Objectives: This study aimed to develop a NOVA-based scoring approach for evaluating ultra- processed food (UPF) intake among Korean adults and to examine its performance. Previous studies have reported that young adults have the highest levels of UPF consumption. Accordingly, this study focused on adults aged 19–40 years and developed scoring components reflecting dietary patterns specific to Korean eating habits. Methods: Using 24-hour dietary recall data from adults aged 19–40 years in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2021–2023), foods were classified according to the Korean-adapted NOVA system. The top 10 food groups accounting for ≥ 80% of cumulative UPF-derived energy were selected to construct the scoring components. The tool was operationalized using food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) data from the Gangwon cohort study (2022–2024). Intake frequencies were converted into scores ranging from 0 (“rarely or never”) to 5 (“≥ 1 time/day”), and summed to generate the NOVA–UPF score (range: 0–50). Results: Among 237 young adults (aged 20–49 years), the mean NOVA–UPF score was 22.9 ± 8.3. A positive association was observed between the NOVA–UPF score and FFQbased UPF energy intake (Spearman’s ρ = 0.629, P < 0.001). Cross-classification showed that 51.9% were classified into the same tertile and 94.9% into the same or adjacent tertiles, with a weighted kappa coefficient of 0.279. Conclusion This NOVA-based scoring approach may serve as a preliminary tool for assessing UPF intake in Korean young adults. Further refinement and rigorous validation using quantitative dietary assessment methods and more diverse populations are required before broader application.

Background: With increasing life expectancy, the number of older adults with multiple chronic conditions requiring complex medication regimens is growing, raising concerns about polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use. This study investigated trends in polypharmacy and PIM use among 66-year-olds in South Korea from 2012 to 2021, considering participant characteristics, to inform interventions and policies. Methods: A repeated cross-sectional study was conducted using the National Health Insurance Services database covering approximately 97% of Koreans. We included 3,397,044 individuals aged 66 who underwent the National Screening Program for Transitional Ages between 2012 and 2021. Polypharmacy was defined as the use of ≥5 medications for ≥90 days annually, hyper-polypharmacy as ≥10 medications, and PIM use as ≥1 PIM for ≥28 days. Trends were analyzed by sex, frailty, comorbidity, income, insurance type, and residence. Results: Polypharmacy prevalence increased from 32.0% in 2012 to 35.4% in 2021, and hyper-polypharmacy also rose. PIM use slightly decreased from 55.7% to 53.7%. Higher rates of polypharmacy and PIM use were observed among rural residents, medical aid beneficiaries, and those with lower income. Despite improvements in comorbidity and frailty, socioeconomic disparities widened, particularly among medical aid beneficiaries. Frequently prescribed PIMs included NSAIDs, PPIs, muscle relaxants, and anxiolytics/hypnotics. Conclusion While PIM use slightly decreased over the study period, it remained above 50%, and polypharmacy prevalence increased among older adults in Korea. Socioeconomic disparities in medication use persist, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and policies to promote safe medication use among vulnerable groups.

Purpose: This study examined the evaluation indicators and frameworks for assessing the effectiveness of the Center for Children’s and Social Welfare Foodservice Management. Methods: A qualitative research design was used, including focus group discussions and indepth interviews cond1ucted with 26 stakeholders, such as center staff, community nutrition experts, and performance evaluation specialists. The interviews were recorded with the participants’ consent, and the transcribed data were analyzed using framework analysis to identify key patterns. Results: The findings highlight several critical issues in the current evaluation framework, including over-reliance on satisfaction surveys, insufficient utilization of checklist data, and a lack of long-term outcome measures. The participants recommended improving satisfaction surveys by diversifying the respondents and refining methodologies. Systematic data management was also highlighted as essential, particularly for data collected by center nutritionists during site visits. These data are crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of overseeing and educating cooks and staff in children’s and social welfare facilities. For the long-term outcome indicators, the participants suggested integrating national health datasets to monitor the food consumption patterns, such as fruit and vegetable intake or sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among children, and tracking medical expenses or hospitalization rates for elderly daycare center users. Well-designed intervention studies were recommended to develop more robust evaluation indicators, particularly for assessing the impact of the centers on the health and quality of life of the elderly. Conclusion Therefore, comprehensive and standardized evaluation systems should be implemented to enhance operational efficiency and service quality. The proposed evaluation scheme can better evaluate and support the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities, by aligning these systems with the centers’ mission of ensuring safe and nutritious food services.

