BACKGROUND

A community survey on the immunization status of residents in Barangay Pinag-Isang Palad, Old Balara, Quezon City, reflected a low immunization rate of 8% for influenza and 6% for pneumococcal vaccines. Exploring ways to increase awareness on vaccination is important to improve the delivery of primary prevention.

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of infomercials versus infographics in promoting influenza and pneumococcal vaccination among residents of Barangay Pinag-Isang Palad.

A quasi-experimental study design using systematic sampling where one group of respondents was assigned to the infomercial intervention, and the other group to the infographics intervention. Each participant completed a self-administered 25-item questionnaire assessing perceived barriers to influenza and pneumococcal vaccination. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare within group changes in scores pre- and post-intervention. Mann-Whitney test was used to determine between group differences in post-intervention scores.

A total of 70 respondents representing 70 households in the barangay participated in the study. Respondents were mostly from the 26-35 age group, females with high school education in the service industry, with < P23,381 average monthly income, and good self-reported health status. Comparison of the pre- and post-intervention mean scores of both groups (infomercial and infographics), showed statistically significant change in post-intervention mean scores from baseline. However, comparison of the post-intervention mean scores between groups was not statistically significant. Identified barriers in both groups were challenges in affordability and accessibility of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines.

This study showed that the InfoVax Strategy, using infomercials and infographics, can be effective tools in improving perceptions on influenza and pneumococcal vaccination among residents of Barangay Pinag-Isang Palad. The findings of this study can be applied to communities having similar characteristics. Healthcare providers may improve perceptions on vaccination and subsequent uptake by distributing infographics or playing infomercials aside from public health lectures. Vaccination will help prevent loss of earnings and incrased medication consumption. The local health unit needs to evaluate and address the identified barriers of affordability and accessibility.

BACKGROUND: Korea Academy of Family Medicine recommands HBsAb and HBsAb test in youth health promotion program. Adequate management are necessary for prevention of vertical transmission at perinatal period, especially girls' high school students as a future's conceivable woman. Health examination program for the first grade students of high school which was established by the Educational Ministry has been acted since 1998. So, through the students health examination we'd like to find an adequate method of prevention and management in hepatitis B. METHODS: Our study examines HBs Ag/Ab about girls' high school students at two high schools in a city. According to the results of hepatitis B, active intervention in carrier group, passive intervention in candidate were done. And then a year later, hepatitis B management was investigated through the questionnaire. RESULTS: In active intervention group, regular check up of hepatitis B is 21.4%, hepatitis B blood test in family is 39.3% and in passive intervention group, hepatitis B vaccination rate after health examiantion is 9.1%. CONCLUSION: More active intervention such as mass vaccination are required in health examination for the purpose of hepatitis B management at youth.
Adolescent ; Female ; Health Promotion ; Hematologic Tests ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Korea ; Mass Vaccination ; Vaccination ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: To identify current status of university health care program. METHODS: Data and information from homepages of 309 colleges or universities in South Korea were collected. The data was analyzed by frequencies, t-test, chi2 test with SPSS Ver. 18.0. RESULTS: 117(37.9%) universities had organization of health care. Whether university had health care program or not had shown significantly depended on number of students, types of school (university or college), region, and existence of medical and nursing course. Medical course was shown as a strong predictor for facilitating university health care program limitedly focusing on diseases treatment. Health promotion programs have been operated in 15 universities, vaccination programs in 10 universities, and health screening in 20 universities. CONCLUSION: It is strongly recommended to revise the School Health Law for constructing a comprehensive university health care program consolidating health counseling and physical training.
Counseling ; Delivery of Health Care* ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Jurisprudence ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Nursing ; School Health Services ; Vaccination

BACKGROUND: Korea is a highly prevalent area of isolated anti-HBc with a rate of 15%, but there is neither vaccination nor management guideline agreed. To know the management for Hepatitis B Vaccination for adults with isolated anti-HBc, we investigated immune response to hepatitis B vaccination in adults with isolated anti-HBc. METHODS: The 23 adults with persistent isolated anti-HBc, who visited a health promotion center from Dec. 1998 to Aug. 1999, were vaccinated with Hepavax?-B by the standard schedule (0, 1, 6 month) and anti-HBs titers were measured 1 month after 1st and 3rd vaccinations (1, 7 month). RESULTS: After the 1st vaccination, 18 (78.26%) developed anti-HBs seroconversion. Among them, 4 (17.39%) had titers of 10~49 mIU/ml, 8 (34.78%) 50~99 mIU/ml, and 6 (26.09%) more than 100 mIU/ml. All non-responders after the 1st vaccination remained as such even with 3 doses of complete vaccination. The majority of seroconverted group did not show more anti-HBs response with further vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Since none of adults with isolated anti-HBc had a primary response, which indicated few false positive results. Therefore they should be excluded on vaccination programs in Korea. To differentiate between immunity and occult infections, a single dose of vaccine with a follow-up anti-HBs test is preferable for adults with isolated anti-HBc. If the test shows a seroconversion it would indicate protective immunity, if not, then occult infection may be suspected.
Adult* ; Appointments and Schedules ; Follow-Up Studies ; Health Promotion ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens* ; Hepatitis B* ; Humans ; Korea ; Vaccination*

