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Purpose: This cross-sectional study aimed to identify factors influencing the intention for continual fertility treatments among women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART). Methods: A total of 197 women were recruited through convenience sample from fertility hospitals in Gyeonggi-do and Busan, South Korea. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire incorporating measures of uncertainty; Depression Anxiety Stress Scales; Fatigue Severity Scale; Coping Scale for Infertility-Women; spousal support; treatment environment; and intention for continual fertility treatment. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regression analysis were conducted using IBM SPSS 26.0. Results: As many as 70.6% of the participants expressed an intention for continual fertility treatments. Logistic regression analysis revealed that factors such as uncertainty (odds ratio [OR] = 0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.20-0.95), active coping (OR = 4.04, 95% CI 1.11-14.71), treatment environment (OR = 2.77, 95% CI 1.26-6.07), and the duration of marriage (OR = 2.61, 95% CI 1.24-5.49) were significantly related with this intention. Conclusion: These findings underscore the significance of uncertainty management, having proactive coping strategies, having supportive treatment environments, and considering the duration of marriage concerning women's intention for continual fertility treatment in the context of ART. The implications of these results extend to the development of nursing intervention programs aimed at providing crucial support for women undergoing ART and seeking to continue their infertility treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to evaluate factors influencing assessment results in the new Health Technology Assessment (nHTA) in Korea. Methods: We analyzed publicly available nHTA reports obtained from the program's website. A total of 258 reports, encompassing 305 technologies, were included. Reported details were categorized into three main areas: technical characteristics, evaluation methods, and publication types. To investigate differences in evidence level (high, medium, or low) and assessment results (pass or fail) according to these categories, we employed a chi-squared test. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were further conducted to identify factors associated with evidence level and assessment results. Results: nHTA reports employing meta-analysis and included randomized trials for evidence synthesis exhibited a higher likelihood of achieving high evidence level (odds ratio [OR], 5.008; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.265-18.826 and OR, 27.052; 95% CI, 7.802-103.330, respectively). Increasing evidence level was significantly associated with a higher possibility of passing the assessment (OR 2.789; 95% CI, 1.284-6.057). However, in univariate analysis, neither performing meta-analysis nor including randomized trials, both of which were associated with evidence level, demonstrated a statistically significant association with assessment results. Conclusion: This study represents the first systematic analysis of factors influencing nHTA assessment results in Korea. While increased evidence level was associated with positive assessment outcomes, factors affecting the evidence level itself did not directly influence assessment results. This suggests the need for further efforts to effectively integrate high-level evidence into assessment decisions within the nHTA program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate COVID-19 vaccination intentions in Korean parents for their children aged 5 to 11 years and the factors influencing them. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of 363 parents of children aged 5 to 11 years was conducted in Korea in April 2022. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, χ2-test, Fisher's exact test, and hierarchical logistic regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 26.0 and MedCalc software version 20.113. Results: Of 363 Korean parents with children aged 5 to 11, 42.4% intended to vaccinate their children. Significant factors influencing vaccination intention were the second or third birth order of children (OR = 3.45, 95% CI = 1.45-8.21), vaccine hesitancy-confidence (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.51-2.65), vaccine hesitancy-collective responsibility (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.10-2.25), and COVID-19 anxiety-avoidance (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.13-2.11). Conclusion: Findings suggest that COVID-19 vaccine campaigns based on reliable information and evidence from health authorities are needed to increase COVID-19 vaccination. Well-designed health communications for the target population may help to increase parental vaccine acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the modifiable factors affecting breastfeeding planning and duration among healthy mothers and their use of breastfeeding information resources. