PURPOSE
This study was to examine the reliability and validity of Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) as a nutritional measurement for stroke patients.
METHODS
This was a methodological study performed from May 6 to June 10, 2009 at a tertiary university hospital in Seoul. For reliability of PG-SGA, inter-rater reliability was used for statistics. For concurrent validity, BMI and biomarkers were compared between PG-SGA 0 ~ 8 and > or = 9. In addition, sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of PG-SGA compared with SGA were calculated using a contingency table. For predictive validity, hospital day, complications, and readmission within 1-month after discharge were compared between PG-SGA 0 ~ 8 and > or = 9.
RESULTS
Correlation of PG-SGA score between two observers was 0.83, and kappa value for the agreement of severe malnutrition was 0.78(all p(s) < .001). The scored PG-SGA showed high sensitivity and specificity (100% and 96.7%, respectively). Severe undernourished patients (PG-SGA > or = 9) had significantly low TLC, protein, albumin, and prealbumin (all p(s) < .01) compared with non-undernourished patients (PG-SGA 0 ~ 8). Also, in severe undernourished patients, complications and readmission (all p(s) = 0.01) were more often represented, and hospital days (p = .013) were significantly delayed.
CONCLUSION
PG-SGA is a reliable and valid measurement to assess nutritional status for stroke patients.

PURPOSE
The aim of this research was to determine knowledge and management of tracheal tube cuffs among nurses of ICU.
METHODS
This descriptive survey recruited 150 nurses working at 8 different adult ICUs within 2 tertiary hospitals in Seoul. A survey questionnaire was developed to measure cuff management. The internal reliability of the tool was examined by Cronbach's alpha Descriptive statistics and multiple regressions were used to analyze data.
RESULTS
Among the 150 nurses, 94.0% replied that they would measure the pressure themselves. With regard to nurses' knowledge about tracheal tube cuffs, only 6% answered that they knew 'the appropriate cuff pressure'. The existence of a measuring device (p < .001), a guideline (p < .001), the level of knowledge on its related complications(p = .003), and clinical experience (p < .001) together accounted for 35.0% of the total variation in cuff management. They pointed out that the lack of time and the lack of education were major barriers to appropriate management; whereas education update was the most imperative factor for good management.
CONCLUSION
ICU nurses have inappropriate knowledge and practice in cuff management. Therefore continuing education is necessary for better practice of tracheal tube cuff management.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors related to Breast cancer Screening using Mammography and CBE of Korean women over 40 years of age.
METHODS
The participants for this study were 183 Korean women living in 3 urban cities and aged from 40 to 75. The data were collected using structured questionnaires which included sociodemographic factors (11 items), frequency and regularity of mammography and clinical breast examination (7 items), knowledge (16 items), health belief model scale (28 items), and family support (4 items) about breast cancer and breast cancer screening. Frequencies, Chronbach's alpha for reliability, Chi-square, t-test and logistic regression with the SPSS/WIN 12 program were used to analyze the data.
RESULTS
The percentages of Korean women who had a mammography and CBE for breast cancer screening were 60.1 and 31.1, respectively. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that regular check ups and perceived barriers were significant predictors of mammography and CBE use for breast cancer screening.
CONCLUSION
In order to increase the frequency of breast cancer screening practices, educational support and a health care delivery system is needed to improve the chance of regular health check ups.

PURPOSE
This study was to provide baseline data about nurses' Influenza A (H1N1) knowledge, awareness, andpractice of infection control and to identify the significant factor affecting the level of practice.
METHODS
The subjects of this study were 144 nurses who worked at Influenza A (H1N1) regional base Hospital in D city. Data were collected by self-reported questionnaires during September 2009. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 12.0 program.
RESULTS
The knowledge of Influenza A (H1N1) was statistically different according to age, unit, career and experience of seasonal influenza vaccination during the last year. The awareness of infection control was statistically different according to age, career, experience of seasonal influenza vaccination for last year and intention to get seasonal influenza vaccination for this year. The practice of infection control was statistically different according to unit, experience of seasonal influenza vaccination for last year, intention to get seasonal influenza vaccination for this year and intention to get Influenza A (H1N1) vaccination for this year. There was positive correlation among knowledge, awareness and practice (p < .05). Awareness was the significant factor affecting the level of practice.
CONCLUSION
An educational program focusing on strategy to change nurse's awareness can be effective for infection control of Influenza A (H1N1) in regional base hospitals.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine the subjective opinions of first-generation Korean-Americans about survival.
METHODS
The Q-methodology which provides a method of analyzing the subjectivity of each item was used. The 34 selected Q-statements from each of 38 subjects were classified into a shape of normal distribution using a 9 point scale. The collected data was analyzed using a QUANL/WIN program.
RESULTS
Four types of survival attitudes from 38 first-generation Korean-Americans were identified. Type I was a satisfaction type based on belief, Type II was an effort type based on purpose, Type III was an isolation type based on ethnicity, and Type IV was a compromise type based on adaptation. Results of this study indicate that approaches to a minority's survival strategies need to be differentiated taking this typology and various subject characteristics into account.
CONCLUSION
This information may provide a basic understanding for healthcare providers who work with first-generation Korean-Americans.

