Welfare Facilities Research Articles

Effect of Oral Function Training on Swallowing Function in Community-Dwelling Older Individuals

Background: Dry mouth, masticatory discomfort, and swallowing in older individuals are important factors affecting overall health. To improve their quality of life, efforts are required to improve their oral function. Therefore, this study implemented a training program evaluating oral function to confirm improvements in swallowing. Methods: The study was conducted for approximately 4 months, from Jul to Oct 2023. Participants aged 65 yr or older were selected from welfare facilities in the metropolitan region, with 24 participants in both the intervention and control groups. Results: As a result of a study conducted on oral function training program, the intervention group exhibited significant improvements in the simulated swallowing flow rate (P <0.05), bite force (P <0.001), and tongue pressure (P <0.001). Conclusion: The oral function training program effectively improved simulated swallowing flow rate, bite force, and tongue pressure. Consequently, there is an opportunity to implement oral function training programs at accessible welfare centers for older individuals in the community.

Exploring the experiences of medical students regarding the factors affecting academic achievement: a qualitative study.

Academic achievement is one of the most important criteria in assessing students' ability to complete their university studies and reach the graduation stage. Students in medical sciences are considered the primary recipients of educational services and are the best source for identifying problems in medical or clinical education, as they are directly and indirectly involved in this interaction process. This study was conducted in the years 2022-2023 using conventional content analysis at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. A total of 23 students from various faculties of this university were selected through purposive sampling, and their experiences and perspectives were utilized until data saturation was reached. Data was collected through semi-structured, in-depth individual interviews using an interview guide. Content analysis was performed using the conventional content analysis method. Two main themes were extracted with the titles "Facilitators of Academic Achievement" and "Barriers to Academic Achievement ". "Teacher-related Factors," "Assessment and Evaluation," "Student-related Factors," "Learning Environment," and "Support Systems" were the categories derived from the analysis of the data for academic achievement, and "Poor Educational Quality and Teaching Methods," "Lack of Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Integration," "Inappropriate Educational Planning and Administration," "Communication Issues," and "Contextual barriers," were the categories derived for "Barriers to Academic achievement" based on 238 codes and 36 subcategories. Since factors such as satisfaction with educational and welfare facilities and academic motivation impact the quality of education, examining these variables from students' perspectives is beneficial for formulating regulations, providing appropriate facilities, planning for the training of capable students, and selecting suitable educational and learning processes.

Regional disparities in home health care utilization for older adults and their associated factors at the secondary medical area level: A Nationwide study in Japan.

As aging populations shift health care from hospitals to communities, Japan has implemented policies to promote home health care. This study explored regional differences in home health care recipients among older adults and related factors. We used nationwide data from 2020 to describe the proportion of older adults receiving regular home visits and the medical institutions utilized across secondary medical areas: urban, middle and depopulated areas. We examined factors associated with the proportion of patients receiving regular home visits. Exposures included each secondary medical area's medical and long-term-care (LTC) resources, adjusted for the older adult population; proportion of single-person households; and regional factors. We performed a multivariate negative binomial distribution analysis. A total of 333 secondary medical areas were included. Urban areas had more patients receiving regular home visits, primarily from enhanced home care support clinics/hospitals (HCSCs). Fewer patients received regular home visits in depopulated areas, and conventional HCSCs were more common. Multivariate analysis revealed that the number of conventional HCSCs (coefficient, 0.17 [95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.08 to 0.26]), enhanced HCSCs (coefficient, 0.21 [95% CI, 0.14 to 0.29]) and population density (coefficient, 0.10 [95% CI, 0.02 to 0.19]) were positively associated with higher home-visit rates. Beds in LTC welfare facilities (coefficient, -0.10 [95% CI, -0.19 to -0.01]) and beds in LTC health facilities (coefficient, -0.09 [95% CI, -0.17 to 0.00]) were negatively associated. Policies to promote home health care have led to high home-visit rates in urban areas. Medical and LTC resources and regional factors influence disparities. As Japan's population ages, it is crucial to recognize these disparities and develop medical and LTC systems tailored to each region's characteristics. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; ••: ••-••.

