• Title/Summary/Keyword: Preventive Measures

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Preventive Measures to Eliminate Asbestos-Related Diseases in Singapore

  • Lim, John Wah;Koh, David;Khim, Judy Sng Gek;Le, Giang Vinh;Takahashi, Ken
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.2 no.3
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    • pp.201-209
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    • 2011
  • The incidence of asbestos-related diseases (ARD) has increased in the last four decades. In view of the historical use of asbestos in Singapore since the country started banning it in phases in 1989 and the long latency of the disease, the incidence of ARD can be expected to increase further. As occupational exposure to asbestos still occurs, preventive measures to eliminate ARD continue to be required to protect the health of both workers and the public from asbestos exposure. The majority of occupational exposures to asbestos at present occur during the removal of old buildings. Preventive measures have been utilized by different government ministries and agencies in eliminating ARD in Singapore over the past 40 years. These measures have included the enforcement of legislation, substitution with safer materials, and engineering controls during asbestos removal as well as improvements in personal hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment. The existing Workman's Compensation System for ARD should be further refined, given that is currently stipulates that claims for asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma be made within 36 and 12 months after ceasing employment.

A Review of Anticancer Efficacy Outcome Measures in Clinical Trials of Herbal Medicine for Cancer Patients (한약을 사용한 암환자 대상 임상시험에서의 항암 효능 평가변수 고찰)

  • Chunhoo Cheon;Min Jun Kang;Wonbin Shin;;Hyunsuk Park;Unho Yang;Unseog Yeo
    • Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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    • v.28 no.1
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    • pp.119-130
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    • 2024
  • Objectives : The objective of this review is to examine the variety of evaluation parameters utilized in clinical trials that assess the anticancer efficacy of herbal medicine, focusing on the importance of including both symptomatic management and direct anticancer effectiveness. Methods : A detailed literature review was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to identify clinical trials investigating the antitumor efficacy of herbal medicine. The search was performed on February 22, 2024. This review specifically examined the employed outcome measures, which were then categorized and analyzed to understand their relevance and application in evaluating the anticancer properties of herbal medicine. Results : From an initial search of 900 records, 15 clinical trials were selected for in-depth analysis after deduplication and screening. These studies evaluated the efficacy of herbal medicine across various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer, using outcome measures such as survival rates, disease control rates, and quality of life improvements. The research spanned multiple countries, primarily in East Asia and the United States, reflecting a global interest in herbal medicine as a complementary approach to cancer treatment. The present study demonstrated that herbal medicine, especially when used alongside standard treatments, potentially improved clinical outcomes and patient well-being. Conclusions : The findings of this review highlight the need for a broader focus on the full range of therapeutic capabilities of herbal medicine, including its direct anticancer effects, in the management of cancer patients. Future oncology research involving herbal medicine should integrate a wide spectrum of clinical endpoints to fully ascertain its impact on cancer treatment and patient health.

Assessment of Radiation Safety Incident Risk Factors in Radiation Oncology Department Using the P-mSHEL Factor Analysis Model (P-mSHEL 요인분석 모델을 이용한 방사선종양학과 방사선 안전사고 위험 요인 평가)

  • Young-Lock Kim;Dae-Gun Kim;Jae-Hong Jung
    • Journal of radiological science and technology
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    • v.47 no.4
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    • pp.287-294
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    • 2024
  • Radiation oncology departments are at high risk for potential radiation safety incidents. This study aimed to identify risk factors for these incidents using the P-mSHEL (Patient, Management, Software, Hardware, Environment, and Liveware) model and to evaluate potential accident types through Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). FMEA identified seven accident types with high Risk Priority Number (RPN). A total of 56 detailed risk factors were classified using the P-mSHEL model, and measures to prevent radiation safety incidents were implemented. The effect of these preventive measures on workers' safety perception was confirmed through two indicators (FMEA and safety perception). After implementing the preventive measures, the FMEA analysis showed that the highest reduction in RPN was for A-6 (radiation exposure while other patients/guardians are present) with a reduction rate of 33.3%, followed by B-3 (radiation exposure while staff are present) with a reduction rate of 33.3%. Overall safety perception significantly improved after the preventive measures (4.17±0.35) compared to before (2.76±0.33) (p<0.05), with notable increases in both employee safety culture (3.93±0.51) and patient safety culture (3.73±0.62) (p<0.05). This study identified risk factors in radiation oncology departments. Continuous management, maintenance, and fostering a strong safety culture are crucial for preventing incidents. Regular problem identification and collaboration with relevant departments are essential for maintaining safety standards.

