Purpose: Based on the health belief model and theory of planned behavior, this study investigated how age group (adolescence and emerging adulthood) moderated the relative effects of perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and subjective norms on preventive behavior against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: This secondary data analysis utilized data from adolescents (n=272) and emerging adults (n=239). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed to test the moderating effect of age group on the relationships among variables. Results: Higher perceived susceptibility (β=.21, p<.001), perceived severity (β=.14, p=.002), subjective norms (friends) (β=.26, p<.001), subjective norms (parents) (β=.44, p<.001), and subjective norms (schools) (β=.28, p<.001) enhanced COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Moderated regression analysis showed that subjective norms (friends and school) impacted preventive behavior in adolescents more than in emerging adults. Conclusion Given the need to increase perceived susceptibility and severity among adolescents and emerging adults, these findings provide baseline data for designing effective COVID-19 prevention interventions that consider the developmental characteristics of different age groups. Interventions by health centers at universities can strengthen COVID-19 preventive behavior among emerging adults. As adolescents are influenced by friends, their peer roles must be strengthened to enhance adherence to COVID-19 preventive guidelines.

Background: As the prevalence of hypertension is increasing in Korea, the government is seeking policy actions to manage patients with hypertension more efficiently. In this paper, we aimed to identify factors associated with the use of medical care at hospitals among outpatients with hypertension. Methods: We analyzed a total of 15,040 cases of 3,877 outpatients with hypertension obtained from the Korea Medical Panel database from 2010 to 2016. The dependent variable was whether a patient with hypertension visited a hospital or not; and independent variables were the patient’s various socio-demographic, health-related, and heath-status characteristics. We conducted a generalized linear mixed model analysis with logit link for all the cases and then conducted it stratified by gender. Results: As a result of a multivariable analysis, women were less likely than to visit at a hospital (odds ratio [OR], 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32–0.61) and people aged 65 years and older than those aged less than 65 years (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.57– 0.89). Residents in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam were more likely than those in than Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon, and Jeju to visit a hospital (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.05–1.86). The likelihood of visiting a hospital was high in people belonging to a group of: the highest level of annual household income (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.30–2.29); Medical care aid recipients (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.34–2.83); people having three or more complex chronic diseases (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.19–2.11); people having diabetes (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.41–2.32);or people having ischemic heart disease or cerebrovascular disease (OR, 6.80; 95% CI, 5.28–8.76). Also, we found that factors associated with the use of medical care at hospitals among outpatients with hypertension differed between genders. Conclusion A variety of factors seem to be associated with the use of medical care at hospitals among outpatients with hypertension.Future research needs to find a way to help patients with hypertension visit an appropriate medical institution between clinics and hospitals.