Development of a Work Systems Stress Questionnaire to predict Job Burnout: A mixed methods study based on a macroergonomics approach

Job burnout is a stress-related phenomenon that is a significant threat to the health and performance of organizations and employees. Interventions to ameliorate potentials for burnout have been limited by the lack of a comprehensive tool that considers work system stressors. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a questionnaire for predicting job burnout based on the macroergonomics work system approach. The setting was a petrochemical company in South Iran. In the qualitative phase of this sequential exploratory mixed methods research, 971 meaning codes were extracted from fourteen one-to-one and seven focus group interviews (n=59). The codes were subject to Directed Content Analysis, which yielded three themes and 15 dimensions, which were used to inform the development of reliable and valid questionnaire. Items for each of the dimensions were sourced from exiting scales. To test the developed Work System Stress Questionnaire (WSSQ) in terms of its ability to predict burnout, a survey which included demographic items, the WSSQ, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory was completed by 359 employees. Hierarchical linear regression modelling of the data indicated that Task Significance, Job Demands, Work-Life Conflict, and Work Schedule predicted Emotional Exhaustion, and altogether explained 58% variance. Task Significance, Violence and Harassment, Work-Life Conflict, and Job Insecurity predicted the Depersonalization and explained 29% variance. Decision Latitude, Welfare and Financial Facilities, Task Significance, and Structural Problems predicted Personal Accomplishment and explained 26% variance. All 15 dimensions were valid (CVI range 0.73-0.90) and reliable (Cronbach’s alpha range 0.71- 0.93). The results confirm the ability of the WSSQ to explain more variance regarding job burnout than previous studies. In turn, the WSSQ will enable remedial actions to be put into place. It may also be useful for understanding the consequences associated with other organizational ergonomic variables that are related to job stress.

An Analysis of Visitor Behaviors and Satisfaction in Urban Forests: Focused on Major Forests in Incheon

Background and objective: Urban forests have increasingly integrated recreational and welfare facilities to enhance the quality of life for urban residents. This study explores the behaviors, perceptions, and satisfaction of visitors to major forests in Incheon Metropolitan City, aiming to offer guidelines for the improvement of recreational facilities within these urban forests. By understanding visitor needs and preferences, the study seeks to contribute to the development of more user-friendly and sustainable forest environments that cater to the well-being of city dwellers.Methods: The study focused on five major forests in Incheon: Munhaksan Mountain, Cheongnyangsan Mountain, Manwolsan Mountain, Wonjeoksan Mountain, and Gyeyangsan Mountain. Data were collected through field surveys and analyzed using cross-tabulation, one-way ANOVA, and regression analysis. Based on the results, targeted recommendations were made for the enhancement of recreational facilities in each forest.Results: For Munhaksan Mountain, expanding recreational spaces and offering trail-specific programs are key priorities, along with developing a maintenance plan to improve visitor satisfaction. In Cheongnyangsan Mountain, expanding popular facilities like barefoot walking paths and optimizing the forest structure for air purification and noise reduction are needed. Manwolsan Mountain requires a more efficient maintenance system, focusing on security, amenities, and visitor services to address the issue of low satisfaction. Wonjeoksan Mountain should enhance trail safety with more CCTVs and improve amenities such as restrooms and trash disposal. Gyeyangsan Mountain needs more rest areas and amenities, addressing congestion in the northwest while preserving natural scenery and providing an information platform for younger visitors.Conclusion: This study contributes to optimizing the use of urban forests and improving the quality of life for residents by proposing a strategic framework for the development of recreational welfare in forests. The findings are expected to serve as a valuable resource for local governments in formulating rational forest management and usage plans.

