• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.27-39
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• 2009

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine how sex workers perceive the current STD examination service and how the perceptions are related with sex workers' intention to use the service. Methods: The data for this study came from a survey among sex workers who had an experience of using STD examination service provided by local public health centers. Sex workers' perceptions to STD examination service and their intention to use the service were measured with multiple items adapted from the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ) developed by Ware and his colleagues. Results: Most sex workers are satisfied with the current STD examination service provided by local public health centers and they have a strong intention to use the service. In predicting general satisfaction and intention to use STD examination service, few socioeconomic variables play a significant role. Among specific dimensions of STD test service, technical quality and accessibility of the service affect both general satisfaction and intention to use the service in a positive direction. The most important determinant of sex workers' intention to use STD examination service is their general satisfaction with the service. Conclusion: With the existing laws that still officially justify STD examination programs, the demand and need for STD examination service by sex workers further the current STD examination programs. Health authorities which aim at health maintenance, health promotion and health protection for the people, thus, need to continue their STD control programs actively and effectively regardless of the Special Law on Sex Trade.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.16-32
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• 1994

Health Education is very important not only in school or community fields but also in industrial fields. And health education is most fundamental and enthusiastic area in industrial health. The purpose of this study was to analyze the workers' health education needs and the factors which could affect them. The subjects for this study was 855 workers selected from 57 factories in Inchon. The results were as follows: 1. For demographic variables, sex, age, educational level, and income of the workers were investigated. Most of the workers were males (80.2%). Of the respondents, 30∼39 years old were 41.3%. Approximately 62% of the workers were high school graduates. In additions, those who reported they earned 500,000∼800,000 won monthly were 41.9%. 2. Behavioral characteristics of the workers investigated in this study included smoking, drinking and physical activities. Of the respondents, 55.9% were smoking cigarettes, and 26.8% of the workers reported they drank alcohol once or twice a week. The workers who were taking any form of exercise regularly were 31.6%. 3. Occupational characteristics of the workers included working period working hours a day, medical examination, and so on. About 37.6% of the workers had worked 1∼5 years and 53.6% of the respondents were working less than 8 hours a day. More than half of the workers in this study were taking special medical examination(59.3%) and 59.6% of the respondents were working at the production line in the factories. And most of the respondents (69.0%) were mere members of the staffs. 4. For perceived health status of the respondents, 41.1% answered they were healthy. And for the level of health status, health grade 20.4% of the workers were unhealthy. 5. Health education areas the workers in this study wanted to learn were as follows: 1) Mental health 2) Worksite environment 3) Safety control 4) Disease contol. 6. Those who reported having ever received health education in the factories were 20.9%. 7. Women had more health education needs in personal health care, disease control and family health areas than men. Each age group had different health education needs in all health areas and the differences were significant statistically. 8. The workers who had received special medical examination had more health education needs in worksite environment, safety control, and disease control areas than those who had received general medical examination. The lower the satisfaction of the work and the working environment was, the higher the health education needs of worksite environment area were. 9. For the levels of health status healthy workers were more likely than unhealthy workers to have health education needs in all health areas.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.25 no.4 s.40
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• pp.343-356
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• 1992