The relationship between dietary practices and juvenile delinquency was studied using a dietary survey. Subjects were selected from juvenile delinquents who were under the supervision of the Seoul Probation Office of the Ministry of Justice. The study group consisted of 52 male and 52 female delinquents. As a control group, 104 exemplary high school students were selected in Seoul. A questionnaire was designed to find out the subjects' general characteristics, dietary habits, lifestyle, eating behavior, food frequency, and nutrient intake using the 24-hour recall method. Compared to the exemplary students, the juvenile delinquents were significantly different in education level, family status, monthly allowance, residence status, breast fed, parents' education level, parents' concern. In dietary habits, fifty-eight percent of the juvenile delinquents ate 2 or fewer meals per day, preferred to eat with friends, and liked hot tasting foods. The juvenile delinquents consumed more ion drinks (OR=9.26 CI: 3.83-22.37), rameon (OR=7.67 CI: 3.21-18.33), cola (OR=6.75 CI: 2.91-15.69), soft drinks (OR=6.12 CI: 2.53-14.81), steamed korean sausage (OR=5.34 CI:2.31-12.32), hamburger (OR=5.15 CI: 1.91-13.87), kimbab (OR=3.63 CI: 1.76-7.46), ddokbokgi (OR=3.17 CI: 1.58-6.38), candy (OR=3.08 CI: 1.41-6.73), white rice (OR=2.59 CI: 1.19-5.64), hotdog (OR=2.52 CI: 1.31-4.86), and less rice mixed with grains (OR=0.02 CI: 0.01-0.05), tangerine (OR=0.06 CI: 0.02-0.20), milk (OR=0.29 CI: 0.14-0.60), roasted fish (OR=0.32 CI: 0.28-0.99, anchovy (OR=0.35 CI: 0.17-0.72), seaweed (OR=0.37 CI: 0.16-0.83), and tofu (OR=0.48 CI: 0.23-0.99) than the exemplary students. With respect to the juvenile delinquents, the nutrient intakes lower than 75% of the Korean RDA were for riboflavin (75.0%) and calcium (47.9%) among the boys, and calcium (46.9%) and iron (60.4%) among the girls. To prevent juvenile delinquency, nutritional education and well-balanced school food service meals should be emphasized so as to improve the management of dietary practices.
Breast ; Calcium ; Candy ; Carbonated Beverages ; Edible Grain ; Cola ; Education ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Food Habits ; Food Services ; Friends ; Humans ; Iron ; Juvenile Delinquency ; Korea* ; Life Style ; Male ; Meals ; Milk ; Organization and Administration ; Riboflavin ; Seaweed ; Seoul ; Social Justice ; Soy Foods ; Steam ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ultrasonographic (US) or computer tomography (CT) findings of surgically proven epidermal cysts in the trunk, and to compare the echogenicity of cysts with internal contents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients were retrospectively evaluated. US and CT findings of epidermal cysts were assessed in regard to location, size, shape, number, echogenicity, posterior sound enhancement, internal density, septa, mural nodule and calcification, perilesional infiltration, contrast enhancement, and internal contents. RESULTS: All 45 patients (M: F=29: 16; US in 26, CT in 19) had only one cyst, and they were located in the buttocks (n=19), back (n=13), inguinal (n=4), posterior neck (n=3), perineum (n=2), abdominal wall (n=2), presternal (n=1), and axilla (n=1). Of 26 patients who underwent US, there were 8 cases of homogeneously hypoechoic mass (30.8%), 8 of inhomogeneously hypoechoic mass (30.8%), 7 of homogeneously hypoechoic mass with internal hypoechoic lines and echogenic spots (26.9%) and 3 of homogeneously hypoechoic mass with internal echogenic spots (11.5%). Posterior sound enhancement was noted in 21 patients (80.8%). Of 19 patients who underwent CT, there were 14 cases of simple cyst (73.7%) and 5 of abscess-like lesion (26.3%). Overlying skin thickening (n=13), contrast enhancement of cystic wall (n=11), perilesional infiltration (n=7), and internal septa (n=6) were demonstrated. The internal contents of the cysts were keratinous (n=27, 60.0%) or greasy (n=15, 33.3%) material. There was no statistical significance between the echogenicity of the cysts and the internal contents (p >0.2). CONCLUSION: Epidermal cysts showed homogeneous or inhomogeneous hypoechoic mass with posterior sound enhancement on US. There was no relationship between the echogenicity of the cysts and the internal contents. In the case of ruptured cyst, an abscess-like lesion with wall enhancement and perilesional infiltration was noted on CT scan.
Abdominal Wall ; Axilla ; Buttocks ; Epidermal Cyst* ; Humans ; Neck ; Perineum ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVES: We examined magical ideation in adolescent and adult group by Magical Ideation Scale (MIS). We also explored how adolescents and adults respond differently to each items of MIS. METHODS: 310 nonclinical adults and 310 Year 10 students participated in this study, and completed MIS and Symptom Checklist 90-revision (SCL-90-R). Total scores of MIS were compared between adults and adolescents. The item characteristics of MIS were evaluated by item response theory (IRT). Differential item functioning (DIF) was detected using the parameters of IRT. RESULTS: Total score of MIS was higher in adolescents than in adults, but there was no statistical significance. Item 5, 10, 13, and 16 showed significant difference on item difficulty parameters and were identified as DIF. Among DIF items, item 5 was more difficult for adolescents than adults. Item 10, 13, and 16 were more difficult for adults than adolescents. The modified MIS score excluding 4 DIF items was significantly higher in adolescents than adults. CONCLUSION: The influence of age on response to DIF items should be considered when comparing MIS scores between adolescents and adults.
Adolescent* ; Adult* ; Checklist ; Humans ; Magic*

