• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.83-89
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• 2005

This study aims to compare a self-reported and expert-observed method on ergonomic risk factors of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs). The checklist was developed based on the results of previous studies, and the symptoms of WMSDs were obtained using a self-reported questionnaire from 1,029 shipyard workers. The risk factors were assessed through the self-report by workers and video analysis by ergonomists. The symptom prevalence at the low back (59.2%), shoulders (50.8 %), and knees (49.7%) were relatively higher than those at other body parts. Odds ratios (ORs) by body parts were 2.48 to 2.90 for the risk job, and the ORs were significantly different from those of the low risk job. The risk factor scores by body parts between workers and ergonomist were very high correlation(r=0.82 to 0.92). The rates of self-report from risk job were 54.0% (elbow and arm) to 72.1 % (low back), but sometimes overestimated(105.7 to 122.6%) than those by ergonomists. The checklist, developed in this study, will be an efficient tool for the evaluation of risk jobs using self-report by workers.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2006

Purpose: The goals of this research are to find out factors influencing the duration of work-related disability and to present implications for policies to prevent delayed recovery. Method: The subjects of this study were 238 workers who had been proved to be industrial disaster victims for occupational low back pain between January 1 2000 and December 31 2003. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the proportion of duration of disability associated with low back pain, and Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to identify factors predicting it. The model distinguished main symptom variables affecting acute(${\leq}90\;days$) and chronic phase of disability (>90 days). Result: Fifty percent of the workers had not recovered in 408 days. The results of Cox regression show that delayed duration of disability was predicted by diagnosis, pain radiation (in chronic phase), sex, the size and labor union of the workplace, scheduled rest, compensation from the company, and operation. Conclusion: Duration of disability associated with compensated low back pain is influenced not only by factors related to the company and compensation system but also by individual factors. Thus, future efforts to reduce duration of disability may need to take into account all these factors.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.185-193
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• 2009

Purpose: Loneliness may be a typical psychological consideration in chronically ill patients, linking with low life satisfaction. We aimed to determine if loneliness would be independently associated with life satisfaction in pneumoconiosis patients hospitalized in long-term care facilities. Methods: We recruited 164 patients from 3 pneumoconiosis-specialized hospitals in M and S cities, South Korea, and measured loneliness and life satisfaction by using the University of California Los Angeles loneliness and life satisfaction index-Z scales. The Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine an independent association between loneliness and life satisfaction after adjustment for age, the levels of dyspnea and bronchitis-emphysema symptom, length of institutionalization, marital status, previous coal work experience, perceived socioeconomic status, and presence of caregivers. Results: The mean of loneliness was 46.4. We found a significant association between loneliness and life satisfaction (standardized beta=-0.16, p=0.049), independent of all the covariates. Conclusions: Loneliness was an independent associate of life satisfaction in patients with pneumoconiosis who were institutionalized in long-term care facilities. Thus, a nursing intervention strategy for relieving loneliness is needed to increase life satisfaction in these patients.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.134-145
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• 2003

Purpose: The present study examines symptoms of VDT syndrome perceived by those nurses reviewing the application of health insurance at hospitals. This study also investigates those factor influencing on the experience of VDT syndrome among those nurses. Method: Data were collected through mail questionnaire survey in April, 2003. Of the 250 questionnaires disseminated, 214 questionnaires were finally analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis through SPSS/PC version 10.0. Result: Of the VDT syndrome, the musculoskeletal symptom score was highest, followed by ophthalmologic symptoms. The musculoskeletal symptoms were higher among younger nurses, having smaller space under the desk, and feeling uncomfortableness of the chair. The ophthalmologic symptoms were higher among those with a bachelor's degree, younger nurses, and those having a light reflection on the computer monitor, and those maintaining less than 40cm between eyes and the monitor. Higher dermatologic symptoms were observed among younger nurses and those using unclear monitor. The psychological symptoms were higher among younger nurses, those having a light reflection on the monitor, those unable to control the height of their chair, and those using uncomfortable chair. The overall symptoms were higher among younger nurses, those having a light reflection on the monitor, and those smaller space under the desk. Conclusion: Primary intervention should be given to those nurses with symptoms of VDT syndrome in order to regain health and prevent further aggravation of the symptoms. In particular, self-care behaviors of the nurses using VDT should be promoted with administrative support.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.210-215
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• 2018