Purpose: This study examined the evaluation indicators and frameworks for assessing the effectiveness of the Center for Children’s and Social Welfare Foodservice Management. Methods: A qualitative research design was used, including focus group discussions and indepth interviews cond1ucted with 26 stakeholders, such as center staff, community nutrition experts, and performance evaluation specialists. The interviews were recorded with the participants’ consent, and the transcribed data were analyzed using framework analysis to identify key patterns. Results: The findings highlight several critical issues in the current evaluation framework, including over-reliance on satisfaction surveys, insufficient utilization of checklist data, and a lack of long-term outcome measures. The participants recommended improving satisfaction surveys by diversifying the respondents and refining methodologies. Systematic data management was also highlighted as essential, particularly for data collected by center nutritionists during site visits. These data are crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of overseeing and educating cooks and staff in children’s and social welfare facilities. For the long-term outcome indicators, the participants suggested integrating national health datasets to monitor the food consumption patterns, such as fruit and vegetable intake or sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among children, and tracking medical expenses or hospitalization rates for elderly daycare center users. Well-designed intervention studies were recommended to develop more robust evaluation indicators, particularly for assessing the impact of the centers on the health and quality of life of the elderly. Conclusion Therefore, comprehensive and standardized evaluation systems should be implemented to enhance operational efficiency and service quality. The proposed evaluation scheme can better evaluate and support the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities, by aligning these systems with the centers’ mission of ensuring safe and nutritious food services.

Purpose: This study examined the evaluation indicators and frameworks for assessing the effectiveness of the Center for Children’s and Social Welfare Foodservice Management. Methods: A qualitative research design was used, including focus group discussions and indepth interviews cond1ucted with 26 stakeholders, such as center staff, community nutrition experts, and performance evaluation specialists. The interviews were recorded with the participants’ consent, and the transcribed data were analyzed using framework analysis to identify key patterns. Results: The findings highlight several critical issues in the current evaluation framework, including over-reliance on satisfaction surveys, insufficient utilization of checklist data, and a lack of long-term outcome measures. The participants recommended improving satisfaction surveys by diversifying the respondents and refining methodologies. Systematic data management was also highlighted as essential, particularly for data collected by center nutritionists during site visits. These data are crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of overseeing and educating cooks and staff in children’s and social welfare facilities. For the long-term outcome indicators, the participants suggested integrating national health datasets to monitor the food consumption patterns, such as fruit and vegetable intake or sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among children, and tracking medical expenses or hospitalization rates for elderly daycare center users. Well-designed intervention studies were recommended to develop more robust evaluation indicators, particularly for assessing the impact of the centers on the health and quality of life of the elderly. Conclusion Therefore, comprehensive and standardized evaluation systems should be implemented to enhance operational efficiency and service quality. The proposed evaluation scheme can better evaluate and support the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities, by aligning these systems with the centers’ mission of ensuring safe and nutritious food services.

Purpose: : This study sought to investigate novice nurses’ communication education needs in the intensive care unit (ICU) using Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) and Borich’s need assessment model. This study identified communication challenges in clinical settings to develop a simulation program that enhances communication competencies based on educational requirements. Methods: : A descriptive research design and a self-report questionnaire were used. The latter was developed and administered to 121 novice nurses with less than one year of experience in the ICU at various university hospitals in Korea. Data were collected via the online open chatroom from June 24th to July 28th, 2023. The communication education needs were identified using descriptive statistics, t-tests, IPA, and Borich’s needs assessment model. Text analysis was used to categorize the participants’ communication experience. Results: : The results revealed that “communication with physicians,” “communication with patients,” and “communication with nurse on another shift” domains contained the most substantial educational needs for novice nurses working in the intensive care units. Conclusion : The results provide fundamental data for developing and enhancing customized communication education programs for novice ICU nurses. This valuable information could help ICU nurses and educators improve new nurses’ communication skills, which would ultimately contribute to the advancement of nursing education and clinical practice.

