PURPOSE: The present study purposed to investigate Korean adults health status, smoking perception. and self-efficacy of smoking cessation according to whether smoking or not. METHODS: This study conducted a questionnaire survey of 694 adults at D County in Korea during the period from the 10th of June to the 10th of July 2004. The instruments used for this study were scales on health status, smoking perception and self-efficacy: of smoking cessation. Data was analyzed by frequency and percentage, mean and SD, chi2-test, t-test, ANOVA using SPSS 11.0 program. RESULTS: The subjects of this study were 503 men and 191 women, and 60.8% of the male subjects and 6.8% of the female subjects were smokers. With respect to health status (t=-2.58, p=0.010), smoking perception (t=10.59. p<0.000) and the self-efficacy of smoking cessation (t=-23.04, p<0.000), there were significant differences according to whether smoking or not. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to make repeated study to find other variables that affect adults smoking and to develop smoking cessation programs that enhance the self-efficacy of smoking cessation.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Smoke* ; Smoking Cessation* ; Smoking* ; Weights and Measures ; Surveys and Questionnaires

In order to obtain baseline data for the development of an educational program on breastfeeding, a survey was carried out to investigate infant feeding practices, the characteristics the subjects have in common, and the factors that influence the feeding methods among women in Seoul and the Chungbuk area. Subjects included 671 lactating mothers who visited public health centers or pediatric clinics between December 1999 and February 2000, and were interviewed using a questionnaire. The results were as follows : With respect to feeding methods, the incidence of breastfeeding, formula feeding, mixed feeding and formula feeding switched from breastfeeding was 20.6%, 29.8%, 11.6%, and 38.0%, respectively. With respect to the characteristics the subjects had in common, the incidence of women who planned their infants' feeding methods before pregnancy, during pregancy, and after delivery was 48.7%, 31.0%, and 20.3%, respectively. The incidence of women who started breastfeeding in the hospital after delivery was 38.8%. About seventy seven percet of the subjects had not previously attended an educational program on breastfeeding, and most of these wanted to participate in the future in an educational program to learn about breastfeeding. Some of the topics they were interested in were 'Nutritional Management for Sufficient Breast Milk' (60.3%), "Breast Care" (25.0%), and "Correct Nursing Positions" (9.8%). Most (88.2%) of the women who breastfeed suffered from physical discomforts including discomfort of the waist, and legs and discomfort due to cracked or sore nipples. "Insufficient breast milk" was the main reason for breastfeeding cessation or for switching to formula feeding. With respect to formula feeding practices, the main reasons for selecting a specific brand of formula were "the same brand the hospital used after delivery" (34.3%) and "an advertised brand" (23.3%). The strongest factor for promoting breastfeeding was "the support of husband or parents", next were "breastfeeding in the hospital after delivery" and "planning to breastfeed before pregnancy" in that order. The characteristics the subjects had in common relating to formula feeding were "mother's job", "high economic level", "Caesarian section" and "planning to breastfeed after delivery". In conclusion, it is recommended that breastfeeding be pro-moted, and educational programs be developed and offered as soon as possible to each group which had unfavorable attitudes toward breastfeeding. In addition, the monitoring and supervision of formula advertisements is required to protect consumers from the adverse effects of exaggerated advertising.
Breast ; Breast Feeding ; Chungcheongbuk-do* ; Feeding Methods ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Leg ; Mothers ; Nipples ; Nursing ; Organization and Administration ; Pregnancy ; Public Health ; Seoul* ; Spouses ; Surveys and Questionnaires

A survey was carried out to investigate the breastfeeding knowledge, breastfeeding rates and related factors among women in Seoul and the Chungbuk area, in order to obtain baseline data for the development of an education program on breastfeeding. Subjects included 671 lactating mothers who visited public health or pediatric centers, between December, 1999 and February, 2000 and were interviewed using a questionnaire. The results are as follows: In the breastfeeding knowledge, most of the subjects (93.4%) knew correctly that 'breastfeeding is better for a baby's emotional development than formula feeding,' whereas only half of the subjects (51.7%) answered correctly the question on whether 'formula is more nutritious than breastmilk.' The breastfeeding rates were about 57%, 40%, 33% and 12%, respectively for baby's aged 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. These results showed that the breastfeeding rate rapidly decreased with the baby's age. Lower breastfeeding rates were associated with high educational level (college graduate and above), high income, mothers' employment, no experience of attending breastfeeding education programs, and no planning on breastfeeding prior to pregnancy. There was a significant relationship between the level of knowledge and breastfeeding practice; the higher the knowledge score, the higher the breastfeeding rate. In conclusion, an education program should be developed and offered for each low breastfeeding rate group, in order to promote breastfeeding.
Breast Feeding* ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Education* ; Employment ; Female ; Humans ; Mothers ; Pregnancy ; Public Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Seoul

