• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.59-67
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• 2018

Objective : This study was conducted to investigate the effects of occupation-based group cooking program on executive function for children in community children's center. Methods : The children who participated in the study were 7 to 9 years old. This study was based on a one-group pre-posttest design, which the group cooking program included making of sandwiches, frog-shaped hamburgers, patbingsu, sausage gimbap, and flowerpot cupcake. This study consisted of five activity sessions, which each session lasted for 120 minutes. Effectiveness of the program was measured by using the STROOP Color and Word Test, Children's Color Trails Test and Assessment of Motor and Process Skills. Results : The differences between pre and posttest scores on STROOP Color and Word Test and the process skill score of Assessment of Motor and Process Skills were statistically significant. There was no difference significantly between pre and posttest scores in Children's Color Trails Test-2. Conclusion : This study demonstrated that the group cooking program intervention has effects on cognitive inhibition executive function and performance executive function of children in the community children's center. This study suggests that occupation-based intervention can be applied to various clients in the community setting.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.114-123
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• 2005

We analyzed the demographic and job features of 197 shipyard workers with work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs) compensated by the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act, and the features of the disorders, the causes of operation and the induced behaviors. The three shipbuilding companies surveyed were located in Busan Metropolitan city and Gyungsangnam-do. The results were as follows. 1. The ages of WMSDs patients in shipyard were $43.6{\pm}8.6$ and the job tenure was $14.3{\pm}5.6$. The 40's of them was 40.1%, and the 30's was 29.4%. Patients less than 5 year-work duration were 85.3%, and ones more than 16 year-work duration 6.6%. In occupations, welders were 32.5%, pre-welders 17.3%, and setting engineers 6.6%. 2. The causes of WMSDs in shipyard were works(95.4%) and outer crash or accident shock (3.6%). Based on the standard of the NIOSH induced behaviors, the causes were awkward posture (62.9%), excessive movement(19.3%) and repetitive movement(13.7%). 3. The compensated WMSDs by body part was the highest, 36%, in the spines, 32.0% in both the upper limbs and the spines, and 14% in the upper limbs. The number of cases of WMSDs in body were 96 in the cervical, 79 in the lumbar and 72 in the shoulders. 4. As a result of chi-square test(${\chi}^2$) between diagnosis and operation in body, welding and spot welding had the most diagnoses in all parts of the body among other occupations. Chi-square test(${\chi}^2$) between diagnosis and induced behavior in body showed that awkward postures recorded the highest rate and repetitive movements was the second. 5. The most hazardous occupation was the welding(incidence rate=9.7) and the most hazardous behavior was the awkward posture.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 2011

Most antineoplastic agents are nonselective in their mechanism of action, affecting noncancerous as well as cancerous cells, and resulting in acute effects such as irritation of mucous membranes and chronic effects such as genotoxicity, teratogenicity, and carcinogenicity. Healthcare workers occupationally exposed to antineoplastic agents are at risk. The present study aimed to develop and apply methods to monitor occupational exposure to antineoplastic agents, using cyclophosphamide (CP) as the model compound. To monitor environmental and biological exposure, potentially contaminated surfaces were wiped and 24 hour urine samples were collected from workers. Liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry was performed, with a limit of detection of 0.05 ng/ml. Measurable amounts of CP were detected on 92% of the sampled surfaces, with a geometric mean of 175.22 $ng/m^2$. Despite the environmental contamination of the model compound, CP was below the detection limit in all urine samples. If workplace contamination cannot be completely avoided, it is importance to reduce exposure to the lowest possible levels. To this aim, efforts to minimize occupational exposure along with biological and environmental monitoring are required. The standardized sampling techniques, and specific and sensitive analytical methods reported in this study may be helpful in assessing occupational exposure and devising strategies to reduce exposure.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.44.1-44.11
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• 2023

