OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) on glucose and lipid metabolism in unmarried patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Fifty-four PCOS patients were equally randomized into true acupuncture group and sham acupuncture group (control) for totally 16 weeks of treatment by random method with a computerized randomization program. Patients in true acupuncture group accepted traditional acupuncture methods with EA and two sets of acupoint groups were used alternatively. The first set consisted of Zhongji (CV 3), Qihai (CV 6), Guilai (ST 29), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Hegu (LI4) and Baihui (GV 20), and the second set consisted of Tianshu (ST 25), ST 29, CV 3, CV 6, SP 6, Taichong (LR 3), Neiguan (PC) 6 and GV 20. Patients in the sham acupuncture group accepted shallow acupuncture methods through EA without electricity at 4 non-meridian points in each shoulder and upper arm. Outcome measures included body mass index (BMI), waist-hip-ratio (WHR), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), insulin release test, glucose and lipid metabolism indicators such as total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, adiponectin, leptin, visfatin, resistin, and interleukin (IL-6). RESULTS: Twenty-six subjects in the true acupuncture group and 20 subjects in the sham group completed the clinical trial. After 16 weeks of treatment, no significant difference in the outcome measures were observed between the two groups (P>0.05). However, as compared with baseline data, a reduction in weight, BMI, hipline, WHR, fasting glucose, homeostatic model assessment of insulin sensitivity, visfatin and HDL-C, and an increase in resistin and IL-6 were observed in the true acupuncture group (P<0.05). In addition, a reduction in visfatin and an increase in TC were also observed in the sham group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture may have a beneficial effect in the treatment of PCOS by improving glucose and lipid metabolism. Moreover, the sham acupuncture may be not completely ineffective. Sham acupuncture may improve some of the aspects of the glucose and lipid metabolism of PCOS patients through a placebo effect. (Registration Nos. ChiCTR-TRC-12002529 and NCT01812161).
Acupuncture Therapy ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipid Metabolism ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/therapy* ; Single Person

Adult ; Atypical Squamous Cells of the Cervix ; Education ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Immunization Programs ; Korea ; Papanicolaou Test ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Single Person ; Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions of the Cervix ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Vaccination ; Vaccines

BACKGROUND: The health condition of old age is affected by various factors such as economic level, disease condition, and nutrition. With the aging population in Korea, the ratio of single-person households increased rapidly. Research on the health status and nutrition of the elderly in the single-person household is very insufficient. In this study, we compared the health and nutritional status of the elderly by the household type. METHODS: Data from the 2013 to 2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. A total of 2,730 patients were classified into 2 groups (single-person, with family), and general, chronic disease, health behavior, nutrient intake, and food insecurity status were compared by the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Single-person households had a low economic and educational level and a higher percentage of women. In addition, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, stroke, myocardial infarction disease rate was significantly higher. Sing-person households answered that their subjective health status was bad, and their quality of life was low. As a result of analysis of the quality of the diet in the single-person, the intake of protein, calcium, iron, vitamin B2, niacin, and vitamin C was significantly lower. In particular, the intake of calcium was the most insufficient. Food insecurity has also been observed, including the inability to consume diverse and sufficient foods due to economic difficulties. CONCLUSIONS: More attention should be paid to the health of single-person households in elderly population and various policies should be prepared.
Aged ; Aging ; Ascorbic Acid ; Calcium ; Chronic Disease ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Diet ; Dyslipidemias ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Food Supply ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Iron ; Korea ; Myocardial Infarction ; Niacin ; Nutrition Surveys ; Nutritional Status ; Obesity ; Quality of Life ; Riboflavin ; Single Person ; Stroke

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to investigate the social perceptions of the baby box and infant abandonment. METHODS: The study included a survey on social perceptions of infant abandonment, including the baby box and permissiveness of infant abandonment. F-tests and t-tests were performed to clarify the differences in permissiveness of infant abandonment based on general characteristics. RESULTS: First, it was found that awareness of the baby box was high, and positive perceptions were slightly higher than negative perceptions due to the value placed on the abandoned child's life and safety, the unavoidable reasons for not rearing a child, and the child's quality of life after abandonment. However, the reasons for negative attitudes toward the baby box included the increase in infant abandonment and the decrease in parental responsibility toward the child. Second, the permissiveness of infant abandonment was generally low; however, the level of permissiveness differed according to age, education level, status, and marital status. For people who are in their 30s or older, hold a graduate or higher level degree, are employed, and are married, the permissiveness of infant abandonment was lower than that of others. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the current support policy for unmarried mothers should be changed to improve the economic and social conditions of child care. Furthermore, we must strive to improve the social perceptions of various family structures, including unmarried parents and their children.
Child ; Child Abuse ; Child Care ; Education ; Humans ; Illegitimacy ; Infant ; Marital Status ; Parents ; Permissiveness ; Quality of Life ; Single Person ; Social Conditions ; Social Perception

