PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare the rates of industrial accidents in workplaces that adopted the 2011 Workplace Health Promotion Subsidy Scheme before and after the implementation. METHODS: The study analyzed the raw data of industrial accidents of 304 workplaces which received subsidies for health promotion activities in 2011. The raw data covered the period from February 2010 to July 2012, based on the dates of industrial accidents. RESULTS: Workplaces subsidized for health promotion activities reported fewer occurrences in staff injuries and illnesses than before the subsidization, as the total number of industrial accident victims dropped from 0.35 to 0.24. The rate of industrial accidents also dropped from 0.49 to 0.35, with the number of working days decreased from 35,433 to 23.867, about 33%. CONCLUSION: The study showed that financial support for health-promoting activities contributed to the decease in industrial accidents, which is an important indication advocating the need for corporate and government investment on workers health promotion programs. Furthermore, this study is also significant as it is the first research conducted in Korea to examine the impact of a workers health promotion project using a direct indicator, the rate of industrial accidents.
Accidents, Occupational ; Financial Support ; Health Promotion ; Investments ; Korea

This study was to examine the differences in health belief variables and HPV (Human Papillomavirus) knowledge in Pap smears according to the stages of change using Trans-theoretical Model (TTM) among married nurses. METHODS: The research design was a cross sectional survey. Participants were 387 married nurses working in general hospital located metropolitan city. Measurement variables were perceived threatening, perceived severity, benefits of Pap, HPV knowledge and stages of the change in Pap smear. RESULTS: Classified stages were pre-contemplation 3.9%, contemplation 17.8%, relapsing 29.5%, action 31.0%, and maintenance 17.8%. Accuracy rate of HPV knowledge were low ranging from 15% to 45%. Among the variables, perceived threatening (F=3.56, p=.007), perceived severity (F=9.73, p<.001) and HPV knowledge (F=7.52, p<.001) were significantly different by stages of change. CONCLUSION: Application of TTM to Pap smears was efficient to know the nurse's level of health behaviors, Health belief variables and HPV knowledge were main factors to identify the stages of change. The continuation of Pap smears and the education in relation to HPV knowledge should be encouraged for married nurses.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Health Behavior ; Health Status ; Hospitals, General ; Research Design ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Vaginal Smears

PURPOSE: This study examined the influencing factors on antenatal depression among pregnant women. METHODS: This was a cross sectional descriptive study with 255 pregnant women who visited a general hospital in a metropolitan city for their regularly scheduled check-up. Measurement tools employed were the Korean version of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the food habits, and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Socio-demographic variables and the status of high risk pregnancy were identified. Influencing factors on antenatal depression were identified using a stepwise multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean score of antenatal depression was 7.2 +/- 5.0; 18.4% with mild depression, 5.9% had moderate depression, with 0.8% identified with severe depression on BDI scale. Influencing factors on antenatal depression accounted for 47.8% of the total variance which consisted of quality of sleep, marital satisfaction, food habits, gestation periods, sexual satisfaction, high risk pregnancy, and age. CONCLUSION: Findings show that antenatal depression should be monitored on a regular basis during early pregnancy and in high risk pregnancy if possible, and quality of sleep and food habits should be incorporated in the management of antenatal depression.
Depression ; Female ; Food Habits ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, High-Risk ; Pregnant Women ; Prenatal Care

Parents are primary care taker for the children and have an important role for the assessment and managent of children's pain following surgery. The purpose of the present study was to examine the validity and clinical utilization of the Postoperative Pain Measure for Parents (PPMP) developed by Chambers et al. Subjects were 52 children aged 4-12 years admitted for tonsillectomy and other minor surgery and their mothers. Faces Pain Scale, State Anxiety, and Postoperative Pain Measure for Parents were used. The data were collected by two research assistant on the operation day and 1st day after surgery at hospital during the period of July 20 to August 28, 1998. The results are as follows: 1. Eta correlation coefficient between 15 items of PPMP and child rated pain were calculated. Correlation coefficients were more than .2 for both day. 2. Internal consistency for PPMP were .82 and .83. 3. The scores of the PPMP were 10.73 (SD=3.71) and 9.27(SD=4.07) on the operation day and 1st day after surgery and there was no significant difference between two days(p=.056) On the other hand, there was a significant difference on the child rated pain by Faces Pain Scale between operation day and 1st day after surgery(p=.001). 4. The correlation(Spearman Rho) between PPMP and child rated pain were .40(p=.003) and .56(p=.000). The score of the PPMP and the children's state anxiety were highly correlated on the operation day and 1st day after surgery (.60, .52, p=.000). 5. Partial correlation between PPMP and child rated pain except state anxiety were .18(p=.23) and .48(p=.001) on the opration day and 1st day after surgery. 6. Using a cut-off score 10 out of 15, the measure showed excellent sensitivity (>80%) and moderate specificity (46.15%, 60% ). This study provides preliminary evidence for the use of the PPMP as a valid pain assessment tool with children between the ages of 4-12 years following surgery. It is suggested to explore the validity with a different subjects with other surgery and to examine the validity for infant and younger children.
Anxiety ; Child ; Hand ; Humans ; Infant ; Mothers ; Pain Measurement* ; Pain, Postoperative* ; Parents* ; Primary Health Care ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Surgical Procedures, Minor ; Tonsillectomy

