This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia in Korea according to sex and age, and to identify factors that were associated with the prevalence, awareness, and control of these cardiovascular risk factors among middle-aged Koreans. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using 2013 data from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC) database. A total of 136,755 individuals were considered eligible based on no history of stroke or heart disease, age of 40 to 64 years at the examination, and completion of health examinations. Data regarding demographic factors and cardiovascular risk factors had been obtained using questionnaires, physical examinations, and blood tests. Hypertension was the most prevalent condition among middle-aged Koreans (25.76%), followed by dyslipidemia (16.58%) and diabetes (10.22%). Among these three conditions, dyslipidemia was associated with the lowest awareness rates (24.14%). Hypertension and diabetes were more prevalent among men than among women, although the prevalence of dyslipidemia was higher among women > 50 years old. The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes increased with advancing age among men and women, although the prevalence of dyslipidemia decreased with age among men (highest prevalence: 50.59% among men aged between 40 and 44 years). Among Korean men (relative to women), the odds ratios were 1.50 for hypertension, 1.96 for diabetes, and 0.82 for dyslipidemia. Age, central obesity, and body mass index were significantly associated with the development of all 3 conditions. There are sex- and age-specific patterns in the prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia in Korea. Dyslipidemia is becoming increasingly common although most middle-aged Koreans are not aware of this condition leading to low control rate. These results may help identify population subgroups at a high risk of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, and may guide the management of cardiovascular disease in Korea.

During clinical placements, nursing students who come into close contact with patients and provide nursing interventions may be exposed to harmful pathogens. However, little is known about nursing students' experiences with standard precautions (SP) in clinical settings. We conducted interviews with six focus groups of nursing students (n = 38) from two universities in South Korea. The focus group interviews each took 90-120 minutes and included 6-7 participants from two different universities. The meetings used semi-structured interview protocols. Qualitative content analysis was employed. Four themes and 9 subthemes were identified: (a) attitudes (knowledge deficit, sensitivity), (b) subjective norms (negative role models, classroom and in-field gaps, blind spots), (c) perceived behavioral control (psychological barriers, physical barriers, lack of information), and (d) intention (changes in compliance awareness). These focus groups revealed that many nursing students worked in vulnerable environments and risked pathogen exposure. Nursing students expressed the importance of SP but reported witnessing many instances of failure to comply with established measures. Several barriers were explored as reasons of SP noncompliance. By removing the barriers presented in this study, nursing students would be able to perform their duties in a safe clinical environment.

Objective: This study explored the perceptions of registered nurses on the facilitators and barriers to implementing an AI/IoT (Artificial Intelligence/Internet of Things)-based healthcare pilot project, designed to prevent frailty and improve health behaviors by providing Bluetooth-enabled smart devices (including blood pressure and blood glucose meters) for the older adults aged over 65 years and above in South Korea.Methods: Using a qualitative descriptive methodology, interviews and qualitative surveys were conducted with 15 registered nurses from 11 public health centers. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.Results: The study found that the AI·IoT-based healthcare pilot project was well received by participants, leading to increased client satisfaction and improved health behaviors. Government support and funding were crucial facilitators of project implementation. However, technical challenges and disparities in digital literacy among older adults pose significant barriers.Conclusion: The findings highlight the potential of AI·IoT technologies in improving the healthcare of older adults. Efforts to address technological challenges and enhance digital literacy among vulnerable populations are necessary for successfully implementing such interventions. Government support and ongoing training for healthcare professionals can help optimize the AI·IoT-based healthcare services for older adults.

Introduction: Emergency nurses serve a vital role in disaster situations. Understanding their disaster preparedness and willingness to respond to a disaster is important in maintaining appropriate disaster management. The purpose of this study was to explore emergency nurses’ disaster preparedness and willingness to respond based on demographic and disaster-related characteristics, and their willingness to respond based on specific disaster situations. Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, the Disaster Preparedness Questionnaire for Nurses and willingness to report to duty by type of event were used to collect data from 158 nurses working in four regional emergency medical centers from 1 December 2019 to 30 April 2020 in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Emergency nurses with personal disaster experience as a victim or witness (t = 3.65, p < 0.001), professional disaster experience (i.e., working as a nurse) (t = 3.58, p < 0.001), who were current members of Korean Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (t = 6.26, p < 0.001), and who received disaster-related training within a year (t = 5.84, p < 0.001) showed a high level of perceived disaster preparedness. Emergency nurses who have professional disaster experience (i.e., working as a nurse) (t = 2.42, p = 0.017), are on a current disaster team (t = 2.39, p = 0.018), and have received disaster training (t = 2.73, p = 0.007) showed a high level of willingness to respond. Our study showed a high willingness to respond to natural disasters and low willingness to respond to technological disasters. Discussion: To promote the engagement of emergency nurses in disaster response, disaster education programs should be expanded. Enhancing the safety of disaster response environments through supplementing medical personnel, distributing available resources, and providing sufficient compensation for emergency nurses is also essential.

This study investigated whether occupational stress factors moderate the effect of emotional labor on psychological distress in call center employees. A cross-sectional and descriptive study using anonymous paper-based survey methods was conducted in a sample of 283 call center employees in South Korea. Participants completed the Emotional Labor Scale, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and the Korean Occupational Stress Scale. Moderated mediation analyses were conducted using the PROCESS macro in order to investigate the relationship among variables. The results showed that the association between surface acting while having emotional labor and psychological distress was mediated by emotional dissonance. The mediated effect of emotional dissonance was moderated by discomfort in occupational climate, suggesting that improving the occupational environment can lessen the level of psychological distress among emotional workers, and that more attention should be devoted to the development of an intervention at the organizational level in order to prevent mental health problems in this population.

Boo S, et al. Yonsei Med J. 2021 Jun;62(6):520-527. https://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2021.62.6.520