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to provide the data for discussions related to oral health promotion policies for single-person households by analyzing the status of unmet dental needs and related factors in single-person households in Korea, based on the Anderson model. METHODS: The data, obtained from 544 single-person households of those over 20 years old who were targeted for the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, were analyzed through a complex sample frequency analysis, complex sample cross analysis (Rao-Scott chi-square test), and complex sample binary logistic regression analysis on a complex sampling design. RESULTS: The most frequently given reason for an unmet dental need among single-person households was economic (52.4%). Factors related to the unmet dental needs of single-person households are smoking, which is a predisposing factor; personal income levels, which are an enabling factor; chewing discomfort; and limited daily activities, which are need factors. Smokers, the high-income group, the chewing-discomfort group, and the limited activity group showed high unmet dental care experience. Smokers had a 2.75 times higher rate of unmet dental care than non-smokers, and the high-income group had a 5.29 times higher rate of unmet dental needs than the median group. The rate of unmet dental needs for the chewing discomfort group was 3.27 times higher than the non-chewing discomfort group, and the limited activity group had a 7.87 times higher rate of unmet dental needs than the non-limited activity group. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to map out policies designed to help maintain and promote met dental needs considered to be internally heterogeneous to single-person householders, based on the Anderson model.
Causality ; Dental Care ; Family Characteristics ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Mastication ; Nutrition Surveys ; Oral Health ; Single Person ; Smoke ; Smoking

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting job embeddedness of nurses in trauma centers. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional study using structured questionnaires completed by 140 nurses in three regional trauma centers in Korea. Data were collected from July 15 to September 10, 2017, and analyzed using SPSS/WIN 23.0 program. RESULTS: The mean score of organizational commitment was 3.65±0.75, positive psychological capital was 3.00±0.45, and job embeddedness was 3.00±0.45. The organizational commitment showed a significant positive correlation with positive psychological capital (r=.36, p<.001) and job embeddedness (r=.60, p<.001), and positive psychological capital also showed a significant positive correlation with job embeddedness (r=.74, p<.001). The factors affecting job embeddedness of nurses in trauma centers were positive psychological capital (β=.61, p<.001), organizational commitment (β=.38, p<.001), and marital status (β=-.14, p=.017). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that to enhance job embeddedness, it is necessary to develop education and programs to strengthen organizational commitment and positive psychological capital of nurses in trauma centers. In addition, for unmarried nurses, interest and consideration are needed to enhance job embeddedness and to reduce turnover.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Education ; Humans ; Korea ; Marital Status ; Single Person ; Trauma Centers

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the factors associated with suicidal behavior in psychiatric inpatients. METHODS: The medical records of 208 psychiatric inpatients were reviewed retrospectively. The factors related to suicide attempts and ideation at the time of admission, and during outpatient follow-up, were investigated. RESULTS: In total, 120 patients (57.7%) with a history of at least one suicide attempt, and 163 patients (78.4%) who reported active suicide ideation (e.g., a suicide plan or intention to commit suicide) at the time of admission were reviewed. Being unmarried or divorced, substance abuse, impulsivity, and a poor social support system were associated with a history of suicide attempts. The suicidal ideation group had significantly higher rates of coexisting depression, severe depressive symptoms, hopelessness, and impulsivity, as well as a lower incidence of moral objection to suicide and high religiosity. In total, 15 out of 193 patients (7.8%) who were followed-up at outpatient clinics attempted suicide after discharge. Patients who attempted suicide or reported suicidal ideation at the outpatient clinic after discharge were significantly more likely to have a history of previous suicide attempts, or have had active suicide ideation at the time of admission. Good social support and high responsibility to family were inversely associated with suicidal ideation as an outpatient. CONCLUSION: A history of suicide attempts and ideation at the time of hospital admission were the risk factors for future outpatient suicidal behavior. Further study is warranted to develop a checklist and assessment measures of the various risk and protective factors associated with suicidal behavior.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Checklist ; Depression ; Divorce ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Impulsive Behavior ; Incidence ; Inpatients ; Intention ; Medical Records ; Outpatients ; Protective Factors ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Single Person ; Substance-Related Disorders ; Suicidal Ideation ; Suicide ; Suicide, Attempted

