The associations of health behaviors and working hours with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in Korean wage workers: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: We investigated differences in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels by age group according to working hours, socioeconomic level, health behavior and status, and occupational class, and aimed to identify factors affecting hs-CRP levels in various age groups using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination from 2016 to 2018. METHODS: The study included a total of 4,786 male wage workers across the nation, aged between 19 and 65. Data from 4,674 workers were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Obesity, metabolic syndrome, and weekly working hours were associated with hs-CRP, a biomarker of inflammation. Participants with a body mass index (BMI) ≥25.0 kg/m2 showed significantly higher hs-CRP levels than those with a BMI 23.0 to 25.0 kg/m2. Workers with high-risk drinking and metabolic syndrome showed significantly higher hs-CRP levels in the 50 to 65 years group. Obesity, walking 0 to 149 min/wk, and working ≥61 hours a week were associated with significantly higher hs-CRP levels in the 35 to 49 years group. The factors that significantly affected hs-CRP levels were different among age groups. CONCLUSION: Plans to adjust working hours should be considered health behaviors, such as drinking and physical activity, and health conditions, such as metabolic syndrome and obesity, according to workers' age.

Correction: Demographic and Clinico-Epidemiological Features of Dengue Fever in Faisalabad, Pakistan.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267652.].

Clinical Usefulness of Ultraperformance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Low Serum Testosterone Measurement.

Background: Mass spectrometry methods exhibit higher accuracy and lower variability than immunoassays at low testosterone concentrations. We developed and validated an ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) assay for quantifying serum total testosterone. Methods: We used an ExionLC UPLC (Sciex, Framingham, MA, USA) system and a Sciex Triple Quad 6500+ (Sciex) MS/MS system in electrospray ionization and positive ion modes with multiple reaction monitoring transitions to evaluate precision, accuracy, linearity, lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ), carryover, ion suppression, stability, and reference intervals. For method comparison, we measured serum testosterone concentrations using this method in 40 subjects whose testosterone concentrations ranged from 0.14 to 55.48 nmol/L as determined using the Architect i2000 immunoassay (Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, IL, USA) and in an additional 160 sera with testosterone concentrations <1.67 nmol/L. Results: The intra- and inter-run precision CVs were <2.81%, and the accuracy bias values were <3.85%, which were all acceptable. The verified linear interval was 0.03-180.84 nmol/L; the LLOQ was 0.03 nmol/L. No significant carryover and ion suppression were observed. The testosterone in serum was stable at 4°C, at -20°C, and after three freeze-thaw cycles. The reference intervals were successfully verified. The correlation was good at testosterone concentrations of 0.14-55.48 nmol/L; however, the Architect assay showed positive percent bias at concentrations <1.67 nmol/L. Conclusions: The UPLC-MS/MS assay shows acceptable performance, with a lower LLOQ than the immunoassay. This method will enable the quantitation of low testosterone concentrations.

Analysis of related factors for adolescents' intention to use alcohol in Korea.

The harmful effects of alcohol consumption by adolescents have been increasingly emphasized. Thus, it is necessary to identify individual and environmental factors that encourage drinking. This study investigated factors associated with the sustainable use of alcohol (SUA) in adolescents who consume alcohol, and the possibility of future drinking (PFD) in non-drinking adolescents. Data from "The Adolescents Awareness Survey of Alcohol Encouraging Environment" by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Health Promotion Institute (2017) were used. The survey was completed by 1,038 participant, selected through a proportional allocation extraction method, who were aged 13-18 years and lived in five cities with a population of over 1 million. The factors associated with SUA included gender (ß = 0.634, p = 0.004), grade (8th ß = 1.591, p<0.001, 9th ß = 1.674, p<0.001, 10th ß = 1.497, p = 0.001, 11th ß = 1.041, p = 0.004, 12th ß = 2.610, p<0.001), drinking alone (ß = -2.147, p = 0.002), liquor commercial (ß = 1.644, p<0.001), ease of alcohol purchase (ß = 1.541, p = 0.025), parent's recommendation for drinking (ß = 1.084, p<0.001), not knowing the mother's education level (ß = -0.685, p = 0.045), positive expectancy of drinking (ß = 0.141, p<0.001), number of pubs (ß = 0.303, p = 0.002), internet game cafes (ß = 0.456, p = 0.019), and karaokes (ß = -0.098, p = 0.023) in the community. The factors associated with the PFD in non-drinkers were grade (8th ß = 0.531, p = 0.024, 10th ß = 0.717, p = 0.035, 12th ß = 1.882, p = 0.001), liquor commercial (ß = -1.355, p<0.001), parent's recommendation for drinking (ß = 0.783, p = 0.020), positive expectancy of drinking (ß = 0.139, p<0.001), and relationship with the father (ß = 0.072, p = 0.033). Multidimensional interventions, including those by individuals, parents, peers, and local communities, are needed to prevent SUA and the PFD in adolescents.

