• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.384-389
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• 2021

Background: Social distancing by working-from-home is an effective measure to decrease the spread of COVID-19. However, this new work pattern could also affect the well-being of workers. Therefore, the aim of the study was to study the magnitude of occupational health problems and lifestyle changes among workers who have only recently started working from home. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using online self-administered questionnaires during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in the Bangkok metropolitan area, Thailand. The participants were from any organization that allowed working from home. The demographic data including the analysis of the characteristics of working from home, the occurrence of occupational health problems, and the lifestyle changes caused by working from home were analyzed. Results: A total of 869 workers were included as study participants. The highest prevalence of physical health problems among all workers was identified to be weight gain at a rate of 40.97% (95% confidence interval = 37.69-44.24), and the highest prevalence of psychosocial problems was identified to be cabin fever at a rate of 31.28% (95% confidence interval = 26.66-35.90%) among full-time working-from-home workers. The health effects that were significantly related to the intensity of working from home (p for trends <0.05), either positively or negatively, included body weight changes, ergonomic problems, indoor environmental problems, and psychosocial problems. Meanwhile, the lifestyle changes related to work intensity included eating pattern, sleep habits, and exercise. Conclusions: Working from home can affect workers' well-being in various aspects. Hence, occupational health providers must prepare for risk prevention and health promotion in this "new normal" working life pattern and for future pandemics.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.110-123
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• 1995

This study was done to analyze the relationship between task stress and morale in psychiatric nursing assistants. The subjects were 118 psychiatric nursing assistants selected from the National Mental Hospital in Seoul and 18 non-medical mental institutions. The data were collected from October 22 to November 12, 1994. The instruments used for this study were modified PNOSS (Psychiatric Nurse Occupational Stress Scale) which was developed by Bai and modified the Morale scale which was developed by Oh. The confidence varification of these instruments were computed and Cronbach $\alpha$=.9255, .9260. Data were analyzed by t -test, ANOVA on 5% significant level and Pearson correlation coefficient. The results of the study are as follows : 1. The average work stress scores of subjects were 2.83. Among the work stress factors : the conflict with nurse was identified as the most stress factor. There was significant relationship between the degree of work stress and the variables of psychiatric Nursing Assistants such as the marital status, educational level, religion, job satisfaction, working place, predicted period of work. 2. Average total morale scores for the subjects was 3.08. There was a significant relationship between the degree of morale and variables of psychiatric nursing assistants such as working place, certification as a nursing assistant, job satisfaction, opportunity for practical education and predicted period of work. 3. There was a significant relationship between the degree of morale and work stress factors such as administration problem, work overload.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.59-79
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a scale for the multidimensional assessment of work-family spillover in working couples with children. The subjects of this study were working wives and husbands with children in Daegu. Two surveys were administered, eliciting 243 respondents and 227 respondents, respectively. Then a series of tests were run to analyze the data, including item-to-total correlation, Cramer's V coefficients, item discrimination, Cronbach's ${\alpha}$, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The results yielded that, first, a preliminary 102 items were developed on the basis of the literature review, and this was narrowed down to 72 items selected with the help of experts. Through preliminary, primary and secondary survey analysis, the scale for the multidimensional assessment of work-family spillover was developed and validated, with a 36 items scale, 18 items for work to family spillover and 18 items for family to work spillover. Furthermore, the scale constructed three spillover processes - time interference, energy depletion, and psychological distraction - and consisted of four different domains of family life into which spillover occurs - namely marital relationship, parent-child relationship, leisure, and housework. The internal reliability was evaluated to show a confidence range of .85 ~.92 for each factor.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2023

Objectives: Epidemiological evidence linking long working hours and shift work to metabolic syndrome remains inadequate. We sought to evaluate the impact of reducing working hours on metabolic syndrome. Methods: We compared the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among male manual workers in a manufacturing company (N = 371) before and after the introduction of policy to reduce daily work hours from 10 to 8 hours. Components of metabolic syndrome were measured in periodic health examinations before the intervention, 6-9 months after, and 1.5-2 years after the intervention. Generalized estimating equation models were used to estimate changes in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Analyses were stratified by day work versus shift work. Results: The results showed a significantly decreased prevalence of metabolic syndrome 6-9 months following the intervention in day workers (risk ratio = 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.52-0.88), but the benefit disappeared after 1.5-2 years. Shift workers showed a decreased prevalence of metabolic syndrome for the whole follow-up duration after the intervention, although the change was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Reducing working hours was associated with short-term improvement in metabolic syndrome in male manual workers.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.145-159
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• 1999