Agreement for posttraumatic stress symptoms among unaccompanied young refugees and professional caregivers

ABSTRACT Background: Prevalence rates for posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in unaccompanied young refugees (UYRs) are high. Research with biological parents indicates low agreement rates between self and caregiver reports for PTSS, although caregivers play an important role as gatekeepers to ensure appropriate treatment. Objective: This study examines youth and caregiver agreement on the endorsement of different trauma types, the PTSS severity score and symptom clusters, as well as the potential association between youth factors (age, comorbidity, and duration in facility) and disagreement. Method: The sample consisted of N = 610 UYRs, aged M = 16.75 (SD = 1.33, range: 12–20) years. Of these, 91.0% were male, and 43.4% were from Afghanistan, currently residing in German children and youth welfare facilities. Results: Agreement rates across trauma types were poor (accidental trauma: Cohen’s k = .13; community violence: Cohen’s k = .07; domestic violence: Cohen’s k = .19; sexual abuse: Cohen’s k = .38). Agreement rates for the PTSS severity score (ICC = .22) and symptom clusters were poor (re-experiencing: ICC = .27; avoidance: ICC = .02; negative alterations in cognitions and mood ICC = .12; hyperarousal: ICC = .25), with youth reporting significantly higher scores. Regression models showed that having comorbid symptoms and a shorter duration in the facility were associated with higher disagreement at the PTSS severity score (Adjusted ­R 2 = .21) and across symptom clusters (re-experiencing: Adjusted ­R 2 = .13; avoidance: Adjusted ­R 2 = .07; negative alterations in cognitions and mood: Adjusted ­R 2 = .16; hyperarousal: Adjusted­ R 2 = .16). Age was not significantly associated with disagreement rates. Conclusion: It is important to enhance the awareness and comprehension of caregivers regarding recognition of mental illnesses and their symptoms as well as assessing mental health among UYRs.

노인복지시설종사자의 감정노동과 돌봄서비스 질의 관계에서 직무스트레스의 매개효과

Objectives This study seeks to verify the effect of job stress on the impact of emotional labor of workers at elderly welfare facilities on the quality of care services. Through this, the purpose was to provide basic data for the development and intervention of education and counseling programs to reduce emotional labor and job stress that affect the quality of care services. Methods For this purpose, 94 workers at elderly welfare facilities in the Daegu area were selected as research subjects and data were collected. The collected data were subjected to reliability analysis, frequency analysis, descriptive statistical analysis, and correlation analysis using SPSS 23 0. Regression analysis and Sobel Test were conducted to verify the mediation effect. Results First, the average of emotional labor was 3.004 out of 5, the average of care service quality was 3.898 out of 5, and the average of job stress was 2.667 out of 5. Second, emotional labor was found to have a significant negative effect on the quality of care services and a positive effect on job stress, and job stress was found to have a negative effect on the quality of care services. Third, job stress was found to mediate the relationship between emotional labor and quality of care services. Conclusions This study proved that job stress is an important mediating factor in the relationship between the emotional labor of elderly welfare facility workers and the quality of care services. By verifying the major variables that affect the quality of care services for workers at elderly welfare facilities, we provided implications for the development of education and counseling programs to reduce emotional labor and job stress that can increase the quality of care services.

Awareness Levels of Small-Scale Contractors Regarding the Provision of Welfare Facilities on Construction Sites in Sarawak, Malaysia

Welfare facilities on construction sites are critical to ensure workers' health, safety, and well-being. However, there is a lack of studies focusing on the awareness level of welfare facilities provisions, especially those focusing on small-scale contractors (G1-G3) in Sarawak. Hence, this study explores small-scale contractors' awareness levels regarding welfare facilities in Sarawak, Malaysia. To address this issue, the researchers employed a thorough quantitative research methodology with cross-sectional descriptive analysis, delivering a well-organized questionnaire survey primarily to small-scale contractors in Sarawak. The respondents with convenience sampling were chosen from the contractor registry of the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), specifically from Grade 1 to Grade 3. A total of 27 questionnaires were handed out, and 283 replies were gathered. The data collected from a survey utilizing a 5-point Likert Scale were analyzed using Excel and SPSS software. The research findings show that small-scale contractors are highly aware of toilet facilities, washing facilities, changing rooms and lockers, and rest facilities. Nevertheless, they are moderately aware of the drinking water based on the mean score. Therefore, the report proposes enhanced regulatory enforcement and the establishment of focused training initiatives to enhance contractors' understanding and compliance with welfare standards, particularly with the provision of drinking water. These findings are essential for improving occupational health and safety protocols within the construction industry in Sarawak.

