BACKGROUND: Adolescence is the starting period for health behaviors that will affect their lives throughout adulthood. Unhealthy behaviors in Korean adolescents have increased compared to previous generations. To promote health behaviors in this group, a comprehensive measurement of Korean adolescents' health behaviors is necessary. Most previous studies have used revised instruments, which were developed in other cultures, but not tools developed to measure health behaviors based on the perspectives of Korean adolescents. Identifying the perception of health behavior among Korean adolescents is important for the future of health promotion. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate Korean adolescents' perceptions of their health behaviors. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted to attain a condensed and broad description of the health behaviors that adolescents perceived as health-promoting behaviors or risk behaviors. From October to December 2008, 61 Korean middle and high school students were interviewed on their perceptions of health behaviors. Data were analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Korean adolescents reported health behaviors related to stress, mental health, sleep habits, dietary habits, weight control, physical activity, hygiene habits, safety, computer use, substance use, health screening and others. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide socio-cultural characteristics about the perception of health behaviors among Korean adolescents and should contribute to guiding assessment of health behaviors in Korean adolescents and provide a reference for developing valuable health-promoting interventions based on these characteristics.
Adolescent* ; Family Characteristics ; Food Habits ; Health Behavior* ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Mass Screening ; Mental Health ; Motor Activity ; Qualitative Research ; Risk-Taking

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships between self-efficacy, self-esteem, health locus of control and sick-role behavioral compliance in diabetic patients and to identify the influencing factors for sick-role behavioral compliance. The subjects for study were 244 NIDDM patients from 2 hospitals, who were visiting the outpatient clinic in Taegu. Data were collected from Sep. 18.th to Oct. 5th 1996. In data analysis, SPSS/PC+ programs were utilized for descriptives, as well as Pearson correlation coefficient, t-test, ANOVA and stepwise multiple regression. The results were as follows : 1. The average score for the sick-role behavioral compliance was 50.38, for the self-efficacy was 1337.17, for the self-esteem was 27.81, for the internal health locus of control was 28.79, for the chance health locus of control was 20.55, for the powerful others health locus of control was 28.70. 2. The relationships between self-efficacy, self-esteem, health locus of control and sick-role behavioral compliance were significant. Sick-role behavioral compliance were significantly related to self-efficacy(r=0.36, 0.000), to self-esteem (r=0.19, p=0.001), to internal health locus of control(r=0.28, p=0.000), to powerful others health locus of control (r=0.28, p=0.000). 3. In the relationship between general characteristics and sick-role behavioral compliance there were significant differences in a job (t=-2.01, p=0.045), experience of diabetic education(t=2.32, p=0.022). 4. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the influencing factors for sick-role behavioral compliance. Self-efficacy, self-esteem, internal health locus of control, having or not having a job and experience of diabetic education accounted for 24% of the variance in sick-role behavioral compliance. The self-efficacy was the most predictive factor (R2=13%) followed by internal health locus of control, job, self-esteem and experience of diabetic education. The results suggest that self-efficacy is an important variable in the compliance of diabetic patients. For improvement in sick-role behavioral compliance nursing intervention needs to be directed at promoting self-efficacy.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Compliance* ; Daegu ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Education ; Humans ; Internal-External Control ; Nursing ; Statistics as Topic

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is increasing cause of cancer-related mortality among Korean women. Early detection and treatment are the most important strategy for reducing breast cancer mortality. Despite of its importance as a early detection method, a low percentage of women practice breast self-examination(BSE) regularly. The aim of this study was to describe the effectiveness of patient education on performing BSE regularly and to identify predisposing factors associated with these activities. METHODS: Sixty-six women who did not have experience in BSE in the past were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group. We taught BSE knowledge and skill about BSE using breast models and audiovisual equipment for experimental group in patient education class. Women in control group, however, were simply educated by their physician about BSE knowledge and skill with only educational booklet during their outpatient visits. We observed the difference in regular BSE performance proportion between two groups 6, 12 months later and analyzed the predisposing factors affecting on the education effect. Direct and telephone interview methods were used to gather the information. Data were analyzed with t-test, x2analysis and logistic regression using SAS 6.10, EGRET program. RESULTS: There were no differences in sociodemographic characteristics between study groups. They were followed for 12 months. At follow-up after 6 months 44.1% of women performed BSE regularly among experimental group and 18.8% of women did it among control group(OR=3.4, 95% Cl 1.1-10.4, p<0.05). At follow-up after 12 months proportion of women performed BSE regularly in experimental group(28.6%) was slightly higher than that of control group(22.2%), but that difference was not statistically significant. The prevalence of performing BSE regularly was higher among women who had experience in periodic health examination(OR =6.0, 95% Cl 1.9-18.8, p<0.01), who had experience in mammography(OR =4.0, 95% Cl 1.0-15.6, p<0.05). And the prevalence of performing BSE regularly also was higher among women who were older than 40 years old, married, had experience in cervical Pap. smear, had knowledge about BSE before education, have done exercise regularly, had less number of health risk factors, but without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that of effectiveness of patient education on BSE, if we determine the effectiveness of BSE education with regular performance of BSE, is relatively low among Korean women. We could see, however, that if we use breast models for demonstration in addition to usual educational material, the effectiveness of BSE education can be more effective. We also recognized that effectiveness of BSE education will not be continued for long time without any maintenance strategy. There were lots of predisposing factors which could affect the effectiveness of BSE education positively or negatively. So, family physicians who plan BSE patient education at their clinics must consider these factors.
Adult ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast Self-Examination* ; Breast* ; Causality ; Education* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Logistic Models ; Mortality ; Outpatients ; Pamphlets ; Patient Education as Topic ; Physicians, Family ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors

Epiclerrnal growth factor(EGF), a low-molecular-weight polypeptide chain consisting of 53 amino acids, stimulates the growth and keratinization of epidermal cells. Recently, some authors reported that hair growth rate and follicular bulb growth were inhibited by EGF in neonatal mice. Since the hair and follicular cells are of epidermal origin, the effect of EGF would appear to be inconsistent with its role promoting the proliferation and differentiation of epidermal cells in vivo and in vitro. We have investigated the effects of EGF on the hair and epidermis in adult male mouse. The results are summarized as follows: l. 1'he hair length and maximum diameter were significantly reduced in EGF- treated regions compared with control group, and inhibition of hair growth was correlated with EGF dose. Thickness of the epidermis was significantly increased in EGF-treated regions compared with control group, and proliferation of the epidermis was correlated with EGF dose. 3 There were no significant differences in the hair length, maximum diameter, and egidermal thickness between untreated contralateral right mid-side regions of EGF-treated groups and control group.
Adult ; Amino Acids ; Animals ; Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Epidermis ; Hair* ; Humans ; Male ; Mice*

The measurement of systolic time intervals has become one of the established quantitative noninvasive tests of cardiac function, especially of left ventricular performance, and remain one of the simplest and most reliable to perform. In an attempt to obtain the normal data of the systolic time intervals, we conducted a study in 89 normal Koreans of 43 males and 46 females. The measurements are obtained from the simultaneous high speed recordings (100mm/sec) of electrocardiogram, phonocardiogram, and indirect carotid arterial pulse. The results were as follows. 1. The QS2I, LVETI, and PEPI was 521+/-18 msec, 409+/-13msec, and 112+/-12 msec in males and 529+/-14 msec, 408+/-15 msec, and 121+/-11 msec in females, respectively. 2. The PEP/LVET ratio was 0.29+/-0.04 in males and 0.31+/-0.05 in females. 3. The QS2I and PEPI were significantly more lengthened in femals than in males, but other systolic time interval indices did not significantly relate to the sex. 4. The A2D was significantly shortened with age, but other systolic time intervals did not change with age. 5. According to the regression equations of QS2, LVET, and PEP to the heart rate, QS2 and LVET related more inversely to the heart rate than PEP.
Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Systole*

During the period from April 1971 to September 1971, 30 young male patients with war wounds sustained in the conflict of Viet Nam were treated by open skin grafting of their wounds at the Orthopedic Servlce of Taegu Hospital. The majority of patients had multiple wounds and most had associated fractures of the long bones. The indication, preoperative preparation, operative technique, postoperative care and results have been described. We believe that this open skin grafting offers the following advantages over other techniques; 1) Graft taken more satisfactorily. 2) Remarkable decrease of operating time. 3) Simplicity of operative technique. 4) Continuous observation of wound healing. 5) Relative safety in using this treatment upon unstable injured limbs and cases with neurovascular deficit because the lesion is free from compression dressing. 6) The grafts tend to be “take” even if there is bleeding or drainage, because it can be carefully rolled out under the direct observation.
Bandages ; Daegu ; Drainage ; Extremities ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Male ; Multiple Trauma ; Orthopedics ; Postoperative Care ; Skin Transplantation ; Skin ; Transplants ; Vietnam ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries

OBJECTIVE: The conventional methods to determine fetal genetic status, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villi sampling(CVS) have small procedure-related risk of abortion. Recently, several researchers reported that fetal genetic status, such as sex, can be confirmed by fetal nucleated erythrocytes in maternal blood and this method might reduce such risk. Therefore, in this study, we attempted to determine the basic fetal genetic status, sex, with fetal nucleated erythrocytes. METHODS: In twelve pregnant women who undertook amniocentesis or CVS, 20 ml of venous blood was drawn immediately before the procedure and the nucleated erythrocytes were recovered by magnetic activated cell sorting(MACS). After MACS, DNA was extracted from 200 microliter of sample and single nucleated erythrocyte was obtained by additional procedure, immunostaining, and microdissection. After recovery of nucleated erythrocytes by microdissection, nested polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and fluorescent PCR of amelogenin gene were performed to identify the fetal gender. RESULTS: The DNA of enriched erythrocytes after MACS could identify the fetal gender in the 58.3% of the samples by nested PCR. After the recovery of single nucleated erythrocyte by MACS, immunostaining and microdissection, the minute DNA in a single cell could be amplified by primer extension preamplification(PEP), nested PCR, and fluorescent PCR. Fetal genders were correctly identified in 8 out of 12 (66.7 %). CONCLUSION: Through this study, we could conclude that fetal nucleated erythrocytes in maternal blood might be sufficient sample to determine fetal sex. And single cell isolation by microdissection could get the better results than nested PCR after MACS only. However, in spite of the pregnancy of male fetus, female specific bands were obtained after nested PCR of amelogenin in several cells, which might suggest that part of nucleated erythrocytes in maternal blood might be maternal origin. Therefore, to determine fetal genetic condition by nucleated erythrocytes in maternal blood, further improvements of methods to identify the nucleated erythrocytes of fetal origin are needed.
Amelogenin ; Amniocentesis ; Cell Separation ; Chorionic Villi ; Diagnosis* ; DNA ; Erythroblasts* ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Male ; Microdissection ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women

BACKGROUND: With the increase of cigarette consumption by women and the young, the incidence of lung cancer is expected to increase during the next three or four decades in Korea. The purpose of this study was to analyze the smoking habits in patients with lung cancer and to identify the gender differences in terms of their susceptibility to cigarette related carcinogens. METHODS: This investigation was a hospital-based case control study, which included the data of 178 case subjects(72 females, 106 males) with lung cancer and 218 control subjects(97 females, 121 males) with diseases unrelated to smoking. The information was obtained through a direct personal interview and a questionnaire related to personal smoking history. RESULTS: The relative frequency of the squamous cell carcinoma was substantially higher in males than in females(61.3% in males, and 29.2% in females), while adenocarcinoma including bronchoalveolar cell carcinoma was higher in females(31.9% in females, 18.9% in males). Keryberg Ilung cancer was of relatively higher frequencies in males and smokers. while Kreyberg IIlung cancer was higher in females and never smokers. The odds ratios(ORs) at each exposure level were consistently higher in females than males. For all cell types, the risk of lung cancer was increased with the quantity of smoked cigarettes, duration of smoking, and depth of inhalation. Odds ratio was distinctly higher in Kreyberg Ilung cancer than in total lung cancer and a steeper gradient of risk with increased smoking was observed in females. CONCLUSION: The ralative risk for lung cancer was consistently higher in females than in males at every level of exposure to cigarette smoke. This is believed to be due to the higher susceptibility of females to tabacco carcinogens, such as gender associated differences of carcinogen activation and/or the elimination of smoking related metabolites.
Adenocarcinoma ; Carcinogens ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inhalation ; Korea ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Smoke* ; Smoking* ; Tobacco Products

Drowning is a leading cause of accidental deaths worldwide, but its pathological diagnosis remains a challenge for forensic pathologists owing to a lack of pathognomonic findings in drowning deaths and inconclusive autopsy findings caused by postmortem changes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pathway taken by inhaled drowning medium through the airway after death in a variety of experimental conditions, including underwater pressurization. We used methylene blue dye to monitor the spread of drowning medium to the lungs. Results of theses experiments demonstrated that it is possible for a significant amount of downing medium to enter the airway during immersion after death. Our results suggest that autopsies of immersed bodies and interpretation of these findings should be performed with special care.
Animal Experimentation* ; Animals* ; Autopsy ; Diagnosis ; Drowning* ; Immersion ; Inhalation* ; Lung ; Methylene Blue* ; Postmortem Changes

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to determine whether the clinical presentation of patients with central precocius puberty(CPP) varies according to the etiology, whether this permits the differentiation between idiopathic and organic forms and to examine whether LH determination in a single timed blood sample after GnRH administration is sufficient to diagnose CPP. METHODS: This study included 33 girls with signs of breast development, of whom 23 were diagnosed as definite central precocious puberty. Sixteen patients had idiopathic CPP; the remaining 7 patients had organic CPP. Ten patients were classified as non-CPP. Potential clinical and laboratory predictors of CNS abnormalities were assessed and GnRH stimulation test was done. RESULTS: The age of onset in patients with organic CPP was 4.11+/-2.08 years, whereas the age in patients with idiopathic CPP was 7.25+/-1.34 years. This parameter is the only one showing statistical significance. We compared sensitivities and specificities at 0, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min which yielded sensitivities of 8.7%, 87.0%, 91.3%, 87.0%, 73.9%, 60.9%. CONCLUSION: It is impossible to exclude a central nervous system lesion in patient with central precocious puberty without performing central nervous system imaging. However, this study indicates earlier the onset of disease, higher the possibility of presence of CNS lesion. According to the mean GnRH stimulated LH levels and sensitivity at each times, a single blood sample obtained for LH determined after GnRH administration at 30 min can be used to diagnose the central precocious puberty.
Age of Onset ; Breast ; Central Nervous System* ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone* ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Puberty, Precocious*