Background: A series of breast cancer cases were recently reported in a tertiary university hospital in South Korea. Nurses are generally exposed to risk factors for breast cancer such as night shift work, antineoplastic agents, and job strain. However, the epidemiological evidence of excess incidence among nurses remains lacking. This study aims to investigate the excess incidence of breast cancer among nurses in a tertiary university hospital and provide epidemiological evidence of occupational risk factors. Methods: A retrospective cohort was developed using personnel records of female workers in the nursing department who worked from January 2011 to June 2021 in a tertiary university hospital in South Korea. Sick leave records were used to identify cases of breast cancer. The standardized incidence ratio of breast cancer among nurses was compared to the general population. Results: A total of 5,509 nurses were followed up for 30,404 person-years, and 26 breast cancer cases were identified. This study revealed a significantly increased breast cancer incidence among all included nurses, with a standardized incidence ratio of 1.65 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-2.41), compared to the general population. Workers, who handle antineoplastic agents in their representative department and current and/or former department, had significantly elevated breast cancer standardized incidence ratios of 2.73 (95% CI: 1.008-5.94) and 3.39 (95% CI: 1.46-6.68), respectively. Conclusions: This study provides significant evidence of increased breast cancer risk among nursing staff in a hospital setting, particularly those who handle antineoplastic drugs. Measures that reduce exposure to risk factors should be implemented, especially anticancer drugs, to protect healthcare professionals. Further research at a national level that focuses on healthcare workers is necessary to validate breast cancer incidence and its contributing factors.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.97-107
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• 2013

Occupational safety and health management expense in construction industry means the monetary amount that the purchaser appropriates to prevent various disaster from happening during the construction period by setting aside a certain amount from subcontract based on the construction type and scale. The current appropriation standard of the Ministry of Employment and Labor has been enforced since its stipulation in 1988 although various policy changes for the safety in construction industry, e.g. the development of occupational safety management techniques in construction industry, changes in construction field site environment, cost depreciation, etc., are happening in Korea and overseas. Therefore, it is required at this point to examine whether the current occupational safety and health management expense appropriation is proper or not on the basis of time trend and the changes in the construction industry environment. Accordingly, this study aims at investigating the appropriation of occupational safety and health management expense for construction industry by the construction type and target expense in response to current construction industry environment and proposing the proper appropriation. The above research result proposes the calibration of the appropriation as specified and stipulated by the Ministry of Employment and Labor by the construction type and target expense, which is necessary to reflect the actual condition of the current construction industry environment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.46-58
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• 2017

Objectives: Particulate matter (PM) at construction sites mostly originates from either construction activities or the atmospheric environment. This study was conducted to evaluate the exposure level to PM and the contribution ratio of atmosphere sources at construction sites. Methods: We reviewed literature and governmental systems related to PM exposure in occupational settings and summarized them. In the field evaluation, five construction sites and one golf course were selected: two from Gyeonggi-do Province and four from North Gyeongsang-do Province. For each site, personal samples from outdoor construction workers and area samples from the outdoor area around the construction site office were collected according to construction work types. PM concentrations reported from nearby National Ambient Air Monitoring Stations were recorded. Respirable dust concentrations, respirable silica concentrations, and several metal concentrations including Cd, Cr, Pb, and As were monitored over four months. In the end we suggested how to manage particulate matter exposure at construction sites. Results: There was little literature reporting on exposure levels of construction workers to PM. Respirable dust concentrations measured in Gyeonggi-do Province were higher than those measured in North Gyeongsang-do Province. The geometric means of respirable dust concentrations in personal samples and area samples were $37.89{\mu}g/m^3$ and $92.86{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. The respirable dust concentrations were higher than the PM concentrations reported from nearby National Ambient Air Monitoring Station. The geometric means of respirable silica concentrations of personal samples and area samples were $1.3{\mu}g/m^3$ and $1.1{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. All metal concentrations were lower than 10% of individual Korean occupational exposure limits. Conclusions: Assuming that personal samples consisted of ambient PM and dust originating from work activities and area samples only collected ambient PM, we concluded that the dust exposure of outdoor construction workers originated 40.8% from the atmosphere and 59.2% from construction activities. PM exposure at construction sites should be controlled by employers, as in the case of outdoor heat stress. The Korean government needs to consider setting an occupational exposure limit for respirable dust.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.69-84
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• 2024

