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Objective: Prevention of tuberculosis (TB) recurrence is an important issue in TB control. South Korea, a country with a high average income, has been challenged with an intermediate burden of TB. We aimed to estimate the TB recurrence rate after successful completion of the first anti-TB chemotherapy, and to identify the risk factors for the TB recurrence by focusing on co-morbidities and behavioral factors. Methods: This is a population-based cohort study using data from the National Health Insurance (NHI) database between 2002 and 2013. Newly diagnosed TB patients were identified using the classification of disease codes and prescription records. Final analytical subjects included people who successfully completed the first anti-TB chemotherapy. The primary outcome measure was recurrent TB 6-month after the first treatment completion. A set of associated risk factors, including demographic characteristics, co-morbidities, and health behavior factors were analyzed using Cox regression analysis. Results: Among 5,446 TB patients, 2,226 (40.1%) completed the first anti-TB treatment. During the follow-up period, 150 (6.7%) patients had TB recurrence, and the crude recurrent rate was 22.6 per 1000 person-years. The majority of recurrence cases (89%) occurred within the first 2-year period. The major findings show that participants who are male (adjusted HR (aHR) = 1.81, at a 95% CI, range: 1.11–2.94), older in age (aHR = 1.07, at a 95% CI, range: 1.00–1.14), have a lower income (aHR = 1.96, at a 95% CI, range: 1.10–3.48) and who are underweight (aHR = 1.92, at a 95% CI, range 1.15–3.20) were at higher risks for TB recurrence. Conclusion: People who have risk factors for recurrent TB need to improve treatment compliance through more effective TB management, and follow-up observation for one or two years after the treatment completion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to provide evidence for the need for social and welfare support in suicide prevention. Methods: Data were collected from the Korean Welfare Panel Study, 2011–2016. The study sample consisted of 7504 people (male: 3080 and female: 4424; mean age: 54.4 ± 16.6), with annual follow‐ups until 2016. A generalized linear mixed‐effects model using a logit link function with random intercept for longitudinal binary data was employed to identify the association between household income change and suicidal ideation status. Results: Suicidal ideation was found in 279 (3.7%) people at the baseline year. A drastic reduction in household income was associated with an increased probability of having suicidal ideation (adjusted odds ratio: 2.205, 95% confidence interval: 1.326–3.666). Using interaction analyses, those who had a drastic reduction in household income and were married, males, aged 40–49, and previously in a middle‐ to high‐income group showed a higher probability of having suicidal ideation. Conclusion: A drastic reduction in household income was associated with a higher probability of suicidal ideation, with specific differences according to gender, age, previous household income level, and marital status. This study reinforces the need for social and welfare support in suicide prevention policies and programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]