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a community setting. Four hundreds participants were recruited at five pediatric clinics and three community health centers located in Paju-si and Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, between January and May 2019. Based on the breastfeeding decision-making model, driven by Martens and Young's work, the survey items consisted of demographics, childbirth and breastfeeding characteristics, and breastfeeding information resources. In the analysis, 389 responses were used in the t-test, ANOVA, and logistic regression. Information resource networks were compared before and after childbirth including a subgroup analysis depending on the breastfeeding duration. Results: The modifiable factors affecting breastfeeding planning and duration were antenatal and postpartum breastfeeding education and the provision of information in the hospital. The frequency of Internet use and websites visited were notable and potentially modifiable factors, which were also observed in the networks showing different relationship patterns according to participant subgroups and times. The childbirth event increased the centralization of the network in the planned group, while the network of the non-planned group was more diffused after childbirth. The network of the short-term breastfeeding group was characterized by a more centralized pattern and the resources of high betweenness centrality than the long-term group. Conclusion: Breastfeeding education is a consistent factor that affects breastfeeding behavior. A well-designed internet-based approach would be an effective nursing intervention to meet the needs of women seeking breastfeeding information and changing their behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was conducted to analyze physical symptom-related and life-style factors affecting suicidal ideation of senior grade students in elementary school. Methods: Physical symptom-related and life-style factors were used to investigate suicidal ideation among 663 elementary school students. From February 11 to 15, 2018, data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using the x² test, Pearson correlation analysis, and logistic regression analysis in SPSS for Windows version 22.0. Results: The factors affecting suicidal ideation were gender, family structure, economic status, academic performance, exposure to school violence during the past year, physical symptoms, drinking experience, smoking experience, sleeping time, and ramen noodle consumption. The regression analysis showed that exposure to school violence during the past year (odds ratio [OR]: 102.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 51.19-207.19, p=.001), number of physical symptoms (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.12-1.41, p=.001), drinking experience (OR: 3.17, 95% CI: 1.66-6.06, p=.001), and game and internet usage time (OR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.08-4.01, p=.029) affected suicidal ideation. Conclusion: This study revealed that physical symptoms and life-style significantly influenced suicidal ideation. Therefore, interventions to reduce suicidal ideation in children must focus on improving children's physical symptoms and life-style. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate incidence of delirium in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and to analyze associated risk factors. Methods: The participants were 95 patients, newborn to 18 years, who were admitted to the PICU. The instruments used were the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS), and the Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium. Data analysis was performed using the descriptive, x² test, t-test, and logistic regression analyses. Results: The incidence of delirium in children admitted to the PICU was 42.1%. There were significant differences according to age (x²=14.10, p=.007), admission type (x²=7.40, p=.007), use of physical restraints (x²=26.11, p<.001), RASS score (x²=14.80, p=.001), need for oxygen (x²=5.31, p=.021), use of a mechanical device (x²=9.97, p=.041), feeding (x²=7.85, p=.005), and the presence of familiar objects (x²=29.21, p<.001). Factors associated with the diagnosis of delirium were the use of physical restraint (odds ratio [OR]=13.82, 95% confidence interval [CI]=4.16-45.95, p<.001) and the presence of familiar objects (OR=0.09, 95% CI=0.03-0.30, p=.002). Conclusion: Periodic delirium assessments and intervention should be actively performed. The use of restraints should be minimized if possible. The caregiver should surround the child with familiar objects and ensure a friendly hospital environment that is appropriate for the child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of and risk factors for medical-device-related pressure ulcer (MDRPU) development in intensive care units. Methods: A prospective cohort study design was used, and the participants were 253 adult patients who had stayed in medical and surgical intensive care units. Data were collected regarding the application of medical devices and MDRPU-related characteristics over a period of six months from June to November, 2017. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, χ²-test, Fisher's exact test, and binary logistic regression analysis with the SPSS 21.0 program. Results: Among the 253 participants, MDRPUs occurred in 51 (19.8%) participants. The results of the logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors for MDRPUs were the use of endotracheal tubes (OR=5.79, 95% CI: 1.66~20.20), having had surgery (OR=2.95, 95% CI: 1.11~7.77), being in a semi-coma/coma (OR=5.79, 95% CI: 1.04~32.05), and sedation (OR=5.54, 95% CI: 1.39~22.19). Conclusion: On the basis of the study results, it is effectively facilitated by nurses when they care for patients with MDRPUs in intensive care units and the results are expected to be of help in preventive education for MDRPU development as well as preparing the base data for intervention studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the