OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to analyze the experience of South Korean policemen who are in charge of supporting the North Korean defectors' adaption to South Korean society for 2 years. METHODS: Written-form survey questionnaire were sent to all policemen who were in charge of defectors with the help of the National police bureau. RESULTS: 172 policemen answered to survey questionnaire. There was no difference of human relationship score according to the defectors' sex, age, academic career. But defectors with low academic career showed bad human relationship as time went by. The type of human relationship change were different according to the defectors' age. Defectors who entered to South Korea directly from North Korea in short period had a better relationship in comparison with those who escaped to China or other third countries and stayed there for a long time to get a chance to enter to South Korea. As the policemen are younger, the relationship scores were better. But when some problem occurred in their relationship, younger policemen were less successful in solving the problem. There were many kind of efforts of policemen to improve the human relationship and it showed that the education-oriented effort is more effective and successful than direct problem-solving effort. CONCLULSION: This study showed that the human relationship of defectors and policemen in charge are affected by some demographic factors and defection routes and the types of efforts of policemen to improve the human relationship. It was suggested that the role of policemen in charge of defectors should be more well-defined, and NGO(Non Government Organization) need to have more continuos and specified program to help defectors' adaptation. Finally, the importance of continuing scientific researches about defectors' adaptation was emphasized.
China ; Democratic People's Republic of Korea ; Demography ; Humans ; Korea ; Police ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; United Nations

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of present study was to explore the differences of ego defense mechanisms between South Koreans, North Korean defectors in South Korea and Korean-Chinese in South Korea, and the correlations between ego defense mechanisms and perceptions of socio-cultural characteristics of these three groups. METHODS: The Defense Style Questionnaire and the Socio-Cultural Characteristic Questionnaire were administered to 100 South Koreans, 93 North Korean defectors and 86 Korean-Chinese. 21 North Korean defectors and 10 Korean-Chinese in South Korea were interviewed regarding the questionnaire results of the study. RESULTS: North Korean defectors used more active defense styles and emotion repressive defense styles than South Koreans. Korean-Chinese used more passive defense styles than North Korean defectors and South Koreans. North Korean defectors scored significantly higher than South Koreans on 'denial', 'splitting', 'withdrawal', 'suppression', 'altruism', 'task orientation' and 'anticipation' in the Defense Style Questionnaire. The defense styles were significantly related to the socio-cultural characteristics of the three countries. CONCLUSION: From our results it was inferred that there are differences in the defense styles among three groups, and the socio-cultural characteristics have effects on defense mechanisms. On the gasis of the results of this study, the direction of future study was discussed.
Defense Mechanisms ; Ego* ; Korea* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

As the productive activities have vastly increased following industrialization and urbanization in the modem society, the resulting high mobility of people and goods have caused a sharp increase in the accidents in the work places as well as traffic accidents. In particular, deaths caused by injuries are generally concentrated in the economically active young peoples, producing incalculable losses to the society and nation as a whole. Advanced nations with superior medical care systems have succeeded in reducing incidents of such deaths by operating trauma centers. Especially noteworthy is the case of the United States where such specialized trauma centers have greatly contributed to reducing deaths from injuries in the non-urban areas with less access to medical facilities. At present Korea has no medical centers specializing in injuries. In large cities, the injuries are being treated tertiary medical facilities while in the provinces they are referred to small and medium-sized hospitals that constitute secondary medical facilities. Currently in Korea the Trauma patients are treated at general hospitals that consist of 726 secondary medical facilities and 40 tertiary medical centers nationwide. The secondary medical facilities which tend to take most responsibility for the treatment of trauma are generally deficient in medical staff and facilities (including operating and intensive care facilities). Despite such deficiency and limitations, no regulations exist regarding treatment or transportation of trauma patients. This article reports the outcome of a comparative analysis of the results of trauma treatments among different types of medical facilities based on objective data in the hope that such study would facilitate a comparison with the treatment systems of advanced countries and thereby contribute to a precise formulation of problems that must be addressed in this area.
Accidents, Traffic ; Hope ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Critical Care ; Korea ; Medical Staff ; Modems ; Social Control, Formal ; Transportation ; Trauma Centers ; United States ; Urbanization ; Workplace ; Industrial Development

