• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.80-92
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• 2015

Objectives: To clarify the association between dust from large construction sites and allergic and respiratory conditions among residents in Sejong city. Methods: We included 379 individuals older than 50 years from three areas of Sejong city; two areas near construction sites and one area for a comparison. Prevalence of self-reported allergic and respiratory conditions was compared across the three areas using logistic regression to adjust for covariates including age, gender, smoking, and educational attainment. A total of 16 individuals were interviewed to take details of the residents' experiences of construction work. Results: Those living in the nearby areas around construction sites were generally found to have the increased prevalence for all allergic and respiratory conditions. Odds Ratio(OR)s for cough and sneezing among the six symptoms and allergic rhinitis among the three diagnosed diseases reached statistical significance but only OR for cough remained significant after adjustment: adjusted OR for cough was 2.63 (95% CI, 1.07-6.46). Two relevant themes emerged from semi-structured interview were; 1) most residents from the affected area reported a considerable level of exposure to construction dust, 2) about half of them noted that construction dust influences allergic- and respiratory health. Conclusions: General pattern provides suggestive evidence that living close to construction sites may be positively associated with elevated risks of allergic and respiratory conditions. Efforts should be made to establish preventive measures and a comprehensive in-depth health impact assessment on this issue.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.62-71
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was performed to find the differences in physical activity according to general characteristics and factors related to physical activity between the elderly over 65 with hypertension living rural and urban areas. Methods: This study included 681 participants (221 rural, 460 urban) with hypertension from The Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V). The collected data were analyzed through an $x^2$-test to examine the differences in physical activity and multiple logistic regression to assess factors related to physical activity between the elderly over 65 with hypertension living rural and urban areas. Results: The significant statistical factors related with physical activities for the urban hypertension group were education level, activities of daily living, and quality of life. However, the related factors for rural residents were activities of daily living and limitation of activity. Conclusions: The study results indicated that the factors that affected the level of physical activity revealed difference in case hypertension between the urban and rural groups. An awareness of the importance of physical activity will have a positive influence on improving the physical function and quality of life for elderly people with hypertension.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.45-65
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• 2016

Global competition and unstable economic situation in recent years have brought in adverse working conditions such as proliferation of temporary or part-time workers and new shift system. In this study we use exploratory data analysis method to find the relationship between some of the important variables which are related to working hours in KWCS (Korean Working Conditions Survey) and EWCS (European Working Conditions Survey). Next, working hours are explored in terms of sex, employment type, occupation and industry using 2006, 2010, 2011, 2014 KWCS data as well as 2010 EWCS data. Lastly, respondents are divided into two groups of healthy and nonhealthy workers and their working hours are explored in terms of the same categories as above. Finally, simple regression analysis is used to find the effect of health on weekly working hours and adjustment of the effect of health on weekly working hours is made using multiple regression analysis with some other independent variable such as sex, age and employment type included in the model.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.695-703
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• 2011

Objective: This study was to investigate the effects of coordinated upper-limb body postures on the subjective discomfort rating, heart rate, and muscle activities. Background: Although generally many checklists such as OWAS, RULA, and REBA were applied to evaluate various body postures, the body postures were might be overestimated or underestimated because each body part(i.e., back, shoulder, and elbow etc.) was evaluated separately, and then added all rates of individual body parts to assess an overall risk level for the body posture in these methodologies. Methods: A total of 20 participants maintained 14 postures which were combinations of back, shoulder, and elbow flexion angles and then muscle activities, subjective discomfort, and heart rates were collected every three minute during a sustained 15 minute and 0.5kg weight holding task. Four muscle groups were investigated: erector spine, anterior deltoid, upper trapezius, triceps brachii. Results: Results showed that subjective discomfort was the lowest when the angle of back and shoulder were both $0^{\circ}s$, while the body posture with $45^{\circ}$ of back angle and $45^{\circ}$ shoulder angle was rated as the most subjective discomfort posture. In general, the subjective discomfort ratings increased as back and shoulder flexion angles increased. It was noted that, however, the subjective discomfort of body posture with a $45^{\circ}$ back angle and $45^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion angle was lower than that of body posture with a $0^{\circ}$ back and $45^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion angle. The research findings of heart rates and muscle activities showed similar results for the analyses of subjective discomfort ratings. Conclusions: The possible limitations of the current ergonomics evaluation techniques which assessing a body posture with summing all body part score after individually analyzed in this study. Based on the analyses of subjective discomfort, heart rate, and muscle activities, it was recommended that a use of effects of coordinated upper-limb body postures would be considered when one evaluates work-load for various working postures. Application: These findings can be used for developing a more accurate assessment checklist for working posture as well as preventing musculoskeletal disorders of workers in workplaces.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.27 no.3 s.47
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• pp.581-595
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• 1994