impact of increasing the supply of newly licensed nurses on improving the hospital nurse staffing grades for the period of 2009~2014. Methods: Using public administrative data, we analyzed the effect of newly licensed nurses on staffing in 1,594 hospitals using Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) ordered logistic regression, and of supply variation on improving staffing grades in 1,042 hospitals using GEE logistic regression. Results: An increase of one newly licensed nurse per 100 beds in general units had significantly lower odds of improving staffing grades (grades 6~0 vs. 7) (odds ratio=0.95, p=.005). The supply of newly licensed nurses increased by 32% from 2009 to 2014, and proportion of hospitals whose staffing grade had improved, not changed, and worsened was 19.1%, 70.1%, and 10.8% respectively. Compared to 2009, the supply variation of newly licensed nurses in 2014 was not significantly related to the increased odds of improving staffing grades in the region (OR=1.02, p=.870). Conclusion: To achieve a balance in the regional supply and demand for hospital nurses, compliance with nurse staffing legislation and revisions in the nursing fee differentiation policy are needed. Rather than relying on increasing nurse supply, retention policies for new graduate nurses are required to build and sustain competent nurse workforce in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Interface pressure is a factor that contributes to the occurrence of pressure injuries. This study aimed to investigate interface pressure at common sites of pressure injury (occipital, gluteal and peritrochanteric areas), to explore the relationships among risk factors, skin condition and interface pressure, and to identify risk factors influencing interface pressure. Methods: A total of 100 patients admitted to the intensive care unit were enrolled at a tertiary teaching hospital in Korea. Interface pressure was recorded by a scanning aid device (PalmQ). Patient data regarding age, pulmonary disease, Braden Scale score, body mass index, serum albumin, hemoglobin, mean blood pressure, body temperature, and oxygen saturation were included as risk factors. Data collected from July to September 2016 were analyzed using binary logistic regression. Results: The mean interface pressure of the occipital, gluteal, and right and left peritrochanteric areas were 37.96 (±14.90), 41.15 (±16.04), 53.44 (±24.67), and 54.33 (±22.80) mmHg, respectively. Predictive factors for pressure injuries in the occipital area were age ≥70 years (OR 3.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19~9.98), serum albumin deficit (OR 2.88, 95% CI: 1.00~8.26) and body temperature ≥36.5°C (OR 3.12, 95% CI: 1.17~8.17); age ≥70 years (OR 2.81, 95% CI: 1.10~7.15) in the right peritrochanteric area; and body temperature ≥36.5°C (OR 2.86, 95% CI: 1.17~6.98) in the left peritrochanteric area. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that old age, hypoalbuminemia, and high body temperature may be contributory factors to increasing interface pressure; therefore, careful assessment and nursing care of these patients are needed to prevent pressure injury. Further studies are needed to establish cutoff values of interface pressure for patients with pressure ulcers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to verify the relationship among depression, school adjustment, parent-child bonding, parental control and smartphone addiction, and to identify factors which influence smartphone addiction in adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used, with a convenience sample of 183 middle school students from 3 middle schools. Data collection was conducted through self-report questionnaires from April to May, 2017. Data were analyzed using χ² test, Fisher's exact test, t-test, one-way ANOVA, correlation coefficient analysis, and binary logistic regression with SPSS Ver. 21.0. Results: The mean score for smartphone addiction was 29.40. Of the adolescents, 21.3% were in the smartphone addiction risk group. Logistic regression analysis showed that gender (OR=7.09, 95% Cl: 2.57~19.52), school life (OR=0.86, 95% Cl: 0.79~0.93), smartphone usage time (OR=1.32, 95% Cl: 1.04~1.66), and parental control (OR=4.70, 95% Cl: 1.04~21.29) were effect factors for the smartphone addiction risk group. Conclusion: Findings indicate that school satisfaction was an important factor in adolescents' smartphone addiction. Control oriented parent management of adolescents' smartphone use did not reduce the risk of smartphone addiction and may have worsen the addiction. Future research is needed to improve understanding of how teachers and parents will manage their adolescents' use of smartphones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to verify the relationships among social support, resilience and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and especially to identify factors influencing PTSD in police crime scene investigators. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used, with a convenience sample of 226 police crime scene investigators from 7 Metropolitan Police Agencies. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires during July and August, 2015. Data were analyzed using t-test, χ&178;-test, Fisher's exact test, and binary logistic regression analysis with SPSS/WIN 21.0 program. Results: The mean score for PTSD in police crime scene investigators was 13.69 .11 points. Of the crime scene investigators 181 (80.1%) were in the low-risk group and 45 (19.9%) in high-risk group. Social support (t=5.68, p<.001) and resilience (t=5.47, p<.001) were higher in the low-risk group compared to the high-risk group. Logistic regression analysis showed that resilience (OR=4.74, 95% CI: 1.57~14.35), and social support (OR=2.13, 95% CI: 1.23~3.69) are effect factors for PTSD low group. Conclusion: For effective improvement of PTSD in police crime scene investigators, intervention programs including social support and strategies to increase should be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This research was done to identify the hospital arrival rate and factors related to prehospital delay in arriving at an emergency medical center within the golden time after symptom onset in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: Data used in the research was from the National Emergency Department Information System of the National Emergency Medical Center which reported that in 2014, 9,611 patients went to emergency medical centers for acute myocardial infarction. Prehospital time is the time from onset to arrival at an emergency medical center and is analyzed by subdividing arrival and delay based on golden time of 2 hour. Results: After onset of acute myocardial infarction, arrival rate to emergency medical centers within the golden time was 44.0%(4,233), and factors related to prehospital delay were gender, age, region of residence, symptoms, path to hospital visit, and method of transportation. Conclusion: Results of this study show that in 2014 more than half of AMI patients arrive at emergency medical centers after the golden time for proper treatment of AMI. In order to reduce prehospital delay, new policy that reflects factors influencing prehospital delay should be developed. Especially, public campaigns and education to provide information on AMI initial symptoms and to enhance utilizing EMS to get to the emergency medical center driectly should be implemented for patients and/or caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was done to identify frequency, intensity of urinary dysfunction and daily life distress in women after a radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer. Methods: One hundred and fifty seven women who had undergone a radical hysterectomy and one hundred and sixty five women as healthy controls completed questionnaires on intensity of urinary dysfunction and daily life distress caused by urinary dysfunction. Results: Women with cervical cancer showed higher frequency of urinary dysfunction than healthy controls. Major urinary dysfunction for women with cervical cancer in order of frequency were night-time incontinence (odds ratio=10.39, p <.001), difficulty in starting urination, weak urine stream and sense of incomplete emptying of bladder. The highest score on intensity was difficulty in starting urination, followed by urgency, weak urine stream, daytime frequency and sense of incomplete emptying. Night-time incontinence was the urinary symptom causing the most daily life distress for cervical cancer women followed by difficulty in starting urination, urgency, sense of incomplete emptying, and night-time frequency. Conclusion: Results suggest that nurses should address the potential postoperative urinary complications and develop long term interventions to decrease urinary dysfunction and daily life distress for women who have had a radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine the factors associated with initiation and continuation of breastfeeding among Korean women in relation to their employment status. Methods: Data were collected using a web-based self-administered questionnaire from 1,031 Korean mothers living in Seoul with babies younger than 24 months. Demographic characteristics, education on breastfeeding, rooming in, breastfeeding during hospital stay, and breastfeeding knowledge were examined. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with initiation and continuation at 1, 6 and 12 months according to mothers' employment status. Results: Breastfeeding initiation rates were similar regardless of mothers' employment status. Continuation rates decreased for both groups of mothers, but were significantly lower among employed mothers at all duration points. Unemployed mothers who were able to keep their babies in the same room during the hospital stay were more likely to initiate breastfeeding. The factor that was consistently associated with breastfeeding continuation for all duration points among unemployed mothers was whether the mother breastfed during the hospital stay. Higher knowledge scores and having an infant with atopic dermatitis were also associated with breastfeeding continuation at 6 months and 12 months, respectively for unemployed mothers, and receiving education on breastfeeding was associated with 12-month continuation for employed mothers. Conclusion: These results emphasize the significant roles of hospitals for breastfeeding initiation and continuation, with rooming-in, initial breastfeeding practice and education during hospital stay as important practices. In addition, for working mothers to continue their breastfeeding, significant support from the workplace is crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess and identify gender differences in factors associated with prevalence, awareness, and treatment of osteoporosis. Methods: Data for 3,071 men and 3,635 women (age > 50) from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008~2011 were included. Osteoporosis was defined by World Health Organization T-score criteria. Impact factors and odds ratios were analysed by gender