PURPOSE
This study aimed to develop a model that describes factors influencing meaning in life among the middle-aged in Korea, and to verify the appropriateness of the model.
METHODS
The participants were 424 middle-aged residents of Daegu city, Korea. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire from October 4 to 30, 2010 and analyzed using SPSS/WIN 18.0 and LISREL 8.30.
RESULTS
Reported life satisfaction and religion had observed to have a significant direct effect on meaning in life, and coping behavior and self-esteem exhibited significant direct and indirect effect. In addition, depression, economic status, and life stress had a significant indirect effect on meaning in life. Life satisfaction was the most influential factor, and all of these variables explained 53% of the variances in meaning in life among the middle-aged.
CONCLUSION
The findings from this study add to the body of knowledge about the factors that influence meaning in life and need further study. The variables in this study could be used as part of the assessment of the middle-aged.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify and describe phenomenological structures of the experiences of dietary life on elderly over 100 years old.
METHODS
The participants of this research included nine persons over the age of 100 years of age and ten family members who assisted in the dietary regime. Qualitative data were collected by individual in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method of phenomenology.
RESULTS
The results of the research provide four categories and nine theme clusters. The categories included a rustic menu consisting of vegetables, grain-oriented traditional food, sensible dining table in harmony with nature, dietary life and emphasis on how to eat. The nine theme clusters were preference for fresh vegetable, preference of cooked potherb, boiled rice and cereal as main staple food, intake of soybeans, preference of native local foods, non-preference of unhealthy foods, select healthy and control food portion sizes for longevity, objection to light eating, and enjoying a meal.
CONCLUSION
The findings of the study offer insight about the nutrition patterns among the people over 100 years of age.

PURPOSE
This study was done to identify factors predicting sick-role behavioral compliance in hemodialysis patients.
METHODS
The subjects were 133 patients from outpatient dialysis clinics at seven major general hospitals located in D and P cities. Data were collected by self-report questionnaires. For data analysis, SPSS/WIN 14.0 program was utilized including one-way ANOVA, independent t-test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression.
RESULTS
This study showed a positive correlation between sick-role behavioral compliance and social support (r=.29 p<.001), knowledge (r=.31 p<.001), self-efficacy (r=.52, p<.001) and age (r=.21, p=.015). The factors predicting sick-role behavioral compliance were self-efficacy (beta=.46), knowledge (beta=.25), and age (beta=.18). These factors accounted for 36% of the variance of sick-role behavioral compliance in hemodialysis patients.
CONCLUSION
The results indicate that it is necessary to increase self-efficacy and knowledge in order to improve sick-role behavioral compliance in hemodialysis patients.

PURPOSE
The objective of this study was to evaluate adherence to self-care and identify associated factors in outpatients with Heart Failure (HF).
METHODS
Using a cross-sectional design, a convenience sample of 249 outpatient clinic patients were recruited at S university hospital. Between October 2009 and December 2009, data were collected through questionnaires and medical record review.
RESULTS
The total mean score of adherence to self-care was 18.07+/-3.56 out of a possible 45 points. Among self-care dimensions, adherence to medication and low salt diet was high, while lower adherence was reported in contact with health professionals if symptoms such as weight gain, edema and fatigue were presented. Multivariate analysis adjusted for other socio-demographic and clinical factors showed that disease knowledge related to heart failure (p<.001) and left ventricular ejection fraction (p=.027) were independent predictors of adherence to self-care. These factors explained 23% of total variance in the adherence to self-care.
CONCLUSION
Heart failure patients with higher disease knowledge and those who have good systolic function may be more likely to engage in adherence to self-care than those with lack of disease knowledge and low contractility. Further research is needed to confirm these results and identify other predictors of adherence to self-care.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore nurses' access and use of information resources and to identify the barriers and competency to evidence based practice (EBP). This study used descriptive method to identify baseline data for the purpose of developing strategies for establishing EBP in clinical nursing practice.
METHODS
Participants in this study were 278 nurses from five hospitals in Daegu and Kyungsangbukdo. The data were collected by self administered questionnaires and SPSS/WIN 15.0 program was used to analyze the data with descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and ANOVA.
RESULTS
Nurses reported *most frequently using paper and human resources. The mean score of barriers was 3.02+/-0.41, and competency was 2.70+/-0.50. The reported competency was correlated with nurse factors (r=-.31, p<.001) organization factors (r=-.20, p<.001) and research factors (r=-.12, p<.040) as the barriers to evidence based practice.
CONCLUSION
To promote competency in EBP and to decrease the barriers, it would be necessary to develop the organizational culture that encourages nurses to be involved in research activities. In addition, the development of systemic methods to introduce and establish an education program for facilitating EBP in the clinical settings is needed.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a sex education program for middle aged men patients with diabetes and their spouses.
METHODS
The research design for this study was a non-equivalent control group quasi-experimental study. The subjects were 23 diabetic patients and their spouses with half of the subjects exposed to a structured sex education program. Sexual Beliefs and Information Questionnaire, Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale, Sexual Frequency Scale, Derogatis Sexual Function Inventory and International Index of Erectile Function-5 were used for data collection.
RESULTS
In the experimental group, sexual knowledge of diabetic patients and sexual communication with their spouses were improved after two weeks following the program. Also, in the experimental group, sexual knowledge, sexual communication, and sexual frequency in both diabetic patients and their spouses were improved after six weeks following the program. In the experimental group, sexual satisfaction of diabetic patients was improved after six weeks following sex education program, however their spouses in the experimental group showed no significant differences than those of the comparison group.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study suggest that sex education program for both diabetic patients and their spouses could be utilized in public health centers, hospitals, and clinics.