To investigate the effect of carbon disulfide on blood pressure, the BP measurements in the periodic health examination results and the medical records of factory clinic were reviewed. The study subjects were composed of 1336 male and 544 female workers, who were categorized into three groups by the exposure status-highly exposed, moderately exposed and non-exposed group. The results of the study were as follows; 1. The age-adjusted mean systolic and diastolic BP of male workers were 122.35 mmHg/79.11 mmHg in highly exposed, 121.57mmHg/79.05mmHg in moderately exposed and 122.67mmHg/82.27mmHg in non-exposed group. For female workers, BPs were 115.13mmHg/74.49mmHg in moderately exposed and 113.48mmHg/74.30mmHg in non-exposed group. 2. In multiple regression analysis of maximum BP against Age and tenure, the slope coefficients of age and tenure on the systolic BP were 0.379, 0.667 respectively and those on the diastolic BP were 0.331, 0.405 respectively in highly exposed male workers. Tenure was a significant variable in this study. For female workers, however the slope coefficients of tenure on BP were significant only for systolic BP of moderately-exposed group. 3. In multiple regression analysis of Bp against age, cumulative exposure index (CEI), cholesterol, all the variables showed significant slope coefficients in male, but age and CEI on systolic BP were significant for female workers (p<0.05). 4. In the multiple analysis of the amount of Bp change and the velocity of Bp change among male workers, the slope coefficients of tenure tended to increase as exposure level increased. Among female workers, the slope coefficients of tenure were significant on the amount of Bp change and the velocity of Bp change in moderately exposed group.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.117-122
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• 1976

The occupational skin diseases in an industry of silk reeling located in Daegu city of Korea were analyzed by inspection through a mass survey for improving the workers' health, November, 1975. The subjects, 177 persons were all females, and were distributed at 18-38 years old. About two thirds were under 25 years old. The meanage was 23.6 years. The incidence of skin diseases was about 53%. It was generally divided into three groups;- the epidermic changes of those were most frequent, 47.5%, the allergic reactions were 14.7%, and athlete's foot was only four cases, 2.3%. Most frequent signs of epidermic changes was the worn-out nail, 32.3%; and the keratolysis, 28.8%; and the callus, 15.3% were followed in order. Theses were significant in five per cent level between the sections of the silk reeling and the manufacturing;-Allergic reactions and worn-out nail were more frequent in the manufacturing group than the silk reeling, and keratolysis and callus were inverted proportionally. Allergic reactions were occurred within a few months from first entrance time, and it was more frequent in the group exposed to same allergen in the past than the continuing group from first. Most of the appearing sites of theses were hands, and infrequently, it was occurred in the face, neck, trunk, knee anfeet. These epidermic changes except allergic phenomena were appeared in the fingers, palmal and dorsal surface of hands frequently contacted. But these changes and allergic reactions were generally combined with two or more kinds.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.5692-5699
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• 2011

This study aims to determine potential differences in self-perceived oral health levels between blue-collar and white-collar workers. It is based upon questionnaire survey data dating from Mar. 1 to 30, 2011. All the data collected from 200 blue-collar workers and 100 white-collar worker was analyzed using statistical tools like SPSS ver. 19.0. Self-perceived oral health levels were analysed across three sub-factors - physical, psycho-social, and psychological factors - which were confirmed through factor analysis. The psycho-social factor was statistically significant for age and shift work. Self-perceived oral health levels across the three factors were quantitatively correlated except for psychological factors in blue-collar workers. The study found that occupational group affects workers' self-perceived oral health level. The explanatory power of these 4 variables total 51% in blue-collar group. In case of white-collar group, it was found one variable total 30%. Since oral health levels differ between blue-collar and white-collar workers, oral health promotion projects should differentiate between the two groups, and workers with an interest in their tooth for the prevention, yet negligent act because it will keep your personal oral health care in the prevention-oriented oral health promotion.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.27
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• pp.3.1-3.4
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• 2012

