Purpose: Adolescence involves parental health management, with parents or guardians often making decisions regarding vaccination. This study assessed how parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and health beliefs about influenza vaccination influenced their intentions to vaccinate their adolescent children. Methods: This descriptive survey was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Kyung Hee University for use between December 1 and 31, 2022. Parents of adolescents aged 13–19 years were surveyed face-to-face and online using a modified tool to evaluate their vaccination intentions, knowledge, attitudes, and health beliefs regarding their children’s influenza vaccination. The analysis included 149 responses and involved methods such as calculating means, standard deviations, t-tests, analyses of variance, Scheffe tests, correlations, and hierarchical regressions. Results: On a 7-point scale, the mean score for parental intention to vaccinate their adolescents was 4.99±1.24. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that positive attitudes towards influenza vaccination, television and radio information, and perceived benefits influenced children’s vaccination intentions, with positive parental attitudes being the most significant factor. The independent variables accounted for 66.7% of the variance in vaccination intentions. Conclusion To improve parental intentions to vaccinate adolescent children against influenza, promoting vaccination benefits and safety through the media is crucial to enhance favorable attitudes. Initiatives that strengthen positive parental attitudes towards influenza vaccination and increase awareness of its benefits can effectively boost vaccination intentions.

Purpose: Adolescence involves parental health management, with parents or guardians often making decisions regarding vaccination. This study assessed how parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and health beliefs about influenza vaccination influenced their intentions to vaccinate their adolescent children. Methods: This descriptive survey was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Kyung Hee University for use between December 1 and 31, 2022. Parents of adolescents aged 13–19 years were surveyed face-to-face and online using a modified tool to evaluate their vaccination intentions, knowledge, attitudes, and health beliefs regarding their children’s influenza vaccination. The analysis included 149 responses and involved methods such as calculating means, standard deviations, t-tests, analyses of variance, Scheffe tests, correlations, and hierarchical regressions. Results: On a 7-point scale, the mean score for parental intention to vaccinate their adolescents was 4.99±1.24. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that positive attitudes towards influenza vaccination, television and radio information, and perceived benefits influenced children’s vaccination intentions, with positive parental attitudes being the most significant factor. The independent variables accounted for 66.7% of the variance in vaccination intentions. Conclusion To improve parental intentions to vaccinate adolescent children against influenza, promoting vaccination benefits and safety through the media is crucial to enhance favorable attitudes. Initiatives that strengthen positive parental attitudes towards influenza vaccination and increase awareness of its benefits can effectively boost vaccination intentions.

Purpose: The association between the fecal microbiota and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk has been suggested in epidemiologic studies. However, data from large-scale population-based studies are lacking. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, we recruited 283 CRC patients from the Center for Colorectal Cancer, National Cancer Center Hospital, Korea to perform 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples. A total of 283 age- and sex-matched healthy participants were selected from 890 cohort of healthy Koreans that are publicly available (PRJEB33905). The microbial dysbiosis index (MDI) was calculated based on the differentially abundant species. The association between MDI and CRC risk was observed using conditional logistic regression. Sparse Canonical Correlation Analysis was performed to integrate species data with microbial pathways obtained by PICRUSt2. Results: There is a significant divergence of the microbial composition between CRC patients and controls (permutational multivariate analysis of variance p=0.001). Those who were in third tertile of the MDI showed a significantly increased risk of CRC in the total population (odds ratio [OR], 6.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.98 to 12.06; p-trend < 0.001) compared to those in the lowest tertile. Similar results were found for men (OR, 6.28; 95% CI, 3.04 to 12.98; p-trend < 0.001) and women (OR, 7.39; 95% CI, 3.10 to 17.63; p-trend < 0.001). Bacteroides coprocola and Bacteroides plebeius species and 12 metabolic pathways were interrelated in healthy controls that explain 91% covariation across samples. Conclusion Dysbiosis in the fecal microbiota may be associated with an increased risk of CRC. Due to the potentially modifiable nature of the gut microbiota, our findings may have implications for CRC prevention among Koreans.

