The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Internet-based distance learning offered to graduate nursing students. Eleven on-line qualitative research methodology classes were delivered via ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) along with three off-line classes to doctoral nursing students. The main components of on-line classes were the electronic blackboard and the on-line discussion board. To examine the effect of distance learning, questionnaires, containing achievement questions and perceptions on on-line classes, were administered to students after one month from initial class and after completing the whole course. The results of the course evaluation survey were analyzed and compared with traditional classroom method. The results indicated that students' knowledge on qualitative research methodology was significantly improved. Students were satisfied with the feedback from instructor and the content of the electronic board. However, traditional classroom method rated higher than distance learning. The amount of assignments, the quality and quantity of discussion, lack of clarification of the course contents, and lack of clear evaluation criteria were the main reasons for the students' dissatisfaction on distance learning. Implications for course improvement include creativity in the course development and active communication with students.
Creativity ; Education, Distance* ; Education, Nursing* ; Humans ; Internet ; Nursing* ; Qualitative Research ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Students, Nursing

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe stage distribution of current and former smokers and to analyze significant variables that used by adolescents at each stage using the Transtheoretical Model. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed with 145 students attended to five high schools in one rural area. The survey instruments included stages and processes of change, decisional balance, self-efficacy, and knowledge related to smoking. RESULTS: Among the participants, 47.6% were in the precontemplation and contemplation stages, 20.7% were in the preparation stage, and the other 31.7% were in the action and maintenance stages. Analysis of variance tests revealed that behavioral processes, pros and cons of smoking, and self-efficacy were significantly associated with the stages of smoking cessation, while among 10 processes of change, self-reevaluation, self-liberation, and reinforcement management were significantly different by the stages. CONCLUSIONS: The study results suggest that smoking cessation programs should emphasize behavioral strategies, self-efficacy, and decisional balance to help students adopt and maintain smoking cessation
Adolescent ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Rural Population* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Smoking Cessation*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors of fall and to examine its results among patients aged 60 and over diagnosed with osteoporosis. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive survey was conducted with 91 patients admitted in a university hospital in a city. Data were collected using an interview method with a structured questionnaire, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: In patients with osteoporosis, the intrinsic risk factors of falls were aging (OR = 3.742), gait disturbance (OR = 12.565), taking one or fewer medicine (OR = 7.873), and having two or more diseases (OR = 5.173). The extrinsic risk factors included the use of a bed (OR = 3.093), slippery floors (OR = 12.130), bathroom mat without anti-slip rubber backing (OR = 3.564), and presence of a night light on the passage from the bedroom to the bathroom (OR = 2.980). CONCLUSION: For the elderly aged over 70 who are most vulnerable to falls, screening tests such as bone mineral density (BMD) should be conducted in health examinations and the risk of fracture caused by osteoporosis should be communicated to the vulnerable elderly. Besides, development of new exercise programs combining weightbearing exercise is needed to prevent bone loss and increase functional activities.
Aged ; Aging ; Bone Density ; Floors and Floorcoverings ; Gait ; Humans ; Light ; Logistic Models ; Mass Screening ; Osteoporosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Rubber ; Weight-Bearing ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the personality type, problematic drinking pattern, and stress coping style of the nasal bone fracture patients by comparing those with general fracture patients. METHODS: 50 nasal bone fracture patients due to violence and 50 general fracture patients due to simple trauma, such as fall and traffic accident were conveniently selected. RESULTS: The study results showed that nasal bone fracture patients due to violence significantly presented higher level of A type personality and more problematic drinking pattern than general fracture patients due to simple trauma. Stress coping style, however, did not show significant difference between two groups. CONCLUSION: In order to prepare prevention strategies for basal bone fracture in the future, health education alter problematic drinking habit to sound drinking pattern may be offered and provided nursing interventions tailored to A type personality.
Accidents, Traffic ; Adaptation, Psychological ; Drinking ; Fractures, Bone ; Health Education ; Humans ; Nasal Bone ; Type A Personality ; Violence

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine factors associated with underweight and obesity in elementary school children in Korea. METHODS: Study participants included 4,895 children attending 59 elementary schools across Korea. Children were grouped into underweight [< 5% body mass index (BMI)-for-age], normal weight (5%-85% BMI-for-age), and overweight/obese (> or = 85% BMI-for age). The questionnaire included demographic characteristics, health status, and diet and exercise behavior of children, and environmental characteristics of schools. RESULTS: Twelve percent of the children were overweight or obese. The results showed that demographic (age and gender), health status (atopic dermatitis and poor subjective health), and the characteristics of diet and exercise (unbalanced diet and diet experiences) were associated with underweight (p < .05), while demographic (age and gender), health status (poor subjective health), behavioral characteristics (fast food consumption and diet experiences), and school environmental characteristics (rural area) were associated with overweight/obesity (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Programs and interventions to reduce underweight and overweight/obesity in Korean elementary schools must consider behavioral and environmental characteristics of children.
Age Factors ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Child ; Child Behavior/*psychology ; *Diet ; *Exercise ; *Feeding Behavior/psychology ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity/epidemiology/*psychology ; Republic of Korea ; Sex Factors ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Thinness/epidemiology/*psychology

