Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Background: Adolescent unintended pregnancies can have detrimental effects on maternal and fetal health, impacting the social lives of young parents. Globally, there is an emphasis on preventing unintended pregnancies in adolescents through comprehensive contraceptive education. This study examined contraception practices and determinants among sexually active Korean adolescents. Methods: This study analyzed raw data from the 2018 and 2021 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The cohort consisted of 6,042 adolescents who reported sexual experience, categorized into those always practicing contraception and those not. We scrutinized factors related to sexual behavior, such as contraception and sex education, as well as other social and behavioral factors. Results: Among sexually active adolescents, 47.9% of males and 48.1% of females consistently used contraception. The most prevalent contraceptive method was condoms (male 58.1%; female 59.6%). However, a significant portion of adolescents were not using contraception (male 29.4%; female 21.7%). Females who did not consistently use contraception exhibited higher pregnancy rates (2.4% vs. 11.3%). Consistent contraceptive users tended to live with their families and reported less sexual experience after drinking alcohol. Despite a decline in sexual education in schools from 2018 to 2021, the proportion of adolescents consistently using contraception increased. Conclusion To prevent unintended pregnancies among sexually active adolescents, consistent use of appropriate contraceptive methods is crucial.Comprehensive education on contraception should be extended beyond schools to include homes and primary healthcare settings. Policymakers and healthcare providers should consider these consequences when devising strategies to reduce unintended pregnancies among adolescents.

Background: Adolescent unintended pregnancies can have detrimental effects on maternal and fetal health, impacting the social lives of young parents. Globally, there is an emphasis on preventing unintended pregnancies in adolescents through comprehensive contraceptive education. This study examined contraception practices and determinants among sexually active Korean adolescents. Methods: This study analyzed raw data from the 2018 and 2021 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The cohort consisted of 6,042 adolescents who reported sexual experience, categorized into those always practicing contraception and those not. We scrutinized factors related to sexual behavior, such as contraception and sex education, as well as other social and behavioral factors. Results: Among sexually active adolescents, 47.9% of males and 48.1% of females consistently used contraception. The most prevalent contraceptive method was condoms (male 58.1%; female 59.6%). However, a significant portion of adolescents were not using contraception (male 29.4%; female 21.7%). Females who did not consistently use contraception exhibited higher pregnancy rates (2.4% vs. 11.3%). Consistent contraceptive users tended to live with their families and reported less sexual experience after drinking alcohol. Despite a decline in sexual education in schools from 2018 to 2021, the proportion of adolescents consistently using contraception increased. Conclusion To prevent unintended pregnancies among sexually active adolescents, consistent use of appropriate contraceptive methods is crucial.Comprehensive education on contraception should be extended beyond schools to include homes and primary healthcare settings. Policymakers and healthcare providers should consider these consequences when devising strategies to reduce unintended pregnancies among adolescents.

Background: Adolescent unintended pregnancies can have detrimental effects on maternal and fetal health, impacting the social lives of young parents. Globally, there is an emphasis on preventing unintended pregnancies in adolescents through comprehensive contraceptive education. This study examined contraception practices and determinants among sexually active Korean adolescents. Methods: This study analyzed raw data from the 2018 and 2021 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The cohort consisted of 6,042 adolescents who reported sexual experience, categorized into those always practicing contraception and those not. We scrutinized factors related to sexual behavior, such as contraception and sex education, as well as other social and behavioral factors. Results: Among sexually active adolescents, 47.9% of males and 48.1% of females consistently used contraception. The most prevalent contraceptive method was condoms (male 58.1%; female 59.6%). However, a significant portion of adolescents were not using contraception (male 29.4%; female 21.7%). Females who did not consistently use contraception exhibited higher pregnancy rates (2.4% vs. 11.3%). Consistent contraceptive users tended to live with their families and reported less sexual experience after drinking alcohol. Despite a decline in sexual education in schools from 2018 to 2021, the proportion of adolescents consistently using contraception increased. Conclusion To prevent unintended pregnancies among sexually active adolescents, consistent use of appropriate contraceptive methods is crucial.Comprehensive education on contraception should be extended beyond schools to include homes and primary healthcare settings. Policymakers and healthcare providers should consider these consequences when devising strategies to reduce unintended pregnancies among adolescents.

Background: Adolescent unintended pregnancies can have detrimental effects on maternal and fetal health, impacting the social lives of young parents. Globally, there is an emphasis on preventing unintended pregnancies in adolescents through comprehensive contraceptive education. This study examined contraception practices and determinants among sexually active Korean adolescents. Methods: This study analyzed raw data from the 2018 and 2021 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The cohort consisted of 6,042 adolescents who reported sexual experience, categorized into those always practicing contraception and those not. We scrutinized factors related to sexual behavior, such as contraception and sex education, as well as other social and behavioral factors. Results: Among sexually active adolescents, 47.9% of males and 48.1% of females consistently used contraception. The most prevalent contraceptive method was condoms (male 58.1%; female 59.6%). However, a significant portion of adolescents were not using contraception (male 29.4%; female 21.7%). Females who did not consistently use contraception exhibited higher pregnancy rates (2.4% vs. 11.3%). Consistent contraceptive users tended to live with their families and reported less sexual experience after drinking alcohol. Despite a decline in sexual education in schools from 2018 to 2021, the proportion of adolescents consistently using contraception increased. Conclusion To prevent unintended pregnancies among sexually active adolescents, consistent use of appropriate contraceptive methods is crucial.Comprehensive education on contraception should be extended beyond schools to include homes and primary healthcare settings. Policymakers and healthcare providers should consider these consequences when devising strategies to reduce unintended pregnancies among adolescents.