Objectives: The current use of humidifier detergent and its harmful impact on humans has arisen as a societal environmental health issue. Therefore, in this study we aimed to explore the relationship between demo-socio characteristics and humidifier use, as well as the monthly usage changes in pregnant women; thus, we report the actual status of humidifier usage of Korea's pregnant population. Methods: From a birth cohort of a Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) study, 1,144 pregnant women who responded through questionnaires including demo-socio characteristics, obstetric status and household environment including whether they use humidifier and frequency of use were included in this study. Statistical analyses were performed to explore the relationship between maternal characteristics and the relevance of the use of humidifiers was performed using a chi-square test, a t-test and univariate logistic regression analysis. The monthly usage rate was demonstrated in the graph. Results: The humidifier usage rate in pregnant women was 28.2%. The average frequency of humidifier usage was 4.6 days per week, 7.3 hours per day. The usage rate was higher in the multipara group and the above the age of 34 age group than in the primipara and below the age of 34 groups. Seoul showed a higher usage rate than Cheonan and Ulsan and as the education level and income increased, the usage rate of humidifiers among pregnant women also increased. In the monthly trend of usage rate, the winter season showed the highest usage rate of over 45% and the lowest in late summer and beginning of fall with a value of 12% or less. Conclusions: During pregnancy, the mother's body is especially vulnerable to hazardous environmental exposure that not only affects the pregnant woman but also the fetus. Further research is still needed to elucidate the route and effect of environmental risk factors. Therefore, based on precautionary and preventive principles, special interest and caution in harmful environments are strongly needed not only at an individual level but also at a national level.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.287-293
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• 2017

The purpose of the study was to analyze the effects of work experience during higher education on employment. In particular, the study analyzed the difference in employment and permanent employment according to work experience or internship. In addition, the effects of the relatedness of college major and work experience as well as internship on college graduates' employment or permanent employment were investigated. The data came from the 2013 Graduates Occupational Mobility Survey (GOMS). The study covered the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. The study found that there was a significant difference in the employment and permanent employment among the groups classified by work experience or internship. Internship had a positive effect on college graduates' permanent employment. Based on the study results, this study suggests that policies for internship during higher education need to be enhanced. The match between employment and the field of study in college needs to be increased. Interventions and policies for the establishment of competency-based employment should be improved.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.257-264
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• 2012

Objectives: This study's aims were to evaluate the effects of load center of gravity within an object lifted and feet placements on peak EMG amplitude acting on bilateral low back muscle groups, and to suggest adequate foot strategies with an aim to reducing low back pain incidence while lifting asymmetric load. Methods: The hypotheses that asymmetric load imposes more peak EMG amplitude on low back muscles contralateral to load center of gravity than symmetric load and maximum peak EMG amplitude out of bilateral ones can be relieved by locating one foot close to load center of gravity in front of the other were established based on biomechanics including safety margin model and previous researches. 11 male subjects were required to lift symmetrically a 15.8kg object during 2sec according to each conditions; symmetric load-parallel feet (SP), asymmetric load-parallel feet (AP), asymmetric load-one foot contralateral to load center of gravity in front of the other (AL), and asymmetric load-one foot ipsilateral to load center of gravity in front of the other (AR). Bilateral longissimus, iliocostalis, and multifidus on right and left low back area were selected as target muscles, and asymmetric load had load center of gravity 10cm deviated to the right from the center in the frontal plane. Results: Greater peak EMG amplitude in left muscle group than in right one was observed due to the effect of load center of gravity, and mean peak EMG amplitudes on both sides was not affected by load center of gravity because of EMG balancing effect. However, the difference of peak EMG amplitudes between both sides was significantly affected by it. Maximum peak EMG amplitude out of both sides and the difference of peak EMG amplitude between both sides could be reduced with keeping one foot ipsilateral to load center of gravity in front of the other while lifting asymmetric load. Conclusions: It was likely that asymmetric load lead to the elevated incidence of low back pain in comparison with symmetric load based on maximum peak EMG amplitude occurrence and greater imbalanced peak EMG amplitude between both sides. Changing feet positions according to the location of load center of gravity was suggested as one intervention able to reduce the low back pain incidence.