• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.171-187
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• 2023

Objectives: Aircraft cabin cleaning work is characterized by being performed within a limited time in a narrow and enclosed space. The objective of this study was to evaluate the exposure levels to dust, ultra fine dust(PM2.5) and black carbon(BC) among aircraft cabin cleaners. Methods: Active personal air sampling for respirable dust(n=73) and BC(n=47) was conducted during quick transit cleaning(cabin general and vacuum-specific) and seat cover replacement and total dust and PM2.5 were area-air-sampled as well. Also, size distribution of particle was identified with the cleaning workers targeted. Dusts were collected with PVC filters using gravimetric analysis. The concentration of PM2.5 and the particle size distribution were measured with real-time direct reading portable equipment using light scattering analysis. The concentration of BC was measured by aethalometer(filter-based real-time light absorption analysis instrument). Results: The geometric mean of respirable dust was the highest at vacuum cleaning as 74.4 ㎍/m³, following by replacing seat covers as 49.3 ㎍/m³ and cabin general cleaning as 47.8 ㎍/m³ . The arithmetic mean of PM2.5 was 4.83 ~ 9.89 ㎍/m³ inside the cabin, and 28.5~44.5 ㎍/m³ outside the cabin(from bus and outdoor waiting space). From size distribution, PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratio was 0.54 at quick transit cleaning and 0.41 at replacing seat covers. The average concentration of BC was 2~7 ㎍/m³, showing a high correlation with the PM2.5 concentration. Conclusions: The hazards concentration levels of aircraft cabin cleaners were very similar to those of roadside outdoor workers. As the main source of pollution is estimated to be diesel vehicles operating at airports, and it is necessary to replace older vehicles, strengthen pollutant emission control regulations, and introduce electric vehicles. In addition, it is necessary to provide as part of airport-inftastructure a stable standby waiting space for aircraft cabin cleaners and introduce a systematic safety and health management system for all workers in the aviation industry.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.230-246
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• 2023

Objectives: The climate crisis has arrived and heat-related illnesses are increasing. It is necessary to discover new high-heat risk industries and understand the environment . It is also necessary to prioritize risks of industries that have not been included in the management target to date. The study was intended to monitor and evaluate the thermal risk of high-priority workplaces. Methods: A prioritization method was developed based on five factors: occurrence of and death due to heat-related illnesses, work environment monitoring, indoor work rate, small heat source, and limited heat dissipation. it, was applied to industrial accidents caused by heat-related illnesses. Wet bulb temperature index and apparent temperature were measured in July and August at 24 workplaces in seven industries and assessed for thermal risk. Results: The wet bulb temperature index was in the range of 23.8~31.9℃, and exposure limits were exceeded in the growing of crops, food services activities and accommodation, and building construction. The apparent temperature was in the range of 26.8~36.7℃, and exceeded the temperature standard for issuing heatwave warnings in growing of crops, food services activities and accommodation, warehousing, welding, and building construction. Both temperature index in growing of crops and building construction were higher than the outside air temperature. Conclusions: In the workplace, risks in industries that have not be controlled and recognized through existing systems was identified. it is necessary to provide break times according to the work-rest time ratio required during dangerous time period.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.247-264
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• 2023

