• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.147-152
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to evaluate the musculo-skeletal symptomatic features of municipal sanitation workers and to compare differences of the musculo-skeletal symptoms by work types. We conducted descriptive cross-sectional survey concerning the musculo-skeletal symptomatic features of 315 street cleaners in Seoul and GyeongGi Province, Korea, during 2 weeks of September 2006. Questionnaires were consisted of general characteristics, occupational characteristics and musculo-skeletal symptoms. And we observed their works and evaluated their movement and posture by REBA. For work types, tools and subjective physical work loading, there were statistical difference whether or not NIOSH symptom positive on upper limb. Musculo-skeletal symptoms on upper limb were claimed from 43.2% of street cleaners, more than in 32.4% of cleaners. Musculo-skeletal symptoms on upper limb were reported higher in the group who felt their subjective physical work loading severe than in the otherwise group. The REBA results were over 'high risk stage' in street cleaners. Street cleaners had more repetitive motions than solid waste collectors on upper limbs. Works according to the criteria of musculoskeletal burdened work by the Ministry of Labor results were over 'high risk stage' of No. 2 and No. 4 in street cleaners. We found that street cleaners complained musculo-skeletal symptoms on upper limb more than solid waste collectors. This study suggests that it is necessary for street cleaners to carry out the prevention program of musculo-skeletal diseases. For street cleaner, the measure plans such as job rotation, automatic street sweepers, reducing work hours are helpful in preventing musculoskeletal symptoms on the upper limb.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.649-659
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to investigate the musculo-skeletal pain prevalence and severity in the dental hygienists based on PRECEDE model. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was completed by 483 dental hygienists in Gwangju from September 13 to October 12, 2013. Data were analyzed by frequency analysis, chi-square test, t-test, and multiple logistic regression analysis using SPSS 18.0 program. Musculo-skeletal pain severity was classified from 1 to 5 by PRECEDE model. The questionnaire consisted of six questions of the general characteristics of the subjects, one question of musculo-skeletal pain prevalence, one question of body part musculo-skeletal pain prevalence, one question of subjective health status, three questions of activities of daily living, six questions of working environment, one question of musculoskeletal system diseases knowledge, two questions of social support, two questions of education experience and data use method, and five questions of necessity of health education. Results: The prevalence rate of musculo-skeletal pain within a year was 83.9% and 22.8% of the dental hygienists complained of severe pain. The odds ratio of moderate pain severity was 1.99(95% CI, 1.10-3.60) and the odds ratio of unhealthiness was 3.27 (95% CI, 1.35-7.94). The odds ratio of pain severity in those working for 4-6 years was 0.21(95% CI, 0.08-0.57). The odds ratio of pain severity in those practicing 6-10 scaling cases per day was 0.33(95% CI, 0.17-0.65). The odds ratio of pain severity in wrist turning and bending was 3.56(95% CI, 1.19-10.62). Conclusions: The muscolu-skeletal pain severity in the dental hygienists was closely associated with subjective health condition, work duration, the number of scaling practice activity, and a treatment posture. Regular physical checkup for the dental hygienists will improve the musculo-skeletal pain due to scaling practice.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3552-3560
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• 2012

This study was conducted to find out the complaint rate of musculo-skeletal disorder and its related factors from male manufacturing workers at a nonferrous manufacturing industry. As for the research subjects, 302 workers selected from a nonferrous manufacturer located in Daejeon City, and as for the collection of data, a standardized anonymous questionnaire survey were conducted from May 1, 2011 to June 30, 2011. As a results, the complaint rate of musculo-skeletal disorders by each body part, the symptom of shoulders was 42.7%, the highest rate, followed by the waist, 36.8%, the neck and the hand/wrist/finger, 30.5% respectively, the leg and foot, 30.1% and arm/elbow, 20.9%. The complaint rate of musculo-skeletal disorder for the sociodemographic characteristics was significantly high as survey participants' age and BMI were low and in the group having low subjective health condition. The complaint rate of musculo-skeletal disorder for the health-related behavior characteristics was significantly high in the group having been absent from work due for diseases, in the group having received outpatient services, in the group having been hospitalized for treatment, in the group not having a regular exercise and in the group having insufficient sleeping hours. Finally, the complaint rate of musculo-skeletal disorder for the job-related characteristics was significantly high in the group suffering from the physical burden of their work, in the group working while bending at the waist and in the group carrying out repetitive tasks.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.234-236
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• 2011

