Objectives: This study aimed to investigate differences in the anti-hepatitis A (HAV) antibody seropositivity rate by age and gender. Methods: We collected information on anti-HAV immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M status from samples submitted for HAV antibody testing in 2012–2022. A total of 1,333,615 cases were included in the analysis. Results: By age, the seropositivity rate was represented by a U-shaped curve, such that the rate was low for the group aged 20 to 39 years and higher in those who were younger or older. Over time, the curve shifted rightward, and the seropositivity rate declined gradually in the group aged 35 to 39 years and older. A gender-based difference in antibody seropositivity rate was especially noticeable in the group aged 20 to 29 years. This difference between genders widened in the participants’ early 20s—when men in the Republic of Korea enlist in the military—and the divergence continued subsequently for older individuals. Conclusion These results indicate a higher risk of severe infection among older individuals and a gender-based difference in seroprevalence. Therefore, it is necessary to implement policies to promote vaccination in adults.

Objectives: Completeness and timeliness are key attributes of accurate disease surveillance. This study aimed to evaluate the completeness and timeliness of tuberculosis (TB) notification in the Republic of Korea, by comparing notification data from the Korean National Tuberculosis Surveillance System and reimbursement data from the National Health Insurance. Methods: We evaluated reimbursement data from 103,075 cases (2012–2014) and surveillance data from 215,055 cases (2011–2015); cases were matched using Resident Registration Numbers. Completeness was evaluated using notifications that were reported within 365 days of the corresponding insurance claim. Timeliness was evaluated using the delay between starting TB treatment and the corresponding notification. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze factors that affected completeness (e.g., sex, age, institution type, and nationality). Results: The completeness values were 90.0% in 2012 (33,094/36,775), 93.0% in 2013 (31,445/33,803), and 94.0% in 2014 (30,537/32,497). The rates of notification within 7 days of the corresponding claim were 81.6% in 2012 (27,323/33,489), 79.8% in 2013 (25,469/31,905), and 80.4% in 2014 (24,891/30,978). Increases over time were observed in the sex-, age-, institution type-, and nationality-specific analyses. Multivariate analyses revealed that completeness was affected by institution type [hospitals: odds ratio (OR) = 1.82, p < 0.001; general hospitals: OR = 4.18, p < 0.001] and nationality (native Korean status: OR = 1.48, p < 0.001). Conclusion Notification completeness exhibited a 4.0% increase during 2012–2014 in Korea, and institution type and nationality significantly affected the completeness of TB notifications.

BACKGROUND: Shigellosis is one of the most important contagious diseases in Korea. Especially, Jeju island has been known as the main and large outbreak area in Korea. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiologic characteristics of shigellosis in Jeju island, 2003. METHODS: Patients with shigellosis, confirmed by culture in Jeju island in 2003, were included in this study. We retrospectively reviewed epidemiologic questionnaires, medical records, and official documents. We also collected data from direct interview with the patients with shigellosis. Epidemiological analysis was performed by 3 categorized events and ages. RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients were included in this study. S. sonnei was identified in all of the patients. Shigellosis mainly occurred in preschool-aged children. However, there was no statistical difference according to sex. Although there were asymptomatic cases (15.15%), the chief complaints were loose stool (69.7%) and abdominal pain (12.12%). Initial symptoms in symptomatic patients were abdominal pain (43.43%) and fever (31.31%). The median duration of isolation in the hospital was 7 days. CONCLUSION: Large and chronic epidemic outbreaks of shigellosis have occurred in Jeju island. Throughout this survey, we could show the epidemiological characteristics and the nature of shigellosis in Jeju island.
Abdominal Pain ; Child ; Disease Outbreaks ; Dysentery, Bacillary* ; Fever ; Humans ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Shigellosis is one of the most important contagious diseases in Korea. Especially, Jeju island has been known as the main and large outbreak area in Korea. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiologic characteristics of shigellosis in Jeju island, 2003. METHODS: Patients with shigellosis, confirmed by culture in Jeju island in 2003, were included in this study. We retrospectively reviewed epidemiologic questionnaires, medical records, and official documents. We also collected data from direct interview with the patients with shigellosis. Epidemiological analysis was performed by 3 categorized events and ages. RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients were included in this study. S. sonnei was identified in all of the patients. Shigellosis mainly occurred in preschool-aged children. However, there was no statistical difference according to sex. Although there were asymptomatic cases (15.15%), the chief complaints were loose stool (69.7%) and abdominal pain (12.12%). Initial symptoms in symptomatic patients were abdominal pain (43.43%) and fever (31.31%). The median duration of isolation in the hospital was 7 days. CONCLUSION: Large and chronic epidemic outbreaks of shigellosis have occurred in Jeju island. Throughout this survey, we could show the epidemiological characteristics and the nature of shigellosis in Jeju island.
Abdominal Pain ; Child ; Disease Outbreaks ; Dysentery, Bacillary* ; Fever ; Humans ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires

No abstract available.
Gangwon-do* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Gangwon-do* ; Humans ; Norovirus* ; Sequence Analysis*

OBJECTIVES: Despite the importance of human immunodefi-ciency virus(HIV) transmission through heterosexual contact, the features of heterosexual transmission has not been well studied in Korea. So we conducted a cross sectional study to determine the transmission rates in married couples and assess risk factors for male to female heterosexual transmission of HIV. METHODS: 169 HIV-infected males and their female sex partners were recruited from 1985 to June 1998. We examined female sex partners HIV infection status and interviewed male index partners and their female sex partners about demographic characteristics and sexual practices. We analysed heterosexual transmission rate by epidemiologic characteristics, disease status and sexual practices. And we assessed risk factors for HIV infection by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: 30 female sex partners were infected at enrollment, yielding an transmission rate of 17.8%. Among couples who had used condoms consistently, none of the female sex partners was infected with HIV. In univariate analysis the significant risk factors were full blown AIDS status (OR=4.1, 95% CI: 1.49-11.43) and low CD4 T cell count of index partners at enrollment (OR=7.8, 95% CI: 2.19-27.80). In multivariate analysis HIV-1 RNA levels was significant risk factor when adjusted by CD4 T cell counts and mean sexual contacts per month (OR=19.2, 95% CI: 1.03-357.59) CONCLUSION: The risk of male to female heterosexual transmission increased with advanced stages of HIV infection in the index male partners.
Cell Count ; Condoms ; Family Characteristics ; Female* ; Heterosexuality* ; HIV Infections ; HIV* ; HIV-1 ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors* ; RNA