Legal Considerations for Improving the Financial Accounting of Social Welfare Foundations and Facilities - Focusing on the Revising the "Financial Accounting Rules for Social Welfare Foundations and Facilities" -

Legal Considerations for Improving the Financial Accounting of Social Welfare Foundations and Facilities - Focusing on the Revising the "Financial Accounting Rules for Social Welfare Foundations and Facilities" -

Characteristics of the Factors of Associated with Death in Older Adults due to Dementia: Focusing on the Chungbuk Region

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristics of the factors associated with death due to dementia among the older adults in Chungbuk.Methods: A total of 1,685 the older adults aged 65 years or older who died of dementia in Chungbuk were selected as subjects for the study using raw data on the causes of death for the last five years (2018-2022) from Statistics Korea. Statistical analysis was conducted using frequency analysis and multinomial logistic regression analysis.Results: The mortality rate of dementia among the older adults aged 65 and older in Chungbuk was 3.5%, lower than the national average. There were 147 female deaths per 100,000 population, more than 87 male deaths, and by age, 1,367 were in their 90s and older, 269 were in their 80s, and 22 were in their 70s and younger (65-79). The place of death was 68.5% in medical institutions and 22.4% in social welfare facilities. Alzheimer’s disease was the most common type of dementia causing death (67.0%). The highest number of older adults with dementia died in November, and the lowest in August and September. The highest number of dementia deaths occurred on the 19th, and the lowest on the 29th and 31st, with a difference of 29 deaths. The highest number of deaths occurred at 8:00 a.m. with 102 deaths and the lowest at 2:00 a.m. with 47 deaths. Female gender and type of dementia were significantly associated with dementia death among those aged 70 and younger compared to those aged 90 and older, and female gender and place of death in a medical institution were associated with dementia death among those aged 80 and older.Conclusions: Based on this study, it is recommended to establish a policy to promote mental health in Chungbuk.

Effects of human rights sensitivity and perception of elder abuse on intention to intervene in elder abuse by workers in home welfare facilities and medical welfare facilities for older adults: A cross-sectional correlation study

Effects of human rights sensitivity and perception of elder abuse on intention to intervene in elder abuse by workers in home welfare facilities and medical welfare facilities for older adults: A cross-sectional correlation study

Changes in oral health status and function among older adults through professional oral care and rehabilitation exercises

Objectives: To develop a program that combines the oral health promotion program for the elderly and to investigate the effect of improving oral function by applying the oral health promotion program to elderly people using welfare facilities. Methods: From June to October 2022, a total of 29 elderly individuals utilizing welfare facilities in the Gyeongnam region were recruited. The control group underwent surveys and objective oral health assessments. The experimental group participated in an oral health promotion program, consisting of oral functional rehabilitation exercises and expert oral health management, conducted once a week for 8 weeks at the facilities. Objective oral health assessments were conducted before, during (at 4 weeks), and after (at 8 weeks) the intervention period for both groups. Results: As a result of the oral health promotion program, it was confirmed that there was an improvement effect in bad breath (p<0.001), saliva secretion amount (p<0.001), orbicularis oculi muscle (p<0.001), and plaque index (p<0.001). Conclusions: A revitalization plan is needed so that the efficient oral health promotion program for the elderly can be reflected as a systematic and professional community care oral health management program.

Regional inequalities in excess mortality and its community determinants during the early COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea

BackgroundExcess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic provides a comprehensive measure of disease burden, and its local variation highlights regional health inequalities. We investigated local excess mortality in 2020 and its...

