BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study was performed to newly develop the Way-Finding Ability Scale (WFAS) for middle-aged and older adults and validate its clinical utility. METHODS: The participants for verifying construct validity included 324 adults aged from 45 to 79 years, and 22 normal old adults without way-finding deficit (WFD), 41 amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and 35 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD-MCI) for verifying discriminant validity. All participants were administered the newly constructed 28-item WFAS. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis of the WFAS revealed a four-factor solution (sense of direction and inattention, spatial learning and memory, strategic ability, and cardinal direction). This four-factor structure was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. The discriminant validity was examined by administering the WFAS to normal older adults and two patient groups (aMCI & PD-MCI). The results showed that the total scores of two patient groups were lower than that of normal older adults. The patients with WFD had significantly lower total scores than those without WFD. Interestingly, the total scores of patients without WFD were significantly lower than those of normal older adults suggesting that the cognitive functions associated with way-finding ability (WFA) were partially impaired in aMCI and PD-MCI patients without apparent WFD. The patients with WFD had consistently lower scores in every four-factor than those without WFD. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that the WFAS assesses the WFD reliably as well as estimates the degree of decline in WFA.
Adult* ; Cognition ; Humans ; Memory ; Mild Cognitive Impairment ; Parkinson Disease ; Spatial Learning

Purpose: Total colonoscopy is recommended if colorectal polyps are clinically suspected.This study aimed to investigate the performance status of pediatric colonoscopic polypectomy in Korea. Methods: We surveyed pediatric endoscopic specialists who perform colonoscopic polypectomy in Korea using a questionnaire of 13 questions on pediatric colonoscopic polypectomy performance status. Results: The survey was conducted at 45 institutions, and 32 specialists (71.1%) responded.Among the respondents, 31.2% (10/32) said colonoscopy was performed in all age groups, while 12.5% (4/32) said sigmoidoscopy was performed in all age groups. Meanwhile, 56.2% (18/32) said that sigmoidoscopy was performed in young children, while colonoscopy was performed in older children. Among them, 38.9% (7/18) believe that 4–6 years were young, and 44.5% (8/18) believe that 7–9 years were young. Regarding surveillance examinations, 21.9% (7/32) said they would perform a surveillance colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy in the future if less than five juvenile polyps were found in the colon. Meanwhile, if less than five adenomatous polyps were found in the colon, 93.8% (30/32) said they would perform surveillance colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy in the future. Conclusion More than half of the pediatric endoscopic specialists in Korea choose between a colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy depending on the patient’s age, contrary to the generally accepted recommendation of total colonoscopy if colorectal polyps are suspected in children and adolescents. In this survey, most pediatric endoscopists used the age range of 4–9 years as the reference age.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of care stress for older patients, self-perceptions of aging, and anxiety about aging on preparation for retirement in clinical nurses. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study in which participants were 222 nurses who had at least six months of work experience and were involved in caring for older patients in the last six months at the work site. Data were collected from August to September, 2020 using an online survey questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS/WIN 25.0 program. Results: The mean level of preparation for retirement in the participants was moderate (3.21 out of 5 points). Among the sub-domains of preparation for retirement, financial preparation had the lowest score. Self-perceptions of aging and aging anxiety were significant predictors for retirement preparation in nurses, accounting for 16% of the variable’s total variance. Conclusion A greater level of preparation for retirement was associated with a positive perception of aging and a decreased level of aging anxiety in the clinical nurses. Further research should focus on exploration of specific determinants of financial preparation for retirement and development of intervention strategies for improving preparation for retirement in the nursing workforce.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the relationship between nurses’ job stress, self-leadership, and the quality of nursing services in integrated nursing and care service wards. Additionally, this research sought to identify factors that may affect the quality of nursing care provided by nurses. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in July 2023, targeting nurses from four general hospitals that provide comprehensive nursing services in Cheongju, Chungcheongnam-do. One hundred fifty-three participants working as nurses were recruited. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, an independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression with IBM SPSS 27.0 software. Results: Job stress and quality of nursing service were found to have negative correlations, while self-leadership and quality of nursing service were found to have positive correlations. The research variables that showed a significant effect on nursing service quality were self-leadership (β=.48, p<.001) and job stress (β=-.26, p=.002), with an explanatory power of 33.0%. Conclusion Self-leadership and job stress significantly influence the quality of nursing services in integrated nursing and care service wards. Therefore, it is essential to develop and implement educational programs for nurses that foster self-leadership, alleviate job-related burdens, and create diverse interventions and professional environments aimed at reducing job stress.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the relationship between nurses’ job stress, self-leadership, and the quality of nursing services in integrated nursing and care service wards. Additionally, this research sought to identify factors that may affect the quality of nursing care provided by nurses. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in July 2023, targeting nurses from four general hospitals that provide comprehensive nursing services in Cheongju, Chungcheongnam-do. One hundred fifty-three participants working as nurses were recruited. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, an independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression with IBM SPSS 27.0 software. Results: Job stress and quality of nursing service were found to have negative correlations, while self-leadership and quality of nursing service were found to have positive correlations. The research variables that showed a significant effect on nursing service quality were self-leadership (β=.48, p<.001) and job stress (β=-.26, p=.002), with an explanatory power of 33.0%. Conclusion Self-leadership and job stress significantly influence the quality of nursing services in integrated nursing and care service wards. Therefore, it is essential to develop and implement educational programs for nurses that foster self-leadership, alleviate job-related burdens, and create diverse interventions and professional environments aimed at reducing job stress.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the relationship between nurses’ job stress, self-leadership, and the quality of nursing services in integrated nursing and care service wards. Additionally, this research sought to identify factors that may affect the quality of nursing care provided by nurses. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in July 2023, targeting nurses from four general hospitals that provide comprehensive nursing services in Cheongju, Chungcheongnam-do. One hundred fifty-three participants working as nurses were recruited. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, an independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression with IBM SPSS 27.0 software. Results: Job stress and quality of nursing service were found to have negative correlations, while self-leadership and quality of nursing service were found to have positive correlations. The research variables that showed a significant effect on nursing service quality were self-leadership (β=.48, p<.001) and job stress (β=-.26, p=.002), with an explanatory power of 33.0%. Conclusion Self-leadership and job stress significantly influence the quality of nursing services in integrated nursing and care service wards. Therefore, it is essential to develop and implement educational programs for nurses that foster self-leadership, alleviate job-related burdens, and create diverse interventions and professional environments aimed at reducing job stress.

