Journal of preventive medicine and public health = Yebang Uihakhoe chi最新文献

{"title":"Association Between Serum Trace Elements and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Iranian Adults: Multiple-exposure Models.","authors":"Habibolah Khazaie, Samaneh Nakhaee, Zohreh Manoochehri, Omran Davarinejad, Ayoob Rezaei, Borhan Mansouri, Adele Elahi, Saba Kakaei","doi":"10.3961/jpmph.25.904","DOIUrl":"10.3961/jpmph.25.904","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The association between trace elements and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) remains an active area of research, and further studies are needed to clarify these relationships. This study examined correlations between serum essential trace element concentrations and polysomnography-confirmed OSA.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study included patients recruited from the Sleep Disorders Center of Farabi Hospital in western Iran. Participants were classified as patients with OSA (n=54) or controls without OSA (n=45).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Iron (Fe) levels were significantly higher in participants with OSA than in controls (p=0.04). Higher Fe levels were associated with greater odds of OSA (p for trend=0.02). Participants in the fourth Fe quartile had higher odds of OSA than those in the lowest quartile, although this association was of borderline statistical significance (odds ratio [OR], 3.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96 to 10.00; p=0.06). In contrast, participants in the second and third magnesium (Mg) quartiles had lower odds of OSA than those in the first quartile (Q2: OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.96; Q3: OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.82). In the generalized weighted quantile sum regression model, the association between the metal mixture and OSA was not statistically significant (β=-0.22, p=0.59).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Serum concentrations of selected micronutrients may be associated with OSA. The findings suggested a positive association between higher Fe concentrations and OSA, whereas intermediate Mg concentrations were associated with lower odds of OSA.</p>","PeriodicalId":520687,"journal":{"name":"Journal of preventive medicine and public health = Yebang Uihakhoe chi","volume":" ","pages":"498-508"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13668386/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148842760","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of an Integrated 6-Year Preventive Medicine Curriculum for Medical Students in Korea: An Expert-informed Deliberative Curriculum Development Study.","authors":"Junmoo Ahn, Yune Sik Kang, Kwan Lee, Jae-Hyun Park, So Yeon Ryu, Mina Ha, Yong-Jun Choi, Juhwan Oh, Seung-Hee Lee","doi":"10.3961/jpmph.26.706","DOIUrl":"10.3961/jpmph.26.706","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In Korea, preventive medicine education has remained fragmented across the undergraduate curriculum, with limited longitudinal continuity and increasing pressure to incorporate population health, healthcare systems, community practice, planetary health, and digital health. This study aimed to develop an integrated 6-year preventive medicine curriculum for medical students that would support health promotion, disease prevention, and social accountability at the individual and population levels. We conducted an expert-informed deliberative curriculum development study framed by Walker's deliberative (naturalistic) model and supplemented by Kern's 6-step approach. The development process comprised a literature review and planning activities, 2 curriculum development workshops, 2 structured group deliberation sessions with preventive medicine faculty leaders, small-group meetings, a confirmation workshop, and signature course development meetings. Development records and curriculum artifacts generated through this process were subjected to descriptive synthesis. The final curriculum specified 1 educational purpose, 4 educational objectives, 7 competencies, 5 curricular domains, 3 learning levels, 102 instructional hours, Foundational and Applied course labels, 6 signature courses, and instructional guidebooks. It arranges healthcare systems, determinants of health and disease, planetary health, community-based preventive medicine practice, and integrative analysis of complex health issues along a progression from foundational concepts to advanced integrative application. Expert deliberation refined course terminology, clarified learning progression and course placement, and identified issues relevant to anticipated implementation feasibility. The proposed curriculum positions preventive medicine as a longitudinal, spiral, competency-linked component of undergraduate medical education. As a national reference framework, it is intended to help future physicians connect evidence, systems, communities, and emerging public health challenges with proactive health promotion and disease prevention.</p>","PeriodicalId":520687,"journal":{"name":"Journal of preventive medicine and public health = Yebang Uihakhoe chi","volume":" ","pages":"437-447"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13668384/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148932433","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Protecting Informational Self-determination in AI-driven Precision Oncology: Privacy, Ethics, and Governance Challenges.","authors":"Minsoo Jung","doi":"10.3961/jpmph.26.094","DOIUrl":"10.3961/jpmph.26.094","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming cancer care, from diagnosis and risk prediction to treatment planning and drug development. These advances depend on the large-scale integration of genomic, imaging, and clinical data, intensifying privacy and ethical concerns. This study examines emerging challenges in AI-driven precision oncology and explores strategies for protecting patients' informational self-determination through a narrative ethical and policy analysis informed by recent empirical and technical research. Even data considered de-identified, including molecular and imaging profiles, may enable inference of sensitive attributes through machine-learning analytics. Although many patients support the clinical promise of AI, they express concerns about secondary data use without meaningful consent, commercialization, and security breaches. Privacy violations threaten autonomy, confidentiality, and trust and may exacerbate existing inequities. Current regulatory frameworks, including the General Data Protection Regulation and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, focus primarily on identifiability and the removal of explicit identifiers. However, AI systems generate risks not only through re-identification but also through inferential analytics that derive new privacy-relevant information, such as disease susceptibility or familial risk, from ostensibly anonymized data. Addressing these gaps requires multilayered governance that combines privacy-preserving technologies, dynamic consent, data minimization, transparency, and strengthened legal safeguards to sustain public trust.