PURPOSE: To identify cataract awareness in the Korean population. METHODS: The present study included 3,662 subjects who were diagnosed with a cataract by ophthalmic examination out of 11,058 subjects in the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV). Among the 3,662 participants, 944 were aware that they already had a cataract. The socio-demographic disparities in cataract awareness were identified using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 65.6 years (standard deviation, 0.2). The awareness calculated based on total weighted population was 24.6% in people over 19 years of age (95% confidence interval, 22.5-26.6%). In multivariate logistic analysis, subjects with higher income, living in a rural area, having a spouse, and binge alcohol use were less likely to be aware of their cataract. In multivariate linear regression analysis after adjusting for confounding factors, there were statistically significant differences of mean in age and monthly house income. Deajeon (11%), and Gwangju (16%) were the lower ranked regions for cataract awareness in Korea. CONCLUSIONS: The cataract awareness in Korea was lower than in other developed countries. Public education and strategies to improve cataract awareness in susceptible people are necessary. More effort is needed to improve cataract awareness based on the Korean society's acceptance of ophthalmologists as in other countries.
Cataract* ; Daejeon ; Developed Countries ; Education ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Korea ; Linear Models ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nutrition Surveys ; Spouses

OBJECTIVE: The decision of optimal age for administration of recently approved prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines in the world depend on the basis of the sexual behavior of each countries. The aim of the study was to survey the age-specific sexual behavior including the sexual debut time and sexual experience in the Korean young women to design the tailored HPV vaccination. METHODS: This study was conducted by the Synovate Healthcare in the 6 city of Korea e.g. Seoul, Pusan, Daegu, Incheon, Kwangju and Daejon. By a stratified sampling methods 2,400 women aged 12-29 years old were included. The measures of sexual behavior presented in this report were collected by a Computer-Assisted Self-Interviewing (ACASI), in which the respondent enters her own answers into a computer without telling them to an interviewer. RESULTS: Among women 12-29 years of age, 39 percent of women (934 persons in 2,400 women) and 33 percent of single women (724 persons in 2,190 women) have had vaginal intercourse; 8 percent of women under 19 years old single women (79 persons in 1,045) and 56 percent of single women with 20-29 years old (645 persons in 1,145). Number of sexual partner was 2.8 person and 54 percent of women had more than 2 partners. Age of the first sexual activity (sexual debut) was 21 years old. The age of partner at the sexual debut was 23.2 years old. Sexual experience before 15 years old was only 2%. About the condom, 41% did not use or rarely use. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that the sexual debut time of young Korean women differ from other countries in which the prophylactic HPV vaccine had already used. We conclude that the optimal age for HPV vaccination in Korea would be determined at 15-17 years old by this situation.
Adolescent ; Busan ; Condoms ; Daegu ; Daejeon ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Delivery of Health Care ; Female ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Incheon ; Korea ; Seoul ; Sexual Behavior* ; Sexual Partners ; Vaccination ; Vaccines ; Young Adult

The purpose of this study is to investigate the concentration of plasma choline of Korean and to clarify the relationship between plasma choline concentration and choline intake. Plasma choline concentration of 30 young adults (15 males, 15 females) aged 20 - 30 years living in Deajeon metropolitan city are analyzed and their dietary choline intake. Choline content of one day meal was directly analyzed with the use of enzymatic method. Plasma choline concentration from more than 12 hr fasting blood was analyzed by using HPLC-MS. Choline intakes of male subjects were in the range of 253.51 - 1724.14 mg and those of female subjects were in the range of 240.85 - 938.06 mg. Mean intakes of choline were 634.53+/-353.68 mg in male subjects and 473.99+/-183.76 mg in female subjects. Plasma choline concentration of total subjects was in the range of 5.08 - 14.01 micro mol/L. Mean plasma choline concentration was 9.19+/-2.05 micro mol/L in male subjects and 8.11+/-1.70 micro mol/L in female subjects. Plasma choline concentration did not show significant correlation with choline intake in male and total subjects, but showed positive correlation with choline intake in female subjects (p<0.05). This result shows that more studies on large scaled samples are needed.
Choline* ; Daejeon ; Fasting ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meals ; Plasma* ; Young Adult*

