• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2020

Objectives : The purpose of study was estimation of adverse events [AEs] scale relating herbal medicine in Korea using Korean Medicine Utilization and Herbal Medicine Consumption Survey (National statistics No. 117087). Methods : Using microdata of Korean Medicine Utilization and Herbal Medicine Consumption Survey 2017, the number of inpatients and outpatients who experienced AEs was calculated. The microdata included AEs of all treatment methods that have been performed by visiting Korean medical institutions for one year, so set up the data into three models; model A (in case all treatments were only herbal medicine for one year), model B (in case herbal medicines were a part of all treatment methods in 1 year), model C (in case herbal medicines were a part of treatment methods at least one time in 1 year). The proportion of patients who experienced AEs during the last 1 year was calculated and then, the number of AEs relating herbal medicine was estimated. Results : A total of 1,010 outpatients and 904 inpatients were included in Korean Medicine Utilization and Herbal Medicine Consumption Survey 2017. The number of patients who had experienced AEs in the past 1 year was 0 in the model A, 9 in the model B (5 for outpatients, 4 for inpatients), and 19 in the model C (10 for outpatients, 9 for inpatients). By consideration for the complex sample survey, estimating the number of AEs relating herbal medicine, the model A was 0, the model B was 36,457 patients (0 to 75,526 patients), and the model C was 84,830 patients (26,314 to 143,347 patients). Conclusion : From the results of this study, it was possible to estimate the scale of AEs relating herbal medicines in Korea, suggesting that it is necessary to understand the actual condition of AEs and establish its management system.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.145-158
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• 2022

Objectives: To identify changes in the subjects and methods of Herbal Medicine Consumption Survey, and analyze trend of the key results Methods: The population, methods, and items of the basic reports of all Surveys on Consumption of Herbal Medicine(HM) were organized in a time-series manner. The analysis items were trend in the purchase of standardized HM; consumption value share, and price of prepared HM; type of herbal dispensary; and awareness of HM policy in Koran Medicine(KM) institutions. Results: The price of HM preparations showed an upward trend in 2011, 2014, and 2017 surveys, and decreased in the 2020 survey. However, despite this recent decrease, the 2021 survey also saw the highest proportion of HM users reporting that price of herbal decoction is expensive. Furthermore, the demand for expanded coverage of herbal decoction was the greatest for the expansion of health insurance benefits. Efforts such as adjusting the number of covered diseases and the cost of health insurance coverage would be necessary. Regarding decoction dispensaries the proportion of HM hospitals using only extramural herbal dispensaries increased. Finally, the consumption of HM and the size of the HM industry has continued to expand due to the large-scale branding of KM institutions and the expansion of health insurance coverage. Conclusion: Future surveys must standardize and unify the items for the time-series continuity and compare the results with government statistics reports on HM to increase reliability. Moreover, specialized survey items may be developed for KM, to establish a better and efficient distribution system for domestic HMs.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.17-28
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• 2022

Objectives : This study was conducted to prepare basic data for improving the system related to Extramural herbal dispensaries by analyzing the characteristic factors of Korean medicine clinics that affect the type of Extramural herbal dispensaries. Methods : This study utilized '2021 Korean Herbal Medicine Consumption Survey', with 1,817 final participants. We performed ANOVA to compare the characteristics of Korean medicine clinics according to the type of extramural herbal dispensary. Multinomial logistic regression analysis were conducted to analyze characteristics of Korean medicine clinics affecting the form of extramural dispensaries. Results : Among Korean medicine clinics, 71.22% of the institutions used only the intraherbal dispensaries, 11.12% of the institutions used the Extramural herbal dispensaries in parallel, and 17.67% of the institutions used only the Extramural herbal dispensaries. The characteristics of Korean medicine clinics that increased the probability of concurrently using extramural herbal dispensaries were institution area, bed presence or absence, number of regular workers, region, number of prescriptions for insurance herbal medicines, and number of prescriptions for uninsured herbal medicines. The characteristics of Korean medicine clinics, which increase the probability of using only extramural herbal dispensaries, were age, durations of clinical experience, specialist license, franchise, area, bed presence or absence, number of regular workers, number of prescriptions for uninsured herbal medicines, and price of treatment for diseases. Conclusion : The reason why Korean medicine clinics use extramural herbal dispensaries is the result of a combination of efficient use of clinic size and the preparation of uninsured herbal medicines.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.13-20
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• 2019