</p>","PeriodicalId":520687,"journal":{"name":"Journal of preventive medicine and public health = Yebang Uihakhoe chi","volume":" ","pages":"428-431"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13470088/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148440715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effectiveness of an Innovative Leg Support Ring for Lower Limb Muscle Rehabilitation Among Older Adults in Eastern Thailand: A Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Kaittisak Wataksorn, Phannathat Tanthanapanyakorn, Pitchapa Sankasem, Nattaya Rorakklang, Atitaya Samaikun, Chanthima Khumthong, Nonlapan Khantikulanon, Chaninan Praserttai, Sootthikarn Mungkhunthod","doi":"10.3961/jpmph.26.109","DOIUrl":"10.3961/jpmph.26.109","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Thailand is rapidly transitioning to an aged society. Lower limb muscle weakness among older adults is associated with increased fall risk, loss of independence, and reduced quality of life (QoL). Although exercise can improve strength and mobility, many community-dwelling older adults face barriers to participation. We evaluated the effectiveness of an innovative leg support ring for lower limb muscle rehabilitation among older adults in Eastern Thailand.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This randomized controlled trial, repeated-measures study included 64 adults aged 60 years or older with lower limb muscle weakness and activities of daily living (ADL) scores of 9-11. The intervention group (n=32) used the leg support ring for 12 weeks (3-5 day/wk), while the control group (n=32) received standard care and continued usual physical exercise. Leg motor power, range of motion (ROM), ADL, and QoL were assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at the 3-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Compared with control participants, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements in motor power of the quadriceps, hamstrings, hip flexors, ankle dorsiflexors, and ankle plantar flexors (p<0.001) and ROM for hip flexion, hip extension, knee flexion, and ankle plantar flexion (p<0.05). ADL and QoL also demonstrated significantly greater improvements (p<0.001). These improvements were sustained or further increased at the 3-month follow-up.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The leg support ring program was associated with improvements in lower limb strength, mobility, functional independence, and QoL among older adults. Its simplicity and accessibility may support integration into community-based health promotion programs for active aging.</p>","PeriodicalId":520687,"journal":{"name":"Journal of preventive medicine and public health = Yebang Uihakhoe chi","volume":" ","pages":"352-363"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13469900/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148440586","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Stage-specific Healthcare Burden of Fall-related Injuries Among Older Adults in Korea.","authors":"Minseok Kim, Taekwon Kim, Kyungsub Song, Sang-Hun Lee, Jonghoon Yoo","doi":"10.3961/jpmph.26.053","DOIUrl":"10.3961/jpmph.26.053","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to describe the distribution of fall-related injury burden across healthcare stages and age groups in Korea, with particular emphasis on differences between young-old adults (aged 65-74 years) and old-old adults (aged ≥75 years).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using the 14th Korea National Injury Statistics Report (2022), we analyzed data on fall-related injuries from 5 national sources: the 119 Emergency Medical Services Registry, the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS), the Korea National Hospital Discharge In-depth Injury Survey, the Severe Trauma Survey, and cause-of-death statistics. Five age groups (0-6, 7-18, 19-64, 65-74, and ≥75 years) were defined according to the original classifications used in the data sources. Age-specific crude rates were calculated using mid-year population denominators from Statistics Korea.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Emergency department (ED) visit rates were highest among children aged 0-6 years (2312/100 000) and adults aged ≥75 years (2121/100 000). Despite comparable ED visit rates, the within-NEDIS ED admission rate increased from 2.6% among children aged 0-6 years to 42.9% among adults aged ≥75 years. The hospitalization rate among adults aged ≥75 years (4852/100 000) was 2.6 times higher than that among adults aged 65-74 years (1832/100 000). Among adults aged ≥75 years, the mortality rate was 32.5/100 000, and this age group accounted for 45.4% of all fall-related deaths.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Fall-related injury burden among adults aged ≥75 years was disproportionately concentrated at the hospitalization and mortality stages. These findings suggest that fall prevention strategies for aging populations should consider the downstream burden beyond ED visits.</p>","PeriodicalId":520687,"journal":{"name":"Journal of preventive medicine and public health = Yebang Uihakhoe chi","volume":" ","pages":"403-410"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13469901/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148440723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association Between Prolonged Sedentary Time and Elevated High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein Among Korean Adults Aged 65 Years or Older: KNHANES 2022.","authors":"Roma Seol, Chaemin Chun, Sang Ok Cho","doi":"10.3961/jpmph.26.091","DOIUrl":"10.3961/jpmph.26.091","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Sedentary behavior has emerged as a health risk factor distinct from insufficient physical activity. This study examined the association between sedentary time and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation, among Korean older adults.