A survey with self-administered questionnaire method to examine the association of Pap Smear health screening tests and health promotion activities for 500 women who visited OPD of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The compliance of pap smear of the rich, married, house wife and self employed women was higher than others. Women who received Pap smears were significantly more likely to receive breast examiniations, mammograms, gastrofibroscopy and regular blood pressure check-up. The Pap smear was associated with health promotion activities such as own private physician, no cooling beverage intake, milk intake and heptitis B vaccination. In conclusion, health care providers may use the Pap smear as a marker of whether a woman has received screening for several other medical problems. Thus, the Pap smear can be considered a "sentinel" test for health screening in women.
Beverages ; Blood Pressure ; Breast ; Compliance ; Female ; Gynecology ; Health Personnel ; Health Promotion* ; Humans ; Mass Screening* ; Milk ; Obstetrics ; Surveys and Questionnaire ; Spouses ; Vaccination

BACKGROUND: Korea is an endemic area of viral hepatitis B. In spite of the HBV vaccination program since 1983, the prevalence of HBV antigen had remained high, which was 3.9% in male, 2.7% in female in 1994. But there is no approved management guideline on isolated anti-HBc and the meaning of which is not clear except the evidence of past infection. Therefore, we tried to investigate the factors which influence the seroconversion of anti-HBs during follow-up period. METHODS: Medical records of 239 subject with isolated anti-HBc, who visited a health promotion center from 1995 to 1997 and who were retested at least once during the 1-3 years' follow-up period, were analyzed. RESULTS: The seroconversion rate of anti-HBs was 45.61%(109/239) on the follow-up test. The number of newly vaccinated or non-newly vaccinated subjects during the follow-up period was 156 and 72, respectively. The seroconversion rate of anti-HBs of each group were 57.69%(90/156) and 22.22% (16/72) respectively(p<0.01). The subjects without previous history of HBV vaccination was 103. Among them the seroconversion rate of anti-HBs of the newly vaccinated or the non newly vaccinated group were 59.70%(40/67) and 22.22% (8/36), respectively(p<0.01). Sex, age, BMI, smoking, previous history of HBV vaccination did not influence significantly on the seroconversion rate of anti-HBs among the subjects with isolated anti-HBc. CONCLUSIONS: The seroconversion rate in people with isolated anti-HBc was significantly higher in the newly vaccinated than the non-newly vaccinated regardless of the previous history of HBV vaccination in this study. In spite of the non-differentiation of an-amnestic response from primary antibody response, we can expect to benefit from HBV vaccination in those with isolated anti-HBc.59.70%(40/67) and 22.22% (8/36), respectively(p<0.01). Sex, age, BMI, smoking, previous history of HBV vaccination did not influence significantly on the seroconversion rate of anti-HBs among the subjects with isolated anti-HBc. CONCLUSIONS: The seroconversion rate in people with isolated anti-HBc was significantly higher in the newly vaccinated than the non-newly vaccinated regardless of the previous history of HBV vaccination in this study. In spite of the non-differentiation of an-amnestic response from primary antibody response, we can expect to benefit from HBV vaccination in those with isolated anti-HBc.
Antibody Formation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Health Promotion ; Hepatitis B ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Medical Records ; Prevalence ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Vaccination

Influenza can be prevented through annual appropriate vaccination against the virus concerned. In China, influenza vaccine is categorized as "Class Ⅱ" infectious diseases which the cost is paid out of the user's pockets. The annual coverage of influenza vaccination had been 2%-3%. The main reasons for the low coverage would include the following factors: lacking awareness on both the disease and vaccine, poor accessibility of vaccination service, and the cost of vaccination. To reduce the health and economic burden associated with influenza, comprehensive policies should be improved, targeting the coverage of seasonal influenza vaccination. These items would include: ① Different financing reimbursement schemes and mechanisms to improve the aspiration on vaccination and on the vaccine coverage in high-risk groups, as young children, elderly, people with underlying medical conditions; ② to ameliorate equality of vaccination services; ③ to improve knowledge of the health care workers (HCWs) and the public on influenza and related vaccines; ④ to improve clinical and preventive medical practice and vaccination among HCWs through revising clinical guidelines, pathway and consensus of experts; ⑤ to provide more convenient, accessible and normative vaccination service system; ⑥ to strengthen research and development as well as marketing on novel influenza vaccines; ⑦ to revise items regarding the contraindication for influenza vaccine on pregnancy women, stated in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.
Aged ; Awareness ; Child ; China ; Costs and Cost Analysis ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Health Personnel ; Health Promotion/methods* ; Humans ; Influenza Vaccines/economics* ; Influenza, Human/prevention & control* ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Vaccination

