Differential patterns of lifestyle behaviors among low- and high-income postmenopausal women in Korea: a latent class analysis.

BACKGROUND: Healthy lifestyle behaviors among postmenopausal women are important to prevent chronic diseases and improve health later in life. Heterogeneous lifestyle patterns may exist among postmenopausal women, and socioeconomic status (SES) is a critical determinant of lifestyle behaviors. However, little is known about distinct SES-specific patterns of lifestyle behaviors among postmenopausal women. Thus, this study used latent class analysis to identify subgroups of postmenopausal women with different health behaviors according to income and to examine the predictors of income-specific subgroups. METHODS: We analyzed nationally representative data from the Eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, collected in 2019 and 2020. We used nine lifestyles (i.e., current smoking and drinking, high-risk drinking, walking, muscle-strengthening exercise, sleep, vegetable and fruit intakes, and weight control efforts). We conducted a multiple-group latent class analysis using monthly household income as a proxy for SES. The monthly household income variable was calculated by standardizing monthly household income by the number of family members and then divided into quintiles. We classified the participants into low- (i.e., Q1 and Q2) and high-income (i.e., Q3, Q4, and Q5) groups. RESULTS: Although the three-class models best fit the data of low- and high-income groups, we found differential patterns by income: (a) for low-income group, "relatively healthy (RH)," "lowest physical activity, insufficient fruit intake, and no intention to control weight," and "high-risk drinking and insufficient fruit intake" classes and (b) for high-income group, "RH," "lowest physical activity," "high-risk drinking and insufficient fruit intake and sleep" classes. The proportion of the RH class was largest in both groups. However, lifestyle patterns in low-income group showed multiple and unhealthy characteristics than those in high-income group. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that different underlying lifestyle patterns exist in postmenopausal women with low- and high-income. To promote healthy behaviors among postmenopausal women, health professionals should develop and apply lifestyle interventions tailored to lifestyle pattern characteristics according to income.

Psychometric evaluation of patient assessment of chronic illness care among Korean cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: The Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) was developed in the United States to assess the implementation of the Chronic Care Model (CCM)-based intervention from the patient's perspective. Although the psychometric properties of the PACIC have been reported in other chronically ill patients, it has not been reported in cancer survivors. Our aim was to evaluate the acceptability, validity, and reliability of a Korean version of the PACIC among cancer survivors (K-PACIC-CS). METHODS: Among 204 cancer survivors at a university-based hospital in South Korea, we performed psychometric evaluation of the K-PACIC-CS according to acceptability (descriptive statistics, missing values, and floor and ceiling effects), validity (confirmative factor analysis [CFA] and convergent validity), and reliability (internal consistency, i.e., Cronbach's alpha). RESULTS: The item response was high (missing rate = 0.5%). The floor effect was 3.9%- 43.6% and the ceiling effect was 6.9%- 41.2%. The CFA revealed good indices of fit and confirmed the five structures predetermined in the original version of PACIC. The K-PACIC-CS scores had significant positive relationships with cancer survivors' self-efficacy and health-related quality of life. The total K-PACIC-CS showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .94) and those of the subscales were acceptable (Cronbach's alpha = .76 -.86). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the K-PACIC-CS is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring implementation of CCM-based chronic care from the survivor's perspective.

Self-management Needs of Breast Cancer Survivors After Treatment: Results From a Focus Group Interview.

BACKGROUND: Recognition of the importance of self-management (SM) for breast cancer survivors (BCSs) is increasing, but evidence from investigations of their needs focusing on SM is limited. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the SM needs of BCSs who had completed treatment. METHODS: Using a qualitative study design, we interviewed a focus group of 20 BCSs who underwent cancer therapy (mean time since diagnosis 3.4 years) at a university hospital in South Korea. Data were analyzed via conventional content analysis. RESULTS: The focus group interviews revealed 10 subthemes that we organized into 5 themes about the posttreatment SM needs of BCSs: (1) symptom management needs, (2) emotional management needs, (3) information acquisition needs, (4) need for a relationship with healthcare providers, and (5) adaptation needs. Specifically, participants needed to acquire SM skills to relieve symptoms (eg, peripheral neuropathy, insomnia), deal with emotional problems (eg, fear of recurrence, anxiety, depression), and adapt to changes due to cancer treatment (eg, body image, lifestyle, and role changes). In particular, participants expressed a substantial need for a constructive relationship with healthcare providers who, by respecting and communicating with them, would help empower them. Participants placed a high value on building self-confidence for successful SM. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings can contribute to the development of breast cancer survivorship care plans by emphasizing posttreatment SM. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Future SM support intervention for BCSs after treatment should focus on training SM skills, enhancing the survivor-provider relationship, and building survivor self-confidence.