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common spinal disease in the elderly. The cardinal symptom of LSS is neurogenic claudication, but not all patients present with such typical symptom. The clinical symptoms are often confused with symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, musculo-skeletal disease and other medical conditions in elderly patients. In particular, LSS presenting with rapid progression of leg weakness must be distinguished from other combined diseases. We report a case of rapid progressive leg weakness in a patient with LSS and iatrogenic adrenal insufficiency that was induced by obscure health supplement.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.353-363
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• 2020

Objectives: Occupational diseases that occur due to or aggravated by work have commonly been recognized in the manufacturing industry, but there are now more incidences happening in the service industry due to changes in the industrial structure. Health workers are exposed to direct factors and various other causes of occupational disease at work, such as physical, chemical, biological, and psyco-social factors. This study aims to identify work-related diseases affecting health workers that are recognized as occupational diseases. Methods: The research is based on the data of workers whose diseases were accepted as work-related by the Industrial Accidents Compensation Insurance, and filed by the Korean Occupational Safety and Health Agency. Amongst the approved claims during 2011 to 2015, we focused on healthcare workers and health-related workers of the Korean Standard Classification of Occupations. Descriptive statistics were performed. Results: The number of health workers(HWs) with approved work-related disease was 1,707 over 5 years. The number of healthcare workers(HCWs) excluding caregivers was 370 (21.7%) and of health-related workers (HRWs) it was 736 (43.1%). Out of HWs who were approved for their illnesses, females were 80% of HCWs and 88% of HRWs. The most common occupational disease in HWs was musculoskeletal diseases, while that of nurses was infectious disease. Conclusions: HWs are exposed to various risks from their profession and are affected by occupational diseases. It is necessary to focus on this issue and provide preventive measures.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.101-128
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• 1999

A study on disease treated at oriental medical treatment facilities (OMTF) and patients' satisfaction levels was conducted in order to figure out why the patients visited oriental medical doctors and the level of satisfaction of the patients for the services offered to them by oriental medical doctors. This study was performed from March 2 through May 31, 1998 by interviewing 1.532 persons living in major and small cities in korea. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. The general characteristics of subjects. The highest portion of each part was, 66.9% female, persons in the age group of over 60's 22.7%, high school graduated 34.9%, house wife 30.8%, The married 65.0%, Buddhist 36.9%, maj or city residents 60.2%, company covered insurance benefiter 39.0% and etc. 2. 40.5% of subjects visited OMTF for skeletal and connective tissue diseases. 21.5% for digestive system diseases. 16.2% for respiratory system diseases. 13.3% for circulatory system diseases and 9.0% for neurological problems. 3. 42.7% of males visited OMTF for skeletal and connective tissue diseases, which were the highest and respiratory system disorders, digestive system disorders, circulatory system disorders and neurological diseases in order. 39.4% of females visited OMTF for skeletal and connective tissue disorders which were the highest and other conditions such as digestive system, circulatory, respiratory, and neurological disorders in order. 4. The males with circulatory system disorders were treated by herbal medicine, combination of herbal medicine and acupuncture, only in order. The females with the some conditions above were treated by combination of herbal medicine and herbal medical and acupuncture only in order. The males and females with respiratory system and digestive system diseases were treated by herbal medicine, combination of herbal medicine and acupuncture only in order. But the males and females with skeletal and connective tissue diseases were by acupuncture are the highest in order. 5. The females and persons in the age group of over 60' s and house wife. the not married, the unhealthy persons, residents living in small cities, the persons with high income by medical treatments frequency in circulatory system diseases are the highest. 6, The females, middle school graduated and the married, persons in the age group of over 60's, unemployed, sales and service industry workers, Buddhists, major city residents, the unhealthy persons, the persons with middle income by medical treatments frequency in respiratory system diseases are the highest. 7. The females, persons in the age group of over 60's, under graduated or elementary school graduated, the unemployed and house wife, the unmarried, Buddhists, major city residents, the unhealthy persons, the persons with low income by medical treatments frequency in digestive system diseases are the highest. 8. The males, major city residents, old ages, under graduated or elementary school graduated, go earn officials, people grown in small city, the persons who had health insurance policies, the persons with low income, the unhealthy persons by medical treatments frequency in skeletal and connective tissue disorders diseases. 9. 50.8% of the respondents said that the treatments at the OMTF were very effective. 47.7% of them said that the treatments were effective. The males, persons in the age group of 40's, high school graduates, official workes, the married, the persons who did not have religion, major city residents, the persons who had health insurance policies, the persons with high income and the healthy persons said that the treatment effects at OMTF were satisfactory. 10. The patients' satisfaction rate for OMTF on each disease is, 1st. Musculo-Skeletal system(most satisfied), 2nd. the pregnancy & delivery complications, 3rd. Eye & ophthalmics, 4th. Respiratory system, 5th. Mental & bodily disorder, 6th. Digestive system and etc. 11. The factors affect OMTF are age, satisfaction for OMTF, current disease, religion, efficiency of Oriental Medicine, health condition and etc. This explained power of variable were 39.0%. 12. The satisfied factors for OMTF is correlate to educational level, and economical variables.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.536-552
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore how homeless shelter worker and public health nurses perceive health status and health care of homeless shelter residents (HSRs). Methods: Data collected through focus group interviews. In Focus group, in-depth discussions were between 150 to 160 minutes. Data analyzed using Krueger (1998) step analysis. Participants were seven experienced clinical social workers, nurses working homeless shelters, and public health center nurses for dosshouse people. Results: The results were 4 themes and 15 sub-themes: Characteristics of HSRs, perception of health and health problem of HSRs (alcohol related disease, hypertension Diabetics, gastro-intestinal disease, dental disease and infectios disease such as Tuberculosis, musculo-skeletal disease, prostate problem), health care status of HSRs(insufficient health care service, discrimination of medical staff, lack of health care management, low satisfaction community health care services), and the health care proposal of HSRs(nurse in homeless shelter, integrated health care system, understanding of homeless) Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, health care programs focusing on understanding of HSRs and chronic diseases of HSRs increasing steadily although the management system is limited. Therefore, more systemized health care plan and health referral system for homeless people.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2011