Several international initiatives have taken place with themes such as "Men as Partners in reproductive health". Furthermore, many articles have recently been published concerning men's preconception care before pregnancy. However, little attention has been paid to this field in Korea. The concept of preconception health and health care for men is very important for pregnancy outcomes, and furthermore, for the health of their future families. Men's contribution to the pregnancy is clear for planned pregnancy and also offers an opportunity for disease prevention and health promotion in men themselves. This paper reviews the important concept of men's health for preparing for pregnancy, and summarizes key component of a comprehensive approach to optimizing the preconception health status of men as expecting fathers. In fact, many clinicians including most obstetricians-gynecologists in Korea are not trained to provide preconception health and care for men. In addition, no consensus has been developed on basic guidelines for preconception care including the pregnancy planning for men and women, laboratory tests before pregnancy, vaccination programs, and much more information on preparing for a successful pregnancy. To improve preconception care for men in Korea, many barriers must be overcome, such as lack of national services, financing, organization, and men's and women's understanding of the importance of preconception health for their pregnancy. Therefore, much more research is needed on men's preconception care in Korea.
Consensus ; Delivery of Health Care ; Family Planning Services ; Fathers ; Female ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Korea ; Male ; Men's Health ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Preconception Care ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Vaccination

BACKGROUND: HBsAg carriers are 6-12% of population in Korea. The patients knowledge on hepatitis B and regular follow-up tests are important, because HBsAg carriers have infectivity and the disease may progress without symptoms. We surveyed their knowledge on the hepatitis B and the frequency of follow-up blood test and sonogram. METHODS: From March 1993 through September 1994, 630 patients who were diagnosed as HBsAg positive and Anti-HBs negative in a health promotion center of college hospital were surveyed by mailing questionnaire. The questionnaire included the result of HBV viral marker test, transmission routes, complications, and prevention methods of Hepatitis B, frequency of follow-up test, and doctors recommendation. RESULTS: Of the 490 questionnaires excluded the 140 questionaires returned due to wrong address, 100 were answered, making the reply rate 20.4%. As for the result of HBV marker test, 64% answered their HBV marker as HBsAg positve, 10% answered HBsAg negative, and 26% answered I dont know. 65% answered that they are HBV carrier. As for the mode of transmission, 59% answered that HBV is transmitted by blood, 57% from carrier mother at birth, 29 % by sexual intercourse. 76% of responders know that vaccination is needed for preventing vertical transmission. When making score on their knowledge, significant differences were showed according to education, income and doctors recommendation about regular follow-up test. The number of persons who took regular blood test every 6 to 12 months were 56(56%), and the number of persons who took regular abdominal ultrasonogram were 39(39%). The number of patients who were recommended regular follow-up by doctor was 76%. In this group, 51 persons(67.0%) took regular blood test and 35 persons(35%) took regular sonogram so this frequency is significantly higher than the other group(each 20.8%, 16.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge on hepatitis B in HBsAg positive patients is relatively low and the frequency of regular follow-up test is significantly higher in the group who took doctors recommendation. So it is very important that HBsAg carriers must be educated about the infectivity, preventive methods, and regular follow-up for early detection of complication like hepatocellular cancer.
Biomarkers ; Coitus ; Education ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Health Promotion ; Hematologic Tests ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver Neoplasms ; Mothers ; Parturition ; Postal Service ; Ultrasonography ; Vaccination ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Free medical care is currently a highly debated issue in Korea. However, from a practical point of view, 'completely free' medical care is impossible. Last year the National Health Insurance Corporation (NHIC) reported a huge deficit of up to 1.3 trillion in Korean won, which is the largest deficit in the past 10 years. NHIC expenditures are skyrocketing for many reasons: drug overuse, very expensive new drugs or devices increasing geriatric population and survivors of cancer or chronic illnesses, expanding insurance coverage for new diagnostic tests, drugs, neonates, rare diseases, disabilities, and cancer, occurrence of new diseases, increasing number of doctors, moral hazard, and wasting of resources due to the duplication and counteraction between modern medicine and Oriental medicine. What, then, should we do to provide partially free medical care? We need to reduce expenditures for drugs and increase health insurance premiums. Korean health insurance premium currently low compared to that of other countries in Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. It is also necessary to introduce the concept of a health tax, in which healthy individuals with a high income pay higher premiums while sick or low-income individuals pay lower premiums. Expanding public health coverage such as vaccinations, regular health surveillance programs, and education on health promotion should be implemented. Private health care insurance can be introduced carefully with close monitoring. The last and most important recommendation is that society must become more ethical and transparent. Korea is entering a new era as a developed country and as a result a welfare system, including medical care is notoptional but is mandatory in some part. However, even a partially free medical care is going to be possible only if the entire health care system is operated in an ethical and efficient way for maximal utilization of limited resources while avoiding moral hazard and waste.
Chronic Disease ; Delivery of Health Care ; Developed Countries ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Health Expenditures ; Health Promotion ; History, Modern 1601- ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Insurance ; Insurance Coverage ; Insurance, Health ; Korea ; Medicine, East Asian Traditional ; National Health Programs ; Public Health ; Rare Diseases ; Survivors ; Taxes ; Vaccination