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of open reduction and internal fixation for disrupted symphysis pubis in unstable pelvic injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen symphyseal disruptions were treated by open reduction and internal fixation from 1994 to 1998. There were 12 Tile type B and six type C injuries. In 12 patients, anterior fixation was performed whereas six patients were treated by anterior and posterior fixation. The clinical and radiological results were reviewed retrospectively at a mean of 20.4 months (range, 12 to 44 months) . RESULTS: The average symphyseal displacement improved from a preoperative value of 37.3 mm (range, 10-87 mm) to a postoperative value of 6.5 mm (range, 2-14 mm) . Leg length discrepancy which averaged 11.8 mm (range, 4-30 mm) preoperatively was decreased to 2.3 mm (range, 0-7 mm) postoperatively. Open reduction and internal fixation was associated with a higher percentage of excellent results except in osteoporotic bone. Two patients with osteoporosis had a loss of fixation. Complications were infrequent. CONCLUSION: Open reduction and internal fixation are desirable techniques for symphyseal disruption. But the supplemental wire fixation with plate would be recommended for elderly patients who show obvious signs of osteoporosis.
Aged ; Humans ; Leg ; Osteoporosis ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To establish the incidence of deep vein thrombosis among Koreans after primary total hip arthroplasty and the usefulness of color doppler ultrasonography for routine noninvasive screening for deep vein thrombosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed prospective, randomized routine venography and color doppler ultrasonography before and after operation in a consecutive series of 89 primary total hip arthroplasty in which no form of prophylaxis was used. RESULTS: Of the 89 cases, eleven (12.4%) were found to have deep vein thrombosis (three proximal veins and eight distal veins) by bilateral venography. Most of the thromboses except two were asymptomatic. No patient had a symptomatic pulmonary embolism. Statistical analysis of risk factors, age, gender, weight, height, fixation method, and duration of operation time, were performed and there was no statistical difference (P>0.05). The reliability of color doppler ultrasonography for detection of deep vein thrombosis was demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: We found insufficient evidence to recommend routine thromboprophylaxis in primary total hip arthroplasty among Koreans. The authors recommend that routine bilateral color doppler ultrasonography screening be considered after primary total hip arthroplasty for detection of deep vein thrombosis
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mass Screening ; Phlebography ; Prevalence* ; Prospective Studies ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Risk Factors ; Thrombosis ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Veins ; Venous Thrombosis*

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical and radiological results of open reduction and plate fixation through the anterior approach for sacroiliac joint separation in unstable pelvic fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed fifteen cases treated by open reduction and plate fixation through the anterior approach from January 1994 to July 2000. Cases were followed up for more than one year, and the radiological results were evaluated according to the largest displacement and leg length discrepancy. The clinical results were evaluated according to pain and functional disabilities. RESULTS: Ten patients had mild pain not requiring analgesics, and one patient had a slight limp. The average sacroiliac joint separation improved from a mean preoperative value of 13.5 mm (range, 10-23 mm) to a mean postoperative value of 4.8 mm (range, 3-6 mm). Leg length discrepancy, which averaged 11 mm (range, 3-28 mm) preoperatively, decreased to 3.5 mm (range, 0-6 mm) postoperatively. All patients attained anatomical reduction postoperatively and no patient experienced loss of fixation during the follow up period. CONCLUSION: Open reduction and plate fixation for unstable pelvic fracture through the anterior approach is a useful method, as evidenced by the satisfactory clinical and radiological results.
Analgesics ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leg ; Retrospective Studies ; Sacroiliac Joint*

BACKGROUND: Although pulmonary artery catheters are useful to monitor hydration, these devices may be associated with severe morbidity and are not routinely used in kidney transplantation. A central venous pressure (CVP) catheter is preferred rather than a pulmonary artery catheter. Noninvasive continuous blood pressure monitors may substitute for intraarterial catheters, thereby preserving the radial artery in kidney transplantation patients should it be needed later to create an arteriovenous fistula. If there is a relationship between central venous and radial arterial blood for acid-base (pH, BE, HCO3(-)), we can use the blood sample from a CVP catheter instead of arterial blood from aradial artery catheter for testing acid-base and it can help patients. METHODS: A central venous catheter and radial artery catheter was inserted in 67 patients while undergoing kidney transplantation. To assess arteriovenous differences in acid-base status at operation start, before reperfusion of the transplanted kidney, after reperfusion, we measured the pH, BE and HCO3(-) simultaneously from the arterial and central venous circulation. RESULTS: Aacid-base using arterial and central venous samples at operation start, before reperfusion and after reperfusionb was evaluated. We found the relationship as follows: pH between arterial (pHa) and central venous blood (pHcv) in each: linear regression equation; pHcv = 0.668 + (0.906 X pHa), pHcv = 0.225 + (0.965 X pHa), pHcv = 0.646 + (0.908 X pHa), determination coefficient; 0.908, 0.926, 0.888, P values < 0.001 in each period. Base excess (BE) between BEa and BEcv in each period: linear regression equation; BEcv = 0.483 + (0.952 X BEa), BEcv = 0.032 + (0.939 X BEa), BEcv = 0.008 + (0.954 X BEa), determination coefficient; 0.844, 0.954, 0.962 P values < 0.001 in each period. HCO3(-) concentration between HCO3(-)a and HCO3(-)cv in each period: linear regression equation; HCO3(-)cv = 2.434 + (0.937 X HCO3(-)a), HCO3(-)cv = 2.093 + (0.942 X HCO3(-)a), HCO3(-)cv = 1.755 + (0.954 X HCO3 a), determination coefficient; 0.950, 0.925, 0.932 P values < 0.001 in each period. CONCLUSIONS: The acid base status of arterial blood is similar to that of central venous blood. Central venous blood gas values (pH, BE, HCO3(-)) may be an acceptable alternative to arterial blood gas values in kidney transplantation patients.
Arteries ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; Blood Pressure Monitors ; Catheters ; Central Venous Catheters ; Central Venous Pressure ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Linear Models ; Pulmonary Artery ; Radial Artery ; Reperfusion

