PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.18 No.7, February 20, 2025 Article TypeOriginal ArticlesQuickStatsSurveillance Reports

• Surveillance Reports 2025-02-20

  0 260 19

  Results of the 2023 Screening Project for Latent Tuberculosis Infection among Temporary Day Laborers in Care Facilities

  Gahee Kim , Gyuri Park , Yujin Kim , Hyeran Jeong , Young-Joon Park *

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(7): 323-338 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.7.1

  

  

  Abstract

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  Since August 2016, the Republic of Korea (ROK) has mandated tuberculosis (TB) and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening of workers and staff in high-risk institutions and facilities, including medical institutions, postpartum care centers, schools, kindergartens, daycare centers, and child welfare facilities following Article 11 of the Tuberculosis Prevention Act. These settings are considered vulnerable due to their high potential for TB outbreaks and significant public health impacts. In 2023, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) implemented an LTBI screening project targeting workers in infant and toddler care facilities to establish and guide systematic screening practices. In total, 56,550 individuals were screened using this method. The overall LTBI prevalence was 25.9% (n=14,656 individuals). The prevalence of LTBI increased with age: 1.7% (1 person) in individuals <20 years of age, 4.4% (277 people) in 20–34, 12.0% (1,211 people) in 35–49, 25.9% (3,082 people) in 50–64, and 35.8% (10,085 people) in those aged ≥65 years. Among 14,656 individuals diagnosed with LTBI, 3,516 (24.0%) initiated treatments. The treatment initiation rate was 37.3% (1,707 individuals) among those aged <65 years who received recommended treatment. Of those who began treatment, 72.2% (1,232) completed the treatment. Regarding treatment facilities, 22.8% of LTBI treatments were managed by public health centers and 77.2% by medical centers. The treatment completion rates were higher in medical centers (72.8%) and in public health centers (67.2%). ROK is actively working to prevent TB outbreaks in pediatric and adolescent care facilities by following the Tuberculosis Prevention Act, which mandates facility workers’ TB and LTBI screening. The KDCA plans to continue strengthening public awareness and encouraging adherence to screening protocols to address potential blind spots in TB prevention.

• Original Articles 2025-02-20

  0 215 48

  Impact of Community Leader-driven Neighborhood Care Programs on Older Adults’ Self-rated Health, Life Satisfaction, and Quality of Life

  Eunshil Yim , Jieun Kim , Insook Lee , Hyejung Hong , Dongok Lee , Mikyung Nam , Minkyeong Yang , Kyounga Lee

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(7): 339-358 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.7.2

  

  

  Abstract

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  This study evaluated the impact of Community Leader-driven Neighborhood Care Programs on older adults’ self-rated health, life satisfaction, and quality of life in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The program emphasized improving the social interactions and health of vulnerable older adults through community health activists. Using a difference-in-differences analysis combined with propensity score matching, the study analyzed the program’s effectiveness by comparing participant and non-participant groups. The results showed that participants experienced statistically significant improvements in life satisfaction and quality of life compared with non-participants. Thus, Community Leader-driven Neighborhood Care Programs are effective in improving older adults’ health and quality of life, and offer a promising model for reducing health disparities. Sustained support for community-based, resident-led health services is critical to ensure healthy aging and improve health equity among older residents.

• QuickStats 2025-02-20

  0 69 15

  Trends in the Prevalence of Binge Drinking, 2014–2023

  Doyeon Kim

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(7): 359-360 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.7.3

  

  

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