OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the level of awareness of myocardial infarction (MI) symptoms among the general public in Korea and identify factors affecting awareness of MI symptoms using data from the 2017 Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS). METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study using KCHS data. Based on five questions about MI symptoms, participants were divided into an awareness group (replied ‘yes’ to all five questions) and an unawareness group (replied ‘no’ or ‘not sure’ to at least one of five questions) for analysis. RESULTS: Of a total of 228,281 participants, 42.4% were aware of MI symptoms. There was a high level of awareness of chest pain and shortness of breath, but a low level of awareness of gastrointestinal symptoms and pain in the arm, shoulder, jaw, neck, and back. While women had a higher level of overall awareness relative to men, they showed a lower level of awareness regarding chest pain and discomfort. The factors affecting awareness of MI symptoms were gender, age, education level, occupation, smoking, drinking, physical inactivity, and cardiovascular disease risk factors. CONCLUSIONS In order to enhance awareness of MI symptoms among the general population, appropriate education and promotion efforts must be implemented based on gender, age, education level, and occupation. Moreover, active efforts by the government, educational institutions, and medical institutions are necessary to improve awareness of both typical and atypical MI symptoms. Furthermore, health policies to promote reduced smoking and drinking and increased physical activity, as well as continuous monitoring and management of individuals with cardiovascular disease risk factors, are required.

OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study based on the health belief model investigated predictors of anticipated coping behavior at myocardial infarction (MI) symptom onset using secondary data from the 2017 Korea Community Health Survey. METHODS: Modifying variables (socioeconomic, health knowledge, perceived threat) were selected as independent variables and anticipated coping behavior at MI symptom onset as the dependent variable. Calling 911 was classified as the correct anticipated coping behavior, while visiting a hospital or an oriental hospital, calling family, and others were classified as incorrect. RESULTS: Of 227,740 participants, 83.2% reported correct anticipated coping behaviors. The likelihood of calling 911 was low if participants experienced atypical symptoms (jaw, neck, back, arm, and shoulder pain), even if they were aware of those symptoms. However, 69.9% of participants who were aware of typical symptoms (chest pain) stated that they would call-911. Sex, age, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and awareness of MI symptoms affected the correct anticipated coping behavior. CONCLUSIONS Correct coping abilities among the general public are vitally important for early treatment of MI patients and reduction of hospitalization time. Members of the general public in their 20s and 30s, 60 years of age or older, with cardiovascular risk factors (male sex, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity), and who are not aware of MI symptoms should be educated about the typical and atypical symptoms of MI. Emergency medical services should be called without delay if needed, and public relations activities should be carried out to raise awareness that anyone can use emergency medical services.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the level of awareness of myocardial infarction (MI) symptoms among the general public in Korea and identify factors affecting awareness of MI symptoms using data from the 2017 Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS). METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study using KCHS data. Based on five questions about MI symptoms, participants were divided into an awareness group (replied ‘yes’ to all five questions) and an unawareness group (replied ‘no’ or ‘not sure’ to at least one of five questions) for analysis. RESULTS: Of a total of 228,281 participants, 42.4% were aware of MI symptoms. There was a high level of awareness of chest pain and shortness of breath, but a low level of awareness of gastrointestinal symptoms and pain in the arm, shoulder, jaw, neck, and back. While women had a higher level of overall awareness relative to men, they showed a lower level of awareness regarding chest pain and discomfort. The factors affecting awareness of MI symptoms were gender, age, education level, occupation, smoking, drinking, physical inactivity, and cardiovascular disease risk factors. CONCLUSIONS In order to enhance awareness of MI symptoms among the general population, appropriate education and promotion efforts must be implemented based on gender, age, education level, and occupation. Moreover, active efforts by the government, educational institutions, and medical institutions are necessary to improve awareness of both typical and atypical MI symptoms. Furthermore, health policies to promote reduced smoking and drinking and increased physical activity, as well as continuous monitoring and management of individuals with cardiovascular disease risk factors, are required.

OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study based on the health belief model investigated predictors of anticipated coping behavior at myocardial infarction (MI) symptom onset using secondary data from the 2017 Korea Community Health Survey. METHODS: Modifying variables (socioeconomic, health knowledge, perceived threat) were selected as independent variables and anticipated coping behavior at MI symptom onset as the dependent variable. Calling 911 was classified as the correct anticipated coping behavior, while visiting a hospital or an oriental hospital, calling family, and others were classified as incorrect. RESULTS: Of 227,740 participants, 83.2% reported correct anticipated coping behaviors. The likelihood of calling 911 was low if participants experienced atypical symptoms (jaw, neck, back, arm, and shoulder pain), even if they were aware of those symptoms. However, 69.9% of participants who were aware of typical symptoms (chest pain) stated that they would call-911. Sex, age, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and awareness of MI symptoms affected the correct anticipated coping behavior. CONCLUSIONS Correct coping abilities among the general public are vitally important for early treatment of MI patients and reduction of hospitalization time. Members of the general public in their 20s and 30s, 60 years of age or older, with cardiovascular risk factors (male sex, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity), and who are not aware of MI symptoms should be educated about the typical and atypical symptoms of MI. Emergency medical services should be called without delay if needed, and public relations activities should be carried out to raise awareness that anyone can use emergency medical services.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate lifestyle-related predictors of prediabetes and diabetes in young adults aged 20–39 years using data from the 2014-2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional, secondary analysis using the KNHANES data. Participants were classified into normal group (fasting plasma glucose [FPG] <100 mg/dL and/or hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] <5.7%), prediabetes group (FPG 100-125 mg/dL and/or HbA1c 5.7-6.4%), and diabetes group (FPG ≥126 mg/dL and/or HbA1c ≥ 6.5%). The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: Out of 4,190 participants, 27.7% of men and 16.3% of women were in the prediabetes group and 1.4% of men and 1.3% of women were in the diabetes group. Logistic regression confirmed that age and obesity are predictors of prediabetes and diabetes in both men and women. Additionally low physical activity and low education level are predictors of prediabetes in men and women, respectively (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study has found that age and increased obesity are predictors of elevated blood glucose in young men and women in their 20s and 30s. A strategy to lower obesity by promoting physical activity in men in their 30s is essential to prevent metabolic syndrome and progression to prediabetes.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate lifestyle-related predictors of prediabetes and diabetes in young adults aged 20–39 years using data from the 2014-2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional, secondary analysis using the KNHANES data. Participants were classified into normal group (fasting plasma glucose [FPG] <100 mg/dL and/or hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] <5.7%), prediabetes group (FPG 100-125 mg/dL and/or HbA1c 5.7-6.4%), and diabetes group (FPG ≥126 mg/dL and/or HbA1c ≥ 6.5%). The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: Out of 4,190 participants, 27.7% of men and 16.3% of women were in the prediabetes group and 1.4% of men and 1.3% of women were in the diabetes group. Logistic regression confirmed that age and obesity are predictors of prediabetes and diabetes in both men and women. Additionally low physical activity and low education level are predictors of prediabetes in men and women, respectively (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study has found that age and increased obesity are predictors of elevated blood glucose in young men and women in their 20s and 30s. A strategy to lower obesity by promoting physical activity in men in their 30s is essential to prevent metabolic syndrome and progression to prediabetes.

Purpose: This study investigated the influence of sedentary behavior and smartphone use on the risk of generalized anxiety disorder among adolescents. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional, secondary analysis using the 2021 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey data. Data from 54,848 adolescents were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Rao-Scott x2 test, and hierarchical logistic regression. Results: After controlling for socio-demographic, health-related behavior, and mental health factors as compounding variables, adolescents who sat for more than seven hours, when studying, on weekends had a significantly higher risk of generalized anxiety disorder odds ratios than those who sat for less than three hours. Adolescents who used smartphones for more than eight hours on weekdays and weekends had a significantly higher risk of generalized anxiety disorder odds ratios than those who used smartphones for less than four hours. Conclusion It is necessary to provide an expanded health education program that reduces sedentary behavior and smartphone use to prevent the risk of generalized anxiety disorder at home and school.

