• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.81-85
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• 2009

Work related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs) was a leading cause of sick leave and injuries in the industries of our country. Posture was an important consideration in the design of work method and workplaces, because it affected the ability of workers to use various equipments and influenced how long they could perform their job without feeling discomfort, fatigue, and musculoskeletal disorders. Imbalanced lower limb postures such as a squatting posture were awkward working postures common to the shipbuilding shops, farms, automobiles assembly lines in our country. Different awkward working postures were known to be associated with specific musculoskeletal disorders. Eight postures in lower limb postures divided into balanced and imbalanced postures were evaluated by electromyographic(EMG) activity for lower limb muscles. Twelve male subjects participated in this study. This paper was to analyze the effects of lower limb muscles workload according to lower limb postures(knee angle) and working time. The ANOVA results showed that most EMG root mean square(RMS) values were statistically significant effect according to lower limb postures(knee angle) and working time. Therefore, the results of this study will provide the basis to evaluate workload of lower limb postures correctly adopted by workers in various jobs and the ergonomic reference to prevent WMSDs.

• 아태비즈니스연구
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.19-38
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• 2018

This study is to examine the transition of employment relations depending on labor reform by U Thein Sein Government(2011~2015) in company level and implemented literature review and interview. The results of this study are as follow. According to contents of the legislative amendment pursued by U Thein Sein government, there were some changes in employment relations as the use of standard labor contract, the application of paid holidays, easy use of vacations/sick leave and the establishment of trade unions. But, after the adoption of the minimum wage system, there was not change in the employment relations to such an extent as to have a significant impact on the live of the laborers. So it is expected that development of the trade union representing laborers in the future is able to take mutually beneficial employment relations.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제2권4호
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• pp.313-320
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• 2011

Objectives: To analyze the association between changes in perceived physical and psychosocial working conditions and change of sickness absence days in younger and older (< 50 and ${\geq}50$ years) food industry employees. Methods: This was a follow up study of 679 employees, who completed working conditions survey questionnaires in 2005 and 2009 and for whom the requisite sickness absence data were available for the years 2004 and 2008. Results: Sickness absence increased and working conditions improved during follow-up. However, the change of increased sickness absence days were associated with the change of increased poor working postures and the change of deteriorated team spirit and reactivity (especially among < 50 years). No other changes in working conditions were associated with the changes in sickness absence. Conclusion: Sickness absence is affected by many factors other than working conditions. Nevertheless, according to this study improving team spirit and reactivity and preventing poor working postures are important in decreasing sickness absence.

• Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.461-468
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• 2018

Objective: Cognitive disturbance is one of the major symptoms of depression and may be improved by treatment with antidepressants. This study aimed to investigate the predictors of cognitive improvement in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who were taking antidepressants. Methods: This study included 86 patients with MDD who completed 12 weeks of antidepressant monotherapy. Cognitive symptoms were assessed using the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire-Korean version (PDQ-K), which addresses four domains of cognitive functioning (attention/concentration, retrospective memory, prospective memory, and organization/planning) and was administered at study entry and at the 12-week end point. A variety of demographic, clinical, and treatment-related variables were evaluated as predictors of changes in total and domain scores. Results: All PDQ-K domains showed significant improvement after 12 weeks of antidepressant treatment. More severe initial depressive symptoms, fewer sick-leave days at study entry, and reduced use of concomitant anxiolytics/hypnotics during treatment were significantly associated with greater cognitive improvement. Conclusion: Cognitive symptoms are more responsive to antidepressant treatment in patients with severe MDD. Reduced use of anxiolytics and hypnotics could improve the cognitive functioning of patients with MDD taking antidepressants.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.188-195
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• 2019

Background: Mine workers in South Africa face challenges relating to poor health and safety, including fatigue risks, and poor socioeconomic and living conditions. Fatigue results in impaired mental and physical performance. The aim of this study was to assess contributors to fatigue of mine workers in South Africa. Methods: Data collection took place at four gold mines and one platinum mine in South Africa. A total of 21 focus groups were held with individuals in management, union representatives, and mine workers, and 564 questionnaires were completed by mine workers to gather information about fatigue and potential contributors to fatigue at these mines. Results: Qualitatively (through focus groups), fatigue was attributed to extended working hours, harsh working conditions, high workloads, production pressure, and resource constraints, along with aspects relating to demographic and socioeconomic factors, living conditions, lifestyle, health, and wellness. Greater fatigue was significantly associated with younger age, indebtedness, a lack of exercise, poor nutrition, less sleep, increased alcohol use, poor self-reported health, more sick leave, higher stress, and lower job satisfaction. Conclusion: The aim of the study was achieved; numerous work-, sociodemographic-, lifestyle-, and wellness-related factors were linked to fatigue in the participating mine workers. Contributors to fatigue should be addressed to improve health, safety, and sustainability in the industry.