BACKGROUND: This study was done to examine the impact of diabetes fear of self-injecting (FSI) and fear of self-testing (FST) on glycemic control and diabetes self-management. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was performed in the form of one-on-one interviews with 100 insulin-treated diabetic patients. The questions included subject traits, FSI/FST, and confidence in diabetes self-care (CIDS). Glycemic control was determined by the measurement of glycated hemoglobin (Hemoglobin A1C). RESULTS: The patients who did not have a spouse and were less well educated showed high FSI/FST scores and low CIDS scores. The patients who had taken high quantities of insulin, had diabetes related complications, and performed self-monitoring of blood glucose less frequently showed high FSI/FST scores. The patients who had received diabetes education, possessed glucometer and performed self-monitoring of blood glucose frequently had high CIDS scores. High FSI/FST scores were positively related to each other, negatively related to low CIDS scores and not significantly related to Hemoglobin A1C. On the other hand, a significant correlation was seen between CIDS scores and Hemoglobin A1C. CONCLUSION: High levels of FSI and/or FST were associated with high diabetes-related distress, poor general well-being, and psychologic comorbidity as well as poorer adherence to the diabetes treatment regimen. It is important in diabetes care to lower injection-related fears and improve diabetes self-management through systematic desensitization, relaxation therapy, the use of pen-type injection device, and proper education such as insulin injection amount adjustment, properties of insulin, and the risk of hypoglycemia for the patients and their families.
Blood Glucose ; Comorbidity ; Diabetes Complications ; Hand ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Hypoglycemia ; Insulin ; Relaxation Therapy ; Self Care ; Spouses ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate whether both the colonic transit time (CTT) and defecography are necessary for diagnosing constipated patients, and we also wanted to assess the defecographic findings of patients with outlet obstruction on CTT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over the recent 3 years, 26 patients (21 women and 5 men, mean age: 59 years) underwent both CTT and defecography because of their chronic constipation or defecation difficulty. The mean interval between the 2 studies was 48 days. Colonoscopy, barium enema and manometry were performed in 22, 8 and all the patients, respectively. RESULTS: On CTT, 13 patients (50.0%) were normal and 13 patients (50.0%) were abnormal; the abnormal results were composed of outlet obstruction (n=8, 30.8%), outlet obstruction and colon inertia (n=2, 7.7%), colon inertia (n=2, 7.7%), and outlet obstruction and hindgut dysfunction (n=1, 3.8%). On defecography, 6 patients (23.1%) were normal and 20 patients (76.9%) were abnormal; the results were composed of rectocele (n=8, 30.7%), rectocele and perineal descent syndrome (PDS; n=4, 15.4%), PDS and rectal intussusception (n=3, 11.5%), spastic pelvic floor syndrome (SPFS; n=3, 11.5%), rectocele and SPFS (n=1, 3.8%), and rectal intussusception (n=1, 3.8%). Of the 11 patients with outlet obstruction on CTT, rectocele (n=4, 36.4%), SPFS (n=1, 9.1%), rectocele and PDS (n=1, 9.1%), and PDS and rectal intussusception (n=1, 9.1%) were demonstrated on defecography, except for the 4 normal cases. CONCLUSION: Both CTT and defecography were necessary for diagnosing the patients with chronic constipation in compensation, and 63.6% of the patients with pelvic outlet obstruction showed an abnormal pelvic defecation function.
Barium ; Colon* ; Colonoscopy ; Compensation and Redress ; Constipation* ; Defecation ; Defecography* ; Enema ; Female ; Humans ; Intussusception ; Male ; Manometry ; Muscle Spasticity ; Pelvic Floor ; Rectocele

Nodular hepatic involvement of multiple myeloma is very rare. We report here on a case of nodular hepatic involvement of multiple myeloma that mimicked intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. In patients with multiple myeloma, hepatic involvement of the multiple myeloma might be included in the differential diagnosis of hepatic mass.
Cholangiocarcinoma* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Liver* ; Multiple Myeloma*

Nodular hepatic involvement of multiple myeloma is very rare. We report here on a case of nodular hepatic involvement of multiple myeloma that mimicked intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. In patients with multiple myeloma, hepatic involvement of the multiple myeloma might be included in the differential diagnosis of hepatic mass.
Cholangiocarcinoma* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Liver* ; Multiple Myeloma*

Purpose: To assess associations between surveillance intervals in a national hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance program and receiving curative treatment and mortality using nationwide cohort data for Korea. Materials and Methods: Using the National Health Insurance Service Database of Korea, we retrospectively identified 3201852 patients, the target population of the national HCC surveillance program, between 2008 and 2017. After exclusion, a total of 64674 HCC patients were divided based on surveillance intervals: never screened, ≤6 months (6M), 7–12 months (1Y), 13–24 months (2Y), and 25–36 months (3Y). Associations for surveillance interval with the chance to receive curative therapy and all-cause mortality were analyzed. Results: The 6M group (51.9%) received curative therapy more often than the other groups (1Y, 48.3%; 2Y, 43.8%; 3Y, 41.3%; never screened, 34.5%). Odds ratio for receiving curative therapy among the other surveillance interval groups (1Y, 0.87; 2Y, 0.76; 3Y, 0.77;never screened, 0.57; p<0.001) were significantly lower than that of the 6M group. The hazard ratios (HRs) of all-cause mortality were 1.07, 1.14, and 1.37 for 2Y, 3Y, and never screened groups. The HR for the 1Y group (0.96; p=0.092) was not significantly different, and it was lower (0.91; p<0.001) than that of the 6M group after adjustment for lead-time bias. Curative therapy was associated with survival benefits (HR, 0.26; p<0.001). Conclusion HCC surveillance, especially at a surveillance interval of 6 months, increases the chance to receive curative therapy.