Freeze all-first versus biopsy-first: A retrospective analysis of frozen blastocyst transfer cycles with preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy.

Potential use of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is increasing. Patients who have excess embryos cryopreserved at the blastocyst stage may desire PGT-A but there is little data available on options for these patients. We compared the efficacy and safety of the timing on the cryopreservation and trophectoderm(TE) biopsy for preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) program associated with the better outcomes after frozen blastocyst transfer. Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent PGT-A cycles from January 2016 to December 2019 was carried out. 2684 blastocysts from cycles were subjected to TE biopsy for performing array comparative genomic hybridization test and Next-generation sequencing. All cycles were divided into two according to the timing of biopsy: biopsy-first (n = 211 cases/ 232 transfers) versus freeze all-first (n = 327 cases/ 415 transfers). In the biopsy-first group, embryos were cultured to expanded blastocyst and proceed to TE biopsy on day 5 or day 6 followed by cryopreservation. In the freeze all-first, blastocysts were vitrified and warmed before biopsy. Rates of clinical pregnancy (52.3% vs. 38.7%, P = 0.09) and ongoing pregnancy (44.3% vs. 34.5%, P = 0.07) in biopsy-first were significantly higher than those in freeze all-first. Biopsy-first showed comparable miscarriage rate with freeze all-first (15.2% (33/217) vs.11.1% (10/90), respectively). Rate ratio (RR) for clinical pregnancy was lower in freeze all-first group (adjusted RR = 0.78, 95% confidence interval: 0.65, 0.93). The RRs for miscarriage and live birth was also lower but it did not reach statistical significance. Our result supported performing TE biopsy of blastocyst for PGT-A before vitrification and warming. This finding would contribute to more evidence-based decision in PGT-A cycles.

The Effectiveness of Learning to Use HMD-Based VR Technologies on Nursing Students: Chemoport Insertion Surgery.

Background: The purpose of this study was to develop a mobile head mounted display (HMD)-based virtual reality (VR) nursing education program (VRP), and to evaluate the effects on knowledge, learning attitude, satisfaction with self-practice, and learning motivation in nursing students. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study using a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design to evaluate the effects of HMD-based VRP on nursing students. A Chemoport insertion surgery nursing scenario was developed with HMD-based VRP. The experimental group consisting of 30 nursing students underwent pre-debriefing, followed by VRP using HMD and debriefing. The control group, consisting of 30 nursing students, underwent pre-debriefing, followed by self-learning using handouts about Chemoport insertion surgery procedures for 30 min, and debriefing. Results: The experimental group that underwent HMD-based VRP showed significantly improved post-intervention knowledge on operating nursing (p = 0.001), learning attitude (p = 0.002), and satisfaction (p = 0.017) compared to the control group. Sub-domains of motivation, attention (p < 0.05), and relevance (p < 0.05) were significantly different between the two groups, post-intervention. Conclusions: HMD-based VRP of Chemoport insertion surgery is expected to contribute to knowledge, learning attitude, satisfaction, attention, and relevance in nursing students.

Do taegyo practices, self-esteem, and social support affect maternal-fetal attachment in high-risk pregnant women? A cross-sectional survey.