Purpose: Sedentary office workers lack physical activity and have a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study attempted to develop a remote physical activity improvement program for sedentary office workers and verify its effectiveness by applying it to male workers in their 30s and 40s with MetS. Methods: This study used a randomized control group pretesteposttest design, and the study sample was 75 male workers recruited from an information and technology company. They were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n = 38) or control (n = 37) group. The remote physical activity improvement program was constructed based on the self-regulation theory emphasizing autonomy, and was conducted through non-face-to-face Zoom once a week for a total of 12 weeks. Health education, exercise training, small group meetings, and individual counseling were provided, and tailored text messages were sent to participants every day to encourage them to reflect on their lifestyle and practice exercise. Results: The remote physical activity program significantly increased basic psychological needs (Z = -7.55, p < .001), intrinsic motivation (Z = -6.94, p < .001), health promotion behavior, (Z = -6.63, p < .001), and physical and physiological indicators (p < .05) in the intervention group compared to those in the control group. Conclusions In managing MetS among office workers, it was found that remote education using the Zoom platform was effective, even during the coronavirus pandemic. As a strategy for health education in the workplace, remote education content needs to be developed and applied.

PURPOSE: We conducted a comparative study to evaluate the diagnostic values of Tl-201, Tc-99m MIBI and I-131 scans in the follow-up assessment after ablative I-131 therapy in differentiated thyroid cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 20 patients who underwent surgical removal of thyroid cancer and ablative radioactive iodine therapy, and followed by one or more times of I-131 retreatments (33 cases). In all patients, Tl-201, Tc-99m MIBI, diagnostic and therapeutic I-131 scans were performed and the RESULTS were analyzed retrospectively. Also serum thyroglobulin levels were measured in all patients. The final diagnosis of recurrent or metastatic thyroid cancer was determined by clinical, biochemical, radiologic and/or biopsy findings. RESULTS: Positive rates (PR) of Tc-99m MIBI, Tl-201, diagnostic and therapeutic I-131 scans in detecting malignant thyroid tissue lesions were 70% (19/27), 54% (15/28), 35% (17/48) and 63% (30/48), respectively. The PR in the group of 20 cases (28 lesions) who underwent concomitant Tl-201 and I-131 scans were in the order of therapeutic 131 scan 71%, Tl-201 scan 54% and diagnostic I-131 scan 36%. There was no statistically significant difference between Tl-201 and diagnostic I-131 scans (p>0.05). In the group of 20 cases (27 lesions) who underwent concomitant Tc-99m MIBI and I-131 scans, the PR were in the order of Tc-99m MIBI scan 70%, I-131 therapeutic scan 52% and I-131 diagnostic scan 33%. The PR of Tc-99m MIBI was significantly higher than that of diagnostic I-131 scan (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Tc-99m MIBI scan is superior to diagnostic I-131 scan in detecting recurrent or metastatic thyroid cancer following ablation therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Tl-201 scan did not showed significantly higher positive rate than diagnostic I-131 scan. Instead of diagnostic I-131 scan before the I-131 retreatment, Tc-99m MIBI scan without discontinuing thyroid hormone replacement would be a prudent and effective approach in the management of these patients.
Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Iodine ; Retreatment ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms*

This study was conducted to identify the attributes constituting Korean social support and to validate the results of the previous study 'Search for the meaning of social support in Korean Society.' The informants were 41 Korean middle-aged women in three cities : Seoul, Dagjun and Daeku. The data were collected through indepth interviews using the interview guide from Jun. 1994 to Jun. 1995. The interview guide was developed in the simulated situations of 'Stroke attack' which expected to be in need of social support. The women were asked to answer what they felt and the appropriated terms representing the situations. Data analysis were conducted by content analysis. consequently, the Koran social support pyramid was modified as follows ; Support is the apex of the pyramid. The four sides of the pyramid are made up of 'Jung'(Bound by ties of affection, regard or shared common experience, Connectedness), Do-oom(both emotional and material help), Mi-dum(Faith or belief in) and Sa-Rang(Love). The base of the pyramid is 'yun'(the basic network of relationships in Korean culture) that connote the meaning of Eunhae(Benevolence), Euimu(duty, responsibility) and Dori(obligation).
Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged* ; Seoul ; Statistics as Topic