The Korea Nurses’ Health Study (KNHS) is an ongoing, large-scale, prospective cohort study of women nurses, focusing on the effects of occupational, environmental, and lifestyle factors on the health of women. The first KNHS survey was performed in 2013-2014 (n=20,613). As of December 2023, 11 follow-up surveys have been conducted. Participants who were pregnant were asked to participate in the early pregnancy survey (n=2,179) and postpartum survey after giving birth (n=2,790). The main variables included socio-demographic, work-related, lifestyle, physical, mental, and women’s health factors. Blood, urine, and toenail samples were collected from a participant subgroup of the first survey (n=1,983). The subgroups of the second survey completed a food frequency questionnaire in 2019 (n=300) and 2021 (n=871). In 2020, a subgroup of the first survey answered a coronavirus disease 2019-related survey (n=975). To examine various health-related factors in young adults, new participants were added to the KNHS cohort in the 11th (n=1,000) and 12th (n=1,002) surveys. The KNHS cohort will help identify health and illness determinants in Korean women. Data can be accessed at https://coda.nih.go.kr/frt/index.do.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) carriage among patients who were admitted to hematology units to identify risk factors for CPE carriage. Methods: This retrospective case-control study was carried out at a tertiary hospital, with a specific focus on adult patients (18 years of age or older) who were admitted to the hematology department. The cases comprised 73 patients with CPE, while the controls comprised 292 individuals matched randomly in a 1:4 ratio according to gender and age. A retrospective review of electronic medical records was conducted to collect data using a CPE acquisition risk factor questionnaire. Patient characteristics, drugs used, and the duration of use were compared between two groups using univariate analysis, and the risk factors associated with CPE were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The research findings indicated a prevalence of CPE of 5.4%. The predominant strain identified was Klebsiella pneumoniae, and the primary genotype identified was New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM). A history of surgery and use of penicillin-based antibiotics were identified as risk factors for CPE carriage. Conclusion The results emphasize the importance of establishing specific criteria when proactively screening high-risk patients for CPE. Furthermore, these findings provide evidence for forecasting risk factors associated with CPE and devising efficacious preventive measures.

Purpose: This study aimed to understand the symptom management experiences of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome and to identify patterns therein. Methods: Yin's multiple-case study design was utilized. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants who experienced post-COVID-19 syndrome symptoms. One-on-one interviews and surveys were conducted with six participants between October 22, 2021 and November 28, 2021. Data analysis, which included content analysis for in-depth interview data and survey data, followed the process suggested by Yin. Results: Common themes identified between the cases were experiencing deterioration of health compared to the before getting COVID-19, utilizing various methods to relieve physical symptoms, coping passively with psychological symptom management, and difficultly in managing symptoms due to the lack of a post-COVID-19 syndrome management system. Differences between cases included various degrees of utilizing healthcare system for symptom, attitude toward accepting symptoms, and taking the lead in managing symptoms according to returning to work. Three patterns of symptom management of individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome were identified: self-management, treatment focus, lethargy. Conclusion This study highlights the need for a nursing environment in which individuals experiencing post-COVID-19 syndrome can lead and take responsibility for health care, and it is suggested that future studies should develop high-quality nursing intervention programs for post-COVID-19 syndrome.

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships of symptom clusters, compliance with the patient’s role behavior, and dialysis adequacy with quality of life among hemodialysis patients. Methods: Structured surveys were used to collect data from 132 patients who were receiving hemodialysis as outpatients at two hemodialysis units using the Dialysis Symptom Index, tools to assess compliance with the patient’s role behavior and dialysis adequacy, and the Korean version of the World Health Organization BREF index for quality of life. Results: Quality of life was negatively correlated with the emotional-gastrointestinal symptom cluster (r=-.20, p=.021), the disturbance related-worrying symptom cluster (r=-.40, p<.001), and the sexual symptom cluster (r=-.23, p=.007), and positively correlated with compliance with the patient’s sick role (r=.43, p<.001). Conclusion: Nursing interventions for hemodialysis patients targeting each symptom cluster are expected to improve their quality of life, as well as applying educational programs and nursing interventions to strengthen patient role performance.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the influences of health beliefs on fall prevention behavior among adult patients who had abdominal surgery. METHODS: Data were collected from 136 patients who had undergone an abdominal surgery within the past 5 days. The data collection period was from September 21 to October 25, 2017. The health belief measurement tool, modified and reviewed by experts, and the fall prevention guideline developed by the Korean Nurses Association and revised by Park were used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation and stepwise multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The Health Belief Model explained 45.7% of the variance in fall prevention behavior among adult patients who had abdominal surgery. Perceived susceptibility and perceived benefits had significant influence on fall-prevention behavior. CONCLUSION: Tailored educational programs which put emphasis on the perceived susceptibility and perceived benefits of fall prevention need to be developed.
Accidental Falls ; Adult ; Data Collection ; Humans