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of a smoking cessation program on the amount of smoking and nicotine dependence and the self-efficacy of smoking cessation for smoking workers. METHODS: The total number of subjects was 38 smokers and was divided into two: 16 smokers were placed in the experimental group and 22 in the control group. A nonequivalent control group pretestposttest design was used. The smoking cessation program consisted of two sessions and was implemented for two hours daily for five days. Data was analyzed by using the SPSS/WIN 11.0 program with Chi2-test, t-test or Mann-Whitney U and ANCOVA. RESULTS: After the treatment, those belonging to the experimental group showed a significantly decreased amount of smoking, a decreased nicotine dependency and increased self-efficacy compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The smoking cessation program was effective for diminishing the amount of smoking, decreasing nicotine dependence and improving self-efficacy. Therefore, this program is recommended as a smoking cessation strategy for adult smokers.
Adult ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Patient Education as Topic ; *Self Efficacy ; Smoking/*psychology ; Smoking Cessation/*methods/psychology ; Tobacco Use Disorder/*prevention & control

Breastfeeding is an ideal approach for physical and emotional development of babies, as well as recovery of mothers. A breastfeeding education for female students seems to be an effective intervention to increase the Korean women breastfeeding rate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate their knowledge, attitudes, and other related breastfeeding variables for developing a design for a pre-parental breastfeeding educational information for Korean female students of childbearing age. The sample consisted of 205 Korean female college students, ranging in age from 20 to 25 years old. In this study, a self-administered questionnaire included 6 pages with close-ended multiple-choice questions, and included a cover page with 15 questions on demographic characteristics and personal experiences related to breastfeeding. Data analysis was done utilizing inferential statistics using SPSS 12.0 computer program. The findings indicated that breastfeeding education programs should focus on the practical aspect of attitudes toward breastfeeding, and that educational information design should focus on the practical aspects of breastfeeding for all levels of students' education by nurses. Therefore, education for female college students seems to be an effective intervention to increase breastfeeding rate. This study is useful for descriptions of educational activities to help female students develop positive attitudes to breastfeed, to help these students have confidence toward breast-feeding in future by providing correct information and practical techniques on breastfeeding.
Breast Feeding ; Female ; Humans ; Mothers ; Software ; Statistics as Topic ; Surveys and Questionnaires

We report a case of a 44 year old femele with unilateral aldosterone-proudcing adrenal adenoma characterized by hypertension, plasma aldosterone excess, and low plasma renin, commonly but not invariably with hypokalemia. She also had asymmetric septal hypertrophy of left ventricle established with two-dimensional echocardiography. The electrocardiogram showed inverted T wave and prominent U wave with high QRS voltage on precordial leads. In the case of this patient, we are not sure whether asymmetric septal hypertrophy was caused by secondary hypertension and chronic aldosterone excess of primary aldosteronism, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy per se, so further long=term follow-up is required to determine it. Following the successful unilateral adrenalectomy, however, the systemic pressure fell down to the normal level and electrolyte abnormalities were corrected immediaterly within a few days and the modest regression in septal hypertrophy was noted in one year, suggesting that the promary aldosteronism contributes to the development or porgression of asymmetric septal hepertrophy.
Adenoma ; Adrenalectomy ; Adult ; Aldosterone ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic* ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism* ; Hypertension ; Hypertrophy ; Hypokalemia ; Plasma ; Renin

Several studies have reported that heavy metals have a relation with osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures. In this study, we investigated the association between heavy metal exposure status, as assessed by serum major heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) and bone mineral density (BMD) status among Korean adults. A total of 64 adults participated in this study and were assigned to one of three study groups based on the T-score of spine BMD: a normal group (n = 21, T-score > -1), osteopenia group (n = 29, -2.5 < T-score < or = -1) and osteoporosis group (n = 14, T-score < or = -2.5). We also assessed serum levels of heavy metals (Pb, Cd and Hg) by using atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) and daily nutrient and food intakes for 3 days by using 24-hr recall method in the subjects. The mean age was significantly higher in the osteoporosis group compared with the osteopenia and normal groups (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in serum levels of Pb, Cd and Hg among the three groups after adjusting for age. Daily intakes of energy, nutrients were not significantly different among the three groups. The osteoporosis group consumed significantly higher fish and shellfish than the other groups (p < 0.05). In the correlation analysis controlling for age, sex, BMI, and BMD status, the serum Cd level was significantly negatively correlated with intake of cereals, milks and total food. In summary, we did not find a direct association between serum heavy metal levels and BMD status. However, negative relationships were found between serum heavy metal levels and intake of some foods.
Absorption ; Adult ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Cadmium ; Edible Grain ; Eating* ; Humans ; Metals, Heavy* ; Milk ; Osteoporosis ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Shellfish ; Spine

