Fact-finding Survey Research Articles

Prioritizing Energy Performance Improvement Factors for Senior Centers Based on Building Energy Simulation and Economic Feasibility

This study examined energy performance improvement factors by analyzing both energy performance and the economic impacts to reduce energy costs for senior centers. A fact-finding survey was conducted on 20 senior centers in a metropolitan area, identifying key energy improvement factors. Energy simulations of the buildings were performed using ECO2, an officially certified energy assessment program in Korea, comparing the energy requirements before and after the improvements. The energy demand, energy consumption, and floor area were analyzed, with the J, K, and S standard models selected based on the median values of these factors. To assess the impact of the improvements, blower door tests were conducted on two senior centers before and after window upgrades. Based on the ECO2 simulations and the blower door test results, improvement priorities were identified in the following order: windows, exterior walls, boilers, roofs, and doors. Finally, an economic feasibility analysis applied the construction and heating costs to the standard models. Over a 40-year period, only boiler improvements generated a net profit. Without government support, this study recommends prioritizing boiler upgrades when selecting energy performance improvements.

The importance of seismic microzonation studies on land governance: results from a fact-finding survey

The importance of seismic microzonation studies on land governance: results from a fact-finding survey

Ideas for Management of Dementia Cafés: Secondary Analysis of Open-ended Responses from the Yokohama City Dementia Café Fact-Finding Survey in 2019

Ideas for Management of Dementia Cafés: Secondary Analysis of Open-ended Responses from the Yokohama City Dementia Café Fact-Finding Survey in 2019

The dawn of a sexual assault relief center: A 12-year fact-finding survey of victims of sexual assault conducted since2010 by SACHICO, Japan's first rape crisis center.

In Japan, amidst insufficient legal provisions and governmental support, in 2010, the first rape crisis center, the Sexual Assault Crisis Healing Intervention Center Osaka (SACHICO) was established. We compared SACHICO visitor data from 2010 to 2021 with National Police Agency statistics to clarify the current situation of sexual assault victims in Japan and considered future issues for Japan to address. This study was a cross-sectional study that analyzed the data described below. All visitations to SACHICO between April 2010 and December 2021 were considered targets for data totaling. Data on crime statistics were gathered from the official governmental statistics portal site. A total of 12 036 visitations occurred, of which 3189 were first-time consultations; 3100 initial medical examinations were conducted, and no medical examination was conducted in the remaining 89 cases (2.7%). The number of initial medical examinations increased 3.7 times from 2010 to 2021. Victims under the age of 19 comprised 60% of the total number of initial medical examinations (1863/3100). The reporting rate for all 3100 initial medical examinations was only 31.3% (969/3100) of the cases. The proportion of forcible sexual intercourse versus forcible indecency were the converse of those observed among acknowledged cases nationwide and in Osaka Prefecture. For several years, the number of initial medical consultations at SACHICO has exceeded that of acknowledged cases in Osaka Prefecture. Support for victims of sexual assault in Japan is still insufficient. It is necessary to strengthen the system of rape crisis centers system to realize an unbroken chain of support for victims.

A retrospective single institutional analysis of outpatient chemotherapy in patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Providing treatment to patients with cancer, even during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, is essential. In collaboration with infectious disease specialists, we established guidelines for the management of patients with cancer receiving ambulatory treatment during the pandemic on April 8, 2020. This study examined the practice and management of ambulatory chemotherapy under emergency conditions. Following the guidelines, our Breast and Medical oncology department developed a chemotherapy strategy for the phases. Additionally, to distinguish fever during chemotherapy, we developed a flow chart for fever. As part of a fact-finding survey, the status of outpatient chemotherapy was investigated: (1) whether there was any change in the number of chemotherapies before and after the declaration of a state of emergency by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and (2) the frequency and severity of febrile neutropenia (FN) cases. Compared to before the first declaration of the state of emergency, the number of chemotherapies decreased except after the declaration, but no decrease was observed during the rest of the period; no difference was observed in the frequency or severity of FN outbreaks or in the use of pegfilgrastim for primary prevention before and after the epidemic. With appropriate treatment guidelines, routine chemotherapy can be performed in an outpatient setting during an outbreak.