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data were obtained from the 2022 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Among 1667 participants aged 65 years or older with available hs-CRP measurements, 496 with leukocyte counts ≥10 000 cells/mm3 or hs-CRP levels ≥10.0 mg/L were excluded, yielding a final sample of 1171 participants. hs-CRP levels ≥1.0 mg/L were classified as abnormal. Differences in the prevalence of abnormal hs-CRP were assessed using the chi-square test, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between sedentary time and abnormal hs-CRP after adjustment for covariates.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of abnormal hs-CRP was higher among participants who did not engage in regular walking (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 to 1.46) and those with adverse cardiometabolic profiles, including elevated blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and abdominal obesity. It was also higher among participants with sedentary time ≥10 hr/day (PR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.41). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, prolonged sedentary time remained associated with abnormal hs-CRP levels after adjustment for covariates (odds ratio, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.71).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Prolonged sedentary time was independently associated with elevated hs-CRP levels among Korean adults aged 65 years or older. Accordingly, sedentary behavior reduction may be a useful target for chronic disease prevention strategies in older populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":520687,"journal":{"name":"Journal of preventive medicine and public health = Yebang Uihakhoe chi","volume":" ","pages":"373-380"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13470089/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148440399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reassessing Early COVID-19 Strategies in East Asia: Insights From Japan and Korea.","authors":"Duk-Hee Lee, Hideki Kakeya","doi":"10.3961/jpmph.26.274","DOIUrl":"10.3961/jpmph.26.274","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>East Asian countries had remarkably low coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality in 2020, a pattern widely cited as evidence of effective public health interventions. However, Japan and Korea-often classified as having followed similar early intervention strategies-adopted substantially different approaches. These differences are largely obscured by commonly used stringency indices and policy score analyses. While neither country implemented a lockdown, Korea pursued an aggressive, government-mandated strategy based on extensive testing, isolation, quarantine, and compulsory data collection. In contrast, Japan relied on a voluntary model with limited mass testing, a policy that drew strong criticism during the early phase of the pandemic. Because asymptomatic COVID-19 infection was highly prevalent, these divergent testing policies were particularly important in shaping patterns of community transmission. Using excess mortality as a comprehensive outcome metric, Japan's outcomes were as favorable as Korea's through the pre-Omicron period, despite Japan's limited testing. In 2020, excess mortality was negligible in both countries (-1.7% in Japan vs. +0.3 to +2.1% in Korea). In 2021, excess mortality increased modestly (+2.2% vs. +4.0 to +5.6%). However, in 2022, despite approximately 80% vaccination coverage in both countries, excess mortality reached +7.6% in Japan and about +20% in Korea-three times the Japanese level despite Korea's much higher booster rate. These patterns of excess mortality in 2 countries with contrasting testing strategies challenge the view that East Asia's early success stemmed primarily from stringent virus suppression measures. They highlight the need to consider alternative explanations, including the possibility that pre-existing immunity differed substantially across geographical regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":520687,"journal":{"name":"Journal of preventive medicine and public health = Yebang Uihakhoe chi","volume":" ","pages":"343-351"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13469655/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148440650","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Primary Healthcare Utilization of Undocumented Migrants in Busan, South Korea: A Retrospective Chart Review of a Free Clinic From 2020 to 2024.","authors":"Yujin Lee, Hyunjin Moon, Saerom Kim","doi":"10.3961/jpmph.26.037","DOIUrl":"10.3961/jpmph.26.037","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study examined healthcare utilization patterns and health needs among undocumented migrants attending a free clinic in Busan, South Korea.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We retrospectively analyzed clinical records from 750 undocumented migrants who made 2111 clinic visits between 2020 and 2024. The primary outcome was the number of clinic visits. Diagnoses were classified using the International Classification of Primary Care, Second Edition. Mixed-effects negative binomial regression, with nationality specified as a random intercept, was used to model visit counts and to assess interaction effects between gender and other variables.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Cardiovascular and endocrine diseases were the most prevalent conditions, with chronic diseases accounting for a substantial proportion of clinic visits. In multivariable analysis accounting for gender-based effect modification (model 2), older age was significantly associated with increased visit frequency (β=0.030; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.014 to 0.045, p<0.001). The association between chronic disease and visit frequency differed significantly by gender (gender×chronic disease interaction, β=0.488; 95% CI, 0.053 to 0.924, p=0.028). Linear combination testing indicated that men with chronic diseases visited the clinic 1.9 times as frequently as men without chronic disease, whereas chronic disease status showed little association with visit frequency among women.