Purpose: This study was conducted with a focus group interview that drew out experiences, limitations, and difficulties in the workplace according to the employment conditions of visiting nurses in the public health centers. Methods: A total of 12 visiting nurses are those working in the public sector in Seoul and Gyeonggi province who were willing to participate in the interview. Analysis categories and coding were divided into three categories: compensation system, occupational status, and opinions to improve their treatment. Using the content analysis method, the current working status and compensation system of visiting nurses were described. Results: The main themes derived from the significant statements of visiting nurses were ‘Ten years of frozen salary system’, ‘Full-time workers of their own league’, ‘Excluded from performance benefits’, ‘Every visiting nurses are virtually precarious’, ‘Experience of exclusion and discrimination’, and ‘Reasons and barriers to be a full-time worker’. All of the visiting nurses working in the community insisted on having equal treatment for work of equal value. Visiting nurses in the public health sector wanted to be set to the same payment system and the fair allowance system as well. It is necessary to continuously seek solutions to the problems left in insisting on the civil service of visiting nurses. Conclusion Visiting nurses who were working in a precarious job position felt job insecurity, and experienced discrimination, alienation, and exclusion. Legal and institutional reform is needed to improve the treatment of visiting nurses.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of the ethanol extract of Garcinia mangostana L. (mangosteen) against Cutibacterium acnes (6 strains) and Staphylococcus aureus (6 strains). The antimicrobial activity of the mangosteen extract was evaluated based on its minimal bactericidal concentration. Cytotoxicity of the mangosteen extract against human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cells was determined using the cell counting method. The data showed that the mangosteen extract was not toxic to HEK 293 cells at a concentration of up to 16 µg/mL and killed 87.0% and 99.9% of C. acnes and S. aureus after 10 minutes and 1 hour of treatment, respectively. These results suggest that ethanol extract of mangosteen can be used as an anti-acne agent.
Cell Count ; Ethanol ; Garcinia mangostana ; Garcinia ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Kidney ; Methods ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Staphylococcus

Falls and fall-related injuries are important issue among polio survivors. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of, and consequences and factors associated with falls among Korean polio survivors. A total of 317 polio survivors participated in this study. All participants completed a questionnaire including fall history, symptoms related to post-polio syndrome and other information through a telephone interview. Among them, 80 participants visited our clinic for additional physical measurements and tests. Of the 317 respondents, 68.5% reported at least one fall in the past year. Of the fallers, 42.5% experienced at least one fall during one month. Most falls occurred during ambulation (76.6%), outside (75.2%) and by slipping down (29.7%). Of fallers, 45% reported any injuries caused by falls, and 23.3% reported fractures specifically. Female sex, old age, low bone mineral density, the presence of symptoms related to post-polio syndrome (PPS), poor balance confidence, short physical performance battery and weak muscle strength of knee extensor were not significantly associated with falls. Only leg-length discrepancy using spine-malleolar distance (SMD) was a significant factor associated with falls among Korean polio survivors. Our findings suggest that malalignment between the paralytic and non-paralytic limb length should be addressed in polio survivors for preventing falls.
Accidental Falls/*statistics & numerical data ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Fractures, Bone/etiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Interviews as Topic ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome/*pathology ; Postural Balance ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Telephone ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To obtain information on the socioeconomic, medical, and functional status of polio survivors, and to use these results as the preliminary data for establishing the middle-aged cohort of polio survivors. METHODS: The subjects were recruited based on the medical records of multiple hospitals and centers. They were assessed through a structured questionnaire over the phone. Post-poliomyelitis syndrome (PPS) was identified according to the specified diagnostic criteria. Differences between polio survivors with or without PPS were evaluated, and the risk factors for PPS were analyzed by the odds ratio (OR). RESULTS: Majority of polio survivors were middle-aged and mean age was 51.2+/-8.3 years. A total of 188 out of 313 polio survivors met the adopted criteria for PPS based on the symptoms, yielding a prevalence of 61.6%. Mean interval between acute poliomyelitis and the development of PPS was 38.5+/-11.6 years. Female gender (OR 1.82; confidence interval [CI] 1.09-3.06), the age at onset of poliomyelitis (OR 1.75; CI 1.05-2.94), the use of orthoses or walking aids (OR 2.46; CI 1.44-4.20), and the history of medical treatment for paralysis, pain or gait disturbance (OR 2.62; CI 1.52-4.51) represented independent risk factors for PPS. CONCLUSION: We found that the majority of Korean polio survivors entered middle age with many medical, functional, and social problems. Female gender, early age of onset of poliomyelitis, the use of orthoses or walking aids, and the history of medical treatment for paralysis, pain or gait disturbance were identified as the significant risk factors for PPS. A comprehensive and multidisciplinary plan should be prepared to manage polio survivors considering their need for health care services and the risk factors for late effects, such as PPS.
Age of Onset ; Cohort Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Female ; Gait ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic* ; Medical Records ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Orthotic Devices ; Paralysis ; Poliomyelitis* ; Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome* ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors* ; Social Problems ; Survivors* ; Walking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Marssonina coronaria associated with apple blotch disease causes severe premature defoliation, and is widely distributed in Korea. Thirteen isolates were collected from orchards located in Gyeongbuk Province from 2005~2007. All isolates displayed over 99.6% and 99.2% sequence similarity to each other in internal transcribed spacer regions and partial sequences of 28S rDNA, respectively. The isolates were phylogenetically closely related to Chinese isolates. Selected isolates did not differ in their pathogenicity. The optimum conditions for fungal growth were 20degrees C and pH 6 on peptone potato dextrose agar (PPDA). Peptone and mannose were the best nitrogen and carbon source, respectively. Fungal growth was better on PPDA than on common potato dextrose agar. This study provides valuable information for integrated disease management program and facilitates the routine culturing of M. coronaria.
Agar ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Carbon ; Diazonium Compounds ; Disease Management ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Korea ; Mannose ; Nitrogen ; Peptones ; Phylogeny ; Pyridines ; Solanum tuberosum