PURPOSE: The incidence of high-risk pregnancies is increasing in Korea as the birth age increasesdue to late marriage. Maternal-fetal attachment is an important factor that affects children even afterchildbirth, but it is difficult for high-risk pregnant women to form maternal-fetal attachment. Thecurrent study aimed to explore whether taegyo practice (i.e., pregnant women's efforts for fetal goodgrowth and development), self-esteem, and social support influenced the degree of maternal-fetalattachment in women with high-risk pregnancies. METHODS: The participants included 226 pregnant Korean women at ≥20 gestational weeks, hospitalized with 15 high-risk pregnancy conditions as defined by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.Recruitment via convenience sampling was done at four sites in Busan, Korea. Surveys were distributed and collected from February 1 to 28, 2022. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, the t-test, one-factor analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and hierarchicalmultiple regression. RESULTS: On average, participants were 33.97±4.23 years of age and at 31.65±6.23 gestational weeks.Preterm labor (35.4%) and gestational diabetes (21.0%) were the most common high-risk conditions. Maternal-fetal attachment was positively correlated with taegyo practice (r=.70, p<.001),self-esteem (r=.53, p<.001), and social support (r=.53, p<.001), all with statistical significance. Taegyo practice (ß=.50, p<.001) and social support (ß=.17, p=.030) explained 53% of variance in maternal-fetal attachment in women with high-risk pregnancies. CONCLUSION: Nurses caring for women with high-risk pregnancies during hospitalization can usethese findings by promoting taegyo practice and enhancing social support to increase maternal-fetalattachment.

Cognitive Intervention Using Information and Communication Technology for Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Outside activities have decreased due to the spread of the COVID-19 since 2019; therefore, the need for education using information and communication technology (ICT) for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has increased. This study systematically evaluated the effects of cognitive enhancement interventions using ICT on older adults with MCI. METHODS: Six electronic databases (CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE, PubMed, RISS, and KISS) were searched for relevant articles published from 25 January to 10 February, 2021. RESULTS: As a result of the systematic literature review, 12 research papers were finally selected as the literature for quality evaluation, and 11 final papers were selected, excluding one in the quality evaluation. From the synthesis in this study, it was found that cognitive intervention using ICT showed a statistically significant positive effect on cognitive function when compared with various control groups (SMD = 0.4547; p < 0.001; 95% CI: 0.1980-0.7113). CONCLUSIONS: Through this study, cognitive intervention using ICT showed a small effect size for older adults with mild cognitive impairment, and statistically significant results were found.

The Humanoid Robot Sil-Bot in a Cognitive Training Program for Community-Dwelling Elderly People with Mild Cognitive Impairment during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a stage preceding dementia, and early intervention is critical. This study investigated whether multi-domain cognitive training programs, especially robot-assisted training, conducted 12 times, twice a week for 6 weeks can improve cognitive function and depression decline in community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 135 volunteers without cognitive impairment aged 60 years old or older. Participants were first randomized into two groups. One group consisted of 90 participants who would receive cognitive training and 45 who would not receive any training (NI). The cognitive training group was randomly divided into two groups, 45 who received traditional cognitive training (TCT) and 45 who received robot-assisted cognitive training (RACT). The training for both groups consisted of a daily 60 min session, twice a week for six weeks. RESULTS: RACT participants had significantly greater post-intervention improvement in cognitive function (t = 4.707, p < 0.001), memory (t = -2.282, p = 0.007), executive function (t = 4.610, p < 0.001), and depression (t = -3.307, p = 0.004). TCT participants had greater post-intervention improvement in memory (t = -6.671, p < 0.001) and executive function (t = 5.393, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A 6-week robot-assisted, multi-domain cognitive training program can improve the efficiency of global cognitive function and depression during cognitive tasks in older adults with MCI, which is associated with improvements in memory and executive function.

Development and Evaluation of an Antiviral Agent Medication Adherence Education Program for Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C.