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Undocumented migrants attending the free clinic experienced a substantial burden of chronic disease, and healthcare utilization patterns differed by gender. These findings highlight the need for inclusive healthcare policies and targeted interventions for this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":520687,"journal":{"name":"Journal of preventive medicine and public health = Yebang Uihakhoe chi","volume":" ","pages":"421-427"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13469654/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148440589","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Behavioral Segmentation of Integrative Care Use Among Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis in a Rural District in Northern Thailand.","authors":"Kitrawee Jiraratsatit, Wijittra Ubolkam, Kaysorn Sumpowthong","doi":"10.3961/jpmph.26.263","DOIUrl":"10.3961/jpmph.26.263","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To identify behavioral segments of integrative care use among older adults with knee osteoarthritis in a rural district in Northern Thailand and to compare these segments according to PRECEDE-related factors and baseline characteristics.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This analytical cross-sectional study included 302 community-dwelling older adults with primary knee osteoarthritis in Thoen District, Lampang Province, Northern Thailand. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire that assessed demographic and health characteristics, PRECEDE-related factors, and behaviors across 3 care domains: professional medical care, traditional medicine, and community-based medicine. Standardized behavioral domain scores were analyzed using hierarchical cluster analysis, followed by k-means clustering. Differences among segments were examined using chi-square tests, one-way analysis of variance, or Kruskal-Wallis tests, as appropriate.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three behavioral segments were identified: high engagement (20.9%), intermediate engagement (48.0%), and low engagement (31.1%). The 3 behavioral domains differed significantly across segments (all p<0.001; η2=0.400-0.535). Baseline demographic and health characteristics did not differ significantly among segments. In contrast, significant differences among segments were observed for the total enabling score, access, decision-making, total reinforcing score, social support, and attitude, whereas perceived information showed no significant difference.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Older adults with knee osteoarthritis were not behaviorally homogeneous in their use of professional, traditional, and community-based care. Segment differences were more pronounced for enabling and reinforcing conditions than for perceived information alone. These findings support segment-informed health promotion strategies in primary care and community settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":520687,"journal":{"name":"Journal of preventive medicine and public health = Yebang Uihakhoe chi","volume":" ","pages":"411-420"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13469652/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148440608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Social Networking Service Usage Behaviors and Loneliness Among Adults in Seoul, Korea: A Population-based Cross-sectional Study.","authors":"Kang Seo, Kun-Hee Oh, Baek-Yong Choi, Jin-Young Min, Kyoung-Bok Min, Seung-Woo Ryoo, Seok-Yoon Son, Ji-Hyeon Lee, Taehoon Kim","doi":"10.3961/jpmph.26.024","DOIUrl":"10.3961/jpmph.26.024","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Although social network services (SNS) are prevalent globally, the relationship between SNS use and loneliness remains complex, particularly regarding qualitative behavioral patterns. This study examined associations between specific SNS behaviors and loneliness among Seoul adults and explored differences by age and digital literacy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data from the 2024 Seoul Survey were analyzed (n=34 142; mean age, 52.3 years). Loneliness was assessed with 2 items measuring isolation in family and non-family relationships. Five SNS behavioral domains were examined: active use, information-seeking use, communication priority, social comparison, and exclusionary feeling. Digital literacy was dichotomized using an 8-item scale, with scores ≥6 considered high. Multivariable logistic regression estimated adjusted associations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall SNS use was associated with lower odds of loneliness than non-use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83 to 0.98). However, higher odds were observed for specific SNS behaviors compared with non-use: active use (aOR, 1.24), communication priority (aOR, 1.26), social comparison (aOR, 1.50), and exclusionary feeling (aOR, 1.66); information-seeking use was not significant (aOR, 1.11). A dose-response pattern peaked at 3 problematic behaviors (aOR, 3.21; 95% CI, 2.82 to 3.65). Associations between SNS behaviors and loneliness were stronger among adults aged ≥60 years and participants with high digital literacy.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although overall SNS use was associated with modestly lower odds of loneliness, qualitative SNS engagement-particularly problematic behaviors-was strongly associated with higher odds. Older adults and participants with high digital literacy appeared particularly vulnerable when performing problematic SNS behaviors, underscoring the need for behavior-focused, population-tailored education and interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":520687,"journal":{"name":"Journal of preventive medicine and public health = Yebang Uihakhoe chi","volume":" ","pages":"381-391"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13469653/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148440672","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}