Sexuality education in the period of adolescents need much care and attention. The programs of sexual education through the Internet are excellent resources for adolescents to gain the information related to their sexual health. And systematic program which is necessary for adolescents to manage their sexual health has been rarely found in Korea. The purpose of this study was to offer valuable database for program design and evaluation on sexual education of middle school students through the Internet. Needs assessment for the information of sexual education on the internet among middle school students were carried out. A questionnaire survey was conducted with respondents of 602 middle school students from January to March in 2002. In the sexual counseling center for middle school students, counseling cases through internet were analyzed and evaluated from October, 2001 to September, 2002, We have selected 16 Sexual educational websites in Seoul confirmed Korean Educational Human Resource. Contents which was illustrated in 16 sexual educational websites were analyzed and evaluated by 12 sexual counselors. Design and evaluation of the program on the internet for sexuality education of adolescences was conducted on the basis of this study results by middle school expert teachers, sexual counselors, sexuality education professionals. Data was statistically analyzed using dBSTAT 4.0 for Windows.The extent and phase of the teaching-learning program of the sexuality education on the internet was seen as follows :1. We evaluated to need for sexuality education on the internet by middle school student.2. We assessed the properness of sexuality education curriculum on the internet frequently used by middle school students.3. We designed teaching strategy and learning program for sexuality education of the middle school students. 4. We developed the assessment method for the teaching-learning program of the sexuality education in adolescences on the internet.Middle school students responded that sexual education through Internet is needed in the order of programs related to acquaintances with opposite sex, Sexual culture and ethics, Sexual health, Reproductive health structure and development, Marriage and family, Psychology of Sexuality, Pregnancy and birth. In the internet counseling, cases on the 'reproductive health structure and development' was ranked as the top. In short we have found the most needs as follows; Meaning of the marriage life and having family, Sexes and Love, Human relation, Sexual Culture.We recommend as follows on the basis of this study results: 1. It is necessary for sexuality education program on the internet to specify acccording to age and target the specific individual needs. 2. Sexual educators have to employ various educational materials such as flash, cartoon, multimedia in order to provide effective sexuality education. 3. Internet based sex education need to be evaluated regularly through reassessment of the effectiveness of sexuality education for content quality and richness.
Adolescent ; Counseling ; Curriculum ; Education* ; Ethics ; Friends ; Humans ; Internet* ; Korea ; Learning ; Love ; Marriage ; Multimedia ; Needs Assessment ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Reproductive Health ; Seoul ; Sex Education ; Sexuality*

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to examine the factors associated with initiation and continuation of breastfeeding among Korean women in relation to their employment status. METHODS: Data were collected using a web-based self-administered questionnaire from 1,031 Korean mothers living in Seoul with babies younger than 24 months. Demographic characteristics, education on breastfeeding, rooming in, breastfeeding during hospital stay, and breastfeeding knowledge were examined. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with initiation and continuation at 1, 6 and 12 months according to mothers' employment status. RESULTS: Breastfeeding initiation rates were similar regardless of mothers' employment status. Continuation rates decreased for both groups of mothers, but were significantly lower among employed mothers at all duration points. Unemployed mothers who were able to keep their babies in the same room during the hospital stay were more likely to initiate breastfeeding. The factor that was consistently associated with breastfeeding continuation for all duration points among unemployed mothers was whether the mother breastfed during the hospital stay. Higher knowledge scores and having an infant with atopic dermatitis were also associated with breastfeeding continuation at 6 months and 12 months, respectively for unemployed mothers, and receiving education on breastfeeding was associated with 12-month continuation for employed mothers. CONCLUSION: These results emphasize the significant roles of hospitals for breastfeeding initiation and continuation, with rooming-in, initial breastfeeding practice and education during hospital stay as important practices. In addition, for working mothers to continue their breastfeeding, significant support from the workplace is crucial.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Breast Feeding/*statistics & numerical data ; Dermatitis, Atopic/pathology ; *Employment ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Internet ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Mothers/psychology ; Odds Ratio ; Republic of Korea ; Social Support ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Workplace

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of accidental events, depression, and anxiety among workers with industrial accidents in South Korea. METHODS: The participants were 510 workers with industrial accidents. Data were collected by personal interviews with structured questionnaires for three months from August to October in 2005. For analyses, frequencies and means were utilized. RESULTS: The participants' average age was 44.9 years, and about 91% of them were male. Also, they had a greater risk of poverty after being injured. The most frequent cause of accidents was fall (32.2%), and the most frequent injured body area was extremities (73.9%). For around a half of the participants, the treatment period was 12 months or shorter. The participants were at great risk of experiencing a negative impact due to events, depression, and anxiety. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to develop: (a) strategies for injured workers to be financially stable during recuperation; and (b) supporting systems for them not to suffer and exacerbate mental health problems after being injured.
Accidents, Occupational ; Anxiety* ; Depression* ; Extremities ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mental Health ; Poverty ; Surveys and Questionnaires