Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the adequacy of antenatal care (ANC) and childbirth outcomes and to identify factors affecting childbirth outcomes among military women. Methods: A total of 132 military women participated in this cross-sectional survey. The data were collected between September 21 and November 7, 2018 using structured questionnaires administered online. Results: The mean score for perception of birth experience (PBE) was 101.42±16.44 out of 145, and 21.2 percent of the respondents experienced postpartum complications. The significant factors that influenced PBE were living type, spouse support, number of deliveries, obstetric risk factors, type of childbirth, working area, work-related pregnancy stress, and existence of a co-worker with experience of pregnancy and birth. Service branch, prepregnancy medical risk factors, and adequacy of ANC are factors affecting maternal complications. Conclusion: Findings emphasize that the relationship with surrounding people have an effect on the adequacy of ANC and childbirth outcomes in military women. It is necessary to take a multifaceted approach and involve the spouse and colleagues surrounding pregnant military women when developing intervention programs or policy to improve childbirth outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among self-esteem, self-compassion, cadet life adjustment and mental health among Korea Armed Forces Nursing Academy (KAFNA) cadets. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted to 320 KAFNA cadets. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression. Results: Self-esteem and self-compassion were significantly different according to academic records and the presence of mentor. Self-esteem and self-compassion showed positive correlation with cadet life adjustment, and negative correlation with mental health significantly. Self-esteem and self-compassion explained the figure of 34.8% of cadet life adjustment and the figure of 17.2% of mental health. Conclusion: These results suggest that various interventions will be needed to help positive self-awareness of cadets in order to improve cadet life adjustment and psychological adaptation at the KAFNA.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out the factors affecting health equity and equity of healthcare utilization status among Republic of Korea army soldiers. Methods: The study used descriptive study design, and 204 soldiers were recruited from two troops. Data were collected by structured questionnaires and were analyzed through descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression. Results: Self-efficacy for healthcare (β=.05, p<.001), self well-being (β=.04, p=.008), and perceived social economic status (β=.02, p=.033) were found to be factors affecting health equity status. The regression model explained 25.2% of health equity status. As one variable for equity of healthcare utilization, the experience of healthcare activity was affected by self-efficacy for healthcare (β=.04, p=.001), and this model indicated 7.1% of equity of healthcare utilization. Availability of healthcare service, as the other variable, was influenced by service area (β=.47, p=.005), self-efficacy for healthcare (β=.01, p=.023), and these addressed 5.3% of healthcare utilization equity. Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that self-efficacy for healthcare and self well-being are important to enhance health equity and equity of healthcare utilization of army soldiers. Furthermore, service area should be considered to minimize limitations of healthcare approach and to develop policies or guidelines.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out the relationship among communication competence, interpersonal ability and clinical practice stress of Korea Armed Forces Nursing Academy cadets. Methods: This study used a descriptive correlational design. All cadets of 3rd and 4th grade were recruited to participate in a self-administered study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and Scheffé test. Results: The mean score of communication competence, interpersonal ability, and clinical practice stress was 3.81±0.30, 3.59±0.37, and 2.87±0.51. Communication competence and interpersonal ability were significantly positive correlated (r=.70, p<.001), but clinical practice stress had no statistical correlation with other variables. Conclusion: These findings should be considered to design cadets' education programs for enhancing communication competence and interpersonal ability or minimizing clinical practice stress. The authors strongly suggest that follow-up studies to explore relevant factors of clinical practice stress be conducted.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop the scale for assessing the education goal achievement of Korea Armed Forces Nursing Academy (KAFNA). Methods: Initial items were drawn from relevant literature reviews and focus group interview with 21 participants. Content validity index about initial items was reviewed by 9 experts. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was conducted between May and June in 2019, with data collected from 316 nursing officers who have not passed 5 years since graduation of KAFNA. Results: Exploratory factor analysis showed 7 factors (Basic nursing skill, evidence based practice, loyalty & leadership, military nursing, health promotion, patient centered nursing, nurse professionalism) including 31 items with 62.6% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed 31 items in the 7-factor structure. Reliability was Cronbach α .93. Conclusion: These results of statistical analysis indicate that the scale proposed may be used as an objective tool for the effectiveness of KAFNA's educational goals. It is expected that the scale offers quantitative indicators which can be used improving competency-based nursing curriculum of KAFNA.

The purpose of this special article is to record and to share the dispatched experience in Armed Forces Daegu Hospital due to the spread of COVID-19. The special article was described the situation and the review by experience after the dispatch. It comprises ambivalence that I felt, mission itinerary, importance of readiness, systematized nursing organization, nursing leadership etc. In this special article, I have suggested that Nurse officers may be willing to be experts in any kind of disasters based on readiness. Furthermore, I have suggested that nurse officers need to be prepared to provide psychological support mutually for their colleagues and patients in any disasters and pandemics situation such as COVID-19.

The purpose of this special article is to share the practical experience of nursing COVID-19 patients in infectious diseases specialized hospital in Daegu. This special article is described the personal experience as a dispatched nurse from 20th March to 17th April 2020. The following four categories were derived: 1. People gathered together for one purpose in a new environment and unfamiliar workers, 2. Sense of responsibility and social isolation as a COVID-19 dedicated nurse, 3. Military spirit to overcome difficult situations, 4. Suggestion to prepare for new infectious diseases. This article suggests that it is important to establish the detailed guidelines in early stages and to educate the nurses dispatched from various hospitals. Furthermore ethical contemplation is necessary for a distribution of medical resources in disaster nursing. Additionally, as a nurse officer, it is required to improve the disaster nursing competency to care patients of various ages and diseases.