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) and metabolic syndrome (MS) in a population-based cohort study, the Hallym Aging Study (HAS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among the 1,520 participants in HAS, 278 men aged more than 50 years, who underwent detailed health evaluations, including health-related questionnaires, evaluation of their medical history and various lifestyle factors, as well as clinical measurements, were included in the study. ED and MS were assessed by using a 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and the guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III), respectively, and the relationship between ED and MS was investigated. RESULTS: Of the 278 men, 120 (43.2%) had MS. Ninety percent of men with MS and 78.5% of men without MS had ED (p<0.05), and chi-square analysis revealed significant differences in the rate of MS between groups when stratified by ED severity (p<0.001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis, with control for age and comorbidities, showed that men with MS were 3 times as likely to have ED as were men without MS. Among the metabolic risk factors, only waist circumference (WC) was significantly associated with the presence and severity of ED (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of MS was an independent risk factor for ED, and WC was the most significant metabolic risk factor predicting the risk of ED. These results highlight the clinical importance of evaluating ED in patients with MS, especially in patients with abnormal WC.
Adult ; Aged ; Aging ; Cholesterol ; Cohort Studies ; Comorbidity ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Waist Circumference

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms(LUTS) and erectile dysfunction(ED) in a population-based cohort study, Hallym Aging Study(HAS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among the 1,520 participants in HAS, 300 men aged > or=50 years, who underwent detailed health evaluations, includeing health-related questionnaires, evaluation of the medical history and various life style factors as well as clinical measurements, were included in the study. LUTS and ED were assessed by validated questionnaires, the International Prostate Symptom Score(IPSS) and a 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function(IIEF-5). RESULTS: The prevalence and severity of LUTS and ED increased and significantly with age(p<0.001). The IIEF-5 score declined as the severity of LUTS increased in each age group. There was a significant negative correlation between the IPSS score and the IIEF-5 score(age adjusted r= ?0.275, p<0.001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis, controlling for age and comorbidities, showed that men with moderate/ severe LUTS were 4-9 times more likely to have ED than men with no/mild LUTS; in addition, men with ED were 5 times more likely have moderate/severe LUTS than men without ED. CONCLUSIONS: The presence and severity of LUTS were independent risk factors for ED and vice versa. These results highlight the clinical importance of evaluating LUTS in patients with ED, and the need to consider the presence of ED in the management of patients with LUTS
Aged ; Aging ; Cohort Studies ; Comorbidity ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Male ; Prevalence ; Prostate ; Risk Factors ; Urinary Tract