PURPOSE: This study was done to evaluate the effects of antenatal depression on birth outcomes. METHODS: The participants were 255 pregnant women who were followed in a prospective study. Of these, 197 cases were examined included birth weight, Apgar scores at 5 minute, premature contraction, complication of labor, delivery types and laboratory data. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Chi square test of linear by linear association, Kruskal Wallis test, Relative Risk, univariate and adjusted multiple logistic regression were used for data analysis with SPSS/Win. RESULTS: Level of antenatal depression was associated with low birth weight (chi2=7.69, p=.010). High risk pregnancy was a predictor of low birth weight (OR=6.98 [1.21-40.30]) and baby's weight (OR=2.12, [1.05-4.28]). Prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) was a predictor of complications in labor (OR=3.59, [1.03-12.48]). But there were no significant effects of antenatal depression on other birth outcomes. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that women with antenatal depression, high risk pregnancy, prepregnancy BMI> or =23 kg/M2 should be monitored and managed to ensure favorable birth outcomes.
Adult ; Apgar Score ; Body Mass Index ; Cohort Studies ; Delivery, Obstetric ; *Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; Prospective Studies ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Women/*psychology

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Sexuality Attitudes and Beliefs Survey (SABS) and to assess SABS for Korean nurses. METHODS: The Korean version of SABS was developed through forward-backward translation techniques. Internal consistency reliability and construct validity using confirmatory factor analysis were conducted using PASW+ PC Win (18.0) and AMOS (18.0). Data were collected from 567 nurses who worked in one of six general hospitals across the country. RESULTS: The Korean version of SABS showed a reliable internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha of subscales ranging from .59 to .73. Factor loadings of the 10 items of three subscales ranged from .38 to .83. The three subscales model were validated by confirmatory factor analysis (GFI>.97, RMSEA<.05). Sexuality attitudes and beliefs for Korean nurses were more negative than that of European or American nurses. The SABS scores for Korean nurses were significantly different according to age, marriage, education, clinical experiences, and feeling about sexuality. CONCLUSION: The Korean version of SABS has satisfactory construct validity and reliability to measure Korean nurses' attitudes and belief toward sexuality. Education is essential to enhance importance and self-efficacy and to relieve barriers to addressing patients' sexuality.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Attitude of Health Personnel ; Female ; Humans ; Nursing Staff/*psychology ; *Program Evaluation ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea ; *Sexuality ; Translating

Acute gluteal compartment syndrome (AGCS) is a rare condition associated with trauma, drug abuse, alcohol intoxication, prolonged immobilization, hip arthroplasty and epidural anesthesia. We report the case of a 42-year-old woman presenting severe buttock pain following decreased lower extremity motor function after an incident whereby she rolled down a flight of stairs. We performed fasciotomy of the gluteal fascia in order to provide relief from acute gluteal compartment syndrome. At the 2 month follow up visit her sensory and motor function had improved. Acute gluteal compartment syndrome is a rare condition which can result in misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. Careful consideration is needed for patients suffering severe buttock pain.
Adult ; Anesthesia, Epidural ; Arthroplasty ; Buttocks ; Compartment Syndromes ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Errors ; Fascia ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Lower Extremity ; Sciatic Nerve ; Stress, Psychological ; Substance-Related Disorders

Acute gluteal compartment syndrome (AGCS) is a rare condition associated with trauma, drug abuse, alcohol intoxication, prolonged immobilization, hip arthroplasty and epidural anesthesia. We report the case of a 42-year-old woman presenting severe buttock pain following decreased lower extremity motor function after an incident whereby she rolled down a flight of stairs. We performed fasciotomy of the gluteal fascia in order to provide relief from acute gluteal compartment syndrome. At the 2 month follow up visit her sensory and motor function had improved. Acute gluteal compartment syndrome is a rare condition which can result in misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. Careful consideration is needed for patients suffering severe buttock pain.
Adult ; Anesthesia, Epidural ; Arthroplasty ; Buttocks ; Compartment Syndromes ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Errors ; Fascia ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Lower Extremity ; Sciatic Nerve ; Stress, Psychological ; Substance-Related Disorders

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide foundational knowledge on nursing tasks performed on patients with COVID-19 in a nationally-designated inpatient treatment unit. Methods: This study employs both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative method investigated the content and frequency of nursing tasks for 460 patients (age ≥ 18y, 57.4% men) from January 20, 2020, to September 30, 2021, by analyzing hospital information system records. Qualitative data were collected via focus group interviews. The study involved interviews with three focus groups comprising 18 nurses overall to assess their experiences and perspectives on nursing care during the pandemic from February 3, 2022, to February 15, 2022. The data were examined with thematic analysis. Results: Overall, 49 different areas of nursing tasks (n = 130,687) were identified based on the Korean Patient Classification System for nurses during the study period. Among the performed tasks, monitoring of oxygen saturation and measuring of vital signs were considered high-priority. From the focus group interview, three main themes and eleven sub-themes were generated. The three main themes are “Experiencing eventfulness in isolated settings,” “All-around player,” and “Reflections for solutions.” Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative to ensure adequate staffing levels, compensation, and educational support for nurses. The study further propose improving guidelines for emerging infectious diseases and patient classification systems to improve the overall quality of patient care.

To improve the quality of nursing care, we developed and evaluated a Electronic Medical Record (EMR) program designed to maximize productivity and efficiency in our nursing documentation system. Five computerized documentation forms, the clinical observation record, medication, nursing treatments, nursing records, and admission assessment were developed by a nursing informatics team over 5 months and implemented on a cardiovascular unit. In the EMR program, nurses access and record required documentation at the patients besides with a laptop computer instead of using conventional chart. Four categories of data were compared before and after operating EMR program; the time spent in direct patient care, the time spent in nursing documentation, nurses' s job satisfaction, and patients' satisfaction. The result showed a statistically significant increase in the time spent in direct patient care after implementation of EMR system, as well as a decrease in the time spent in nursing documentation. Nurses job satisfaction was increased and patients' satisfaction was decreased, but both were not significant statistically.
Efficiency ; Electronic Health Records ; Humans ; Job Satisfaction ; Nursing Care ; Nursing Informatics ; Nursing Records ; Nursing* ; Patient Care