• 산업융합연구
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• 제21권10호
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• pp.167-180
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• 2023

본 연구는 산업재해로 인해 신체장해가 남은 원직복귀 산업재해 근로자의 의료이용에 영향을 미치는 요인을 파악하여 의료이용의 접근성을 높이기 위한 기초자료를 제공하는데 목적이 있다. 연구대상은 2021년 근로복지공단 패널조사 자료에서 장해등급을 받고 원직복귀한 산업재해근로자 457명이다. 자료분석은 SPSS WIN 26.0를 이용하여 위계적 다중회귀분석을 실시하였다. 연구결과는 일용직, 하위층 경제상태, 육체적 활동 제약, 주관적 건강상태, 만성질환이 외래이용 횟수에 영향을 미쳤다. 그리고, 일상생활 지원자, 화상, 육체적 활동 제약이 의료비 지출에 영향을 미쳤다. 따라서 원직복귀 산업재해 근로자 의료이용의 접근성을 높이기 위해 사업장 내 보건관리자의 역할 확대와 사업주가 직장복귀 계획 수립시 의료이용 계획을 포함해야 하며, 아프면 쉴 수 있는 유급병가제도 도입에 관한 연구가 필요하다. 화상치료 및 재활급여 범위의 확대 방안을 마련하여 경제적 부담을 줄이는 것이 필요하다.

• 디지털융복합연구
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• 제16권8호
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• pp.243-252
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• 2018

본 연구의 목적은 자궁내막증을 진단받은 여성의 질병관련 특성, 증상 스트레스, 자궁내막증관련 삶의 질의 관계를 파악하고, 이들의 삶의 질에 영향을 미치는 요인을 규명하기 위함이다. B시에 위치한 종합명원 산부인과에 내원하는 여성 99명을 대상으로 설문조사를 실시하였다. 연구결과 자궁내막증을 진단받은 여성의 삶의 질에 영향을 미치는 요인은 질병으로 인한 병가여부(${\beta}=-.27$, p=.000)과 증상 스트레스(${\beta}=.59$, p=.000)으로, 이들의 설명력은 57.0%(F=11.39, p<.001)인 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구결과를 바탕으로 가임기 여성의 자궁내막증관련 삶의 질을 향상시키기 위해서 만성통증관리를 위한 자가 간호프로그램을 개발하고, 자궁내막증을 경험하는 여성의 삶의 질을 향상시키기 위한 간호중재를 개발할 필요가 있다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권5호
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• pp.2163-2170
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• 2012

Aim: This one group semi-experimental study was performed to develop and adapt flow charts of nursing practices applied to gynecologic oncology patients to the field. Methods: The research was conducted between October 2008 and March 2009 in 6 hospitals in Istanbul (3 health ministry hospitals, 2 private hospitals and 1 university hospital) with effective programs. The scope of the study included 97 midwives/nurses who had been working as caregivers of gynecologic oncology patients in this unit at least for 6 months and who participated in this study voluntarily; 87 people composed the sample because of the absence of others on vacation or sick leave when the data were collected or who did not wish to participate. The data were in descriptive information form collected via "Forms to Determine the Efficiency of Flow Charts". Before data collection, risks related to gynecologic oncology problems were identified, a literature scanning was made for existing flow charts based on actual practices and the discovered charts were reviewed. As a result of the evaluations, it was decided to create 15 flow charts intended for risks, symptoms, operation processes and discharge. Questionnaires to determine activity were applied to participants before and after practice. Results: As a result of the study, it was determined that the efficiency of the flow charts increased significantly (p <0.01) after practice of the participants, nosignificant relationships (p>0.01) being apparent with age group, education level, occupational period in the job and in the gynecologic oncology field and evaluations of the practice before and after it was applied. Conclusion: The results of the study revealed that nursing participants in university and private hospitals and who supported the existence of a flow chart in the field evaluated the flow charts positively.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제2권4호
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• pp.328-335
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• 2011

Objectives: Depressive disorder (DD) is a complex disease, and the assessment of work ability in patients with DD is also complicated. The checklist depression (CDp) has recently been developed to support such work ability assessments and has been recommended for implementation in insurance medicine, starting with an analysis of the organisational and social contexts. The aim of this study was to identify the potential facilitators and barriers in the use of the CDp by insurance physicians (IPs) during work ability assessments of employees on sick leave due to DD. Methods: A qualitative research was conducted based on semi-structured interviews. The participants were IPs with at least one year of work experience in performing work ability assessments. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and analysed qualitatively. Results: Ten IPs (7 males, 3 females; mean 53 years) were interviewed. Important facilitators, which emerged for use of the CDp, were an oral introduction for colleagues and staff, support from management, valuing the increased transparency in work ability assessments with using the CDp, having adequate time for assessments as well as modification of the appearance (colour, plasticised form) and content (clarifying aspects of the examples) of the assessment tool. The fear of the loss of autonomy, lack of added value of the CDp, high workload, inadequate instructions and lack of time were mentioned as barriers. Conclusion: Adequate introduction to the use of CDp and the fear of the loss of autonomy of IPs need special attention in planning its implementation.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• 제35권
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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.