• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.409-418
• /
• 2011

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the child-care teachers' job in relation to physical work. Background: Child-care teacher is directly related to the quality of child care. And their physical activity is higher than general education teachers because the proportion of day care is high. But analyzes of child-care teachers' job burdens and the work environment associated with physical activity is not well established. Method: To conduct this study, the child-care teachers' job was classified into 18 physical works. After classification, posture was evaluated by ergonomic posture evaluation schemes of OWAS, RULA, REBA and evaluated for each physical part. Next, musculoskeletal subjective symptoms were analyzed. Results: The results showed the following: The highest assessment on the posture evaluation was "helping children to ride a school bus", "feeding: meal/snack", "brushing children's teeth" and "arrangement of nap-stuff". The rank of high-risk assessment on the neck/trunk/leg part was arranged by: "feeding: meal/snack", "helping children to ride a school bus", "making nap", "arrangement nap-stuff" and "brushing children's teeth". The rank of high-risk assessment on the upper limbs part was arranged by: "helping children to ride a school bus", "the bust - group activity", "meal/snack time - preparing, feeding, arrangement", "nap time - preparing, arrangement", "brushing children's teeth", and "using the toilet". According to the results of each musculoskeletal subjective symptom, teachers ordered the pain area as follows: waist, shoulder, leg/feet, and neck, and they showed more pain on trunk than the upper limbs. Conclusion: To sum up the results from ergonomic posture evaluation and a subjective symptom, the following are high working pressures: "feeding: meal/snack", "the bust - group activity", "making nap", "brushing children's teeth" with deep bending and waist twisting, "helping children to ride a school bus", "brushing children's teeth" with lifting shoulder; "meal/snack time - preparing, arrangement", "nap time - preparing, arrangement", and "using the toilet" with moving or an up-down position in their job. Application: The results of this study might be information for improvement of the child-care teachers' job environment.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.22 no.4 s.28
• /
• pp.506-517
• /
• 1989

Two hundred and fifty teachers of special school (for the disabled) and 414 elementary school teachers were selected for the targets in order to compare their degrees of fatigue symptoms and to find what kind of ralationship is between subjective symptoms of fatigue and pH is the saliva. It was 30 minutes before their closing hours on April 21th, 1989 that their physical, mental and neuro-sensory symptoms and salivary pH were examined. The test results are summarized as fallows : It is observed that an interrelation between subjective fatigue and pH in their saliva shows a significant relationship between physical and neuro-sensory symptoms in a sense of statistics. The rate of subjective fatigue complained by the special teachers is higher than that by the elementary teachers. In the case of salivary pH, the special teachers' is as a whole lower than the elementary teachers'. The complain rates in each item, checked, of special teachers are generally higher than those of the elementary teachers. It is in the mental symptom related item that there are many sub-items which show significant difference. According to the average of salivary pH based on the degrees of complained symptoms shown in the pH related items, the salivary pH of the group with complained symptoms is lower than that of the group without complained symptoms. In the rate of complaints, by sex, both sexes of the special teachers show high ones, but salivary pH is low. The complain rate of mental symptoms shown by female group from the special teacher Is significantly higher(p<0.05). By age, the group in their thirties from the special teachers show the higher complain rate of mental symptoms (29.3%) and the lower salivary pH (p<0.05) than that (15.1%) of the elementary teachers belonging to the same age catagory. However, the special teachers in their forties show the lower complain rate of physical symptoms that of the elementary teachers (p<0.05). From the viewpoint of their working years, the special teachers below 14 years and elementary teachers above 15 years in their career show high complain rates. Among those who belong to the catagory of 10-14 working years, the special teachers show the higher complain rate of mental symptoms than that of their counterparts. In the case of the salivary pH, the special teachers of all working-year catagories show the higher pH than that of the elementary teachers. But there is not significantly difference. From the viewpoint of sleeping hours in the previous night of the questionaire surveyed, among those who slept for over 7 hours, the special teachers show the higher complain rate of mental symptoms with a significant difference, but the lower salivary pH than that of their counterparts. From the viewpoint of their marital status, existence of disease history, the special teachers show the higher complain rate of subjective fatigue, but the lower salivary pH than that of the elementary teachers respectively. According to the above results, the special teachers generally show the higher complain rate of subjective fatigue, the lower salivary pH, and the higher complain rate of mental symptoms. To prevent the possible accumulation of mental fatigue of the special teachers, ways and means to make use of leisure time, recreational facilities are necessarily provided. Since the degree of fatigue and salivary pH have a correlation to some extent, it is necessary that further continuous studies on the correlation between the degrees of fatigue and salivary pH should be pursued.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.201-207
• /
• 2012