특수형태근로종사자의 안전보건교육실태와 개선방안에 관한 연구

In order to protect special types of workers, the government is requiring safety and health education for special types of workers by revising the Enforcement Decree of the Industrial Safety And Health Act. But the actual effect of education is insufficient due to the lack of educational infrastructure and the characteristics of the occupation such as the diversity of labor provision for special types of workers and easy job change. This study is a basic study on measures to revitalize safety and health education to protect special types of workers, and improvements were derived based on a fact-finding survey. A survey was conducted on the status and awareness of safety and health education completion for 300 workers in each occupations and problems with the current system and areas for improvement were identified through frequency analysis. The survey results were subjected to frequency analysis to identify problems and areas for improvement in the current system. As a result of the survey, excessive completion of overlapping training and limited supply of training were identified as factors that reduce the effectiveness of safety and health education according to the occupational characteristics of special types of workers. Accordingly, as a way to improve the problem of overlapping completions a cross-recognition plan for training completion with other laws and a training completion certification system were proposed. In addition, as a way to improve the problems caused by the limited supply of education, a plan to diversify education and improve quality by easing some of the registration requirements for private educational institutions was presented. As the results of this study focus on the opinions of workers, it is judged that additional verification of the effectiveness of educational measures should be conducted. If the results are supplemented through future system analysis and improvement research centered on safety and health education experts, it is believed that it will be possible to contribute to the protection of special types of workers through a more specific and effective safety and health education system.

Fact-Finding Survey and Exploration of Preventive Drugs for Antineoplastic Drug-Induced Oral Mucositis Using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report Database

Fact-Finding Survey and Exploration of Preventive Drugs for Antineoplastic Drug-Induced Oral Mucositis Using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report Database

Socioeconomic status and physical activity disparities in older adults: Implications for COVID-19 related diabetes cognitive dysfunction

ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on variations in physical activity (PA) levels and diabetes-related cognitive dysfunction and impairment amidst disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsWith the sample of old population, comprising about 20 thousand from the Fact-Finding Survey on the Status of Senior Citizens (FSSSC) released by Ministry of Health and Welfare of South Korea in 2017 and 2020, we empirically tested the direct and indirect effects of SES on cognitive dysfunction using structural equation modeling (SEM). Two SEMs provided the comparison on the effects of COVID-19. ResultsHousehold income had a negative impact on the likelihood of dementia diagnosis via PA related diabetes during the pandemic (p < 0.001), whereas no effects of household income on dementia diagnosis were found in 2017, due to no direct effect of PA on diabetes confirmation in 2017. The disparity in PA based on SES becomes more prominent among the older individuals during the pandemic (z = 11.7) than 2017 (z = 6.0), emphasizing the significance of PA in mitigating diabetes-induced cognitive dysfunction during the pandemic. SES affects access to PA, contributing to diabetes-induced cognitive dysfunctions in the older population with lower SES during the pandemic. ConclusionPA may serve as a preventive measure against diabetes-induced cognitive dysfunction and dementia in the older population. Thorough investigation of these mechanisms is imperative to establish the role of PA in preventing diabetes-induced cognitive impairment, particularly among the older population with lower SES.

Intention to Act: Predicting Bystander Intervention in Violent Situations in South Korea.

The purpose of this study is to explore the predictors of bystanders' intentions to intervene and types of intended intervention in domestic violence (DV) and sexual violence (SV) situations in South Korea. Using nationally representative data from the 2016 National Fact-Finding Survey on Gender Equality (N = 7,399) and logistic regression-based models, this study focused on two key predictors, bystander gender and attitudes about gender equality, while controlling for age, educational level, and employment status. Our findings indicated that males and females were equally likely to state intentions to intervene in both DV and SV situations. While both males and females were more likely to state that they would intervene indirectly rather than directly, females were even less likely to intervene directly than were males for both situations. Attitudes indicative of gender equality further increased the intention to intervene for DV and SV situations in multivariate models. Gender equality attitudes, however, decreased the intentions to intervene directly in DV but not SV situations. Limitations and implications are discussed.