Perceptions of the Asian Dust - Analysis of the Newspaper Articles about the Asian Dust - (황사에 대한 인식 조사 -황사 관련 신문 기사 내용 분석-)

  • Im, Hyoung-June;Ha, Mi-Na;Cho, Soo-Hun;Kwon, Ho-Jang
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.36 no.3
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    • pp.298-301
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    • 2003
  • Objectives : There is an increasing concern for the social, economic, environmental and health effects of the Asian dust (Hwang-sa in Korean language) in Korea. In this study, we intended to indirectly determine ordinary people's perception about the Asian dust by analyzing the contents of newspaper articles dealing with it. Methods: By using article searching services in the internet websites of three newspaper companies, we collected newspaper articles dealing with the Asian dust during the period from January $1^{st}$ of 1998 to December $31^{st}$ of 2002. We classified the articles into four categories: those forecasting the occurrence of the Asian dust, those about measures to cope with it, those about its occurrence in the neighboring foreign countries, and those about its effects. In particular, we analyzed articles about the health effects of the Asian dust more distinctly. Results : A total of 1,225 articles dealing with the Asian dust were found during the 5 year period. The number of articles increased from 102 in 1998 to 518 in 2002, approximately a five-fold increase, The numbers of articles about health effects, environmental effects and economical effects were 191 (44%), 171 (41%) and 147 (34%), respectively. It was reported that various diseases such as respiratory diseases (87%), eye problems (69%), and skin diseases (12%) were associated with the Asian dust. Conclusion : The increasing concern for the negative effects of the Asian dust necessitates more studios about this field. As the effects of the Asian dust are various, the information on the major concern of ordinary people could help establish the research agendas and measures for the Asian dust.

Factors Influence the Preventive Behavior Intent against Emerging Infectious Diseases of University Students: Focusing on the Health Belief Model (대학생들의 신종감염병 예방행동의도에 영향을 미친 요인: 건강신념 모형을 중심으로)

  • Hye-Jin Lee
    • Journal of the Health Care and Life Science
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    • v.10 no.2
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    • pp.201-209
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    • 2022
  • The purpose of this study was to grasp the degree of preventive behavior of new infectious diseases in university students and to seek a practical plan for preventive behavior. Methods: The subjects of the study analyzed the factors that influenced the degree of preventive behavior of new infectious diseases in university students enrolled in the university of D city material by applying the factors of the health belief model. Results: Research Results First, Severity factors and preventive behavior intent are associated(β.164). Second, no association between the susceptibility factor and the prevent behavior intent. Third, Self-efficacy factors affected preventive behavior intent the most(β.640). Conclusions: The recommendations of the research results are as follows. In the future, institutional supplements and measures to foster the correct awareness level for new infectious diseases and raise the understanding of public health in a state where the possibility of developing new infectious diseases is high, first, regular survey and analysis, secondly, School health education, thirdly, concrete and practicable measures for one's own health management dimension should be introduced preemptively.

Development of Food Security Measures for Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (국민건강영양조사 식품안정성 측정 도구 개발)

  • Kim, Ki-Rang;Hong, Seo-Ah;Kwon, Sung-Ok;Oh, Se-Young
    • Journal of Nutrition and Health
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    • v.44 no.6
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    • pp.551-561
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    • 2011
  • Given that household food security issues have become the concern of the Korean society, this study aimed to develop food security measures for the Korean population. Based on the literature reviews on previously developed food security measures, the 18-item US household food security survey module (US HFSSM) was adapted. The developed food security measures was assessed by qualitative validity method. It was evaluated and modified by face validity by expert focus groups belong to university, public health center, and government agencies and by cognitive interview by 40 subjects with low household income who live in an urban community and are participants in welfare programs of local districts. Then, it was reviewed and revised by the National Institute of the Korean Language and the advisory committee for nutrition survey of Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The results showed that the developed questionnaire items were well adapted by expert focus groups and general subjects, showing the feasibility of measuring food security with the developed measures although there were discrepancies in some expressions of questionnaire items between experts focus groups and general subjects. The study to assess reliability and quantitative validity of the developed food security measures should be further needed to examine its application for KNHANES.

