We found the following results among 314 divers: 261 (83.1%) were male, and 221 (70.4%) were aged 30 to 49 years; 174 divers (55.4%) had over 5 years of diving experience; average body mass index (24.13) was within normal limits; number of non-smokers (175) was greater than that of smokers (139); 110 (35.0%) divers reported past or present diseases (allergic rhinitis being the most common) or injury history. Risky situations that were encountered by the divers included currents, underwater environment, buddy system complications, and air depletion during diving. Underwater diving is a potentially hazardous activity, but at present, medical examinations or fitness tests are not a prerequisite for certified divers in Korea. To secure the safety of underwater divers, we need to establish policies for medical checkups and fitness tests before the divers begin training or attain certification.
Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Certification ; Diving ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Leisure Activities ; Male ; Rhinitis ; Sports ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors affecting sleeping patterns among hospitalized elderly. METHODS: A descriptive correlational study was conducted. Participants were 121 hospitalized elderly in a hospital located in a county. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Almost a half of hospitalized elderly in this study suffer from sleep disturbances. As results of univariate analyses, physical symptoms, anxiety, depression, and environmental factors disturbed sleep among hospitalized elderly. However, the result of stepwise multiple regression analysis identified that anxiety and environmental factors were significant predictors of sleeping patterns for hospitalized elderly and these two factors accounted 32.5% of variance of sleeping patterns among hospitalized elderly. CONCLUSION: Sleep assessment should be conducted on admission to identify sleep difficulties and thereby to improve quality of nursing care. Nurses and other health care personnels should make efforts to decrease anxiety and to eliminate environmental barriers of sleep among hospitalized elderly. Educational programs for nursing staff that offer information about sleep and sleep promoting interventions for the elderly patients are critical. Moreover, sleep promotion intervention program should be developed, applied and evaluated.
Aged ; Anxiety ; Data Collection ; Delivery of Health Care ; Depression ; Humans ; Nursing Care ; Nursing Staff ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This study examined the effect of a self-help management program which strengthens self-efficacy on the self-efficacy and the activities of daily living(ADL) in stroke patients. METHODS: A quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group, pre and post design was used. The subjects consisted of 47 stroke patients. Twenty-six patients were assigned to the experimental group and 21 patients were assigned to the control group. The self-help management program by strengthen self-efficacy and general hospital care were carried out on the experimental group. General hospital care was performed on the control group. The data was collected before and 5 weeks after the program. All subjects were questioned about the self-efficacy and ADL before and after the program. RESULTS: The scores of the self-efficacy and ADL in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: The self-help management program by strengthen self-efficacy is effective in increasing the self-efficacy and ADL. Therefore this program may be a useful intervention to increase the ADL in stroke patients.
Activities of Daily Living ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Stroke