To find the association, between vinyl house work and the prevalence of low back pain, a questionnaire survey was made toward 215 vinyl house farmers and 228 general farmers without vinyl house who are cared by Jungjung Community health Practioners at Soobuk Myun, Damyang-gun, Chollanamdo. 1. Vinyl house farmers were significantly younger in age, higher in educational status higher survival rate of spouse, higher economic state and less cared by medical aid than general farmers. 2. Vinyl house farmers showed shorter career for agricultural work, used modern farming instrument more frequently and worked with sitting position. 3. During unbusy season in general agriculture, vinyl house farmers consumed significantly more time in agricultural work and general activity, but no significant difference of time of the above activity among busy season. 4. During the last spring season when most vinyl house work was performed, vinyl house farmers showed significantly higher prevalence of low back pain than general farmers, but no significant difference of prevalence among the two groups for the last one week. 5. By the simple analysis statistical significant related variables with low back pain was found to be sex(p<0.001), educational status(p<0.05), work posture(p<0.001) and use of modern agricultural machine(p<0.05). 6. By the multiple logistic regression the odds ratio for low back pain among vinyl house farmers were 2.08(95% confidence interval 1.31-3.00) compared to general farmers, the odds ratio among female was 2.35(95% confidence interval 1.24-4.47) to male, the odds ratio among illiterate persons were 2.60(95% confidence interval 1.24-4.47) to high school graduate, and the odds ration among primary school graduate was 2.19(95% confidence interval 1.04-4.47) to high school graduate. In conclusion because vinyl house farmers showed significantly higher rates of low back pain compared to farmers without vinyl house, continuous study to find the true cause of low back pain among vinyl-house farmers and active effort to prevent low back pain are necessary.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is to find the suitable putting green maintenance equipment for improving the quality of putting green. This study was carried out to investigate the green speed(i.e., ball roll distance) by different the types of greens mower(between work-behind greens mower and riding greens mower), the types of reel blades(between 9 blades and II blades) and the types of roller(between riding soil sprayer and lightweight roller). Green speed of golf course putting greens is assessed by use of Stimpmeter. The west course of Lakeside Country Club was selected for the case study. The results are summarized as follows; 1. The green speed was faster in 3.8 mm moving height treatment plot using work-behind greens mower than in 3.8 mm moving height treatment plot using riding greens mower right after the moving and even after eight hours had passed, and it was statistically significant at a 95% confidence level. Therefore, work-behind greens mower was judged to be a proper equipment type for the fast green management practice than riding greens mower. 2. The green speed was faster in 3.2 mm mowing height treatment plot using work-behind greens mower equipped with II blades than in 3.2 mm mowing height treatment plot using work-behind greens mower equipped with 9 blades, and this result was statistically significant at a 95% confidence level. Therefore, II-blade was judged to be a proper blade type for the fast green management practice than 9-blade. 3. The difference in green speed (green speed increased after rolling) between a treatment plot mowed at 3.0 mm mowing height with the work-behind greens mower and then rolled a single time with riding soil sprayer and a treatment plot mowed at 3.0 mm mowing height with the work-behind greens mower and then rolled once with lightweight roller was not statistically significant at a 95% confidence level. However, the difference in green speed (green speed decreased after rolling) between two treatment plots measured after eight hours had passed was statistically significant at a 95% confidence level. Therefore, the lightweight roller was judged to be a proper roller type for the fast green management practice than the riding soil sprayer.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2013

