This study was done to compare clinical nurses’ knowledge and visual differentiation diagnostic ability for the pressure ulcer classification system (PUCS) and incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD).

A convenience sample of 602 nurses took the pressure ulcer classification system and incontinence-associated dermatitis knowledge test (PUCS & IAD KT) and completed the visual differentiation tool (VDT), consisting of 21 photographs with clinical information.

The overall mean score for correct answers was 14.5 (± 3.2) in PUCS & IAD KT and 11.15 (± 4.9) in PUCS & IAD VDT. Incorrect responses were most common for statements related to stage III, IAD for PUCS & IAD KT, and suspected deep tissue injury (SDTI), un-stageable, and stage III for PUCS & IAD VDT. Significant correlations were found between PUCS & IAD KT and VDT (r= .48, p< .001). Factors affecting scores for PUCS & IAD VDT were PUCS & IAD KT, frequency of pressure ulcer, IAD management and participation in wound care education programs.

Results indicate that nurses have an overall understanding of PUCS & IAD, but low visual differentiation ability regarding stage III, SDTI, and unstageable ulcers. Continuing education is needed to further improve knowledge and visual differentiation ability for PUCS & IAD.

This study was conducted to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Sexuality Attitudes and Beliefs Survey (SABS) and to assess SABS for Korean nurses.

The Korean version of SABS was developed through forward-backward translation techniques. Internal consistency reliability and construct validity using confirmatory factor analysis were conducted using PASW+ PC Win (18.0) and AMOS (18.0). Data were collected from 567 nurses who worked in one of six general hospitals across the country.

The Korean version of SABS showed a reliable internal consistency with Cronbach's α of subscales ranging from .59 to .73. Factor loadings of the 10 items of three subscales ranged from .38 to .83. The three subscales model were validated by confirmatory factor analysis (GFI>.97, RMSEA<.05). Sexuality attitudes and beliefs for Korean nurses were more negative than that of European or American nurses. The SABS scores for Korean nurses were significantly different according to age, marriage, education, clinical experiences, and feeling about sexuality.

The Korean version of SABS has satisfactory construct validity and reliability to measure Korean nurses' attitudes and belief toward sexuality. Education is essential to enhance importance and self-efficacy and to relieve barriers to addressing patients' sexuality.

This study was done to identify the impact of physical activity on healthcare utilization among Korean adults.

Drawing from the 2008 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES IV-2), data from 6,521 adults who completed the Health Interview and Health Behavior Surveys were analyzed. Association between physical activity and healthcare utilization was tested using the χ²-test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios of using outpatient and inpatient healthcare for different levels of physical activity after adjusting for predisposing, enabling, and need factors. A generalized linear model applying a negative binomial distribution was used to determine how the level of physical activity was related to use of outpatient and inpatient healthcare.

Physically active participants were 16% less likely to use outpatient healthcare (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.74-0.97) and 23% less likely to use inpatient healthcare (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.63-0.93) than physically inactive participants. Levels of outpatient and inpatient healthcare use decreased as levels of physical activity increased, after adjusting for relevant factors.

An independent association between being physically active and lower healthcare utilization was ascertained among Korean adults indicating a need to develop nursing intervention programs that encourage regular physical activity.

This study was conducted to compare the degree of depression between men and women and to identify factors influencing their depression.

Participants in this cross-sectional descriptive study were 263 persons over 65 years old (men: 103, women: 160). Data were collected through face to face interviews using questionnaires and were done in two urban areas in 2010. Research instruments utilized in this study were SGDS, MMSE-K, SRH, FILE, sleep pattern scale, family and friend support scale, and social support scale. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing depression in elders.

The proportions of participants with depression were significantly different between men and women (52.4% vs. 67.5%). Regression model for depression in elderly men significantly accounted for 54%; disease stress (32%), economic stress (10%), perceived health status (4%), and family support, educational level, age, and hypertension. Regression model for depression in elderly women significantly accounted for 47%; disease stress (25%), perceived social loneliness (8%), friend support (5%), family stress (4%), and sleep satisfaction, and family support.

Results demonstrate that depression is an important health problem for elders, and show gender differences for factors influencing depression. These results could be used in the developing depression prevention programs.

This study was performed to compare the effects of standardized peristomal skin care (SPSC) and crusting technique (CT) on the peristomal skin of ostomates. SPSC was developed by a consensus among the expert group based on a comprehensive review of the relevant literature and hospital protocols.

A randomized controlled pilot trial with 2 parallel arms was used. A total of 81 ostomates, who were recruited from a tertiary hospital, completed the baseline, 1-month, 2-month, and 3-month follow-up (SPSC group, n=45; CT group, n=36). SPSC consisted of water cleansing and direct application of ostomy appliances. CT involved crusting hydrocolloid powder and patting with water sponge or protective barrier liquid film. The outcomes of the study were assessed by skin problems, such as discoloration, erosion and tissue overgrowth; the domains of the evaluation tool used in examining the peristomal skin. A generalized estimating equation model was used to examine the effects according to time and group.

In both SPSC and CT groups, the likelihood of occurrence of discoloration (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.61-2.46), erosion (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.55-2.25) and tissue enlargement (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.36-2.77) increased with time. There was no significant difference in discoloration between the groups, whereas the probability of erosion (OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.16-0.89) and tissue overgrowth (OR, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.02-0.55) was lower in the SPSC group than in CT group.

SPSC was sufficient in preventing peristomal skin problems of ostomates compared to the CT.

The aim of this study was to compare the predictors of physical activity between urban and rural dwelling Korean older adults.

This study was a cross-sectional descriptive survey. A self-report questionnaire or face to face interviews were used to collect data from 336 older adults (urban: 129, rural: 207) who visited public health centers or welfare centers in 2008.

About half of the participants (urban: 50.4%, rural: 47.3%) were classified as the minimally active group. Cognitive function (odds ratio [OR]=1.106, p=.004) and loneliness (OR=0.965, p=.044) were predicting factors for physical activity in rural elderly. Age (OR=0.326, p=.037), gender (OR=2.841, p=.021) and depression (OR=0.799, p<.001) were significant factors predicting physical activity in urban elders.

These findings provide information that is relevant in designing interventions to enhance physical activity in older adults. There is a need to develop effective mutifaceted physical activity interventions that include reducing psychological barriers such as depression, loneliness.

This study was designed to construct and test the structural equation model on sexual satisfaction in patients with a colostomy.

The model construction was based upon Roy's adaptation model. Stoma-related discomfort (SRD), age, frequency of sexual intercourse, treatment modality, and gender affect sexual satisfaction and are mediated by physical, psychosocial, and interdependence modes. Each mode was conceptualized as sexual function, body image/depression, and marital intimacy. The patients were 112 colostomates with colorectal cancer who were asked to complete a mail-back survey on their demographic data, SRD, body image, depression, marital intimacy, sexual function, and sexual satisfaction. Data were analyzed using SPSS WIN 15.0 and AMOS WIN 7.0.

Significant variables for sexual satisfaction in the final model were body image affected by SRD, depression affected by body image and SRD, marital intimacy affected by depression, and sexual function affected by marital intimacy.

The results of this study suggest that specific guidelines for SRD are necessary to improve sexual satisfaction among colostomates. Nurses should be vigilant in monitoring depression and body image disturbance, and providing appropriate interventions to increase marital intimacy. Treatment modality, gender, and age should be considered in developing education programs pertaining to sexuality.