• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.491-499
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• 2020

Background: Assembly lines work is frequently associated to work-related upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. The related disability and absenteeism make it important to implement efficient health surveillance systems. The main objective of this study was to identify self-reported variables that can determine work-related upper limb musculoskeletal symptoms-discomfort/pain-during a 6-month follow-up. Methods: This was a prospective study with a 6-month follow-up period, performed in an assembly line. Upper limb musculoskeletal discomfort/pain was assessed through the presence of self-reported symptoms. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate which self-reported variables were associated to upper limb symptoms after 6 months at the present and to upper limbs symptoms in the past month. Results: Of the 200 workers at baseline, 145 replied to the survey after 6 months. For both outcomes, "having upper limb symptoms during the previous 6 months" and "education" were possible predictors. Conclusion: Our results suggest that having previous upper limb symptoms was related to its maintenance after 6 months, sustaining it as a specific determinant. It can be a hypothesis that this population had mainly workers with chronic symptoms, although our results give only limited support to self-reported indicators as determinants for upper limb symptoms. Nevertheless, the development of an efficient health surveillance system for high demanding jobs should implicate self-reported indicators, but also clinical and work conditions assessment should be accounted on the future.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.455-464
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• 2020

Objectives: The distribution of hospitals in Korea is unbalanced in terms of accessibility. Many local public health centers (PHCs) exempt out-of-pocket payments (OOPs) based on local government laws to increase coverage. However, this varies across administrative regions, as many make this exemption for the elderly, while others do not. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the OOP exemption at local PHCs among elderly individuals. Methods: This study used online data on Korean national law to gather information on individual local governments' regulations regarding OOP exemptions. Individual-level data were gathered from the 2018 Community Health Survey and regional-level data from public online sources. Results: The study analyzed 132 regions and 44 918 elderly people. A statistical analysis of rate differences and 2-level multiple logistic regression were carried out. The rate difference according to whether elderly individuals resided in areas with the OOP exemption was 1.97%p (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07 to 2.88) for PHC utilization, 1.37%p (95% CI, 0.67 to 2.08) for hypertension treatment, and 2.19%p (95% CI, 0.63 to 3.74) for diabetes treatment. The regression analysis showed that OOP exemption had an effect on hypertension treatment, with a fixed-effect odds ratio of 1.25 (95% CI, 1.05 to 1.48). Conclusions: The OOP exemption at PHCs can affect medical utilization in Korea, especially for hypertension treatment. The OOP exemption should be expanded to improve healthcare utilization in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.93-105
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• 2012

Objectives: The objective of the study was to examine the clustering patterns and correlates of multiple health behaviors (MHBs) in middle-aged Koreans with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods: Data on sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, health behaviors (vegetable intake, physical activity, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption), and psychological characteristics were collected by a self-reported survey and medical examination from 331 individuals with MetS. Clustering of MHBs was examined by measuring 1) the ratios of observed and expected prevalence of MHBs, and 2) the prevalence odds ratios. A binomial logistic regression were conducted. Results: Men were more likely than women to engage in multiple unhealthy behaviors. Clustering of smoking and heavy drinking was exhibited in the participants. Women with high vegetable intake were more likely to be physically inactive, and those with inadequate vegetable intake were more likely to be physically active. Those with lower self-regulation were more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors. Conclusions: The findings support the multiple health behavior approach as opposed to the individual health behavior approach. Emphasis of self-regulation is necessary in developing multiple behavior intervention for individuals with MetS.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.4019-4023
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer in women and the most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 792 female undergraduate students in public universities in Klang Valley, Malaysia, from January to April 2011. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire developed for this study. Results: The mean age of respondents was $21.7{\pm}1.2$ years. Most of them were single (96.8%), Malay (91.9%) and 150 (19.6%) claimed they had practiced BSE. There was a significant differences between performers and non-performers correlated to age, marital status, check breast by doctor, and being trained about BSE. Performers had lower mean scores for perceived barriers and susceptibility and higher mean score for confidence. Stepwise logistic regression analysis yielded four significant predictor variables. Conclusions: Overall our findings indicate that the practice of BSE while perceived as being important is not frequently practiced among female in Malaysia. Targeted education should be implemented to improve early detection of breast cancer.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.95-109
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• 2013

The objective of this study is to assess the utilization and satisfactions about public health centers in Korea. For the analysis, the study utilize the nationwide data of 229,229 person on '2010 Community Health Survey' of Ministry of Health & Welfare. The statistical methodology used in the study is ${\chi}^2$, ANOVA, logistic regression model and multiple regression model. This study have four major findings. First, the significant affecting socio-demographic factors in utilizing public health center were gender, age, region, national basic living secured, married, income, education, job, state of health, chronic disease, unmet medical needs and utilization reason. Second, the most serviced category of health center user was vaccination both city and rural area and the next was certificate, primary care, health screening, other use, the mother and child in city area, primary care, health screening, certificate, home visiting health in rural area. Third, the significant affecting socio-demographic factors in satisfaction degree on health center service were age, region, national basic living secured, income, education, job, state of health, utilization degree and reason. Fourth, the most satisfied service of health service center was home visiting health in city area and mental health service in rural area and the next was nutritive control and the lowest satisfied service was user of certificate. The utilization and satisfaction on health center service were identified as different with residental area and user's characteristics. The politic effort are needed to support socially disadvantaged class and to narrow regional gap.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.301-306
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• 2020