Purpose: This study sought to identify the utilization and confidence in assistive technology (AT) for pediatric physical therapists (PPTs) and pediatric occupational therapists (POTs) for the purpose of improving the utilization of AT in clinics. Methods: The subjects of this study were 167 therapists (98 PPTs and 69 POTs) who work at general hospitals, welfare centers, facilities for the disabled, and special education schools in Seoul and Gyeonggi province. The frequency analysis and chi-squared test were used. Results: This study found that both PPTs and POTs recognize that AT benefits infants with disabilities; however, they show low confidence in using AT. Applications of AT are concentrated on wheelchairs for mobility and assistance with seating position, with orthotics/prosthetics for both purposes. POTs were found to use a wider variety of AT devices. While both PPTs and POTs frequently select/recommend devices, both groups are less involved with delivery methods, manufacture of devices, and education on AT use. Conclusion: These findings show the actual conditions of utilization and confidence in AT of PPTs and POTs deeply involved with AT, and emphasize that AT training is essential for pediatric treatment by comparing domestic and foreign studies.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.395-404
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing the nursing practice readiness of newly graduated nurses. Methods: The participants were 120 new nurses with 1 to 12 months of work experience at two tertiary hospitals in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. The data were collected through an online questionnaire from February 6 to April 30, 2023. The collected data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS 25 program, and the independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and a multiple regression analysis were performed. Results: The participants' nursing practice readiness was found to be positively correlated with their confidence in core nursing skill performance, satisfaction with clinical practice, satisfaction concerning simulation education, satisfaction regarding preceptorship, length of preceptorship and length of current unit placement. The regression analysis showed that the significant variables affecting nursing practice readiness were confidence in core nursing skill performance and satisfaction with clinical practice, and the explanatory power of the variables on nursing practice readiness was 36.0%. Conclusion: In order for newly graduated nurses to achieve nursing practice readiness, it is necessary to develop a nursing education program that can improve their confidence in core nursing skills performance and satisfaction with clinical practice in the nursing college curriculum and further research on the factors affecting nursing practice readiness is needed.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.292-298
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• 2019

Objectives: Presenteeism is currently recognized as a significant global health issue that can potentially cause productivity losses. Hence, many studies have analyzed the relationships between workplace factors and presenteeism. However, few studies have considered non-occupational factors. This study examined the associations between presenteeism and activities outside work, including volunteering, self-development, leisure/sports, and gardening and house repair activities, in Korean wage workers. Methods: This study analyzed the fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey, in which a total of 19 294 wage workers participated. To identify relationships between presenteeism and activities outside work, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used after adjusting for general and occupational characteristics. Results: Self-development and leisure/sports activities significantly increased the odds ratio (OR) of presenteeism (OR, 1.166; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.061 to 1.282 and OR, 1.276; 95% CI, 1.181 to 1.379, respectively). Conclusions: Certain activities outside work, such as self-development or leisure/sports, were related to presenteeism among Korean wage workers. Although many previous studies have emphasized the positive effects of those activities on health, this study documented negative effects of these activities outside work on health.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.512-517
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• 2019

Background: Rest breaks at work are reported to reduce fatigue and job stress. Apartment janitors in Korea who perform night shift work and work long hours can be exposed to various health problems (HPs). However, few studies have evaluated relationships between their rest breaks and HPs. This study was conducted to examine the relationships between long working hours, shift work, and insufficient rest breaks and HPs among Korean apartment janitors. Methods: Data on 1,212 selected male apartment janitors were obtained from the 3rd and 4th Korean Working Conditions Surveys. Demographic and occupational characteristics were collected using self-reported questionnaires. Rest breaks at work were classified as "sufficient" or "insufficient." Long working hours were considered as working more than 60 hours per week. Zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) regression was performed to investigate the effects of shift work and long working hours on HPs and the effects of rest breaks on relationships between HPs and long working hours and shift work. Results: Among those with insufficient rest breaks at work, significant associations were found between long working hours and the risk of HPs [odds ratio (OR) = 1.489; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.038-2.136] and work-related HPs (WRHPs) [OR 1.621; 95% CI = 1.156-2.272], and between shift work and HPs [OR = 1.603; 95% CI = 1.084-2.372]. These relationships became nonsignificant when sufficient rest breaks were provided. Conclusion: It is important to provide breaks at work to reduce HPs because of long working hours and shift work among aged workers such as apartment janitors.