PURPOSE
This correlational study was to examine the relationships between dementia knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy and preventive behavior of low income middled-aged women.
METHODS
The subjects for this study were 125 low income middle aged women living in I city. The data were collected using the questionnaires for dementia knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy and preventive behavior. The data analysis was done by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson product moment correlation and stepwise multiple regression analysis.
RESULTS
The mean of dementia knowledge was 13.96 out of 20, attitude was 43.98 out of 60, self-efficacy was 54.07 out of 75 and preventive behavior was 25.98 out of 36. The positive correlations were revealed between dementia knowledge (r=.458, p=.000), attitude (r=.498, p=.000), self-efficacy (r=.573, p=.000) and preventive behavior. The influencing factors for dementia preventive behavior were self-efficacy, belief in Buddhism and attitude which accounted for 42.5% of the total variance.
CONCLUSION
Dementia knowledge, attitude and self-efficacy were identified as variables that correlate dementia preventive behavior. Also, self-efficacy is the most influential factor affecting dementia preventive behavior. On the basis of these results, it is necessary for nurses to consider using dementia knowledge and mode of efficacy expectation in order to improve dementia preventive behavior.

PURPOSE
This study was to develop a nursing education program for mothers with a young child undergoing cardiac surgery and determine effects of the program on her knowledge, anxiety and coping behavior.
METHODS
The research design was a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design. 18 mothers were assigned to the experimental group and 18 to the control group. The effects were evaluated by measuring knowledge, anxiety, and coping behavior. The collected data was analyzed through independent t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA respectively using SPSS/WIN 12.0 program.
RESULTS
The point of knowledge in the experimental group was significantly increased tan that in the control group. The point of subjective, physiological, and behavior anxiety in the experimental group was significantly decreased than that in the control group by time change. The point of coping behavior in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group.
CONCLUSION
The nursing educational program for a young child with cardiac surgery is expected to be clinically applied as an intervention program for mothers with a young child undergoing cardiac surgery.

PURPOSE
This study examined relationships among stress, stress coping strategies, and somatization in mothers-in-law from multi-cultural families in a rural area.
METHODS
Elderly mothers-in-law (n=227) living with foreign daughters-in-law completed a self-reporting questionnaire. Data were collected from April to August 2009. Questions related to stress (Visual Analog Scale, VAS), coping strategies (Coping Strategy Scale) for stress, and somatization (Symptom Check List 90, Revised). SPSS/WIN 12.0 program was used for descriptive analysis, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analyses.
RESULTS
Subjects had a moderate level of stress (5.03). There were significant differences in stress level according to age, educational level, religion, chronic disease, health status, number of children, agreement of an international marriage of her sons, satisfaction in living with a foreign daughter-in-law, and family conflict. Stress showed a significant positive correlation with offensive coping strategy, passive strategy, and somatization. Stress, offensive coping strategy, and passive coping strategy affected the level of somatization.
CONCLUSION
In a family situation involving co-habitation of mother- and foreign daughter-in-law, increased stress experienced by the mother-in-law can lead to increased offensive and passive coping strategies, and increased somatization. More effective means of stress reduction are needed for mothers-in-law from multi-cultural families.

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to identify job experiences of male hospital nurses.
METHODS
Data were collected from 20 male nurses working at general hospitals, through semi-structured in-depth interviews. The interviews were recorded and subsequently transcribed verbatim. Using content analysis, data were coded and categorized.
RESULTS
The analyzed domains were motivations for choosing nursing, occupational experiences (3 subdomains), and attitudes toward the future. A total of 85 significant statements were selected from the data and classified into 32 categories. The nurses' motivations for choosing nursing were advantages of employment, their aptitude, scarcity value of men, professionalism and job security, good promotion, stable income, and family influence. In occupational experiences, they were assigned to special fields and dissatisfied with vertical relationship, promotion system, their salary, and gaps in military service time; they had difficulties in adapting to female-dominated groups and encountered gender role stereotype and preconception; they were satisfied with their distinguished performance, but had damaged self-esteem, and were stressed and disappointed in their work. In their attitudes toward the future, they considered their career changes, but tried to make professional and personal advancement.
CONCLUSION
These findings have implications for recruiting and retaining male nurses in clinical settings.