Background: The Functional Movement Screen (FMS^TM) is a screening tool used to assess an individual's ability to perform fundamental movements that are necessary to do physically active tasks. The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of FMS to predict occupational injury among Denver Fire Department firefighters. Method: FMS tests were administered from 2012 to 2016. Claim status was defined as any claim occurrence vs. no claim and an overexertion vs. no claim/other claim within 1 year of the FMS. To assess associations between FMS score and claim status, FMS scores were dichotomized into ≤ 14 and > 14. Age-adjusted odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression. Sensitivities and specificities of FMS predicting claims at various FMS score cut points, ranging from 10 to 20 were tested. Results: Of 581 firefighters (mean ± SD, age 38 ± 9.8 y) who completed FMS between February 2015 and March 2018, 188 (32.4%) filed a WC claim in the study time frame. Seventy-two of those (38.3%) were categorized as overexertion claims. There was no association between FMS score and claim status [odds ratio (OR) = 1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.88 - 1.83] and overexertion claim vs. no claim/other claim (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 0.81 - 2.21). There was no optimal cutoff for FMS in predicting a WC claim. Conclusions: Although the FMS has been predictive of injuries in other populations, among this sample of firefighters, it was not predictive of a future WC claim.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.513-520
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• 2000

Objectives : To estimate the prevalence of hypertension, rates of awareness, treatment modalities, and control of hypertension, and also to identify factors in rural Korea that are related to these aspects of hypertension. Methods : A cross-sectional survey, including blood pressure(BP) measurements and interviews, investigating the variables in the health belief model was peformed from August to November, 1999 on 1,426 (79.4%) study subjects out of 1,797 registered residents over 30 years old in Ibansong-Myun, Chinju City. A second survey was peformed from January to March, 2000 on 376 (80.0%) subjects out of 470 hypertensive (or suspected hypertensive) subjects found in the first survey. Two BP readings were taken in each survey using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. Hypertension was defined as either a BP reading $\geq$ 140/90 mmHg in both surveys, or as subjects on oral hypertensive medication. Results : Estimated hypertension prevalence was 24.9% for men, and 30.4% for women. Rates of hypertension awareness, treatment (the regular use of oral hypertensives), and control (reduction of BP to <140/90 mmHg) were 52.5%, 34.4%, and 12.9%, respectively. The factors related to lower hypertension awareness in the logistic regression analysis were male gender, farming occupation, and higher perceived barrier to medical treatment (those for whom visiting health professionals is a burden). Conclusions : To improve the low awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension, a more active and out-reaching hypertension control program, including routine BP measurements for every visitor to primary care facilities, is needed in rural Korea.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6893-6897
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• 2013

Background: During and after the Fukushima nuclear disaster (FND), many parents were concerned about the effects of radiation on the health of their children. Purpose: To clarify the factors that influenced general workers living with children and the effect of child age groups in implementing preventive behaviorsagainst radiation following the FND. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study of preventive behaviors among general workers was carried out 3-5 months after the nuclear disaster. The subjects were 1,394 regular workers, who took part in radiation seminars run by the Fukushima Occupational Health Promotion Center between July and September, 2011. In total, 1,217 responses were submitted, of which 1,110 were eligible for the present study. This anonymous questionnaire survey inquired about the presence and age of children in the household and about radiation preventive behavior implemented after the FND. The contribution of each variable was assessed by logistic regression analysis. Results: General workers in Fukushima who lived with younger children performed more preventive behavior against radiation during and after the FND. In particular, both location-related and daily routines were practiced significantly more frequently (p<0.01) by workers living with a child in the age ranges of 0-6 (8 of 10 items) and 7-12 (5 of 10 items). Conclusions: This is the first study to assess the positive association between living with children by age group and increased preventive behavior against radiation implemented by general workers after the FND.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6919-6924
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• 2013

Background: Between 1998-2009 South Korea experienced significant progress in reducing the male smoking rate from 66.3% to 46.9%. As part of a significant government effort in the area of smoking cessation intervention, the Korean government implemented the national "Smoking Cessation Clinics (SCC)" program in 2004. Materials and Methods: Data covered 804,334 adult male smokers participating in SCC program at 253 public health centers between 2006-2009. We examined participant cessation rates with the SCC program, their characteristics and program intervention components using health insurance status as a socioeconomic status (SES) indicator. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed correcting for intra-class correlations within public health centers. Results: The overall 6-month quit rate was high (46.8%). Higher odds of smoking cessation were positively associated with higher levels of behavioral counseling sessions, but not nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Cessation rates were lower for Medicaid participants than for regular health insurance participants. Disadvantaged younger smokers were less likely to participate in the program. Older smokers were more likely to quit regardless of SES. Stress was cited as major reason for failure. Conclusions: SES inequalities across different age groups exist in smoking cessation among Korean adult male smokers. There is a need for intervention programs specifically targeting sub-populations of SES by different age groups.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.153-160
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• 2012

Various social problems such as traffic congestion, car accidents and environmental problems(air pollution, noises etc.) have been happening in the Seoul metropolitan area that has the car oriented traffic system providing cars continuously. Along with this, the financial burden caused by current oil price anxiety made paradigm shift from caroriented to public transportation-oriented. Its typical example is an arterial branch bus system changing(bus lane through the center of main road) started in Seoul in July, 2004. But study on safety analysis of bus lane and characteristic of accidents are not sufficient enough to now. The bus lanes are expanded to provide roads for better traffic operation and accidents between buses and pedestrians or ordinary vehicles are considered main problems. This study divided each bus route of median bus lane(bus-only lane through the center of main roads) and bus lane at roadside by intersection and collected and analysed data about influence variables of bus accidents chosen in each section. We constructed a logistic model using collected data. As a result, bus lane at roadside are used by both buses and other kinds of vehicles differently from median bus lane and showed such characteristic in accident influence. Therefore access management to factors causing conflict and improvement of operation management are required. In case of median bus lane, the more buses moving general vehicle lane and traffic volume of section were, the more accidents happened. In case that stop line of center lane is not backward, view blocking of vehicles turning left caused accidents.