Objectives : The aim of this study is to investigate the use experience of other medical institution of outpatients of Korean medical institution. Methods : Cross-sectional study using the 2017 Korean Medicine Utilization and Herbal Medicine Consumption Survey was conducted. Demographic variables and frequent diseases were analyzed according to the experience of using other medical institutions. The proportions of experience of using other medical institutions of patients with frequent diseases of Korean medical outpatient were analyzed. Results : Fifty-three percent of outpatient had experiencing using other medical institutions for the same symptoms. The frequent diseases of the two groups were similar. The proportion of single use of Korean medicine for injury of lumbar and pelvic, rhinitis, and menstrual disorders were relatively high. Conclusions : There was no notable difference in the frequent diseases according to use experience of other medical institution. Further studies on this topic are needed.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.87-100
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors affecting Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure in children and adolescents using the results of the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 3. Methods: A total of 2,380 subjects (n=571, 887, and 922 for 3-5, 6-11, and 12-17 years of age, respectively) were analyzed using an environmental exposure survey and environmental chemical substances concentration levels. Univariable linear regression analysis was performed to determine associated variables such as sex, age, income level, housing type, secondhand smoke time, cup noodles and canned food consumption, seafood consumption, new furniture (within the previous six months), drinking water type, and consumption of herbal medicines. Variables with p-values of less than 0.2 were extracted from the results and a multivariable linear regression analysis was performed using stepwise selection. Results: Univariable linear regression analysis showed positive associations between BPA concentration levels and variables including sex, age, secondhand smoke time, new furniture (within the previous six months), renovated living space (within the previous six months), fish and shellfish consumption, plastic-bottled drink consumption, and herbal medicine. As a result of performing multivariable linear regression analysis, the lower was the age the higher was the concentration of BPA levels. Additionally, women showed higher BPA levels than those of men. The more frequently fish was consumed, the higher was the BPA concentration. Moreover, higher BPA concentrations were observed when taking herbal medicine. Conclusions: The main factors affecting BPA concentration levels were age, gender, and consumption of fish and herbal medicine.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.85-98
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• 2021

Objectives : This study aimed to analyze characteristics of the Korean Medicine users aged 19-39 years, the determinants of Korean Medicine use and effects of Korean Medicine use experience on behavioral intentions among youths. Methods : We studied Korean Medicine Utilization and Herbal Medicine Consumption Survey(2017) data set by complex-sample survey data analysis. In order to derive the characteristics of younger users, Rao-scott χ² test and t-test were conducted. Through multiple logistic regression model adjusted by general characteristic variables, the determinants and behavioral intentions of the Korean Medicine utilization among youths were derived. Results : Fist of all, young users and non-users have significant differences in socio-demographic characteristics and perception on Korean Medicine. Among the general characteristic variables, region, age, marital status, occupation, chronic disease, and private health insurance plans had an effect on the Korean Medicine use in young people(Model II). And adjusted by general characteristic variables as control variables, awareness of Korean Medicine and perception of safety of herbal medicine were deduced as determinants of Korean Medicine use(Model III). Secondly, Korean Medicine use experience increased intentions to use and recommend Korean Medicine services(Model IV-1, 3). Conclusions : In order to increase the use of Korean Medicine among young people, Korean Medicine institutions should strive to increase users' satisfaction, and public health insurance coverage for Korean Medicine services needs to be expanded.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2024