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the level of quality of life and gender differences in predictors of quality of life among patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS: Participants for this descriptive survey were 67 men and 65 women who signed informed consents. They were patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, or were on medication therapy after a heart attack. The Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Personal Resource Questionnaire-part (II), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale were used to measure quality of life, social support, and depression respectively. Gender and age were controlled because they were reported as influencing factors in previous studies. RESULTS: There were significant differences in depression and quality of life between men and women however, social support was not significantly different by gender. In multiple regression analysis, depression was a significant predictor and explained 51.9% of quality of life for men. In women, depression and social support were significant predictors and explained 50.9% of quality of life. CONCLUSION: Factors influencing quality of life for men and women were different, and therefore, nurses need to consider their patients' gender and use specific strategies to improve quality of life for patients with coronary artery disease.
Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Depression ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Heart ; Humans ; Male ; Quality of Life ; Sex Characteristics ; Transplants

PURPOSE: This study analyzes the relationship between work-life conflict and turnover intention among hospital nurses. Furthermore, it seeks to determine whether the relationship between the two varies depending on the shift work condition of the nurses. METHODS: A total of 435 nurses working at five tertiary hospitals were included in the study. The questionnaire included items on turnover intentions, work-life conflicts, sociodemographic factors, working conditions, and internal and external resources. RESULTS: The level of work-life conflict among shift work nurses was higher than that of non-shift work nurses. The turnover intention was also higher for shift work nurses than for non-shift work nurses. Results from the multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the work-life conflict of nurses had a positive relationship with turnover intention. The effect of work-life conflict on turnover intention was greater for shift work nurses than for non-shift work nurses. CONCLUSION: Work-life conflict had a greater impact on the turnover intention of hospital nurses working under shift work conditions. Based on this study's findings, it can be suggested that, in order to reduce high turnover intention, it will be necessary to make specific efforts to balance work-life conflict and improve working conditions.
Intention ; Logistic Models ; Tertiary Care Centers

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of knowledge, attitude and compliance with standard precautions and to identify predicting factors of compliance with standard precautions in ICU and ER nurses. METHODS: The participants were 228 ICU and ER nurses working in one of three university hospitals and one general hospital. Collected data included general characteristics, features related to infection risk, and knowledge, attitude and compliance with standard precautions. For the final analysis, 218 questionnaires were used. RESULTS: Within the previous one year, 103 (47.3%) nurses experienced pricking injury from syringe needles or other sharp materials, 111 (50.9%) nurses reported exposure to patients' blood and body fluid. In general, the scores for knowledge, attitude and compliance were all high. Compliance scores for nurses in intensive care units were significantly higher than those of nurses in emergency. There were significant correlations of knowledge, attitude, and compliance with standard precautions. Attitude and work place were significant factors predicting compliance with standard precautions. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that to increase nurse's compliance with standard precautions, continuous efforts to enhance positive attitudes and at the same time, improve work environments and use individualized approaches based on the work units are needed.
Body Fluids ; Compliance ; Emergencies ; Hospitals, General ; Hospitals, University ; Hypogonadism ; Critical Care ; Intensive Care Units ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Needles ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Syringes ; Workplace

PURPOSE: This study analyzes the relationship between work-life conflict and turnover intention among hospital nurses. Furthermore, it seeks to determine whether the relationship between the two varies depending on the shift work condition of the nurses. METHODS: A total of 435 nurses working at five tertiary hospitals were included in the study. The questionnaire included items on turnover intentions, work-life conflicts, sociodemographic factors, working conditions, and internal and external resources. RESULTS: The level of work-life conflict among shift work nurses was higher than that of non-shift work nurses. The turnover intention was also higher for shift work nurses than for non-shift work nurses. Results from the multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the work-life conflict of nurses had a positive relationship with turnover intention. The effect of work-life conflict on turnover intention was greater for shift work nurses than for non-shift work nurses. CONCLUSION Work-life conflict had a greater impact on the turnover intention of hospital nurses working under shift work conditions. Based on this study's findings, it can be suggested that, in order to reduce high turnover intention, it will be necessary to make specific efforts to balance work-life conflict and improve working conditions.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to evaluate the effects of a transtheoretical model (TTM) based exercise counseling offered with music skipping rope exercise on components of the TTM (stages of change, decisional balance, and self-efficacy), body mass index, glucose, and lipid profile of overweight/obese children in Korea. METHODS: This study used a nonequivalent pretest and posttest experimental study design. A total of 75 overweight/obese children participated in the study. Eight sessions of exercise counseling combined with music skipping rope exercise for 12 weeks were offered for children in the experimental group, while one session of exercise counseling with music skipping rope exercise for 12 weeks was offered for children in the control group. Outcomes were measured at baseline, and 6 months after the intervention. RESULTS: After the intervention, self-efficacy significantly improved among children in the experimental group (p = .049), while these children maintained their baseline BMI at 6-month follow-up (p > .05). Among children in the control group, BMI significantly increased (p < .05). Fasting blood sugar significantly increased for both groups after the intervention (p < .05). However, a greater increase was observed for the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study partially supports the hypothesis that a TTM-based exercise intervention is effective in maintaining BMI and improving self-efficacy of overweight/obese children. The TTM-based counseling combined with exercise classes has potential to control weight among overweight/obese children, while involvement of parents and children in the development of the theory-based intervention may generate further benefits regarding health and well-being of overweight/obese children.
Adolescent ; Attitude to Health ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Counseling/*methods ; Exercise Therapy/*methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Music Therapy/*methods ; Pediatric Obesity/*prevention & control ; Play and Playthings ; Self Efficacy ; Treatment Outcome