using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Osteoporosis prevalence rates were 7.0% in men and 40.1% in women. Osteopenia rates were 45.5% and 46.0% respectively. Among respondents with osteoporosis, 7.6% men and 37.8% women were aware of their diagnosis. Also 5.7% men with osteoporosis and 22.8% women were treated. Higher prevalence was found among respondents who were older, at lower socioeconomic levels, with lower body mass index and shorter height in both genders, and among women with fracture history, and non-hormonal replacement therapy. Awareness and treatment rates for the risk groups were similar compared to the low risk controls for both genders. Fracture history increased awareness and treatment rates independently for both genders. Women with perceived poor health status and health screening had increased awareness and treatment rates, but not men. Conclusion: Results indicate that postmenopausal women have a higher prevalence of osteoporosis than men and awareness and treatment rates were higher than for men. Despite gender difference in prevalence, osteoporosis was underdiagnosed and undertreated for both genders. Specialized public education and routine health screenings according to gender could be effective strategies to increase osteoporosis awareness and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The objective of this study was to provide a trend analysis of the prevalence of diabetes relative to the socioeconomic, lifestyle, and physiologic risk factors among Korean adults aged over 30 years for a 10-year period using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods: Prevalence difference and the slope index of inequality were calculated for each risk factors using binomial regression by considering the repeated cross-sectional features of the data. The prevalence ratio and the relative index of inequality were calculated using log-binomial regression. Linear trend tests were performed using SAS 9.2. Results: Crude prevalence of diabetes increased over the 10-year period, and was higher for men than for women. It was very high for adults 60 years or over, consistently increasing over time. The prevalence among unemployed men, women with higher level of stress, women with hypertension, and adults with serum triglyceride levels over 135 mg/dL increased over the 10-year period in comparison with the respective control group. Conclusion: Considering the rapid economic development and associated lifestyle changes in Korea, action should be taken to control the prevalence of diabetes by both preventing and consistently monitoring these identified risk factors using a public-health approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of low-income urban elders by diversified ways, and to analyze the risk factors for malnutrition. Methods: The participants in this study were 183 low-income elders registered at a visiting healthcare facility in a public health center. Data were collected using anthropometric measurements, and a questionnaire survey. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, χ2-test, t-test, Fisher’s exact test, multiple logistic regression analysis were performed using SPSS 20.0. Results: Regarding the nutritional status of low-income elders as measured by the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), 10.4% of the elders were classified as malnourished; 57.4% as at high risk for malnutrition; and 32.2% as having normal nutrition levels. The main factors affecting malnutrition for low-income elders were loss of appetite (OR=3.34, 95% CI: 1.16~9.56) and difficulties in meal preparation (OR=2.35, 95% CI: 1.13~4.88). Conclusion: In order to effectively improve nutrition in low-income urban elders, it is necessary to develop individual intervention strategies to manage factors that increase the risk of malnutrition and to use systematic approach strategies in local communities in terms of a nutrition support system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was done to identify the patterns and significant predictors influencing hospitalization of Korean men for alcohol use disorder. Methods: A descriptive study design was utilized. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires from 143 inpatients who met the DSM-5 alcohol use disorder criteria and were receiving treatment and 157 social drinkers living in the community. The questionnaires included Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Alcohol Problems, Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire (AEQ), Life Position, and The Korean version of the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test (CAST-K). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, χ2-test, F-test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and logistic regression with forward stepwise. Results: AUDIT had significant correlations with alcohol problems, alcohol expectancy, and parents’ alcoholism. In logistic regression, factors significantly affecting hospitalization were divorced (OR=4.18, 95% CI: 1.28-13.71), graduation from elementary school (OR=28.50, 95% CI: 8.07-100.69), middle school (OR=6.66, 95% CI: 2.21-20.09), high school (OR=6.31, 95% CI: 2.59-15.36), drinking alone (OR=9.07, 95% CI: 1.78-46.17), family history of alcoholism (OR=2.41, 95% CI: 1.11-5.25), interpersonal relationship problems (OR=1.28, 95% CI:1.17-1.41), and sexual enhancement of alcohol expectancy (OR=0.83, 95% CI: 0.72-0.94), which accounted for 53% of the variance. Conclusion: Results suggest that interpersonal relationship programs and customized cognitive programs for social drinkers in