Objectives : This study aims to systematically examine the determinants of the intention to take herbal medicine among individuals with experience in Korean medicine. Methods : This study utilized the 3,245 respondents from the 2020 Korean Medicine Utilization and Herbal Medicine Consumption Survey who reported having used Korean medical services; the responses were selected through a complex sample analysis, and analytics techniques including frequency analysis, Rao-scott chisquare test, and logistic regression were used to analyze the responses. Results : The results of data analysis reveal that the intention to take herbal medicine in the future among these individuals was significantly influenced by factors such as enrollment in private health insurance, the facility environment of Korean medical institutions, and treatment outcomes. Conclusions : Therefore, it is imperative for Korean medical institutions to continuously try reasonable action strategies, including improving medical facilities/environments and building institutional mechanisms among medical staff and members to enhance the quality of Korean medical services. Additionally, the Ministry of Health and Welfare needs to make policy efforts to reduce patients' medical expenses, such as reducing the co-insurance rate in the pilot project of applying health insurance to herbal medicine.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.327-334
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact on people's willingness to take korean medicine based on the perception of korean medicine treatment effects by disease, and provide basic data when the herbal medicine (pharmacology) health insurance pilot project is carried out. The survey 'Usage and Consumption of Korean Medicine Report in 2017' was used, and frequency analysis, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis were conducted on 3,032 people. Logistic regression results showed that the perception of herbal treatment effects on digestive diseases and arthritis was a significant factor in the future intention to take korean medicine. As the herbal medicine health insurance pilot project aims to popularize herbal medicine treatment through the management of the quality of korean medicine by incorporating it within the system, it is necessary to consider highly acceptable digestive diseases and arthritis when expanding target diseases.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.237-242
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• 2017

In this study, to investigate of safety for Benzo(a)pyrene in medicinal herb, 8 kinds of selected commercial herbal medicines (Rehmanniae Radix, Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, Amomi Tsao-Ko Fructus, Cimicifugae Rhizoma, Cyperi Rhizoma, Magnoliae Cortex, Scutellariae Radix, Scrophulariae Radix) were analysed using the high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector and assessed the health risk. The levels of benzo(a)pyrene were from non-detection to $28.1{\mu}g/kg$, and the average was $3.6{\mu}g/kg$. Based on a nationwide survey of the consumption of medicinal herb by the Korean population, we estimated the potential risk from the ingestion of benzo(a)pyrene. The estimated daily intake of benzo(a)pyrene was 1.6 ng/kg b.w./day for group only know the daily average intake of medicinal herb. The MOE (margin of exposure) of benzo(a)pyrene for estimate of health risk was $1.93{\times}10^5$. Therefore, health risk from benzo(a)pyrene through intake of herbal medicine was considered negligible.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.29-46
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• 2013

A survey conducted on 1,103 patients or caretakers visited Korean medical clinics and hospitals between August 25, 2011 to September 30, 2011 by the Ministry of Health and Welfares and Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs was analyzed and obtained following results: 1. For sociodemographic distribution, female(813) outnumbered male(290) patients with majority of patients ranging from 30s to 60s. Married patients(793) outnumbered unwed(150) patients and 65.0% with higher than high school education. Statistical significance was seen in gender, age, marital status, and education level but no significant difference for status of employment, income level, and types of insurance between the clinics and hospitals. (P<0.05). 45.1% had less than \2,000,000 in monthly salary and most of coverage was provided by either regional or work insurance. 2. 67.9% of the patients rated health conditions to be better than average and 32.1% listed as poor. People in good health showed tendency to visit Korean medical facilities. Musculo-skeletal conditions such as arthritis, ankle sprain, lumbago, muscular injury, and frozen shoulder were common conditions, followed by gastric disorders, common cold and herbal tonics. No significant difference was observed between the clinics and hospitals for above conditions, but significance was seen in atopic dermatitis, stroke, and sequela from traffic accidents (P<0.05). 3. Ten most common conditions addressed at Korean medical facilities were lumbago, arthritis, muscular injury, back sprain, gastric disorders, ankle sprain, common cold, herbal tonics, frozen shoulder and stroke. Major treatment modalities rendered were herbal medicine, herbal supplements, acupuncture and moxibustion, cupping, tuina, and Korean midical physical therapy. No significant difference existed between the clinics and hospitals. 4. All modalities showed at least 85% effectiveness. No statistical significant difference between the clinics and hospitals except for herbal decoction. (P=0.0452) 5. 88.3% of responses showed treatment satisfaction with significant difference between the clinics and hospitals (P=0.002). The occurrence of side effects was at 2%, mostly corning from treating digestive, skin, kidney disorders and neurological issues. No significant difference was observed between the clinics and hospitals. From the above results, the typical population visiting Korean medical facilities can be summarized as being middle aged female with relatively higher education and moderately low income. The health condition is generally good and the purpose of visit is to receive traditional treatments of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and physical therapy. Treatment efficacy and satisfaction were high with no significant differences between the clinics and hospitals.