Purpose: Immunochemical fecal occult blood tests (iFOBT) have been utilized as the primary method for colorectal cancer screening within Korea's National Cancer Screening Program. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the accreditation program for clinical laboratories and external quality assessment (EQA) programs on colorectal cancer screening. Methods: We analyzed the false-positive rates of iFOBT in colorectal cancer screening from 2016 to 2020 according to participation and performance in the Outstanding Laboratory Accreditation Program (OLAP) conducted by the Laboratory Medicine Foundation, and the External Quality Assessment programs run by the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service. Results: False-positive rates of iFOBT were lower among institutions accredited by OLAP (2.35%) compared with non-accredited (3.04%) and non-participating institutions (5.60%). Similarly, institutions participating in the EQA program exhibited lower false-positive rates (3.79%) compared to non-participants (7.04%). Within the iFOBT-specific EQA program, institutions that passed demonstrated the lowest false-positive rate (3.37%), while failing institutions showed the highest rate (9.07%), surpassing even non-participating institutions (6.44%). Conclusion Participation in quality management programs such as OLAP and EQA was associated with lower false-positive rates in iFOBT for colorectal cancer screening. These findings suggest that quality management initiatives can increase the accuracy of iFOBT, potentially improving the effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening programs, and reducing unnecessary follow-up procedures and associated healthcare costs.

Purpose: The association between the fecal microbiota and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk has been suggested in epidemiologic studies. However, data from large-scale population-based studies are lacking. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, we recruited 283 CRC patients from the Center for Colorectal Cancer, National Cancer Center Hospital, Korea to perform 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples. A total of 283 age- and sex-matched healthy participants were selected from 890 cohort of healthy Koreans that are publicly available (PRJEB33905). The microbial dysbiosis index (MDI) was calculated based on the differentially abundant species. The association between MDI and CRC risk was observed using conditional logistic regression. Sparse Canonical Correlation Analysis was performed to integrate species data with microbial pathways obtained by PICRUSt2. Results: There is a significant divergence of the microbial composition between CRC patients and controls (permutational multivariate analysis of variance p=0.001). Those who were in third tertile of the MDI showed a significantly increased risk of CRC in the total population (odds ratio [OR], 6.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.98 to 12.06; p-trend < 0.001) compared to those in the lowest tertile. Similar results were found for men (OR, 6.28; 95% CI, 3.04 to 12.98; p-trend < 0.001) and women (OR, 7.39; 95% CI, 3.10 to 17.63; p-trend < 0.001). Bacteroides coprocola and Bacteroides plebeius species and 12 metabolic pathways were interrelated in healthy controls that explain 91% covariation across samples. Conclusion Dysbiosis in the fecal microbiota may be associated with an increased risk of CRC. Due to the potentially modifiable nature of the gut microbiota, our findings may have implications for CRC prevention among Koreans.

Purpose: Adolescence involves parental health management, with parents or guardians often making decisions regarding vaccination. This study assessed how parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and health beliefs about influenza vaccination influenced their intentions to vaccinate their adolescent children. Methods: This descriptive survey was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Kyung Hee University for use between December 1 and 31, 2022. Parents of adolescents aged 13–19 years were surveyed face-to-face and online using a modified tool to evaluate their vaccination intentions, knowledge, attitudes, and health beliefs regarding their children’s influenza vaccination. The analysis included 149 responses and involved methods such as calculating means, standard deviations, t-tests, analyses of variance, Scheffe tests, correlations, and hierarchical regressions. Results: On a 7-point scale, the mean score for parental intention to vaccinate their adolescents was 4.99±1.24. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that positive attitudes towards influenza vaccination, television and radio information, and perceived benefits influenced children’s vaccination intentions, with positive parental attitudes being the most significant factor. The independent variables accounted for 66.7% of the variance in vaccination intentions. Conclusion To improve parental intentions to vaccinate adolescent children against influenza, promoting vaccination benefits and safety through the media is crucial to enhance favorable attitudes. Initiatives that strengthen positive parental attitudes towards influenza vaccination and increase awareness of its benefits can effectively boost vaccination intentions.

Purpose: Immunochemical fecal occult blood tests (iFOBT) have been utilized as the primary method for colorectal cancer screening within Korea's National Cancer Screening Program. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the accreditation program for clinical laboratories and external quality assessment (EQA) programs on colorectal cancer screening. Methods: We analyzed the false-positive rates of iFOBT in colorectal cancer screening from 2016 to 2020 according to participation and performance in the Outstanding Laboratory Accreditation Program (OLAP) conducted by the Laboratory Medicine Foundation, and the External Quality Assessment programs run by the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service. Results: False-positive rates of iFOBT were lower among institutions accredited by OLAP (2.35%) compared with non-accredited (3.04%) and non-participating institutions (5.60%). Similarly, institutions participating in the EQA program exhibited lower false-positive rates (3.79%) compared to non-participants (7.04%). Within the iFOBT-specific EQA program, institutions that passed demonstrated the lowest false-positive rate (3.37%), while failing institutions showed the highest rate (9.07%), surpassing even non-participating institutions (6.44%). Conclusion Participation in quality management programs such as OLAP and EQA was associated with lower false-positive rates in iFOBT for colorectal cancer screening. These findings suggest that quality management initiatives can increase the accuracy of iFOBT, potentially improving the effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening programs, and reducing unnecessary follow-up procedures and associated healthcare costs.