Fact-finding surveys on role of flood fighting in present-day Japan and future prospects: case studies of Yodo River and Yamato River

AbstractFlood mitigation efforts (flood fighting), including raising awareness among local residents, have been crucial in Japan to reduce damage during flood events. In this study, interviews were conducted with three flood fighting management bodies on the Yodo and Yamato Rivers, which still have strong flood fighting corps, and field investigations were performed focusing on the actual operation of flood fighting warehouses, which serve as infrastructure bases for flood fighting. Targets included the flood fighting affairs associations on the left and right banks for the Yodo River and that on the right bank for the Yamato River. The survey results showed that with the progress of flood control measures and river improvement, opportunities to conduct actual flood fighting work during floods decreased in all cases in recent years, but flood fighting techniques and knowledge were passed on through exercises and drills. In addition, the flood fighting warehouses were well managed and maintained their functions as material and equipment storage places and as waiting and meeting places for flood fighting corps members. Considering the intensification of external flood forces due to future extreme weather changes, it was deemed that the role of the flood fighting corps is expected to increase in importance, and it was judged that preparations were being made to respond to this trend. On the other hand, there were some challenges in terms of securing a sufficient number of members due to the shortage resulting from the aging of the corps members and maintaining warehouses from a budgetary standpoint.

Fact-finding survey by systematic review of active support groups accepting people with eating disorders in Japan.

This study systematically reviewed and listed support groups that are currently active in accepting people with eating disorders in Japan. The characteristics of the 50 support groups for eating disorders approved for publication are listed in Table 1 in Supplementary Materials.

행정계획 법제의 현황에 따른 입법모델의 모색

Administrative planning has evolved into a complex field involving multiple stakeholders, notably in areas such as urban planning. Initially, administrative planning referred to administrative subjects proposing matters that were difficult to specify within the confines of the law, which would then be formulated into a plan on a regular cycle. Presently, administrative plans are incorporated into many laws. In certain instances, administrative plans encompass tasks handled by multiple administrative entities. In these cases, opinions are harmonized and integrated through consultations or committee deliberations during the administrative plan's formulation process. To establish an administrative plan, a fact-finding survey of the relevant administrative conditions is conducted to ensure alignment with reality. Additionally, the performance of the administrative plan is evaluated, and feedback is provided to inform the establishment of subsequent administrative plans. Multiple administrative plans pertaining to a specific matter often exist, forming hierarchical relationships or exerting mutual influence on one another. Consequently, establishing relationships between these administrative plans becomes necessary. While urban planning shares some legal characteristics with administrative measures, it can also possess the characteristics of administrative legislation, whereby administrative entities set the direction of administration and conduct operations accordingly. Regarding the nature of administrative legislation, administrative entities are bound by administrative plans, whereas the populace is not legally obligated to adhere to them. However, given the significant impact of administrative plans on the populace, they must be publicly announced upon establishment. All of these considerations must be reflected in the provisions of laws and regulations; however, different laws prescribe these matters differently. Therefore, a legislative model for administrative plans must be developed and utilized.

A Fact-finding Survey and Improvement Plans for Mechanical Equipment Preconstruction Verification Application

A Fact-finding Survey and Improvement Plans for Mechanical Equipment Preconstruction Verification Application