Structural Factors of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Outbreak as a Public Health Crisis in Korea and Future Response Strategies

  • Kim, Dong-Hyun
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.48 no.6
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    • pp.265-270
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    • 2015
  • The recent Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak has originated from a failure in the national quarantine system in the Republic of Korea as most basic role of protecting the safety and lives of its citizens. Furthermore, a number of the Korean healthcare system's weaknesses seem to have been completely exposed. The MERS-CoV outbreak can be considered a typical public health crisis in that the public was not only greatly terrorized by the actual fear of the disease, but also experienced a great impact to their daily lives, all in a short period of time. Preparedness for and an appropriate response to a public health crisis require comprehensive systematic public healthcare measures to address risks comprehensively with an all-hazards approach. Consequently, discussion regarding establishment of post-MERS-CoV improvement measures must focus on the total reform of the national quarantine system and strengthening of the public health infrastructure. In addition, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must implement specific strategies of action including taking on the role of "control tower" in a public health emergency, training of Field Epidemic Intelligence Service officers, establishment of collaborative governance between central and local governments for infection prevention and control, strengthening the roles and capabilities of community-based public hospitals, and development of nationwide crisis communication methods.

A study on the Causes Analysis and Preventive Measures by Disaster types in Construction Fields (건설현장에서의 사고유형별 원인 분석 및 재해예방대책에 관한 연구)

  • Jo, Jae-Hwan
    • Proceedings of the Safety Management and Science Conference
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    • 2011.11a
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    • pp.23-34
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    • 2011
  • Recently, carelessness on safety management in construction sites has caused a sharper upward trend in accidents and disasters, compared to the past. Therefore, this study analyzes the causes of accidents that occurred on construction sites in the year of 2010, and proposes preventive measures. The construction industry had a heavy death rate with 279 out of 418 deaths from falls in all industrial sites, accounting for 66.7%. And the causation analysis found a particularly high incidence of temporary structure-related accidents, with falling off scaffolding as the most common cause of accidents. According to the causation analysis of fall-down accident cases, accidents induced by protrusion on construction sites are a big contributor resulting in the deaths of 312, accounting for 74.8%, which is deemed to be due to site disorderliness. And to remove floor protrusions and to secure workers' traffic line and safety, neat and thorough site arrangement is necessary. Against collision, efforts must be made to prevent equipment-pedestrian crashes on site, which necessarily requires emergency lamps, alarm bells, and safety poles and blocks to be installed, lighting systems to be improved, obstacles to be removed, site supervisors to be assigned to construction equipment works, and workers to be more intensely trained and supervised.

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A study on the Causes Analysis and Preventive Measures by Disaster types in Construction Fields (건설현장에서의 재해유형별 원인 분석 및 예방대책에 관한 연구)

  • Jo, Jae-Hwan
    • Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.7-13
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    • 2012
  • Recently, carelessness on safety management in construction sites has caused a sharper upward trend in accidents and disasters, compared to the past. Therefore, this study analyzes the causes of accidents that occurred on construction sites in the year of 2007, and proposes preventive measures. The construction industry had a heavy death rate with 279 out of 418 deaths from falls in all industrial sites, accounting for 66.7%. And the causation analysis found a particularly high incidence of temporary structure-related accidents, with falling off scaffolding as the most common cause of accidents. According to the causation analysis of fall-down accident cases, accidents induced by protrusion on construction sites are a big contributor resulting in the deaths of 312, accounting for 74.8%, which is deemed to be due to site disorderliness. And to remove floor protrusions and to secure workers' traffic line and safety, neat and thorough site arrangement is necessary. Against collision, efforts must be made to prevent equipment-pedestrian crashes on site, which necessarily requires emergency lamps, alarm bells, and safety poles and blocks to be installed, lighting systems to be improved, obstacles to be removed, site supervisors to be assigned to construction equipment works, and workers to be more intensely trained and supervised.