Globally, more than half of nurses are exposed to workplace sexual violence. The high prevalence of workplace sexual violence among nurses should be understood in terms of the unique aspects of their work environment, including the sexual objectification of nurses, the hierarchical structure of health care institutions, an organizational culture unresponsive to sexual violence, and nurses' role as care providers. Professional associations for health care providers could play significant roles in eradicating workplace sexual violence by taking the following steps: being stakeholders in preparing relevant legislation, developing policy in collaboration with other associations and government bodies, laying the foundation for building systematic support for health care institutions, conducting surveys on sexual violence on a regular basis, and providing a monitoring and support system in collaboration with professional organizations dedicated to sexual violence.
Cooperative Behavior ; Delivery of Health Care ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Organizational Culture ; Prevalence ; Sex Offenses ; Societies ; Workplace Violence

Globally, more than half of nurses are exposed to workplace sexual violence. The high prevalence of workplace sexual violence among nurses should be understood in terms of the unique aspects of their work environment, including the sexual objectification of nurses, the hierarchical structure of health care institutions, an organizational culture unresponsive to sexual violence, and nurses' role as care providers. Professional associations for health care providers could play significant roles in eradicating workplace sexual violence by taking the following steps: being stakeholders in preparing relevant legislation, developing policy in collaboration with other associations and government bodies, laying the foundation for building systematic support for health care institutions, conducting surveys on sexual violence on a regular basis, and providing a monitoring and support system in collaboration with professional organizations dedicated to sexual violence.

Synthetic cannabinoids are one of most abused new psychoactive substances. The recreational use of abused drug has aroused serious concerns about the consequences of these drugs on infection. However, the effects of synthetic cannabinoid on resistance to tetanus toxin are not fully understood yet. In the present study, we aimed to determine if the administration of synthetic cannabinoids increase the susceptibility to tetanus toxin-induced motor behavioral deficit and functional changes in cerebellar neurons in mice. Furthermore, we measured T lymphocytes marker levels, such as CD8 and CD4 which against tetanus toxin. JWH-210 administration decreased expression levels of T cell activators including cluster of differentiation (CD) 3ε, CD3γ, CD74p31, and CD74p41. In addition, we demonstrated that JWH-210 induced motor impairment and decrement of vesicle-associated membrane proteins 2 levels in the cerebellum of mice treated with tetanus toxin. Furthermore, cerebellar glutamatergic neuronal homeostasis was hampered by JWH-210 administration, as evidenced by increased glutamate concentration levels in the cerebellum. These results suggest that JWH-210 may increase the vulnerability to tetanus toxin via the regulation of immune function.
Animals ; Cannabinoids ; Cerebellar Diseases* ; Cerebellum ; Glutamic Acid ; Homeostasis ; Immunosuppression* ; Mice* ; Neurons ; R-SNARE Proteins ; T-Lymphocytes ; Tetanus ; Tetanus Toxin

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify factors which influence the management of MultiDrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs) by nurses in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). METHODS: Data were collected from December 8 to 20, 2013 and participants were 163 ICU nurses working in one general hospital. The Health Belief Model tool and knowledge and management of MDROs infection tools were used in the study. Descriptive statistics, t-test, analysis of variances, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Knowledge, perceived susceptibility, and perceived benefits had a significant influence on MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus,) and MDRAB (Multidrug Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii) infection management when all the other variables were considered. Significant variable which had influence on VRE (Vancomycin Resistant Eenterococci) infection management were perceived susceptibility and perceived benefits. CONCLUSION: Perceived susceptibility and perceived benefits had significant influence on MDROs infection management. Emphasis needs to be on the perceived susceptibility and perceived benefits of MDROs infection management when providing an educational program for ICU nurses.
Acinetobacter ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Hospitals, General ; Infection Control ; Intensive Care Units* ; Critical Care* ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Staphylococcus

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the sexual behavior, health risk related to reproductive health, and characteristics of sexual experience among college students in Korea. METHODS: Six thousands college students were selected through proportional quota sampling based on region, college, and gender. Structured questionnaires were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used to describe the data. RESULTS: Thirty eight percent (N=2,285) of the participants reported sexual intercourse. The mean age of first time sexual intercourse was 19.3 years old. Respondents reported the following health risks such as smoking, drinking, not exercising, no regular meal patterns, chronic disease status, and weight loss over 10 kg in the past three months showed significant differences by sexual intercourse experience (p<.01). Among those who had sexual intercourse experiences, 7.1% of them reported having a history of STDs and 11.6% reported a pregnancy or pregnancy of one's partner. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study reflect the current trends of sex behaviors among college students and correlations between health risks related to reproductive health and sexual intercourse experiences. Developing reproductive health education programs based on the findings and providing the programs to college students through a school nurse is suggested.
Chronic Disease ; Coitus ; Drinking ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Meals ; Pregnancy ; Reproductive Health ; Risk-Taking ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Weight Loss