Understanding spatial inequalities and stratification in transportation accessibility to social infrastructures in South Korea: multi-dimensional planning insights

This research investigated spatial inequalities in transportation accessibility to social infrastructures (SIs) in South Korea, using a multi-dimensional methodological approach, including descriptive/bivariate analysis, explanatory factor analysis (EFA), K-Mean cluster analysis, and multinomial logit model (MNL). Our study confirmed pronounced spatial disparities in transportation accessibility to SIs, highlighting significantly lower access in rural and remote regions compared to urban centers and densely populated areas, consistent with existing literature. Building on prior findings, several additional findings were identified. First, we uncovered significant positive correlations among accessibility to different types of SIs in four critical categories: green and recreation spaces, health and aged care facilities, educational institutions, and justice and emergency services, revealing prevalent spatial inequality patterns. Second, we identified three distinct accessibility clusters (High, Middle, and Low) across the critical SI categories. Specifically, residents within the High cluster benefited from the closest average network distances to all SIs, while those in the Low cluster faced significant accessibility burdens (e.g., 22.9 km for welfare facilities, 20.1 km for hospitals, and 19.2 km for elderly care facilities). Third, MNL identified factors such as population density and housing prices as pivotal in spatial stratification of accessibility. Specifically, areas with lower SI accessibility tended to have a higher proportion of elderly residents. Also, decreased accessibility correlated with diminished traffic volumes across all transportation modes, particularly public transportation. This research contributes to enhancing our understanding of spatial inequalities in transportation accessibility to SIs and offers insights crucial for transportation and urban planning.

Trends in Workshops Utilizing Art Activities for People with Disabilities in Welfare Facilities in Japan

Trends in Workshops Utilizing Art Activities for People with Disabilities in Welfare Facilities in Japan

JOB SATISFACTION OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENTISTS OF STATE AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITIES

The present study was undertaken to determine the level of job satisfaction of agricultural scientists of state agricultural universities of Gujarat state. The results regarding main indicators of job satisfaction revealed that majority of the agricultural scientists were found in medium to high level categories with respect to all the main indicators viz., compensation, promotion, training & development, career development, leadership style, welfare facilities, recognition/rewards, communication, working condition workload, working facilities job security and status indicating importance of all the indicators in contributing job satisfaction. The study explains that a large number (71.15 per cent) agricultural scientists moderately satisfied with their job in the university followed by highly satisfied (20.77 per cent) and less satisfied (08.08 per cent), respectively.

노인여가복지시설 종사자의 슈퍼비전과 조직몰입의 관계

This study analyzed the relationship between supervision, professionalism awareness, and self-leadership, which are various variablesrelated to organizational commitment that can raise the level of leisure welfare facilities for older adults. Questionnaires were distributedto 375 workers in 19 facilities in Daejeon and Chungcheongnam-do through SPSS and Amos 18.0 program. Confirmatory factor and structuralequation model analysis were used as important analysis methods. The analysis results are as follows: Firstly, the supervision of workershas a significant effect on organizational commitment. Secondly, the paths of major variables were all significant. Thirdly, the dual mediatingeffect of professionalism awareness and self-leadership was confirmed. The measures to improve workers’ organizational commitment andto provide high quality leisure services are as follows. Firstly, for enhancing the supervision for the workers, it is necessary to educatethe supervisor to balance the detailed supervision, to develop the operating system and manual of the specific supervision, and to includethe supervision in the facility evaluation. Secondly, in order to improve workers’ professionalism perception, it is necessary to provideprofessional deepening education, to examine the type of social worker qualification examination, and to create an environment to improvethe professionalism voluntarily. Thirdly, for developing their self-leadership, it is desirable to include various supports of managers,self-leadership in job training and appropriate compensation for work performance caused by self-leadership.