the community are needed to decreased alcohol related hospitalization in Korean men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was done to examine the actual state of influenza vaccination among pregnant women and factors affecting vaccination rate. Methods: Data were collected using self-report questionnaires. Participants were pregnant women who participated in a prenatal education program at an acute care hospital in 2013. Data collected from 218 pregnant women were analyzed using the SPSS 18.0 Program. Results: Only 48.6% of the pregnant women had received vaccination when the influenza was prevalent. Statistically significant factors affecting the influenza vaccination rate among pregnant women were vaccination experience in the previous year, knowledge and attitude about vaccination, and gestation period. Conclusion: Results indicate that the influenza vaccination rate among pregnant women is lower than that of elders, healthcare workers, and patients with chronic diseases, who have been considered to be the mandatory vaccination recipients. Therefore, it is necessary to develop programs and policies which provide information including safety of vaccines for pregnant women and to induce positive attitudes towards vaccination for these women, in order to ultimately improve the vaccination rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was done to examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and any type of clinical dementia. Methods: Participants were 60,321 people over 60 years of age enrolled in the Seoul Dementia Management Project in 2011. K-MMSE was used to classify participants as having a cognitive impairment and the Clinical Dementia Rating or DSM-IV by psychiatrists or neurologists to determine whether participants were in the dementia group or the non-dementia group. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression analysis were performed. Results: In the univariate analysis, age, education level, living with spouse, BMI, alcohol consumption, and exercise were significantly associated with dementia. In multivariable analysis, increasing age was positively associated with dementia, and educational level was negatively associated with dementia. The exercise group had a lower prevalence of dementia than the non-exercise group. The odds ratio of dementia in the over-weight and obese groups compared to the normal group was 0.85 (95% CI 0.60, 0.98) and 0.64 (95%CI 0.46, 0.75), respectively. Conclusion: Results indicate that dementia is negatively associated with increasing BMI in people aged 60 years or older, but a prospective cohort study is needed to elucidate the causal effect relationship between BMI and dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was done to compare demographic characteristics, comorbidity, and health habits of elders with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and elders with cognitively normal function (CNF). Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted using data from the Database of the Seoul Dementia Management Project for 5,773 adults age 60 and above. Results: The MCI group showed an older age distribution, but there was no significant education difference between the two groups. Elders with MCI had more diabetes and stroke than elders with CNF. In subgroups, the same findings were observed in women, but not in men. While more men with MCI had hypertension compared to men with CNF, there was no significant difference in hypertension between the two groups for women. Elders with MCI, men in particular, had a lower prevalence of obesity than men with CNF. MCI individuals did less exercise compared to individuals with CNF. While there were no significant differences in alcohol consumption and smoking between MCI and CNF groups, the over 80’s subgroup with MCI reported more alcohol consumption. Conclusion: Findings from this study could be helpful in designing community-based dementia prevention programs and health policies to reduce the prevalence of dementia or related cognitive impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was done to investigate the point prevalence of postpartum depression and its predictors during early postpartum in mother of preterm infants. Methods: Participants were 101 women, 2-3 weeks after delivery whose preterm babies were hospitalized in a neo-natal intensive care unit. Data were collected from June 2010 to January 2011. The instruments included 'Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale', 'Prenatal depression', 'Subjective health status of infant', 'Medical staff support', and 'Husband support'. Collected data were analyzed using t-test, ?2-test, and multiple logistic regression with SPSS/WIN version 18.0. Results: The point prevalence was 86.1% that postpartum depression occurred during the early postpartum period in mothers of preterm infants. Three significant predictors of postpartum depression in mothers of preterm infants were identified; 'Type of delivery (OR, 5.57; 95% CI, 1.25-24.77)', 'Subjective health status of infant (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.16- 0.70)', and 'Medical staff support (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.28-0.97)'. Conclusion: The results indicate that postpartum mothers should be screened for postpartum depression early in the postpartum period and that, medical personnel should pay particular attention to mothers with a caesarean section and should help mothers of preterm babies to develop positive perceptions of their babies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]