In order to evaluate the physical and psychological health effects from automobile air pollution, 99 employees who worked near a main street were given a general health questionnaire, and the prevalence of their subjective complaints was measured. The collected data were classified according to gender, sleep time, degree of regular exercise, self-consciousness of symptoms, length of employment, work time, rest time, and smoking status. The results obtained were summarized as follows: The scores related to health complaints regarding physical and psychological items were higher in females than in males. THI scores were higher for the < 4 hour sleep time group. The health complaint scores for physical items were higher in the regular exercise group, whereas most scores for mental items were higher in the irregular exercise groups. The health complaints scores for physical and psychological items were higher in the unhealthy symptom group than in other groups. Those employees who had worked for > 4 years showed significantly higher rates of complaints regarding the eyes and skin. THI scores were higher for the < 6 hour working time group. The smoking group showed higher scores regarding health complaints related to physical items. The THI scores of the respiratory organs, mouth, anus, and digestive organs were significantly higher for the smoking group than for the non-smoking group. In summary, this study shows that the health complaint scores regarding physical and psychological symptoms tended to be higher among the unhealthy group, the less sleep time group, the less work time group, smokers, and females. These results can be used to improve the psychosomatic health status and working environments of employees who work near a main street.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
• /
• v.44 no.7 s.221
• /
• pp.125-139
• /
• 2006

The purpose of this study is to analyse the factor of the Variables that contributed to the depression of middle-aged women. The subjects were 751 Middle-aged women whose age was from 41 to 60. The instruments used in the study were the assessment of depression, the assessment of climacteric symptoms, the assessment of marital satisfaction, the assessment of marital stability, the assessment of ego identity and the questionnaire of demographic variables. The data were analysed by using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Duncan, pearson correlation, hierarchical multiple regression. The findings were as follows; (1) According to the job, the level of education, the state of marriage, the subjective level of health, the subjective level of economy, household income, present problem, the level of family-of-original relationship, the age of last child, religion and spouse's occupation there were differences of depression; (2) In the result of the analysis of relationships of depression, the depression was correlated with Climacteric Symptoms positively and with Marital Satisfaction, Marital Stability, and Ego Identity negatively; (3) Predictors of depression of the Middle-aged women ordered climacteric physical, climacteric psychological, marital satisfaction, marital stability, identity moratorium, goal oriented, identity diffusion, initiative. Based on these results, the recommendations for the future research in this area were discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.103-109
• /
• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of the current study was to evaluate subject quality of life in depressed parents of boys with Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (DMB/ BMD). In addition, a specific relationship between subject quality of life and the severity of depressive symptom was explored. Methods : The participants were 15 depressed parents who had moderate to severe depressive symptoms and 35 nondepressed parents of boys with DMD/BMD. All participants completed the World Health Organization Quality Of Life Scale, Brief Version and the Beck Depression Inventory. Other instruments included the Family Relationship Scale and the Child Behavior Checklist. Results : Among various model predictors, only higher score on the Beck Depression Inventory predicted lower scores on all domains of the World Health Organization Quality Of Life Scale, Brief Version. In addition, depressed parents had significantly lower scores on all domains of the World Health Organization Quality Of Life Scale, Brief Version including physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment, relative to non-depressed parents. Conclusion : Findings of the current study suggest that all domains of subjective quality of life may be influenced by depressive symptoms in parents of boys with DMD/BMD.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.45-52
• /
• 2005

Objectives : To investigate the fatigue subjective symptoms and VDT related risk factors in bank workers. Methods : A total of 2178 workers (62.8% male, 37.2% female) were surveyed with a self-administered and structured questionnaire consisting of 30 fatigue symptoms and other VDT related factors regarding work characteristics, work postures, work environments, personal medical histories, etc. Fatigue subjective symptoms were divided into 3 groups of 10 questions each: a dull, drowsy and exhausted feeling (Group I), a mental decline of working motivation (Group II), or a feeling of incongruity in the body and dysfunction of autonomic nervous system (Group III). Each question was weighted as 0 for 'none', 1 for 'sometimes', and 2 for 'always'. Results : Mean age was $35.8{\pm}7.2$ years ($38.9{\pm}6.0$ in males, $30.6{\pm}5.8$ in females), Mean work duration was $7.7{\pm}7.1$ years ($8.4{\pm}7.4$ in males, $6.5{\pm}6.4$ in females). Mean symptom score in males was $11.0{\pm}8.1$ ($4.9{\pm}3.1$ in Group I, $3.0{\pm}3.1$ in Group II, $3.1{\pm}2.8$ in Group III) and in females was $17.5{\pm}9.5$ ($7.0{\pm}3.8$ in Group I, $4.6{\pm}3.5$ in Group II, $5.9{\pm}3.4$ in Group III). Mean scores were higher in the order of Group I>III>II. Females had significantly higher scores than males in all three groups (p<0.001). Most common symptoms complained of as 'always' or 'sometimes' were feel strained in the eyes' (85.4%) among Group I, 'find difficulty in thinking'(54.2%) among Group II, and 'feel stiff in the shoulders (72.3%) among Group III. In multiple regression analysis, female, non-straight spine at workstation, more VDT work hours, history of physical therapy, glare of screen, overtime work, young age, and non-horizontal elbow position were significantly related with high score of symptoms. Conclusions : More supportive VDT work environment and education for correct work postures for VDT workers are recommended.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.220-228
• /
• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate estheticians' self-reported pain symptoms and pain levels according to the parts of the hand. Methods: Data were collected through a questionnaire survey among 116 estheticians from 31 skin care centers and spas. Information about general characteristics, job characteristics and work characteristics were based on data from the self-administered questionnaire. To determine the self-reported pain symptoms and pain levels according to the parts of the hand, a Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire was used. Results: The subjects had the greatest self-reported pain symptoms in the thumb(Right: 53.4%, Left: 46.6%) and felt the highest level of pain in the wrist(Right: 4.87 points, Left: 4.71 points). Physical burdens and age had statistically significant effects on the pain level in the right hand, while physical burdens and the manager rather than the director had statistically significant effects on the pain level in the left hand. Conclusions: Since the thumb and wrist have the greatest subjective pain symptoms in the hand, the use of proper tools is recommended in order to reduce the usage of the thumbs during massage, as is regular stretching to protect the wrists.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.339-357
• /
• 2009