PURPOSE
This study was to test a theoretical model examining the relationships among social support, illness demands, marital adjustment, family coping and family functioning in couples more than three years after breast cancer diagnosis.
METHODS
A causal modeling methodology was used to test the specified relationships in the recursive theoretical model. A total of 60 couples with breast cancer were recruited from January to April 2005. Five standardized questionnaires were used to measure the theoretical concepts: social support (ISSB), illness demands (DOII), marital adjustment (DAS), family coping (F-COPES), and family functioning (FACESII).
RESULTS
Path analysis results from the wives and the husbands revealed different patterns. Three hypotheses were supported in the wife model as predicted: social support and family coping, family coping and family functioning, and social support and marital adjustment (trend). Five hypotheses were supported in the husband model as predicted: social support and illness demands, also social support and marital adjustment, illness demands and marital adjustment, marital adjustment and family coping, and family coping and family functioning.
CONCLUSION
This study provides valuable information for developing various interventions with social support for improving family functioning of breast cancer couples in the middle adaption stage (more than three years after diagnosis).

PURPOSE
This study was performed to identify skin health status and the factors influencing skin hydration in the institutionalized elderly.
METHODS
The subjects were 139 elders living in 2 nursing homes in Seoul. Data for skin health status were collected by measurement of skin hydration, sebum, trans-epidermal water loss and pH using Corneometer, Sebumeter, Tewameter and Skin pH-meter on face, flank, arm and leg. Baseline data were collected by a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed by SPSS/WIN 12.0 program.
RESULTS
Skin hydration and pH were relatively low especially on arms and legs but sebum and TEWL were not low, relatively. There were significant differences in skin health status according to gender, smoking, alcohol intake, and bath cleanser. There was significant positive correlation between skin-hydration and bath-time, TEWL and bath-frequency. Smoking, bath-cleanser, bath-time. pH and gender were identified as the significant influencing factors of skin hydration.
CONCLUSION
Smoking, bath-time and pH need to be considered as important control factors for increasing skin health status in the institutionalized elderly.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the research trends and instruments for assessment of sleep quality in Korea.
METHODS
66 quantitative research reports published from 2000 to March 2009 in Korea were selected from 5 databases: RISS4U, KISS, KISTI, DBpia, and the National Assembly Library and were analyzed according to criteria such as publication years, type of journal, participants, study fields, research design, participants, key words and instruments for assessment.
RESULTS
Research in sleep quality has been rapidly increasing in recent years. More than half of the research analyzed was conducted in nursing. The majority of research methods were survey and correlational research. Patients with chronic illness and the elderly were the major subjects in those researches. Most research was performed based on hospitals and communities. The types of variables tested for their relation and influence on sleep quality were quite limited. With respect to the instrument used for assessing sleep quality, most studies did not consider whether or not the validity of their instrument had been established.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended to conduct clinically applicable interventional research with an experimental design and to develop a reliability and validity established sleep quality instrument for Koreans.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify symptom clusters in patients with breast cancer and to investigate the associations among them with functional status and quality of life (QOL).
METHODS
A convenient sample of 303 patients was recruited from an oncology-specialized hospital.
RESULTS
Two distinct clusters were identified: A gastrointestinal-fatigue cluster and a pain cluster. Each cluster significantly influenced functional status and QOL. Based on these two clusters, we identified subgroups of symptom clusters using K-means cluster analysis. Three relatively distinct patient subgroups were identified in each cluster: mild, moderate, and severe group. Disease-related factors (i.e., stage, metastasis, type of surgery, current chemotherapy, and anti-hormone therapy) were associated with these subgroups of symptom clusters. There were significant differences in functional status and QOL among the three subgroups. The subgroup of patients who reported high levels of symptom clusters reported poorer functional status and QOL.
CONCLUSION
Clinicians can anticipate that breast cancer patients with advanced stage, metastasis, and who receive mastectomy, and chemotherapy will have more intense gastrointestinal-fatigue or pain symptoms. In order to enhance functional status and QOL for patients with breast cancer, collective management for symptoms in a cluster may be beneficial.

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to discover the essence and the structure of the experiences of weight control by nursing students.
METHODS
Participants were 12 nursing students who had tried losing weight at C university in Busan, Korea. The data were collected from June 17 to August 6, 2006. For the purpose of this study, focus group discussions and in depth interviews were employed.
RESULTS
The collected data were analyzed by using Giorgi's method. As the results of the analysis, the following four components of experience were derived: My appearance looked abnorml; Measures for self-realization; Pursuit of my own way only; Feelings of accomplishment and self confidence.
CONCLUSION
It is necessary to develop an effective weight control program with minimized side effects that are harmful to health, based on the components of the nursing students' experiences in weight control that were identified in this study.