BACKGROUND: Repeated 24 hour recall has been considered as a preferred method for obtaining accurate dietary information while time and cost for coding and data processing have been a major barrier for their use in large studies. This burden can be resolved by automating the interview and data processing. However, there has been no report about a computerized interview system for dietary survey in a free-living population in Korea. METHODS: This study attempts to test the feasibility of a newly-developed web-based dietary assessment program, Diet Evaluation System (DES) for subjects in a mixed region of urban and rural areas via wireless internet. We conducted total of 134 interviews, twice for each of 67 subjects of various age. As another aspect of feasibility, the group discussion among interviewers was done. RESULTS: Success rate of total attempted interviews was about 70%. Major reasons for problem with DES were instability of wireless internet and consequent inefficient booting of laptops in some areas. It took 14 minute 56 seconds on average to complete an interview and data processing conducted automatically. Subjects' age and internet environment influenced the DES interview time. The group discussion revealed that one-stop system with DES is fast and convenient assuming good wireless internet environment. CONCLUSIONS: Web-based dietary assessment was feasible in this community nutrition survey. To confirm the feasibility in large scale, studies with more comprehensive area and subjects are needed with various wireless condition.
Automatic Data Processing ; Clinical Coding ; Diet ; Diet Surveys ; Feasibility Studies ; Internet ; Korea* ; Methods ; Nutrition Surveys*

Background: The rate of suicide by carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is increasing rapidly in Korea. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of suicide attempters in Korea and to identify risk groups for choosing CO poisoning as a suicide method. Methods: Patients who visited the emergency department after attempting suicide between April 2017 and June 2019 were included in this study. We reviewed the medical records and evaluated the demographic and clinical data of suicide attempters. Cross-tabulation analyses and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: Statistically significant risk groups for suicide by CO poisoning were men (odds ratios [OR], 1.71), those who were 25-44 years of age (OR, 7.35), those with no psychiatric history (OR, 2.12), and those who made a suicide plan (OR, 7.70). Among suicide attempters grouped according to psychiatric diagnoses, those with adjustment disorders were most likely and those with psychosis were least likely to choose CO poisoning as the suicide method. Conclusion To prevent a CO poisoning suicide attempt, it seems warranted to develop a tool to screen patients for suicide risk as part of a regular health checkup so that early intervention can be provided.

Objectives: In this paper, we aimed to investigate the evolving debate over border closure in Korea during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, to address the main themes associated with border closure, and to discuss the factors that need to be considered when making such decisions. Methods: We collated and reviewed previously conducted review studies on border closures during infectious disease outbreaks to derive relevant themes and factors. Results: According to our systematic review on border closures and travel restrictions, the effects of such containment efforts are limited. We suggest considering the following factors when determining whether to impose border closure measures: (1) disease characteristics, (2) timeliness of implementation, (3) transmission delay and the basic reproduction number, (4) globalization and pandemics, and (5) social and economic costs. Conclusions Our assessment indicates that the effects of border closures are at best temporary and limited. Alternative measures must be contemplated and implemented to suppress the spread of COVID-19 in particular and infectious diseases more broadly.

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between physical activity (PA) level and mental health status in a population-based sample of Korean female patients with breast cancer. Our analysis included 76 patients with breast cancer and 44 healthy controls. The Korean versions of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Beck Depressive Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-KY (STAI-KY), and Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), and Quality of Life (QOL) scale were assessed. The frequency of moderate PA level in breast cancer patients was significantly lower than that of healthy control subjects (t = −2.6; P = 0.011). In turn, the incidence of low PA level in breast cancer patients was significantly higher than that observed in healthy controls (t = 2.85; P = 0.005). A moderate PA level was inversely correlated with BDI score (r = −0.35; P = 0.008) and was positively correlated with QOL score (r = 0.38; P = 0.011). A low level of PA was inversely correlated with SSAS score (r = −0.39; P < 0.001). In healthy controls, a high level of PA was positively correlated with QOL score (r = 0.50; P = 0.043). Moderate PA level was inversely correlated with SSAS score (r = −0.59; P < 0.001). A low level of PA was also positively correlated with BDI score (r = 0.35; P = 0.008). A moderate or low intensity of PA was inversely correlated with depression and somatosensory amplification and was positively correlated with QOL in breast cancer patients. Finally, we suggest that progressively low-to-moderate levels of PA can be well adapted to positively impact several measures of mental health.
Anxiety ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mental Health* ; Motor Activity* ; Quality of Life