• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2019

Background: As of now, the impact of low back pain (LBP) and its chronic state, chronic low back pain (CLBP), on mental health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has never been investigated among police officers. The present investigation aims at studying this relationship using a biopsychosocial model. Methods: Between May and October 2014, a Web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among Quebec police officers (Quebec, Canada). Mental HRQOL was measured using the role emotional (RE) and the mental health (MH) domains of the SF-12v2 Health Survey. The impact of CLBP on mental HRQOL (as opposed to acute/subacute LBP or no LBP) was studied with a multivariate linear regression model. Results: Of the 3,589 police officers who participated in the study, 1,013 (28.4%) reported CLBP. The mean age of respondents was $38.5{\pm}8.7years$, and 32.0% were females. The RE (44.1/100) and MH (49.0/100) mean scores of the CLBP group were comparable with the scores found in populations suffering from cancer or heart diseases. Compared to officers without LBP, the presence of CLBP was significantly associated with lower RE (${\beta}$: -0.068; p = 0.003) and MH (${\beta}$: -0.062; p = 0.002) scores. These relationships were not found in the acute/subacute LBP group. Conclusion: Our results underscore how frequent CLBP is among police officers and how burdensome it is. Considering the importance of good physical and mental health for this occupational population, police organizations should be aware of this issue and contribute to the efforts toward CLBP prevention and management in the workplace.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.80-86
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• 2019

Background: Emigration of health-care workers is a problem within global health systems which affects many countries, including Peru. Several factors have caused health-care workers to emigrate, including burnout syndrome (BS). This study aims to identify the association between BS and its dimensions with the intention of physicians and nurses to emigrate from Peru in 2014. Methods: A cross-sectional study, based on a secondary analysis of the National Survey of Health Users (ENSUSALUD - 2014) was conducted. Sampling was probabilistic, considering the 24 departments of Peru. We include the questionnaire for physicians and nurses, accounting for 5062 workers. BS was measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) was calculated using multiple logistic regression. Results: Of the study population, 44.1% were physicians, 37.7% males, and 23.1% were working in Lima. It was found that 2.8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.19-3.45] of health-care workers had BS. The overall prevalence of intention to emigrate among health-care workers was 7.4% (95% CI: 6.36-8.40). Association was found between BS and intention to emigrate in Peruvian health-care workers (OR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.05-4.40). Emotional exhaustion was the BS dimension most associated with intention to emigrate (OR = 1.80; 95% CI: 1.16-2.78). Conclusion: Physicians and nurses from Peru who suffered from BS were more likely to have intention to emigrate. Policies should be established to reduce BS as a strategy to control "brain drain" from health-care workers of Peru.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.79-111
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• 2022

Major depressive disorder (MDD) causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It can lead to emotional and physical problems. Treatments such as antidepressant and cognitive behavioral therapy for MDD have many limitations. Traditional East Asian Herbal Medicine (TEAM) is a representative modality of Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM) which can be used for MDD. However, no study has systematically reviewed the efficacy or safety of TEAM for MDD so far. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate effectiveness and safety of TEAM as a monotherapy for MDD. We only included TEAM that could be used in context of clinical setting in Korean Medicine. Outcomes were the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and total effective rate (TER). After comprehensive electronic search of 11 databases, we included 28 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared HM as monotherapy with antidepressant for MDD. Meta-analysis showed that TEAM had significant benefits in reducing HAMD (MD=-0.40, 95% CI: -0.67 to -0.13, p=0.003, I²=85%) and improving TER (RR=1.06, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.10, p=0.003, I²=0%). It also appeared to be safer than antidepressant in terms of adverse effects. Methods used for RCTs were poor and the quality of evidence was graded 'low' or 'moderate'. These findings indicate that the use of HM as a monotherapy might have potential benefits in MDD treatment as an alternative to antidepressant. However, considering the methodological quality of included RCTs, the clinical evidence is uncertain. Further well-designed RCTs are required to confirm these findings.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.151-157
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• 2024