Sustainable shrimp farming in Sri Lanka; Utilization of BMPs and antibiotics use

Objective: In the context of the fast-expanding shrimp farming industry in Sri Lanka, this study aimed to evaluate the distribution and understanding of BMPs, examine the relationship between BMPs and disease outbreaks, and analyze the current antibiotic usage trends through a fact-finding survey. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted in 131 shrimp farms located in Puttalam District in North Western Province, where shrimp farming is thriving in Sri Lanka. The survey was conducted from September to October 2021. In addition, in August 2022 and August 2023, interviews were conducted with shrimp farms in Puttalam district and Batticaloa district, shrimp hatcheries, and export companies. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Probit, and Tobit regression analysis. Results: The item-count technique revealed a significant (p &lt; 0.05) difference in the use of antibiotics without consulting experts, signifying inappropriate use. No aquaculture farmer reported being unaware of BMPs, and among the 45 farmers who attended a BMPs seminar, 30 claimed to possess a good understanding of BMPs. Probit and Tobit regression results revealed that the rate of understanding of BMPs, education level, and obtaining information on the sanitation management of shrimp farming from extension and guidance organizations were inversely associated with both disease incidence in shrimp farming and shrimp discards. Conclusion: Although the use of antibiotics is prohibited in BMPs, the analysis results suggest inappropriate use of antibiotics. The findings indicate that enhanced BMP understanding can reduce disease incidence and shrimp discards, emphasizing the need for incentives to promote BMP adoption and reduce the necessity for antibiotics.

Comprehensive survey on the use of plastic additives in toy products used in Japan.

Plastic additives have adverse effects on human health. Children frequently use toys that contain various substances found in paints, plasticizers, and other materials, which heighten the risk of specific chemical exposure. Infants are particularly prone to chemical exposure through the "mouthing" behavior because of the possibility of placing toys in their mouths. Thus, this vulnerability should be considered during risk assessments of chemical exposure. This study performed a comprehensive analysis of the chemical components in various 84 plastic toys including "designated toys" (toys that may be harmful to infant health if in contact with their mouths: Article 78 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Food Sanitation Law by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare) such as dolls, balls, blocks, bathing toys, toy vehicles, pacifiers, and household items, purchased in the Japanese market by nontargeted and targeted analysis. Plasticizers, flame retardants, and fragrances were the main compounds in almost all the toy products. The results showed that plastic products made in China tended to contain high levels of phthalate esters. In particular, hazardous plasticizers, such as diisodecyl, di-n-octyl, and diisononyl phthalates were detected above the regulatory limit (0.1%) in used products manufactured before regulations were passed in Japan. Furthermore, we detected alternative plasticizers, such as acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC; 52%), diisononyl adipate (DINA; 50%), and di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT; 40%). ATBC was detected at high concentrations in numerous toy products. Thus, infants with free access to indoor plastic toys might be exposed to these chemicals. This study observed that the chemical profiles of toy products were dependent on the year of manufacture. Furthermore, the detection of currently regulated plasticizers in secondhand products manufactured before regulations were enforced, along with the increasing trend of using alternative substances to regulated phthalate esters in products, suggests the potential exposure of infants to these plasticizers through the use of toys. Therefore, regular fact-finding surveys should continue to be conducted for the risk assessment and safety management of domestic toy products.

한국형 고령친화대학 지표 개발에 관한 연구: 국제 고령친화대학 가이드라인에 의한 국내 대학의 고령친화성 및 수용성 평가

In this study, we examine the degree of age-friendliness of universities by applying the guidelines for age-friendly universities previously developed for domestic universities, and at the same time explore how appropriate these indicators are as indicators of Korean age-friendly universities (AFU). I would like to look at it from this perspective. For this purpose, a survey was conducted targeting 45 officials from domestic universities. The survey was conducted mainly focusing on two areas. First, the level and status of senior-friendly universities in the surveyed universities were identified using the previously developed guideline indicators for senior-friendly universities (Step 1: Fact-finding survey). Next, it consists of a step-by-step investigation using the same indicator to evaluate how appropriate it is in functioning as a guideline indicator for domestic senior-friendly universities (step 2: appropriateness evaluation). This survey was conducted for approximately 3 weeks from May 21 to June 14, 2021 by Google web-survey. As a result of the analysis, looking at the level of seniority-friendliness of domestic universities by area, lifelong education was the highest (2.35 points), followed by social participation and service (2.27 points), needs survey (2.04 points), senior-friendly environment (2.02 points), and mission/ The order was vision and administrative system (1.83 points). Next, looking at the adequacy of indicators by area, lifelong education (3.62 points) was the highest, followed by senior-friendly environment (3.54 points), mission/vision/administrative system (3.48 points), needs survey (3.44 points), social participation and The order was service (3.39 points).