PURPOSE: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in a population-based sample of Korean men aged 45 or over, and to study its correlation with the socio-demographic, medical and lifestyle factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 385 men in Chunchon City were evaluated by clinical measures and questionnaires. All the participants were evaluated for erectile dysfunction. In conjunction with this evaluation, all the men were asked to complete the International Prostate Symptom Score(IPSS), and they underwent health examinations that included blood pressure, body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio, and the laboratory studies included the fasting blood glucose and total cholesterol levels. The subjects' medical history and health behaviors were investigated. RESULTS: Out of the 385 men who visited our hospital, 285 completed the questionnaires. The prevalence of moderate or severe ED increased from 5.3% in men aged 45 to 54 years to 87.3% in men aged 75 or over. The standardized prevalence of ED was 41.5%. The IPSS were strongly correlated with ED(age adjusted partial R=??0.246, p<0.001). An increasing risk of ED was observed among those subjects with total cholesterol higher than 240mg/dl (adjusted odds ratio[aOR]=1.8), hypertension(aOR=2.2) and the ex-smokers(aOR=5.2). Education and family income were not correlated with ED(p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this community-based survey confirmed the strong correlation between advancing age and the prevalence of ED. Lower urinary tract symptoms are the major factors affecting erectile function. High blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and ex-smokers are significant risk factors for ED.
Aging* ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Education ; Epidemiology ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Fasting ; Gangwon-do ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Life Style ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Male ; Prevalence* ; Prostate ; Questionnaires ; Risk Factors* ; Waist-Hip Ratio

OBJECTIVES: While cervical cancer is one of the leading cancers among women worldwide, there are a number of effective early detection tests available. However, the participation rates in cervical cancer screening among Korean women remain low. After the nationwide efforts in 1988 and thereafter to encourage participation in cervical cancer screening, few studies have investigated the effects of socioeconomic inequality on participation in cervical cancer screening. The purpose of this study was to investigate 1) the level of socioeconomic disparities in receiving cervical cancer screening by age group and 2) if there was an improvement in reducing these disparities between 1995 and 2001. METHODS: Using data from the Korean National Health Status, Health Behavior and Belief Survey in 1995, and the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 1998 and 2001 (sample sizes of 2,297, 3,738, and 3,283), age-standardized participation rates were calculated according to education level, equivalized household income, and job status. Odds ratios and the relative inequality index (RII) were also calculated after controlling for age. RESULTS: Women with lower education levels were less likely to attend the screening test, and the disparities by education level were most pronounced among women aged 60 years and older. The RIIs among women 60 years and older were 3.64, 4.46, and 8.64 in 1995, 1998, and 2001, respectively. Higher rates of participation were reported among those in the highest income category, which was more notable among the middle aged women (40s and 50s). An inconsistent trend in the rate of participation in cervical cancer screening by occupational level was found. CONCLUSIONS: Indicators of socioeconomic position seem to have varying impacts on the inequalities in the rates of participation in cervical cancer screening according to age group. These results demonstrate the need for more aggressive and age-based interventions and policy programs to eliminate the remaining inequalities.
Adult ; Educational Status ; Female ; Health Care Surveys ; Healthcare Disparities ; Humans ; Korea ; Mass Screening/*utilization ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/*statistics & numerical data ; *Social Class ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/*diagnosis ; Women's Health

PURPOSE: This study was performed to develop risk prediction model for cardiovascular disease using intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid artery among the community dwelling elderly. METHODS: Follow-up survey was conducted in 2007 to measure the IMT of carotid artery, which is known as a preclinical marker of atherosclerotic change, among participants at the baseline survey of Hallym Aging Study (HAS) in 2004. They were categorized into two groups; increased IMT > or = 0.9 mm and normal IMT < 0.9 mm. To evaluate which factors are independently related with the increased IMT, multiple logistic regression analysis was done. Based on the regression coefficients of these factors weighed by the magnitude of the effect estimates, we calculated the risk scores for increased IMT for every participants. ROC curve was plotted for the each cutoff point of risk scores and its fitness was tested using Area Under the Curve (AUC). Finally, we calculated risk ratios for the increased IMT according to the level of risk based on the risk scores. RESULTS: Several factors were found as related factors for the increased IMT in the multiple logistic regression: age (beta=0.15), cholesterol (beta=0.01), insulin (beta=0.13), and pulse pressure (beta=0.90) for men, and age (beta=0.08), family history of diabetes mellitus (beta=0.94) and stroke (beta=0.79), alcohol drinking (beta=0.39), and high cholesterol (beta=0.77) for women. We assigned the weighed value for each factors. The average risk scores were 14.48 (range 9.69-18.76) for men and 4.59 (range 2.41-7.48) for women. The Area Under the Curve (AUC) were 0.77 for men and 0.71 for women. We also observed the higher risk of increased IMT as the risk scores increased. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, we expect to predict the level of the risk for the increased IMT, which is preclinical marker for atherosclerotic change, among the elderly.
Aged* ; Aging ; Alcohol Drinking ; Atherosclerosis ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases* ; Carotid Arteries* ; Cholesterol ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Insulin ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; ROC Curve ; Stroke