As quickly becoming an ageing society in Korea, this study aims to investigate how family caregivers' burden with demented patients and social supports are related to their health and quality of life, and the interaction of caregiving burden and social supports on caregivers' health and quality of life. The participants were 207 family caregivers (106 females) of demented patients lived in Seoul, Kyunggi, and Chungcheong areas, whose average of age were 51.62 ( SD=9.25). The psychological tests used in this research included the following: Multidimensional Caregiver Burden Inventory, Chon's Physical Symptom Questionnaire, Hahn & Jang's Perceived Health Inventory, Negative Affect Self-Statement Questionnaire, and the Korean Version of Cambell's Subjective Well-being Scale, Social Support Survey in Medical Outcomes Study, and Kwon's Questionnaire for Maladjusted Problems of Demented. Results indicated that caregivers' burden with demented patient related to physical symptoms and depression positively, and perceived health and subjective well-being negatively. Social supports showed moderate effects on influences of caregiving burden in perceived health, depression, and subjective well-being of family caregivers with demented patients. It was identified the possibility of their buffering effect on negative results of caregiving burden with demented patients. Since caregiving burden accounted for the 34% of the variances for family caregivers' physical symptoms and depression, researchers discussed the promotion and intervention of their health and quality of life. Beside of different effects of social supports with level of caregiving burden, with previous studies it was discussed some saliant findings such as family caregivers with patients who showed severe dementia symptoms were perceiving even less supports from others.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Health Science
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.1097-1105
• /
• 2018

Purpose: Loneliness is an extremely subjective experience that is influenced by life experiences and circumstances. This study attempted to provide basic data for the development of nursing intervention strategies to understand the concept of loneliness and to reduce loneliness on various topics. Methods: The research analysis method is based on the framework of concept analysis proposed by Walker and Avant (1988). Results: The results of this study are as follows: 1) Self-alienation 2) Isolation of human beings 3) Psychological damage reaction 4) Pain 5) Loneliness is the loss of a comfortable "frame". The prerequisites can be divided into personal characteristics and situational characteristics. Empirical criteria include intimate others, lack of social relationships or problems, family and friendship, belonging, recognition or expression of loneliness, emotional state changes and changes in health behavior, and physical symptoms. Conclusions: Loneliness is an important indicator of well-being and a cause of physical and mental illnesses, so nurses facing various subjects should be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of loneliness. By promoting and sustaining their interest, they should be able to enjoy lonely people.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.85-91
• /
• 2001

Background : It goes without saying that cumulative trauma disorders is spreading to various types of occupation in many advanced countries including America, and it forms considerable rate of total occupational disorders already. and as the result of it, the seriousness of worker health problem and economic loss owing to production loss, recuperation expense, etc. are on the increasing trend through whole society. In case of Korea, the related measures as well as accurate fact-finding survey data on cumulative trauma disorders aren't prepared in detail, so it implies forward problem would be serious. Purpose : The purpose of this study is to draw the risk factor of cumulative trauma disorders in production factory, to forecast the rate of occurrence of cumulative trauma disorders on the basis of subjective symptoms, and to present forward realistic and effective prevention measures by showing the risk of cumulative trauma disorders, objecting the production factory of a domestic riding automobile assembly shop, by estimating in the aspect of human-engineering through the analysis of risk factor being a cause of cumulative trauma disorders. Methods : For this study, I investigated work type and on-duty hours, breathing time, and subjective symptoms of cumulative trauma disorders through questionnaire, objecting the workers in press. car body, coating, and outfit factory. Results : As a result of research, 81.2% of workers were in the physical burden due to present working, and the highest prevalence by part of body is an waist. The higher a rule score, The higher the number of workers complaind for working intensity, and the higher age work duration, tool used time, the higher prevalence of subjective symptoms by part of body. The number of workers complaind subjective symptom for treatment is the highest in drugstore.