This study aimed to develop and evaluate a goal attainment theory-based antiviral agent medication adherence education program (AMAEP) for patients with chronic hepatitis C. A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Data were collected from December 2019 to March 2020 from a control group of 35 outpatients and an experimental group of 28 outpatients older than 20 years old who had been diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C. The data analysis included an independent t-test, a χ2-test or Fisher's exact test, a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, an analysis of covariance, and a Mann-Whitney U test. The results showed the effectiveness of the education program for patients with chronic hepatitis C. There were significant differences between the control group and experimental group in patients' knowledge of chronic hepatitis C (Z = -5.91, p < 0.001), medication self-efficacy (Z = -5.02, p < 0.001), medication adherence rate (t = -3.88, p < 0.001), medication misuse behavior (Z = -5.00, p < 0.001), and patients' satisfaction with their interaction with healthcare practitioners (Z = -6.61, p < 0.001). Therefore, we hope that the education program developed in this study will be utilized as an intervention for patients with chronic hepatitis C and be further developed for other patients with viral hepatitis.

Canonical Correlation Between Self-Care Agency and Health-Related Self-Efficacy with Chronic Viral Hepatitis Patients.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between self-care agency and health self-efficacy measures, in patients with viral hepatitis. METHODS: Data were collected from 116 outpatients over the age of 19 years who were diagnosed with viral hepatitis between February 20, 2019 and April 30, 2019. This study used the Appraisal of Self-care Agency Scale-Revised and the Health Self-Efficacy measures. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and canonical correlations were used during data analysis [SPSS version 25.0 for Windows (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA)]. RESULTS: The first canonical correlation coefficient was 0.65 (Wilks' λ = 0.44, F = 5.63, p < 0.001) and the second was 0.42 (Wilks' λ = 0.76, F = 3.08, p = .001). The first variate indicated a higher perception of having power for self-care (0.85) and developing power for self-care (0.92), and this was related to exercise (0.66), illness (0.76), emotion (0.75), nutrition (0.81), stress (0.60), and health practice (0.85). The second variate indicated a higher perception of having power for self-care (0.42), whilst lacking power for self-care (-0.82), was related to illness (0.35) and stress (0.72). CONCLUSION: Nursing interventions and education aimed at enhancing the self-care of viral hepatitis patients are needed to assist patients to improve their health care behaviors.

Self-care behavior and related factors in older patients with uncontrolled hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Effective self-care behavior can help reduce hypertension complications, but the rate of engagement in self-care behavior is relatively low among elderly patients. OBJECTIVES: To examine levels of self-care and factors affecting self-care among elderly patients with uncontrolled hypertension compared with those with controlled hypertension. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHODS: A total of 255 elderly patients were selected to measure hypertensive patients' self-care behavior and self-efficacy, knowledge of hypertension management, family support, and perceived severity of hypertension as well as their depression levels. RESULTS: The uncontrolled hypertension group showed lower scores for self-care behavior and self-efficacy than the controlled hypertension group. Only self-efficacy significantly affected self-care behavior in the latter group, whereas self-efficacy, education level, and family support affected self-care behavior in the former group. CONCLUSIONS: The study results indicated that strategies for uncontrolled hypertension elderly patients should consider patients' educational, family support, and self-efficacy levels in order to improve their self-regulation.

Quality of Life of Chronic Hepatitis C Patients and Its Associated Factors.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). METHODS: This study is based on a descriptive survey and involved 125 gastroenterology outpatients visiting a university hospital in South Korea as the participants. HRQOL was assessed using the Liver Disease Quality of Life 1.0, which consisted of Short Form-36 (SF-36) and the Liver Disease Targeted Scale. Data were collected from December 2015 to April 2016, which were then analyzed through multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: HRQOL had a statistically significant correlation with age, sex, educational level, living type, employment status, monthly income level, and comorbidity status. This study showed that age > 51 years, female sex, high educational level, living alone, unemployment status, low monthly income, and presence of comorbidity had negative effects on the HRQOL of patients with CHC (R2 = 8.7%-34.6%). CONCLUSION: Based on the result of this study, intervention for patients with CHC needs to be developed to enhance their HRQOL. The findings can serve as a useful reference for nursing personnel in the development of therapeutic plans to upgrade the care of CHC patients.