Background: Replacement drivers represent a significant portion of platform labor in the Republic of Korea, often facing night shifts and the demands of emotional labor. Research on replacement drivers is limited due to their widespread nature. This study examined the levels of presenteeism and absenteeism among replacement drivers in comparison to those of paid male workers in the Republic of Korea. Methods: This study collected data for replacement drivers and used data from the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey for paid male workers over the age of 20 years. Propensity score matching was performed to balance the differences between paid workers and replacement drivers. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals for presenteeism and absenteeism by replacement drivers. Stratified analysis was conducted for age groups, educational levels, income levels, and working hours. The analysis was adjusted for variables including age, education, income, working hours, working days per week, and working duration. Results: Among the 1,417 participants, the prevalence of presenteeism and absenteeism among replacement drivers was 53.6% (n = 210) and 51.3% (n = 201), respectively. The association of presenteeism and absenteeism (adjusted OR [95% CI] = 8.42 [6.36-11.16] and 20.80 [95% CI = 14.60-29.62], respectively) with replacement drivers being significant, with a prominent association among the young age group, high educational, and medium income levels. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that replacement drivers were more significantly associated with presenteeism and absenteeism than paid workers. Further studies are necessary to establish a strategy to decrease the risk factors among replacement drivers.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.3 s.58
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• pp.599-608
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• 1997

We studied on change of lens accommodation and pupil light reflex caused by VDT work in six women and compared them with those of other office works. The results were as follows. 1. In VDT work the accommodation contraction velocity decreased during the first 2-hr VDT task, then recovered markedly by the end of the one-hour lunch break, and decreased again by the end of the 2nd 2-hr VDT task. Changes of relaxation velocity showed similar pattern although it was less typical than that of contraction velocity 2. There was no marked change in accommodation contraction velocity and amplitude of accommodation in general office work and near-distance office work, and in the near-distance office work accommodation relaxation velocity decreased according to work load without recovery after lunch break. 3. Initial pupil diameter, initial pupil area of light reflex decreased significantly during VDT task only in VDT work and didn't recover after lunch break. These results suggest possibility that changes of accommodation contraction velocity, accommodation relaxation velocity, near point distance, and pupil diameter and area are useful in evaluating characteristics of VDT work. For this, more research adjusted individual differences, circadian rhythm, emotional stress needs.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.73-94
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• 2009

In this paper the benefit was forecasted for traffic safety facilities to be constructed along the inland waterway between Phnom Penh and Chong Kneas(Siem Reap) port in Cambodia. First of all, the number of cruise ships passengers and cargo volumes were predicted. Second, the traffic volume of the cruise ships and cargo ships were calculated according to the prediction. Last, the safety benefit of traffic safety facilities was forecasted with the traffic after surveying the waterway accidents. The other benefit was also presented by converting the effect of relieving the emotional burden of navigators into currency value. Accordingly the entire benefit was estimated to be $14,990, $20,950 and $28,540 for pessimistic, moderate and optimistic prospects, in 2011. And then the entire benefits are calculated as $28,320, $63,060 and $95,230 for each prospect in the final estimation year 2020.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.473-482
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• 2021

The introduction of automated flight systems has greatly improved aviation safety, but aircraft pilots continue to face new challenges. The pilot's stress from an aeronautical perspective can be distinguished by the 'Startle and Surprise' responses. 'Startle' is a short, strong physiological response to sudden or threatening stimuli such as unexpected gunfire. 'Surprise' is a cognitive-emotional response to an event that goes beyond one's expectations. In Martin et al.'s (2012) Startle Effect Experiment, the pilot identified physiological responses in the 'Startle' state, including delayed response and increased heart rate. In the Rahim (2020) Startle/Surprise experiment, the pilot's breathing rate and pulse rate did not change due to pre-planned emergency training. On the other hand, it was confirmed that the pilot's respiratory and heart rate were greatly increased due to the complicated aircraft and unplanned emergencies. Based on the results of these experiments, domestic pilots need to be trained to handle non-technical and various unexpected emergencies that could arise in an aircraft, rather than be just put through courses for enhancing technical capabilities or simple repetitive training as required by aviation law.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.80-88
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• 2003