This study was conducted to the evaluate sanitary management status of school foodservice in Deajeon and Chungnam and to suggest basic data for sanitary improvement. A questionnaire was used in this study as a survey method. The subjects consist of 529 dietitians that are employed in the school (primary.middle.high school) foodservice. These results may be summarized as follows : 71.0% of surveyed school foodservices managed separately place for contamination and uncontamination. 91.5% didn't maintain adequate temperature at kitchen. A holding rate of hygiene utensils is lower in Chungnam than Daejeon. The dietitian group aged 30 - 34 showed significantly higher scores than other groups in personal hygiene of employees. The dietitian group graduated from a college showed significantly lower scores than other groups in purchasing & receiving, preparation, storage, food remains & waste, kitchen utensils and equipments and personal hygiene. It was significant to serving, personal hygiene and facilities & structure by Daejeon and Chungnam. In serving, Daejeon showed significantly lower scores than Chungnam. In personal hygiene, facilities and structure, Chungnam showed significantly lower scores than Daejeon. The foodservice group (started < 1990) showed significantly lower scores than other groups (started > or = 1990) in preparation.
Chungcheongnam-do* ; Daejeon ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Food Storage ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Nutritionists

PURPOSE: Ethylenediamine-tetramethylenephosphonic acid (EDTMP) has widely used chelator for the labeling of bone seeking radiopharmaceuticals complexed with radiometals. 153Sm can be produced by the HANARO reactor at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Taejon, Korea. 153Sm has favourable radiation characteristics T1/2=46.7 h, beta max=0.81 MeV (20%), 0.71 MeV (49%), 0.64 MeV (30%) and gamma=103 keV (30%) emission which is suitable for imaging purposes during therapy. We investigated the labeling condition of 153Sm-EDTMP and imaging of 153Sm-EDTMP in normal rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: EDTMP 20 mg was solved in 0.1 mL 2 M NaOH. 153SmCl3 was added to EDTMP solution and pH of the reaction mixtures was adjusted to 8 and 12, respectively. Radiochemical purity was determined with paper chromatography. After 30 min. reaction, reaction mixtures were neutralized to pH 7.4, and the stability was estimated upto 120 hrs. Imaging studies of each reaction were perfomed in normal rats (37 MBq/0.1 mL). RESULTS: The labeling yield of 153Sm-EDTMP was 99%. The stability of pH 8 reaction at 60, 96 and 120 hr was 99%, 95%, 89% and that of pH 12 at 36, 60, 96 and 120 hr was 99%, 95%, 88%, 66%, respectively. The 153Sm-EDTMP showed constantly higher bone uptake from 2 to 48 hr after injection. CONCLUSION: 153Sm-EDTMP, labeled at pH 8 reaction condition, has been stably maintained. Image of 153Sm-EDTMP at 2, 24, 48 hr after injection, demonstrate that 153Sm-EDTMP is a good bone seeking radiopharmaceuticals.
Academies and Institutes ; Animals* ; Chromatography, Paper ; Daejeon ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Korea ; Nuclear Energy ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Rats

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the amount of cuspal deflection and linear polymerization shrinkage in resin composite and polyacid modified resin composite. For cuspal defelction and shrinkage measurement, Dyract AP, Compoglass F, Z100, Surefil, Pyramid, Synergy Compact, Heliomolar and Heliomolar HB were used. For measuring polymerization shrinkage, a custom made linometer (R&B, Daejon, Korea) was used. The amount of shrinkage among materials was compared using One-way ANOVA analysis and Tukey's test at the 95% of confidence level. For measuring cuspal deflection of teeth, standardized MOD cavities were prepared in extracted maxillary premolars. After a self-etching adhesive was applied, cavities were bulk filled with one of the filling materials.Fifteen teeth were used for each material. Cuspal deflection was measured by a custom made cuspal-deflection measuring device. One-way ANOVA analysis and Tukey's test were used to determine differences between the materials at the 95% of confidence level. Correlation of polymerization shrinkage and cuspal deflection were analyzed by regression analysis. The amount of polymerization shrinkage from least to greatest was Heliomolar, Surefil < Heliomolar HB < Z100, Synergy Compact < Dyract AP < Pyramid, Compoglass F (p < 0.05). The amount of cuspal deflection from least to greatest was Z100, Heliomolar, Heliomolar HB, Synergy Compact Surefil < Compoglass F < Pyramid, Dyract AP (p < 0.05). The amount of polymerization shrinkage and cuspal deflection showed a correlation (p < 0.001).
Adhesives ; Bicuspid ; Daejeon ; Polymerization* ; Polymers* ; Tooth*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between weather and calendar variables and the admission volume at the emergency center in Daejon city. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Daily patient volume from January to November 2003 was matched with calendar and weather variables. Calendar variables included season, day of the week, holidays, and the day after a holiday. Weather variables included daily maximum, minimum, and average temperatures and other factors such as snowfall and rainfall. RESULTS: The average daily admission volume was 282 +/- 54 persons (187~605), and the most highly significant calendar and weather variables related with admission volume were holidays and maximal temperature, respectively. A regression model was calculated as follows: the daily patient volume = 214 + 2 x (maximal temperature) + 113 x (holiday) + 26.8 x (day after a holiday). This equation could estimate about 62.6% of the daily patient volumes. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the temperature and a holiday may influence the number of visiting patients. Thus, the staffing level should be set appropriately by considering the estimated patient volume.
Daejeon ; Emergencies* ; Holidays ; Humans ; Meteorological Concepts ; Patient Admission ; Seasons ; Weather