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among nursing organizational culture, work performance, and workplace bullying of nurses, and to identify the factors that affect workplace bullying.METHODS: The design of this study was descriptive research, and the data were collected from October 26 to November 5, 2018. The research participants were 210 nurses in six general hospitals in G province. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, a t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé post-hoc test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and a stepwise multiple regression using SPSS 22.0.RESULTS: The workplace bullying type showed negative correlations with innovation-oriented culture, relation-oriented culture, and work performance. The workplace bullying consequence showed negative correlations with the innovation-oriented culture, relation-oriented culture, and work performance, and showed positive correlations with the workplace bullying type. The factors influencing the results of the workplace bullying consequence were workplace bullying type followed by relation-oriented culture, and unmarried status.CONCLUSION: Workplace bullying among nurses was related to the nursing organizational culture and work performance. Therefore, in order to reduce the turnover rate of nurses and to help them adapt well to the nursing organizational culture, a bullying prevention and intervention program is necessary.
Bullying ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Nursing ; Organizational Culture ; Single Person ; Work Performance

PURPOSE: To determine association of contraceptive knowledge, sexual double standard, and contraceptive self-efficacy among unmarried women in their 30s and 40s. METHODS: With a survey design, data were collected from 119 unmarried women in their 30s and 40s in G city of Korea from September 2017 to March 2018. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Contraceptive knowledge, sexual double standard, and contraceptive self-efficacy scores of participants were 8.97±2.22, 18.54±5.57, and 45.84 ± 6.90, respectively. Contraceptive self-efficacy was negatively correlated with sexual double standard. Factors influencing contraceptive self-efficacy were sexual double standard (β =−.26, p=.003), existence of boyfriend (β=.25, p=.004), and contraceptive education need for adults (β=.17, p=.044). They explained 19% of contraceptive self-efficacy of participants. CONCLUSION: To increase contraceptive self-efficacy of unmarried women in their 30s and 40s, lowering sexual double standard and developing customized contraceptive education according to age and knowledge level are needed. Research on factors related to contraceptive self-efficacy of unmarried women in their 30s and 40s from various regions are also needed in the future.
Adult ; Contraception ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Self Efficacy ; Single Person

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Aging is an imperative problem for many countries in this century, and presents several challenges for the maintenance of good nutritional status. This study aims to assess the impact of socio-demographic factors, lifestyle and health status on the nutritional status among the elderly in Taiwan. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Taiwan. Data were obtained from the Mei Jau Health Management Institution, which is a private health evaluation provider with multiple health screening centers in Taiwan and Asia. This study included 7947 adults aged 65 years or above. The data were extracted between 2001 to 2010. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric data, biochemical data and dietary intake information. RESULTS: Among the 7947 participants with mean age of 70.1 (SD = 4.5) years, 20.2%, 6.6%, 10.5% and 52.5% experienced underweight, protein malnutrition, anemia and inadequate dietary intake in the past month, respectively. Age was negatively correlated with body weight (r = −0.19, P = 0.02), body mass index (r = −0.41, P < 0.001), albumin level (r = −0.93, P < 0.001) and hemoglobin level (r = −0.30, P = 0.008). Age above 70 years, gender, unmarried status, retirement, lack of education, low family income, smoking, alcohol drinking, sleep duration of 6-8 hours, vegetarian diet, multiple medications, comorbidity and dysphagia were positively associated with malnutrition in older adults. CONCLUSIONS: Underweight and inadequate dietary intake are prevalent among the elderly in Taiwan. Vegetarian diet, multiple medications, comorbidity, dysphagia and lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol drinking and sleep duration of 6–8 hours are risk factors for undernutrition in older adults.
Adult ; Aged ; Aging ; Alcohol Drinking ; Anemia ; Asia ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Comorbidity ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diet ; Diet, Vegetarian ; Education ; Humans ; Life Style ; Malnutrition ; Mass Screening ; Nutritional Status ; Retirement ; Risk Factors ; Single Person ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Taiwan ; Thinness