PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.18 No.19, May 15, 2025 Article TypeOriginal ArticlesQuickStatsSurveillance Reports

• Surveillance Reports 2025-05-15

  0 259 127

  Survey on Intestinal Helminth Infections in the Endemic Regions, 2024

  Tae Yun Kim , Myoung-Ro Lee , Jung-Won Ju , Seon-Ok Baek , Young-Ju Lee , Eunsol Lee , Hee-Il Lee

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(19): 707-719 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.19.1

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: Soil-transmitted parasites have replaced foodborne parasites as the major source of intestinal parasitic infections in the Republic of Korea (ROK). The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has conducted surveys and implemented treatment programs to control helminthiasis in Clonorchis sinensis –endemic regions. This study discusses the findings of the 2024 survey program and key public health implications.
  Methods: In 2024, 26,985 we collected stool specimens from residents of 39 districts within the five major river basins of the ROK. Specimens pretreated using the ParaEgg kit were subsequently examined under a microscope. Intestinal parasite infection rates were systematically analyzed.
  Results: The overall egg-positive rate for intestinal parasites was 4.5%. C. sinensis exhibited the highest egg positive rate at 2.3%, followed by minute intestinal flukes, Trichuris trichiura, Gymnophalloides seoi, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Capillaria philippinensis. The highest egg positive rate was observed in the specimens from the Seomjin-gang river basin (6.3%), while those from the Nakdong-gang (3.9%), Yeongsan-gang (2.3%), Han-gang (2.3%), and Geum-gang (0.9%) basins exhibited lower rates. Specimens from Hadong-gun (county), Gurye-gun, and Andong-si (city) recorded particularly high intestinal parasite egg positive rates, exceeding 10% in each case. However, the C. sinensis egg positive rate of the Andong-si specimens was 9.1%.
  Conclusions: The findings of the 2024 program indicate a sustained decline in intestinal helminth infections within endemic regions. However, persistently elevated C. sinensis infection rates in some regions underscore the need for ongoing surveys, treatments, and public health education. Focused control in high C. sinensis –endemic areas is proposed as a key strategy toward the eradication of intestinal helminthiasis in ROK.

• Original Articles 2025-05-15

  0 315 119

  Annual Incidence and Risk Factors of Alcohol Initiation among Korean Youth

  Jun Hyun Hwang , Inho Park , Soon-Woo Park

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(19): 720-732 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.19.2

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: Underage drinking is a major public health concern; however, longitudinal research on its incidence and predisposing factors among Korean youth remains limited. This study examined the grade-specific incidence of alcohol initiation and its risk factors using longitudinal data on Korean adolescents.
  Methods: This study analyzed data from 3,681 grade 6 students who participated in all five waves (2019–2023) of the Korean Youth Health Behavior Panel Survey, excluding 305 students who had prior drinking experience at baseline.
  Results: The incidence rates of alcohol initiation were 5.3% in grade 7, 6.4% in grade 8, 8.2% in grade 9, and 11.9% in grade 10, showing an increasing trend according to grade level. Significant risk factors for alcohol initiation included boys, prior experience with a sip of alcohol, future drinking intention, low perceived risk of alcohol use, the presence of family members who drink alcohol, media exposure to drinking scenes, and witnessing alcohol consumption in public spaces.
  Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of early alcohol prevention education and awareness programs beginning in elementary school. Furthermore, strengthening policies such as stricter alcohol advertising regulations and expanded alcohol-free zones is essential for reducing adolescent alcohol initiation.

• QuickStats 2025-05-15

  0 172 112

  Trends in the Prevalence of Current Smoking Tobacco Products, 2019–2023

  Doyeon Kim

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(19): 733-734 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.19.3

  

  

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