Purpose: The association between the fecal microbiota and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk has been suggested in epidemiologic studies. However, data from large-scale population-based studies are lacking. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, we recruited 283 CRC patients from the Center for Colorectal Cancer, National Cancer Center Hospital, Korea to perform 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples. A total of 283 age- and sex-matched healthy participants were selected from 890 cohort of healthy Koreans that are publicly available (PRJEB33905). The microbial dysbiosis index (MDI) was calculated based on the differentially abundant species. The association between MDI and CRC risk was observed using conditional logistic regression. Sparse Canonical Correlation Analysis was performed to integrate species data with microbial pathways obtained by PICRUSt2. Results: There is a significant divergence of the microbial composition between CRC patients and controls (permutational multivariate analysis of variance p=0.001). Those who were in third tertile of the MDI showed a significantly increased risk of CRC in the total population (odds ratio [OR], 6.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.98 to 12.06; p-trend < 0.001) compared to those in the lowest tertile. Similar results were found for men (OR, 6.28; 95% CI, 3.04 to 12.98; p-trend < 0.001) and women (OR, 7.39; 95% CI, 3.10 to 17.63; p-trend < 0.001). Bacteroides coprocola and Bacteroides plebeius species and 12 metabolic pathways were interrelated in healthy controls that explain 91% covariation across samples. Conclusion Dysbiosis in the fecal microbiota may be associated with an increased risk of CRC. Due to the potentially modifiable nature of the gut microbiota, our findings may have implications for CRC prevention among Koreans.

Purpose: Adolescence involves parental health management, with parents or guardians often making decisions regarding vaccination. This study assessed how parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and health beliefs about influenza vaccination influenced their intentions to vaccinate their adolescent children. Methods: This descriptive survey was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Kyung Hee University for use between December 1 and 31, 2022. Parents of adolescents aged 13–19 years were surveyed face-to-face and online using a modified tool to evaluate their vaccination intentions, knowledge, attitudes, and health beliefs regarding their children’s influenza vaccination. The analysis included 149 responses and involved methods such as calculating means, standard deviations, t-tests, analyses of variance, Scheffe tests, correlations, and hierarchical regressions. Results: On a 7-point scale, the mean score for parental intention to vaccinate their adolescents was 4.99±1.24. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that positive attitudes towards influenza vaccination, television and radio information, and perceived benefits influenced children’s vaccination intentions, with positive parental attitudes being the most significant factor. The independent variables accounted for 66.7% of the variance in vaccination intentions. Conclusion To improve parental intentions to vaccinate adolescent children against influenza, promoting vaccination benefits and safety through the media is crucial to enhance favorable attitudes. Initiatives that strengthen positive parental attitudes towards influenza vaccination and increase awareness of its benefits can effectively boost vaccination intentions.

Purpose: Immunochemical fecal occult blood tests (iFOBT) have been utilized as the primary method for colorectal cancer screening within Korea's National Cancer Screening Program. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the accreditation program for clinical laboratories and external quality assessment (EQA) programs on colorectal cancer screening. Methods: We analyzed the false-positive rates of iFOBT in colorectal cancer screening from 2016 to 2020 according to participation and performance in the Outstanding Laboratory Accreditation Program (OLAP) conducted by the Laboratory Medicine Foundation, and the External Quality Assessment programs run by the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service. Results: False-positive rates of iFOBT were lower among institutions accredited by OLAP (2.35%) compared with non-accredited (3.04%) and non-participating institutions (5.60%). Similarly, institutions participating in the EQA program exhibited lower false-positive rates (3.79%) compared to non-participants (7.04%). Within the iFOBT-specific EQA program, institutions that passed demonstrated the lowest false-positive rate (3.37%), while failing institutions showed the highest rate (9.07%), surpassing even non-participating institutions (6.44%). Conclusion Participation in quality management programs such as OLAP and EQA was associated with lower false-positive rates in iFOBT for colorectal cancer screening. These findings suggest that quality management initiatives can increase the accuracy of iFOBT, potentially improving the effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening programs, and reducing unnecessary follow-up procedures and associated healthcare costs.