This study explored the differences of clinical response, plasma homovanllic acid concentration, haloperidol and reduced haloperidol concentration after 4 weeks haloperidol treatment between higher and lower baseline homovanllic acid concentration groups of schizophrenic patients. After a 2-weeks washout period, they entered the 4 week haloperidol treatment period. The psychopathology was assessed at baseline just before haloperidol trial and then at 1, 2, 4 week using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS). Also the measurement of plasma homovanillic acid(HVA), haloperidol(HP) and reduced haloperidol(RHP) levels were assessed with high performance liquid chromatography at the same time of PANSS assessments. There were no significant differences on the positive, negative, general symptom score of PANSS, haloperidol and reduced haloperidol levels at the end of 4-week between higher plasma HVA group(bsaeline pHVA> or =12.69ng/ml, 10 subjects) and lower plasma HVA group(bsaeline pHVA<12.69ng/ml, 9 subjects). In higher group, the treatment response mainly occured in 2 weeks after treatment, but in lower group, that occured therough 4 weeks. And in higher group, pHVA decresed constantly, but in lower group, pHVA did not changed in 4 weeks. There was significant correlation between plasma haloperidol levels and the clinical improvement(persentile improvement of PANSS positive, general symptom, total score) at the end of 4 week. But no significant correlation were found between plasma reduced haloperidol and RHP/HP ratio and clinical improvement. These results suggest that baseline HVA level is not a valuable therapeutic predictor but it is able to suggest that higher baseline pHVA group and lower group may have different pathophysiology.
Chromatography, Liquid ; Haloperidol ; Homovanillic Acid* ; Humans ; Plasma* ; Psychopathology

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the quality of life (QoL) of North Korean defectors in South Korean society in the year 2007 for purposes of comparing it to their QoL in 2004 and identifying demographic variables that influence QoL. METHODS: We used the Korean version of WHOQoL-BREF to evaluate the QoL of 106 North Korean defectors. Other instruments included a questionnaire for discerning demographic data, life experiences, and physical health. RESULTS: For last 3 years, more defectors had higher education, married, and higher income. However, their unemployment numbers did not decrease, while their number of believers in a religion did decrease. QoL scores remained low in the areas of negative feelings, financial resources, dependence on treatment and drugs, recreation and leisure activities, and opportunities for new information and skills, but were high in areas of cognitive mental functions, personal beliefs, work capacity, self-esteem, and transportation. Path analysis suggested that the psychological domain influenced overall QoL while other domains influenced overall QoL indirectly, through the psychological domain. Since 2004, defectors' QoL in the physical domain and in opportunities for education and transportation had improved, while QoL with regard to pain and discomfort, mobility, and negative feelings had worsened. Variables that were negatively correlated with QoL included male sex, higher age, being married, experiencing army service in North Korea, and shorter stays in third countries. In South Korea, QoL was negatively correlated with current physical illness but positively correlated to having a family, a stable job, higher income, and someone to talk with. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that defectors' QoL would be improved by tailored services according to their sex and age, focusing on educational programs to provide new information and skills, support for building families, health services, and community support.
Democratic People's Republic of Korea ; Follow-Up Studies ; Health Services ; Humans ; Leisure Activities ; Life Change Events ; Male ; Mental Health ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Recreation ; Republic of Korea ; Transportation ; Unemployment

General epidemiological data regarding herpes zoster (HZ) are necessary for treatment and prevention of this disease. In addition, epidemiological data can play an important role in evaluating the efficacy and impact of vaccination. Though several epidemiological studies of HZ in Korea have been conducted, they usually depend on hospital-based data and may not be representative of HZ characteristics all over Korea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and other epidemiological features of HZ in the general Korean population. We used population-based medical records from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, which includes 50,908,646 medical insurance subscribers, to calculate the incidence of HZ. Also, we analyzed an age-stratified random sample of 1,375,842 individuals to study descriptive epidemiologic characteristics of HZ in Korea in 2011. We observed that the incidence of HZ was 10.4 per 1,000 person-years and was strongly correlated with age. Sex had a major influence on HZ incidence; overall, there were 12.6 cases per 1,000 person years in women and 8.3 cases per 1,000 person years in men. There was no difference in incidence according to the locality and season.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Herpes Zoster/*diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Hospitalization/*statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Sex Distribution ; Young Adult