Objective : This study aimed to provide an overview of task-oriented approaches for children with developmental coordination disorder, including its definition, diagnosis, causes, and assessment, through a literature review. Subject : Eighteen international articles published between January 2000 and September 2023 were analyzed to explore the intervention strategies of Neuromotor Task Training (NTT) and Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP). The objectives of the interventions mentioned in the reviewed articles were categorized according to the criteria of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework-4 (OTPF-4). The results showed that NTT more frequently set goals in the area of client factors, while CO-OP set goals only in the area of occupation. This difference in goal setting can be explained by the strategy differences between the two interventions. Conclusion : A broader and deeper understanding of strategies for interventions with task-oriented approaches to developmental coordination disorder can increase awareness of the disorder and provide a more solid basis for evidence-based practice.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.134-145
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting clinical nurses' presenteeism. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used in which participants completed self-report questionnaires that consisted of measures for nurses' job satisfaction, job stress, professionalism and presenteeism. 267 nurses working in general hospital participated in this study. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate predictors of the presenteeism in clinical nurses. Results: 250 nurses experienced one or more health problems last one month. The group who experienced presenteeism during the last one year had significant differences in professionalism and perceived productivity. Predictors of sickness presenteeism in clinical nurses included work experience, total health problem and last 1 year absenteeism. Last 1 year absenteeism and total health problem were strongly related to presenteeism in clinical nurses. Conclusion: Major findings of this study indicated that in dealing with nurses' presenteeism, not only managing nurses' job stress and job satisfaction but also providing flexible work schedule and increasing staffing level as an organizational approach are necessary to be considered. Further repeated and expanded research is needed to explore the multidimensional aspects of nurses' presenteeism including a broad range of work setting and the influence of Korean nurses' organizational culture on presenteeism.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.341-346
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• 2019

Background: Although the concept of workload is important to nursing practice, only a few nursing researchers have focused on the issue of workload within the nursing context. Knowledge of how the dynamics of workload affects the job stress of nurses working in a specific unit or department in a hospital setting, and the influence of coworker support on this relationship, still remains limited. This study, therefore examined the effect of workload on job stress of Ghanaian outpatient department nurses and the moderating effect of coworker support on this relationship. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used, and questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 216 outpatient department nurses from four major hospitals in Ghana. The data collected measured workload, job stress, and coworker support using National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Task Load Index, job stress scale, and coworker support scale, respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and hierarchical regression. Results: High levels of workload were associated with high levels of job stress of the nurses. Also, higher levels of workload were related to higher levels of job stress for nurses who received high levels of coworker support, but this was not the case for those who received low levels of coworker support (reserve buffering effect). Conclusion: The finding reiterates the adverse effect of workloads on employees' health, and the reverse buffering effect implies that supporting a colleague at work should be conveyed in a positive manner devoid of negative appraisal.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.7-25
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic literature review focusing on international studies to identify various factors affecting the quality of life(QOL) of dementia patients admitted to long-term care facilities. Methods: From January 2000 to July 2018, the articles published in foreign journals were searched through CINAHL and MEDLINE databases. The main search terms were'dementia or Alzheimer's'. 'quality of life', 'long-term care', 'care home', 'nursing home', 'care institution', 'residential care', 'small- scale setting'. The first 1706 articles were searched, but 10 studies were selected using the selection and exclusion criteria. Results: Analysis of ten cross-sectional studies showed that factors such as physical functioning status, ability to perform activities of daily living, and cognition showed a positive correlation with QOL. Depression and anxiety, severity of dementia, and neuropsychiatric symptoms were found to be negatively correlated with QOL. In addition, two longitudinal studies have confirmed that factors affecting QOL are affected by individual functional status and social environmental factors rather than the size and form of care facilities. Conclusion: This study summarized 10 papers and analyzed them through a systematic review of literature. We found that factors such as individual characteristics and social environment determine QOL of patients with dementia. In this study, various intervention methods to improve QOL of patients with dementia should be developed and used in long-term care facilities by identifying the factors affecting QOL of dementia patients and using them.