Korean version of the Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses and Loss of weight questionnaire versus the Modified Kihon Checklist for Frailty Screening in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: The Aging Study of PyeongChang Rural Area.

AIM: To compare the five-item Korean version of the Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses and Loss of weight (K-FRAIL) questionnaire versus the 28-item Kihon + 3 index (the 25-item original Kihon checklist plus multimorbidity, sensory impairment, and Timed Up and Go test) in identifying prefrail or frail older adults. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional analysis of 212 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 76 years; 41% male) in PyeongChang County, Korea. We compared the C statistic, sensitivity and specificity of the K-FRAIL questionnaire (range 0-5; cut-point ≥1) versus the Kihon + 3 index (range 0-31; cut-point ≥4) and the original Kihon checklist (range 0-25; cut-point ≥4) in identifying prefrail or frail individuals according to the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria. RESULTS: According to the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria, 150 individuals (70.8%) were prefrail or frail. The C statistic of the K-FRAIL questionnaire in identifying prefrail or frail individuals was lower than that of the Kihon + 3 index (0.77 vs 0.85; P = 0.022) or that of the original Kihon checklist (0.77 vs 0.84; P = 0.046). However, at the a priori cut-points, the K-FRAIL questionnaire had sensitivity (0.79 vs 0.85; P = 0.095) and specificity (0.69 vs 0.69; P = 1.000) that were not significantly different from those of the Kihon + 3 index. However, the K-FRAIL questionnaire was more sensitive (0.79 vs 0.69; P = 0.016), but less specific (0.69 vs 0.86, p = 0.018) than the original Kihon checklist. CONCLUSIONS: For frailty screening in community-dwelling older adults, the simple K-FRAIL questionnaire might not be inferior to the current standard of the Kihon + 3 index, and it might be more sensitive and less specific than the original Kihon checklist. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2046-2052.

Diversity of Emotional Intelligence among Nursing and Medical Students.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to identify the types of perception of emotional intelligence among nursing and medical students and their characteristics using Q methodology, and to build the basic data for the development of a program for the would-be medical professionals to effectively adapt to various clinical settings in which their emotions are involved. METHODS: Data were collected from 35 nursing and medical students by allowing them to classify 40 Q statements related to emotional intelligence and processed using the PC QUANL program. RESULTS: The perceptions of emotional intelligence by nursing and medical students were categorized into three types: "sensitivity-control type", "sympathy-motivation type", and "concern-sympathy type". CONCLUSION: The perceptions of emotional intelligence by nursing and medical students can represent an effective coping strategy in a situation where emotion is involved. In the medical profession, an occupation with a high level of emotional labor, it is important to identify the types of emotional intelligence for an effective coping strategy, which may have a positive effect on the performance of an organization. Based on the findings of this study, it is necessary to plan an education program for vocational adaptability for nursing and medical students by their types.

Illness Experience of Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Participating in Clinical Trials.

OBJECTIVES: To understand the illness experience of patients with chronic hepatitis C participating in clinical trials in the sociocultural context of Korea in an in-depth and comprehensive manner. METHODS: A focused ethnography approach was used to discover the pattern of illness experience of patients with chronic hepatitis C in the cultural background of Korea. Interviews were conducted with 11 patients with chronic hepatitis C participating in clinical trials and the collected data were analyzed with the domain analysis, taxonomical analysis, componential analysis, and theme analysis proposed by Spradley. RESULTS: With the cultural theme of "less-known illness, less-familiar illness," four categories were derived: "my illness discovered by accident," "shaken life," "scary but inevitable treatment method," and "precious life that can't be wasted," along with 12 properties. CONCLUSION: Public campaigns or education programs are needed to meet the needs for information on the disease for patients with chronic hepatitis C participating in clinical trials and help the general public acquire knowledge or change view on this disease.