Objectives: The study was to examine the features of three-dimensional(3D) face dimensions and to develop fit test panels for the labor population using respirators in South Korea. Methods: This study was part of the first-year work of a two-year-project conducted at Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute in 2021. After 3D head dimensions data were collected from Size Korea Center managing Sixth Size Korea databases, 3D face dimensions DB for the South Korean labor population was established for 21 items of face dimensions in line with the ISO/TS 16976-2 and KS A ISO 15535. With the South Korean labor population 3D face dimensions DB, in accordance with the ISO/TS 16976-2, the descriptive statistics of 3D face dimensions were calculated and two fit test panels were developed. Results: A total of 2,752 subjects were finally determined and they were 52.9% for male, 41.2% for the highest age-group of 15-29, and residents in the capital area. Mean and standard deviation were obtained for each of the 21 3D face dimensions items for the South Korean labor population. Among the items, male and female face widths were 137.6±5.7 mm, 133.2±5.0 mm, respectively. Male and female face lengths were 116.6±7.0 mm, 107.8±6.8 mm, respectively. Two new South Korean fit test panels, a bivariate test panel and a principal component analysis test panel, were developed using the 3D face dimensions DB as well. Conclusions: Using the 3D face dimensions DB, the mean and standard deviation were featured for each of the 21 items and also the two fit test panels were newly developed in the study. It is suggested that the study outputs should be utilized practically and effectively in selection, use, and management of respirators at work, expecting that respiratory protection can be furthermore improved for respirator users including labor population across the country.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.14-18
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was done to investigate the relationship of differentiation of the patten identification in stroke patients between acute and convalescent stage. Methods : In the time of period Apr. 1st 2007 to Sep. 29th 2008, 903 patients with stroke admitted in the department of Internal Medicine of Kyungwon University Oriental Medical Hospital, Kyunghee University Oriental Medical Hospital, Dongguk University Oriental Medical Hospital were included. Patients were hospitalized within a month after the onset of stroke. Stroke patients were interviewed by doctors who studied standard operation procedures. A questionnaire was completed by a question-and-answer form between patients and doctors after explanation details to patients and the agreement of patients. Results : The frequency of fire-heat patten was the highest in acute stage of stroke and the one of deficiency of Yin group was the highest in convalescent stage of stroke. This result doesn't have statistical significance. (p<0.05) Conclusions : In this study, we found the relationship of differentiation of the patten identification in stroke patients between acute and convalescent stage. Further, we have concluded that this difference should be considered in the management for stroke patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.86 no.2
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• pp.82-93
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• 2023

Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant public health concern. Globally, TB is among the top 10 and the leading cause of death due to a single infectious agent. Providing standard anti-TB therapy for at least 6 months is recommended as one of the crucial strategies to control the TB epidemic. However, the long duration of TB treatment raised the issue of non-adherence. Non-adherence to TB therapy could negatively affect clinical and public health outcomes. Thus, directly observed therapy (DOT) has been introduced as a standard strategy to improve anti-TB medication adherence. Nonetheless, the DOT approach has been criticized due to inconvenience, stigma, reduced economic productivity, and reduced quality of life, which ultimately could complicate adherence issues. Apart from that, its effectiveness in improving anti-TB adherence is debatable. Therefore, digital technology could be an essential tool to enhance the implementation of DOT. Incorporating the health belief model (HBM) into digital technology can further increase its effectiveness in changing behavior and improving medication adherence. This article aimed to review the latest evidence regarding TB medication non-adherence, its associated factors, DOT's efficacy and its alternatives, and the use of digital technology and HBM in improving medication adherence. This paper used the narrative review methodology to analyze related articles to address the study objectives. Conventional DOT has several disadvantages in TB management. Integrating HBM in digital technology development is potentially effective in improving medication adherence. Digital technology provides an opportunity to improve medication adherence to overcome various issues related to DOT implementation.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.235-244
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• 2023

Objectives: Based on the results from the Korean Total Diet Study (KTDS), the sodium (Na) and potassium (K) intake of Koreans were estimated and compared with intake estimates from the Food & Nutrient Database (FNDB), as in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) to verify the validity of these estimates. Methods: One hundred and thirty-four representative foods (RFs) covering 92.5% of the total food intake of Koreans were selected, and 228 pairs of corresponding 'RF x representative cooking method' were derived by reflecting the methods used mainly in terms of frequency and quantity in their cooking. RF samples were collected from three cities with a larger population size in three regions (nine cities) nationwide, and six composite samples were made for each RF, considering its regional and/or seasonal characteristics. One thousand three hundred and sixty-eight 'RF x representative cooking method' pair samples were prepared, and the Na and K contents were assessed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-MS). The Na and K intake of the Korean population was estimated by linking the content with the food intake data from the 7th KNHANES. Results: The mean Na and K intake of Koreans were 2,807.4 mg and 2,335.0 mg per person per day, respectively. A comparison with the Na and K intake from KNHANES, including only RFs of KTDS, showed comparable results with less than 5% variation. While the contribution and ranking of food items to Na intake were similar between KNHANES and KTDS, there were differences in K intake. This was attributed to the large discrepancies in the K content of rice and coffee between KTDS results and the values in the 9th Revision of the National Food Composition Table used in KNHANES. Conclusions: The Na and K intake of Koreans estimated based on the KTDS, which performed nutrient analysis on samples prepared to a 'table-ready' state using foods of the representative collection, was similar and comparable with that of KNHANES. This supports the validity and usefulness of FNDB-based nutrient intake estimation at the population level. The list of nutrients studied in KTDS is expected to be expanded, allowing for intake estimation of nutrients with currently insufficient or absent information in the FNDBs in use.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.319-326
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• 2023

Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased the workload of healthcare workers (HCWs), impacting their health. This study aimed to assess sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and identify factors associated with poor sleep among HCWs in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1000 frontline HCWs were recruited from various healthcare facilities in Vietnam between October 2021 and November 2021. Data were collected using a 3-part self-administered questionnaire, which covered demographics, sleep quality, and factors related to poor sleep. Poor sleep quality was defined as a total PSQI score of 5 or higher. Results: Participants' mean age was 33.20±6.81 years (range, 20.0-61.0), and 63.0% were women. The median work experience was 8.54±6.30 years. Approximately 6.3% had chronic comorbidities, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. About 59.5% were directly responsible for patient care and treatment, while 7.1% worked in tracing and sampling. A total of 73.8% reported poor sleep quality. Multivariate logistic regression revealed significant associations between poor sleep quality and the presence of chronic comorbidities (odds ratio [OR], 2.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17 to 5.24), being a frontline HCW directly involved in patient care and treatment (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.16 to 2.16), increased working hours (OR, 1.84; 95% CI,1.37 to 2.48), and a higher frequency of encountering critically ill and dying patients (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.95). Conclusions: The high prevalence of poor sleep among HCWs in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic was similar to that in other countries. Working conditions should be adjusted to improve sleep quality among this population.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors that influencing mental health literacy. Methods : We obtained data on 2016 general population from the Korean Mental Health Literacy Survey (2021) conducted by Ministry of Health and Welfare. Multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations between sociodemographic characteristics and the score of questionnaire items in Korean Mental Health Literacy Survey. Results : Among the factors, female (p<0.001), higher age (p=0.005), higher income level (p<0.001) were significantly correlated with higher score of questionnaire items. Awareness of mental health center & community addiction management center (p=0.002), awareness of mental health hotline service (p<0.001) were also significantly associated with higher response score. Conclusions : The factors affecting mental health literacy could be considered when providing community mental health services.

• 한국노년학
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.53-71
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• 2005

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to investigate CHPs' knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding UI, and to identify predictors of their UI related practice. Methods: A descriptive-correlational study using self-administered questionnaire was conducted. A total of 330 members of the local Korean Association of CHPs were included in this study. A mailed survey was conducted to collect data. Findings: Of CHPs surveyed, 170(51.5%) returned completed questionnaire. Educational preparation of CHPs regarding UI was limited. The mean correct score of knowledge scale was 68.96%. Overall, CHPs exhibited positive attitudes toward UI. CHPs in this study were not actively participate UI related practice. Contrary to expectation, knowledge was not significantly related to CHPs' practice regarding UI. In the final analysis, CHPs' practice regarding UI was predicted by attitude toward the care of UI clients and educational needs for UI and these two variables explained 9% of variance of UI related practice. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest the importance of attitude and educational needs in shaping UI related practice among CHPs. To facilitate UI related practice among CHPs, efforts for attitudinal change related to UI among CHPs are needed. Moreover, continuing educational program for UI management should be developed, applied and evaluated.

• 한국노년학
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.369-386
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to develop the classification of home-based long-term care activities and to test its validity. In this study, the taxonomy of long-term care activities was structured according to the service domain and process. Two expert groups participated in making a draft of the taxonomy that was composed of 7 service domains, 22 care needs, 22 service objectives, and 114 activities. Reliability and validity of the taxonomy was tested in a sample of 152 elderly subjects who used the home-based long-term care services. Based on the factor analysis of 114 activities, 21 factors were extracted from 114 activities. Internal consistency of the factors was high. Content validity was confirmed by the CVI. Long-term care insurance grade was used to assess the criterion validity. Among 21 care needs, 12 cares needs were significantly different from their grade. The classification of home-based long-term care activities demonstrated reliability and validity. In conclusion, the use of this classification is recommended while communicating with the elderly subjects, service providers, and the 3rd party payers.