PURPOSE
This study was to provide baseline data about knowledge, attitude and practice of skin disinfection and to identify the influencing factors among nurses related to skin disinfection.
METHODS
The subjects were 174 nurses who worked at one Hospital in A city. Data were collected by self-reported questionnaires during August, 2010. The collected data were analyzed with use of SPSS/WIN 18.0.
RESULTS
The knowledge of skin disinfection varied significantly according to unit, position and job satisfaction. Nurses' attitude towards skin disinfection differed significantly according to age, unit, career, position and job satisfaction. Nurses' practice of skin disinfection varied according to unit and position. Significant correlations were found between knowledge, attitude and practice. The attitude and knowledge were influencing factors of practice (55.6%).
CONCLUSION
An educational program focusing on changing nurses' knowledge and attitude can be effective for the practice of skin disinfection.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of Tai Chi in women with osteoarthritis.
METHODS
Data were collected by face-to-face interview from 14 participants. Theoretical sampling was performed until the concepts were saturated. The main question was "How do you describe your experience of Tai Chi?" Data were analyzed using a grounded theory methodology. All interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim.
RESULTS
The Phenomenon is 'QI flowing'. The core category was identified with 'inspiring one's life with strength'. This series of processes was categorized into four stages: 'Challenging Tai chi', 'Doing one's best', 'Deplenishing (the word used in English and Tai chi is emptying one's mind) one's mind', 'Taking a Positive view of life'.
CONCLUSION
The finding of this study will offer profound understanding about the reported tai chi's experience. Additional research should be done as to the role of Tai chi as a nursing intervention strategy for osteoarthritis patients.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of physical activity on glycemic control among Koreans with type 2 diabetes.
METHODS
A total of 215 patients with type 2 diabetes (82 male and 133 female) were recruited (mean age = 59.0 +/- 9.7 years). The amounts of physical activity was assessed using the physical activity scale for elderly (PASE). Fasting blood glucose (FBG), Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and 2 hours postprandial glucose (2hrPG) were measured.
RESULTS
The highest PASE score was housework-related physical activity. However, the amounts of walking was significantly higher in good FBG level (Z = 1.39, p=.041) and the amounts of leisure-time physical activity was higher in good HbA1 and 2hrPG level than in the poor glycemic control group (Z = 2.29, p<.001; Z = 1.99, p=.001). A logistic regression analysis showed that patients with leisure-time physical activity in the top quartile more likely presented with good glycemic control in HbA1c, OR=3.84 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.65~8.95) and in 2hrPG, OR=4.06 (95%CI = 1.77~9.27), compared to patients in the lowest quartile.
CONCLUSION
Leisure-time physical activity is effective for controlling the glucose levels, especially HbA1c and 2hrPG among type 2 diabetic patients. It is suggested that health providers need to more focus on providing aggressive recommendations on physical activity considering physical activity patterns by individuals.