This study analyzed the convenience and productivity before and after adopting self-propelled power transportation devices to the harvest and transportation of fruit and vegetable products in the Gyeongbuk region, by applying the REBA and RULA techniques. In the REBA analysis, the work risk was low with 4~6 points before adoption which became 2~3 points after adoption. As for the RULA analysis, work loading appeared to have decreased with 6~7 points before adoption which became 3~4 points after adoption. The annual work time reduction was about 48~179 hours while labor costs were reduced to 364~1,345 thousand won annually. This indicated a labor cost reduction effect of about 10~15%. Therefore, the adopted self-propelled power transportation devices appeared to prevent musculo skeletal diseases of the human body and also improve productivity even after using it for long hours according to the REBA, RULA measures level.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.121-133
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• 2010

Objects : To establish directions to evidence-based medical interventions and diagnosis technology in oriental medicine, we did survey research among oriental medical doctors. Methods : Systematically-organized questionnaires were provided for survey. 105 Oriental medical doctors nationwide participated in the survey. We investigated diseases of their patients, differential diagnosis methods, frequently used medical interventions, needs for diagnosis devices, evidence-based clinical manuals, etc. Results : In oriental medical clinics, the most frequent patient class was patients with musculo-skeletal diseases. Oriental medical doctors assumed that the preparation of care solution for chronic life-style diseases was the most urgent. Dong-Eui-Bo-gam(東醫寶鑑) was the most frequently used reference for their herbal medication prescription. Fixed document for diagnosis and treatment were thought to be the most important in the developing evidence-based clinical manuals. Conclusions : Validity and reliability should be considered as very important in developing oriental diagnosis devices. Evidence-based clinical manuals are needed to build standardized document for diagnosis and treatment and to verify efficacy and safety of oriental medical diagnosis and treatment.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.118-128
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• 2005

A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the prevalence and related factors of musuculoskeletal symptoms in automobile manufacturing, steel processing, electric assembly line, and wood processing industries. A study subjects were 3,434 workers from small and medium scale companies of Incheon. Walk-through surveys were performed from Feb. of 2004 to Oct. of 2004 to investigate various physical work factors. Symptom prevalence rate by related factors was that women worker showed higher rate than man, and married person was higher than single person. For the working year, group of person who were working less than 3 year showed the highest rate. However, the group of person who were working more than 10 hour per day showed the highest rate. For the total subjects, prevalence of symptoms by body area was as follows: shoulder symptoms were the most frequently reported symptoms(253 person, 7.0%), followed by back(155 person, 4.5%), hand or fingers (136 person, 4.0%), lower extremities(131 person, 3.9%), neck(108 person, 3.1%), and elbow symptoms(97 person, 2.8%).