PURPOSE: This study examined the influence of meteorological phenomena on the development of spontaneous pneumothorax (SP). METHODS: We conducted this study from January to November 2004. We obtained the daily SP incidence from data requested by the National Health Insurance office from general hospital in Daejon, and we got the meteorological data from the Daejon Regional Meteorologic office. The difference in meteorological phenomena between cluster days (3 or more SP) and no SP days was analyzed using a generalized additive model (GAM) that used a specialized form of the non-parametric, non-linear regression test. RESULTS: Five hundred sixty-six SP patients were included. There were 369 male patients and 74 female patients. SP patients were associated with significantly lower atmospheric pressure and with broad swings of daily atmospheric pressure for 4-7 days prior to the hospital visits. More clouds had gathered for several days before cluster days than had gathered on days with no SP. CONCLUSION: Development of SP is related with meteorological phenomena. SP occurs when lower atmospheric pressure, broad swings of atmospheric pressure, and cloudy weather are collectively exprienced for several days before the hospital visit.
Atmospheric Pressure ; Daejeon ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Meteorological Concepts ; National Health Programs ; Pneumothorax* ; Weather

Storage mites are believed one of the most important allergens in farmers and rural regions. Tyrophagus putrescentiae, belonging to storage mites, is found not only within storehouses but also in the house dust, and the third most common mites following Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in house dust in Korea. The sensitization rate to Tyrophagus putrescentiae was reported as high as that of house dust mite in patients visiting the allergy clinic in large cities in Korea. We experienced a 69-year-old man who had suffered from dyspnea, wheezing, and coughing for 10 years. He retired from the teaching profession, and had lived in a large city, Deajeon. The skin prick test showed a positive reaction to Tyrophagus putrescentiae and negative reactions to house dust mites. The bronchial challenge test with Tyrophagus putrescentiae showed late asthmatic reaction. We confirmed a Tyrophagus putrescentiae-induced asthma in non occupational setting.
Acaridae ; Aged ; Allergens ; Asthma* ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Cough ; Daejeon ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Dust ; Dyspnea ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Mites ; Pyroglyphidae ; Respiratory Sounds ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of disability, particularly in the elderly. The factors determining disability remain unclear and have not been defined in Korea. The aim of this study was to assess the various aspects of the quality of life, and to define the determinant factors of disability in patients with knee OA. METHODS: The Korean version of AIMS2 (K-AIMS2) and CMCHS (Catholic Medical Center Health Survey) were administered to a cohort of 239 outpatients with symptomatic OA of the knee who attended 7 participating University Hospitals in Seoul, Ilsan and Taejon. The scores of K-AIMS2 12 subscales by demographic variables and body mass index were compared using Student t-test. And the determinant factors of the lower extremity disability were analysed by stepwise multiple regression method. RESULTS: The study subjects (n=239) were 61.6+/-9.1 years old, comprised of 197 (82.4%) females and 42 (17.6%) males, had been sick with knee osteoarthritis for 6.2+/-6.5 years, and had 24.7+/-3.1 kg/m2 BMI. Among K-AIMS2 12 subscales 'Walking and bending' (5.82+/-2.17), 'Arthritis pain' (5.19+/-1.98), 'Social activities' (3.97+/-2.04), and 'Mobility level' (3.61+/-1.74) showed high scores, while subscales related with upper extremities function showed low scores, reflecting the costruct validity of K-AIMS2 in patients with symptomatic knee OA. After adjustment for the presence of sociodemographic variables, we found bodily pain (P<0.001), age (P<0.001), emotional function (P=0.033), and education level (P=0.099) as determinant factors of K-AIMS2 lower limb function. CONCLUSION: IIt is recommendable that the knee OA patients should be treated properly in the emotional aspect as well as the bodily pain aspect. In addition, it is suggested that education level be considered as an important factor when teaching the OA patients about coping with knee disabilities.
Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Cohort Studies ; Daejeon ; Education ; Female ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Knee ; Korea ; Lower Extremity* ; Male ; Osteoarthritis ; Osteoarthritis, Knee* ; Outpatients ; Quality of Life* ; Seoul ; Upper Extremity ; Surveys and Questionnaires