Experience of Late-Middle-Aged Women who Reside in Small and Medium-Sized Cities in Becoming Psychologically Mature Women.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to search the inner world of postmenopausal women in late-middle age who are facing senescence and live in small and medium-sized cities. METHODS: The methods of the study were the investigation and classification of answers to questions according to a declarative ethnography analysis. The questions asked to late-middle-aged women living in small and medium-sized cities were "How do you interpret and recognize the changes in the body after menopause?" and "Which methods do you choose and practice to maintain your health in relation to aging during middle age?". RESULTS: Four positive topics and two negative topics were drawn from the study. The four positive themes were: ambition; completion of a great mission; life with a sense of affection; and gratitude for maintaining health. The negative themes were: undulating emotion; and filling the emptiness. CONCLUSION: The recognition of changes in the body after menopause in late-middle-aged women in small and medium-sized cities can affect their preparation processes towards senescence. It is critical to find the means to manage emergency health cases from early adulthood to middle age, based on the outcomes of the study. The study also emphasizes the importance of the woman's family's alternative strategies and supportive systems, which can fit into the cultural context of the community.

Perception of childhood obesity in mothers of preschool children.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify the perception of childhood obesity in mothers of preschool children using Q methodology. METHODS: A total of 38 Q statements about childhood obesity were obtained from 41 participants. The QUANL PC program was used to analyze the results. RESULTS: There were three types of perception toward obesity in mothers of preschool children: the "authoritative discipline type," the "generous home meal focused type," and the "home meal based on household financial situation type." CONCLUSION: The perception of mothers toward childhood obesity can affect the extent of maternal interaction with children or meal preparation for the family. Based on these results, it is necessary to plan specific programs according to the types of maternal perception toward childhood obesity.

Anti-Oxidant and Anti-Adipogenic Effects of Ethanol Extracts from Wheat Germ and Wheat Germ Fermented with Aspergillus oryzae.

Most of the wheat germ in cereal grains is removed during the milling process. Various physiological effects have been reported for bioactive substances in wheat germ such as phenolic acids and flavonoids. In this study, the anti-oxidant and anti-adipogenic effects of ethanol extracts from wheat germ (WGE) and wheat germ fermented with Aspergillus oryzae (F-WGE) were investigated in HepG2 and 3T3-L1 cells. The anti-oxidant activity of F-WGE was demonstrated by a dose-dependent increase in the enhanced scavenging capacity of hydroxyl radicals and Cu(2+)-chelating activity compared to WGE. WGE and F-WGE treatment at doses between 10 and 400 µg/mL did not affect the viability of HepG2 and 3T3-L1 cells. Intracellular ROS levels from Cu(2+)-induced oxidative stress were significantly decreased by F-WGE treatment in HepG2 cells compared to WGE. Lipid accumulation was increased in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by 100 µM Fe(2+) treatment, but the accumulation was strongly inhibited by 100 µg/mL of WGE and F-WGE treatment. These results suggest that changes in bioactive substances during the fermentation of wheat germ can potentiate scavenging activities against transition metal-induced oxidative stress and lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Therefore, we propose that F-WGE is a novel food materials and provided scientific evidences for its efficacy in the development of functional foods.

[Homebound status and related factors according to age in female elders in the community].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate homebound status and significant related factors for community-dwelling female elders according to age. METHODS: The participants were female elders over 65 years of age registered in public health centers. Data were collected by interviewing the elders, who voluntarily completed the entire survey. For data analysis, descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were performed using SPSS version 18.0. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in homeboundness and related factors between the young-old (65 to 74 years of age) and the old-old (75 years of age or older). The level of homeboundness of the old-old was higher than that of the young-old. Multiple logistic regression showed, timed "up and go", depression, and fear of falling as significantly associated with homebound status of the young-old, while hand grip strength (right), timed "up and go", static balance ability, severity of urinary incontinence, and fear of falling as significant for the old-old. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that homebound status and related factors for elders are different according to age, and therefore, interventions to prevent and help homebound elders get over being homebound should be developed according to age.