Rehabilitation has emerged in recent years as major topic for the handicaped in industrial accident compensation insurance(IACI). Specially social support helps the handicaped adjust themselves psychosocially to handicap. This study was conducted to examine different contents and perceived social support, and provide guidlines for specific and proper rehabilitation for the handicaped of IACI. This study is a descriptive study which were collected through two phases using structured questionnaire. In the first stage, surveys were performed via telephone interviews. In the second stage, surveys were performed via home-visit subjects in the first stage included the handicaped of IACI. Finally data were collected from 338 subjects and analyzes by SPSS/PC+10. The instruments of this study were the perceived social support scale which developed by Lee(1996). These scales in the form of 5-point Likert type, consists of 20 items, including 3 subscales of emotional support, informational support, instrumental support. The mean score of social support was 57.2, emotional support 21.0, informational support 21.2 and instrumental support 15.2. The mean of depression for psychosocial factors is 37.5. Threre were significant differences in total perceived social support; age, job status, handicaped degree in IACI, post-traumatic complication and use of instrument. Emotional support was significant differences; age, number of dependent family, job status, handicaped degree in IACI, use of instrument and depression. Informational support was significant differences; job status, posttraumatic complication, use of instrument and depression. Instrumental support was significant differences; sex, job status, handicaped degree in IACI, use of instrument, and depression. The current system of the Labor Welfare institute is not appropriate for solving health problems of the handicaped in IACI. Therefore, it is necessary to develop the plan which can provide the handicaped in IACI high-quality rehabilitation services, so that they must use those services in the community without being dependent on hospitals. This study proposes home visit nursing services as the way to provide various health services within community for the handicaped in IACI.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.54-67
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the relationship between job stress, attributes of health functional food (HFF) selection, and consumption values for information technology (IT) workers, and analyzed the factors influencing the selection of HFF to improve health by making the right choice of HFFs. Methods: Three hundred forty IT workers in Gyeonggi area participated in the study. The participants were divided into low or high job stress group. The differences in participants' general characteristics, attributes of HFF selection, and HFF consumption values were investigated, and the mediating effects of HFF consumption values on the relationship between job stress levels and the HFF selection attributes were analyzed. Results: Job stress levels were high in those IT workers with a length of service < 5 years (p = 0.013). The group with lower job stress levels had a higher tendency to consider the ingredients contained in HFF products (p < 0.001), and their efficacy (p = 0.047). They also showed greater emotional value for a sense of security from consuming HFFs to stay healthy (p = 0.047). The group with higher job stress levels had greater epistemic value in that their choice of HFFs differentiated them from the other workers (p = 0.036). Higher job stress was associated with less consideration of the intrinsic attributes such as ingredients and efficacy of the HFF selection attributes (p = -0.113), emotional value of the HFF consumption values (p = -0.136), and the functional value such as practicality, price, and safety (p = -0.134). The job stress level influenced the intrinsic attributes through the functional and emotional values, demonstrating that the functional and emotional values had appropriate mediating effects on the relationship between job stress levels and intrinsic attributes. Conclusion: Education needs to be provided for workers to relieve job stress and improve the functional and emotional values, which contributes to choosing the appropriate HFFs.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.33-46
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• 1998

Introduction : In Korea, national attention to the workplace health promotion programs (HPP) for employees began in early 1990s. Governmental supports for the HPP and education programs have given to the employees. The purpose of this study is to find the performance degree of employees' health promoting lifestyle(HPL). Subjects and Methods : For this study, 615 employees who attended governmental educations were selected as research samples. The tool for measuring HPL used in this study was developed for Korean by In-Sook Park in 1995. It is composed of 4-point scaled 60 items and divided into 11 subcategories. The data were collected by self reporting questionnaires from June to December in 1997. Those data were analyzed percentile, mean, standard deviation, ANOVA, t-test with SAS program. Major findings are as follows; 1. The total mean score of the employees' HPL performance was 2.66. The average scores of 'harmonious relationships' category were the highest as 3.11, whereas the one of 'professional health maintenance' were the lowest as 2.02. The remains were 'sanitary life'(2.90), 'emotional support(2.85), 'regular diet'(2.84), 'self achievement'(2.78), 'healthy diet'(2.56), 'rest and sleep'(2.56), 'exercise and activity'(2.54), 'diet control'(2.53), 'self-control'(2.52). 2. The factors affecting HLP were category of industries and sex, age, marital status, education level, major, educational experience of health promotion, among personal characteristics. The employees of service industries, female, older age, married, nurse, educated for health promotion, graduated from junior college performed HLP more than the others. 3. The participation rates of employees for HPP were 12.4%, because of limited time and facilities and equipments. Recommendations; 1. The regulation for performing the health promotion programs in the industries is essential for activating industrial health promoting movement. 2. More governmental supports for educations and services for health promotion programs in the industries are needed. 3. For behavioral changes of the employees, the contents of educations have to consist of exercise and activity, rest and sleep, diet and smoking habits. 4. The evaluating studies for ready made health promotion programs in the industries are expected.