Structural Equation Modeling Analysis of Factors Affecting the Loyalty of Forest Trail Users

Background and objective: With the increasing public awareness of health due to COVID-19 and the quality of life, people have come to prefer natural spaces with fewer crowds. Public use of forest trails is increasing as a place that satisfies the demand for such natural spaces. As a result, the basic plans for trails and mountaineering support were established, and there has been government-level support such as the establishment of the Korea Mountaineering Support Center, which resulted in a quantitative and qualitative increase in the use of forest trails. Accordingly, efforts must be made to ensure satisfaction and loyalty in using forest trails.Methods: Therefore, this study identified the factors affecting the overall satisfaction and loyalty toward forest trails through structural equation modeling. As for the research data, we used data from the Fact-finding Survey on Forest Welfare Facility Users to analyze the use of forest trails.Results: As a result, safety and comfort, kindness, travel time, and program experience variety had a significant effect directly and indirectly on overall satisfaction and loyalty. Safety and comfort affected personal activity experience variety, while kindness affected program experience variety. For travel time, the direct effect on loyalty showed a positive correlation, but the indirect effect showed a negative correlation.Conclusion: These results showed that safety should be considered a top priority on forest trails, and that long travel time to forest trails could be a factor that increases loyalty by offering various programs. In addition, loyalty has a multifaceted correlation between several factors, suggesting that it is necessary to consider not only direct effects but also indirect effects.

지체, 뇌병변 장애인의 보조기기 필요 요인 분석: 인간, 활동, 환경 요인을 중심으로

It is important to consider the individual characteristics of Assistive Technology Device&#x0D; (ATD) for assisting people with disabilities in their daily activities. A representative method&#x0D; is to consider the four basic elements of Human, Activity, Assistive Technology Device,&#x0D; and Environment when providing assistive technology services (HAAT model, Cook &amp;&#x0D; Hussey, 2002). In this study, the factors affecting the ATDs required by the people with&#x0D; disabilities in Korea were analyzed by applying to the HAAT model. The top five ATDs&#x0D; with high need were extracted, and the factors influencing the need for the top five ATDs&#x0D; among people, activities, and environmental factors were analyzed by conducting binomial&#x0D; logistic regression analysis. As a result of the analysis, the top 5 ATDs most needed by&#x0D; the people with disabilities in Korea are cane, safety handle, powered wheelchair, electric scooter, and home modification. These results indicate that they mostly require ATDs for&#x0D; activities of daily living related to mobility and movement. Age, disability grade, and whether&#x0D; or not to use public transportation were analyzed as factors that had a statistically significant&#x0D; effect on the need for ATDs. The limitation of this study is that there is a limitation in&#x0D; generalizing the analysis results of this study because there is a possibility that sufficient&#x0D; information on ATDs may not be provided when conducting a fact-finding survey of the&#x0D; people with disabilities. Nevertheless, the results of this study suggest that it is necessary&#x0D; to apply appropriate ATDs considering factors such as disability type, living environment,&#x0D; and age. The results of this study are expected to be used as basic data for the application&#x0D; of assistive devices suitable for the characteristics of the people with disabilities in Korea.

Apulian infectious diseases network: survey on the prevalence of delta infection among chronic HBV carriers in Apulia.