A STUDY ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LABOUR WELFARE SCHEMES AND ITS IMPACT ON JOB SATISFACTION AMONG WORKERS IN TITAN WATCH COMPANY, HOSUR – A CASE STUDY

In an industrial economy, the workers are subject to periodic unemployment due to cyclical fluctuations in business, sickness, industrial accidents and old age. In India it has the obligation from the Government side to help the labourers and provide them security and adopt labour welfare measures in the form of various schemes such as Workmen’s Compensation Act, Employees’ State Insurance Act, Finances and Contributions, Sickness benefit, Medical benefit, Maternity benefit, Disablement benefit, Dependents’ benefit, Employees’ Provident Fund and Bonus schemes, Gratuity Scheme and Employees’ Pension Scheme. All these welfare schemes have followed and adopted in industries for the welfare of labourers both men and women. So, the present study is done to understand the various labour welfare facilities such as statutory and non-statutory welfare facilities provided by the company to labourers / workers namely TITAN watch company, Hosur, and its impact on job satisfaction. This study shows the positive relation between welfare facilities such as medical facilities, crèche, canteen facilities, recreation, toilet facilities, rest room facilities, reading room, loan facilities for their children’s education, marriage, housing loan, insurance coverage etc. and job satisfaction. Job satisfaction is very important to know the level of contribution to workers towards his / her work and how welfare facilities affect. Labour welfare schemes are provided to strengthen man power in both physically and mentally. Thus, these facilities are more effective in improving the performance and building the morale of every worker working in industries, in order to increase the productivity of labourers.

Protecting the health and welfare of Japanese women: Yoshioka Yayoi and her visit to Nazi Germany in 1939

ABSTRACT In 1939, Yoshioka Yayoi embarked on a trip to Nazi Germany on behalf of the Japanese government, to observe local maternal healthcare and welfare policies and facilities. As a prominent woman doctor and women’s rights activist, Yoshioka actively engaged in social and medical activism in Japan in the interwar years, eventually becoming a key leader in various government-sponsored women’s groups during World War II. Through an analysis of Yoshioka’s 1939 trip hosted by the Nazi Women’s leader, Gertrud Scholtz-Klink, this article looks to uncover salient features of the transnational network established between Japanese and Nazi women leaders. With reference to Yoshioka’s observations on maternal protection in Nazi Germany, this article also evaluates her strategic adaptation of Nazi policies to improve maternal welfare and healthcare in Japan, as well as the reception of these policies in a global context. Furthermore, it examines the alignment and disparities between Yoshioka’s perspectives and those of the wartime Japanese government, revealing the complexities faced by women leaders in navigating between women’s and national interests during the wartime period.

A Scoping Review of Research Trends in Forest Therapy Programs by Subject Types: Focused on KCD-8

Background and objective: This study reviewed forest therapy program studies by applying the scoping review methodology to provide recommendations for future research and basic data for the development of forest therapy programs.Methods: Data collection was conducted from April 1 to 5, 2022 using South Korean literature databases (RISS, KISS, Science ON, DBpia) and international literature databases (SCOPUS, PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE). Focusing on papers published by March 31, 2022, while considering the publication year, we finally selected 118 papers (99 from South Korea and 19 from other countries).Results: Starting with the first study in 1996, research in South Korea was conducted in earnest since 2006. The study subjects primarily comprised those who were vulnerable to stress, such as office and labor workers, children at community child care centers, and families of patients, followed by mental health and physical patients. In terms of program characteristics, the site types primarily included general forests and forest welfare facilities, and in terms of seasons, summer accounted for the highest proportion, followed by spring and fall, which showed similar proportions. The programs primarily included one-day multiple-session and lodging types. Upon examining the structure of the programs, we observed that the majority of lodging type programs were 3 days and 2 nights programs and 2 days and 1night programs. In contrast, one-day multiple-session programs were primarily conducted in a once-a-week cycle, with 6 to 10 sessions.Conclusion: Through the results of this study, we examined the current status and scope of forest therapy program research. The findings are expected to be used as a basis for expanding forest therapy program research to collaborate with stakeholders in the health and medical fields in the future.