Objectives: A campus-based intervention to enhance food literacy (FL) and establish exercise habits among college students was developed and the program’s effectiveness was evaluated. Methods: The 13-session program was developed based on the transtheoretical model and social cognitive theory. Junior and senior students majoring in food and nutrition and physical education were asked to participate as mentors, with freshmen and sophomores from varied majors as mentees. The program encompassed food, nutrition, and exercise lessons including cooking sessions. Data were collected via pre- and post-program surveys using a questionnaire consisting of items on FL and nutrition behaviors and physical fitness measurements. Results: Among 39 participants (35.9% male, 64.1% female), the overall FL score increased significantly from 64.1 to 70.6 post-program (P = 0.001). Significant increases were observed in the nutrition and safety (P < 0.001), cultural and relational (P = 0.023), and socio-ecological (P = 0.001) domains, as well as knowledge (P = 0.001), self-efficacy (P = 0.013), attitude (P < 0.001), and behavior (P = 0.005) items in three domains of FL. Additionally, meal duration increased significantly (P = 0.007) and sit-up performance among female showed a meaningful change (P = 0.046). Changes in dietary behaviors significantly progressed (P = 0.015) while that in exercise habits approached a marginal significance (P = 0.053) after the intervention. Conclusion The results reveal positive changes in FL and some modifications in eating habits, although the program had limited effects on physical activity and fitness measurements. These findings suggest that strategic approaches to foster exercise behavior changes in college students are required. This pilot program can serve as foundational data for improving and expanding multicomponent health promotion programs for this population.

Background: As the population rapidly ages, older adults are increasingly likely to experience mobility problems. This study aims to explore the characteristics related to an elderly person’s willingness to live in a nursing home if they have mobility problems Methods: This study analyzed data from 9,917 older adults (5,976 young-old and 3,941 old-old) obtained from the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans. The dependent variable was the intended place of residence for older adults with mobility problems.Independent variables included various characteristics: (1) sociodemographic and social support, (2) health and functional status, and (3) residential environment. Rao-Scott chi-square tests and survey logistic regression analyses were performed for the young-old and old-old, respectively. Results: The intention to live in a nursing home was significantly different between the young-old (30.4%) and the old-old (34.7%) (p=0.009). According to fully adjusted multivariable analyses, for the young-old, the odds ratio of intending to live in a nursing home was significantly higher in social security benefit recipients (1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–1.97) compared to other individuals. The odds ratio was higher in unmarried (divorced, separated, widowed, or never-married) individuals for both young-old (1.41; 95% CI, 1.22–1.63) and old-old (1.34; 95% CI, 1.09–1.65) age groups, compared to their respective married counterparts. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that in an aging society, health and social policies should be designed considering the different characteristics of the elderly to improve their health, function, and quality of life.

Background: Topical corticosteroids (TCs) are available both as over-the-counter drugs and prescription medicines at pharmacies.Although they are generally safe drugs, inappropriate and excessive use could result in potential side effects. Thus, it is important to have appropriate knowledge regarding the use of TCs. We performed a cross-sectional survey to assess public knowledge and the potential misuse or overuse of TCs. Methods: A cross-sectional and nationwide online survey was conducted among participants who were aware of TCs. The survey items included sources of information, indications, potential side effects, and methods of application of TCs. A comparative analysis was conducted between those with (TC users) and without (TC non-users) an experience of using TCs. Results: Among 3,000 participants, 74.4% were TC users. The mass media was the most common information source of TCs, and only one-third of the surveyed people relied on pharmacists or doctors for information. Regarding indications and application methods, incorrect answer rate was high in some items, but respondents showed adequate knowledge. However, awareness of the safety of TCs was low. Overall, the TC users showed a higher knowledge of TCs than TC non-users. Conclusions Public knowledge of the use of TCs appears to be appropriate. However, we found potential misuse or overuse of some items and a lack of awareness of the side effects concerning TCs. Thus, healthcare professionals’ significant role is required.

Purpose: Interpersonal competence, a key competence for patient-centered care by nurses, should be understood. Therefore, factors influencing the interpersonal competence of nursing students should be identified to explore and enhance their interpersonal relationships during the undergraduate educational curriculum for nursing educators. In this study factors influencing interpersonal competence, especially on self-assertiveness and empathy in nursing students were identified and analysed. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used for the study in two Korean nursing colleges with similar baccalaureate nursing curricula. A total of 251 nursing students from freshman to senior year completed a questionnaire to measure related factors that were assumed to influence nursing students’ interpersonal competence. Data were collected from October 11~31, 2016. Study variables included self-assertiveness, empathy, interpersonal competence, and socio-demographic status. Multiple regression analysis was used for data analysis. Results: Nursing students’ interpersonal competence was explained by personality (β=.22), self-assertiveness (β=.16) and empathy (β=.38). The explanatory power of these predictors was 26.8% (p<.001). Conclusions Nursing students’ interpersonal competence during the undergraduate nursing years can be enhanced by educational strategies that improve their interpersonal relationship as patient-centered care providers. Simultaneously, the attitude of the nurse educator is also important for nursing students who are to be treated as valuable learners and to improve students' empathy and self-assertiveness ability.