The current prevalence and clinical burden of Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) infection in Apulia are unknown. This study aimed to define the current epidemiological scenario of delta infection and to detect difficulties in the diagnosis and clinical management of HDV patients in Apulia. From May to September 2022, a fact-finding survey was conducted at eight Infectious Diseases Units of the Apulian region; each Unit was asked to complete a questionnaire on screening and diagnosis of HDV infection and demographic, virological, and clinical characteristics of HDV patients. A total of 1,461 HBsAg-positive subjects were followed up on an outpatient basis. Screening for HDV ranged from 30 to 90% of HBsAg + carriers in a single center. Overall, 952 HBsAg ± subjects (65%) were tested for HDV, and 80/952 (8.4%) were anti-HDV positive. Serum HDV RNA was detected only in 15/80 (19%) anti-HDV-positive subjects, and 12/15 patients (80%) were viremic. Sixty-five anti-HDV-positive subjects (81%) were from Italy; risk factors for HDV acquisition included the presence of HDV infection in the family (29/80 = 36%), drug addiction (12/80 = 15%), and co-infection with HCV or HIV (7/80 = 9%). Liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma were diagnosed in 41 (51%) and 4 (5%) patients, respectively. Fifty-seven patients (71%) received nucleos(t)ide analog treatment. The results of this survey show that HDV screening is variable and insufficient, thus real prevalence data on delta infection are lacking in Apulia. Moreover, the HDV RNA test is not available in most laboratories and is not provided by the national health system. These results underline the need for an organizational model to optimize the management of HDV patients throughout the Apulian region.

보육교직원(보육교사)의 권익보호 관련 문제점 및 개선방안 - 관련법과 자치단체조례 분석을 중심으로 -

This study aimed at 27 local governments that have relevant laws(Infant Child Care Act, Early Childhood Education Act, Educational Public Officials Act, Special Act on the Promotion of Teachers' Status and Protection of Educational Activities) and related ordinances to date, 'protection and promotion of rights and interests of childcare teachers'. By analyzing the Ordinance for (Support)', the legal status of childcare staff (childcare teachers) and the problems of the regulations related to the protection of rights and interests will be examined, and based on this, improvement plans will be suggested. Based on this, the main purpose of the study is to provide basic data for future related laws(Infant Care Act) and local government ordinance enactment/revision and retention integration law(tentative name, Infant Education and Child Care Act).&#x0D; Based on the problems found in the research results, we would like to suggest improvements as follows.&#x0D; First, the main problems and improvement measures related to the Infant Care Act are: 1) the legal status of childcare teachers; It should be improved so that the status of teachers under the Education Act is secured on an equal basis with kindergarten teachers, and the protection of teaching rights according to the position of teachers is guaranteed. 2) definition of childcare staff(childcare teacher); As in the Early Childhood Education Act, it is desirable to define teachers(directors and nursery teachers) and staff other than teachers. Next, childcare staff duties; As in the Early Childhood Education Act, it should be improved so that it is divided into director, supervisor, head teacher, teacher, and administrative staff to be more specifically defined. 3) Responsibility to protect the rights and interests of childcare teachers; In order to apply the law more effectively, it is necessary to improve the current voluntary regulations into mandatory regulations such as 'The state and local governments must actively promote necessary policies and prepare measures for training childcare teachers, improve working conditions, and protect their rights and interests.' I think it's possible.&#x0D; Second, the main problems and improvement measures related to local government ordinances for improving treatment and rights of childcare staff are: 1) Responsibilities of local government heads; It seems desirable to stipulate the two contents together as ‘relevant systems and conditions and necessary policies must be actively pursued’ and ‘efforts must be made to create a social atmosphere’. 2) establishment of a basic (comprehensive) plan; It seems desirable to stipulate that it should be done every five years, and it is desirable that voluntary regulations should be improved to mandatory regulations such as ‘must be established and implemented’. 3) fact-finding; It should be improved with mandatory regulations such as ‘a fact-finding survey should be conducted every three years’. 4) rights protection support project; Since almost all local governments stipulate that 'the head of a local government may promote(implement) a project to improve the treatment of childcare teachers and improve their rights and interests.' 5) Establishment and operation of the Rights Protection Committee; Since the establishment of the most important committee must be established and operated to improve the treatment and rights of childcare staff, it would be desirable to have a mandatory rule rather than an arbitrary rule. 6) establishment of cooperation system; There were only three local governments that stipulated a mandatory regulation. If possible, it would be desirable to establish a cooperative system through mandatory regulations rather than voluntary regulations. 7) Others