Background: The aims of this study were to determine the extent of workplace bullying perceptions among the employees of a Faculty of Medicine, evaluating the variables considered to be associated, and determining the effect of workplace bullying perceptions on their psychological symptoms evaluated by the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed involving 355 (88.75%) employees. Results: Levels of perceived workplace bullying were found to increase with the increasing scores for BSI and BSI sub-dimensions of anxiety, depression, negative self, somatization, and hostility (all p < 0.001). One point increase in the workplace bullying perception score was associated with a 0.47 point increase in psychological symptoms evaluated by BSI. Moreover, the workplace bullying perception scores were most strongly affected by the scores of anxiety, negative self, depression, hostility, and somatization (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: The present results revealed that young individuals, divorced individuals, faculty members, and individuals with a chronic disease had the greatest workplace bullying perceptions with our study population. Additionally, the BSI, anxiety, depression, negative self, somatization, and hostility scores of the individuals with high levels of workplace bullying perceptions were also high.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.34-44
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was conducted to find out the effects of self-efficacy on job stress symptoms and coping strategies depending on perceived job stress. Method: The subjects were 447 workers employed in a manufacturing company. Demographic characteristics, self-efficacy, job stress, job stress symptoms and coping strategies were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire. Each envelope to keep the secret sealed completed questionnaires. Result: Job stress and job stress symptoms in workers with a high level of self-efficacy were lower than those of a low level of self-efficacy. Active coping strategies in workers with a high level of self-efficacy group were higher than those of a low level of self-efficacy. In multiple regression analysis, job stress symptoms were significantly higher in increasing job stress, increasing self-efficacy, office workers, manager group and increasing age. Active coping strategies were significantly higher in increasing self-efficacy, increasing career, males and decreasing job stress. Whereas passive coping strategies were significantly higher in females, increasing job stress and increasing self-efficacy. Conclusion: This study suggests that self-efficacy is a significant factor on job stress, job stress symptoms and coping strategies. Therefore, developing a job stress management program to increase self-efficacy and verifying its effects are needed.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.235-245
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• 2005

The changes in korean economic environment, from quantitative to qualitative growth of economy, go with making desperate efforts, that is, companies have put through many technical improvements, quality control, improvement of service, and so forth. Enterprises cut the number of employees through labor-management adjustment, so that a shortage of labor caused. An increase in intension of labor brought about growing the proportion of occupational diseases which is musculoskeletal diseases. Because of a rapid change in society and a change in our circumstances, we have many difficulties in examine a business disease closely. In support corroboration of relevance on admission of business, a criterion for dudging afford a basis for a causal relationship of medical science, take the state of working conditions into consideration, and at the same time, give a adaptable decision based on the purpose and point of "The Labor Standard Law" as well as "The Law about Industrial Accident Compensation insurance". In conclusion, it is necessary for the dental hygienists 10 reduce the on-duty hours a day, to make good postures in working, and to remove the stressful conditions in order to reduce the incidence of the lumbago. Good working postures, appropriate rest time, and early detection, care and education of the lumbago could be recommended for the dental hygienists.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.484-490
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was aimed to investigate the impact of job stress on low back symptoms among Clinical nurses (CNs) in university hospital. Methods: A total of 322 CNs employed in a hospital in Seoul were interviewed by a well-trained interviewer using the structured questionnaire. Data collected for this study includes demographics, social and work characteristics, low back symptoms, and job stress. To test the impact of job stress on low back symptoms, we used multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of low back symptoms was 25.8% in this study. Low back symptoms differed significantly by factors, such as physical work burden, past history of injury and work duration. Also low back symptoms differed significantly by organizational system among independent variables of job stress. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio of organizational system to low back symptoms was 2.07 after an adjustment. Conclusion: This study showed that organizational system among job stress was a significant variable in explaining low back symptoms. We suggest the improvement of organizational system category as a preventive strategy for low back pain in CNs working in hospital.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.353-356
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• 2015

Background: In 2012, the Alaska Section of Epidemiology investigated personnel potentially exposed to a Brucella suis isolate as it transited through three laboratories. Methods: We summarize the first implementation of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2013 revised recommendations for monitoring such exposures: (1) risk classification; (2) antimicrobial postexposure prophylaxis; (3) serologic monitoring; and (4) symptom surveillance. Results: Over 30 people were assessed for exposure and subsequently monitored for development of illness. No cases of laboratory-associated brucellosis occurred. Changes were made to gaps in laboratory biosafety practices that had been identified in the investigation. Conclusion: Achieving full compliance for the precise schedule of serologic monitoring was challenging and resource intensive for the laboratory performing testing. More refined exposure assessments could inform decision making for follow-up to maximize likelihood of detecting persons at risk while not overtaxing resources.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.152-163
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the effects of musculoskeletal symptoms and burden on presenteeism among nurses in a gastrointestinal endoscopy unit. Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study. Data were collected through self-reported questionnaires administered to 140 nurses working in the gastrointestinal endoscopy unit of a hospital located in Busan metropolitan city. Results: The body part with the most musculoskeletal symptoms was the back (73.2%), and the most common musculoskeletal burden work was "when you have to stand or maintain the same posture for a long time in a lead apron protection clothes." The factors most related to work impairment were working hours, musculoskeletal symptoms, and musculoskeletal burden, with an explanatory power of 63.3%. Factors affecting perceived productivity were working hours and musculoskeletal symptoms, with an explanatory power of 29.2 %. Conclusion: To reduce work impairment and increase the perceived productivity of nurses in gastrointestinal endoscopy units, various programs and improved working environments are needed that can improve musculoskeletal symptoms and reduce musculoskeletal burden.