Authors studied the workers' knowledge about the health problems detected through the previous workers' periodic health examination, content of follow-up management ana actions taken for their health problem detected on previous health examination. From June to September 1992, workers' periodic health examination was peformed on workers employed in 10 companies located in 2 middle-sized Korean cities. A questionnaire survey was done far 150 workers who reported to have $D_2$ result of either hypertension or liver disorder at the previous workers' periodic health examination done in 1991. The results are as follows; 1. Of 160 workers who had $D_2$ result of either hypertension or liver disorder in previous examination one year before, only 85 workers(51.3%, 43 workers with hypertension, 38 workers with live disorder) responded that they have such disorders. The other 65 workers responded to questionnaire were all those with C results. Respondents' knowledge about their diagnoses was relatively precise (95.2% in hypertension group, 94.6% in liver disorder group) but knowledge about classification of diseases was poor. 2. The main efforts to solve the health problem nab self management (20 spells, 55.3%), visiting clinic or hospital(6 spells, 12.8%), use of herb medicine (2 spells, 4.3%) and use of drug store(2 spells, 4.3%) in hypertension group. In liver disorder group, 30 spells (71.4%) relied on self management,6 spells (14.3%) on hospital or clinic and 9 spells (21.4%) had no effort to improve the health problem. Content of self management was low salt diet, quit smoking, regular exercise and quit alcohol drinking in order. Avoidance of salt in diet was high in hypertension group and quitting alcohol drinking was high in liver disorder group. In those with self management, 80.7% of hypertension group and 83.3% of liver disorder group continued previous effort. Those, however, who utilized clinic or hospital, only 16.7% and 50.0% were still visiting hospital or clinic. 3. Fifty seven percent of hypertension group and 64.3% of liver disorder group was presently smoking,8.5% and 11.9% reduced smoking and 21.3% and 14.3% stopped smoking. Forty nine percent of hypertension group and 28.6% of liver disorder group was presently drinking. Reduced alcohol intake was reported in 29.8% and 40.5%, 12.8ole and 23.8% stopped alcohol drinking. Sixty six percent of hypertension group and 73.8% of liver disorder group did no regular exercise, but 12.8% and 11.9% of each group increased their physical exercise far last one year. Forty three percent of hypertension group and 38.l% of liver disorder group was overweight (defined by bodymass index greater or equal than 25). Reduced body Weight was reported in 17.2% and 16.7% of each group. Reduced dietary salt intake was high in hypertension group (51.5%). The study results suggest that follow-up management after workers' periodic health examination is not satisfactory. In order to improve this situation, adequate information on the result of the workers' periodic health examination should be distributed to each worker group with health education and counselling.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.34
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• pp.14.1-14.14
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• 2022

Background: Although spirometry results can be interpreted differently depending on the reference equation used, there are no established criteria for selecting reference equations as part of the special health examinations for Korean workers. Thus, it is essential to examine the current use of reference equations in Korea, quantify their impact on result interpretation, and propose reference equations suitable for Korean workers, while also considering the environmental conditions of special health examination facilities. Methods: The 213,640 results from the special health examination database were analyzed to identify changes in the ratio of measured values to reference values of lung capacity in Korean workers with changes in age or height, and changes in the agreement of interpretations with the reference equation used. Data from 238 organizations that participated in the 2018-2019 quality control assessment by the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency were used to identify the spirometer model and reference equations used in each special health examination facility. Results: Korean special health examination facilities used six reference equations, and the rate of normal or abnormal ventilatory diagnoses varied with the reference equation used. The prediction curve of the Global Lung Function Initiative 2012-Northeast Asian (GLI2012) equation most resembled that of the normal group, but the spirometry model most commonly used by examination facilities was not compliant with the GLI2012 equation. With a scaling factor of 0.95 applied to the Dr. Choi equation, the agreement with the GLI2012 equation was > 0.81 for men and women. Conclusions: We propose the GLI2012 equation as reference equation for spirometry in Korean workers. The GLI2012 equation exhibited the most suitable prediction curve against the normal lung function group. For devices that cannot use the GLI2012 equation, we recommend applying a scaling factor of 0.95 to the Dr. Choi equation.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 1993

The purpose of this study was to find the status of health examination and health management of industrial companies located in Taegu and Kyung book areas. It will provide basic information for the provision of effective health management of industrial workers. 49 companies were selected as a study sample group, and data was collected by using a structured Questionnaire which was developed by the members of the Community Health Nursing Academy of Korean Nursing. The health managers of the companies filled out the Questionnaire. The data was gathered from Dec 20, 1992 to Jan 20. The results of the study was as follows : 1. The Study sample showed 85.7% manufacturing companies having 300 or more workers. 2. All the companies had health managers, and companies which had 1,000 or more workers had industrial physicians and nurses. Only 12.2% of the industrial physicians were full time employees, and almost all industrial nurses were full time employees. Except for industrial physicians and nurses, the proportion of hygienists (6.1%), nurses aids (4.1%), and environmental engineers (22.4%) with full time employment statuss was very low. The mean age of industrial physicians was 49.2 while that of industrial nurses was 27.2. The length of work experiences currently ranges for 1 to 3 years for all health workers: physicians, nurses, hygienists, and environmental engineers. 3. Health examination and follow up care 94.31% took general health examinations. Of those, the proportion of the workers, who were determined as C grade(in need of close examination) was 43.86%. The proportion of the workers who were determined as D grade was 22.19%. 13.28% of the workers evaluated at the D grade were taken as a gauge for temporary leave from work. While 8.7% and .09% of them were taken as gauge for a change in job, and or shortening work hours respectively. The proportion of workers who must have taken special examination was 65.04% and of those the proportion of the workers who actually took, the examination was 98.55%. 75% of the workers who were recommended for follow up care were given follow up care. The special examinations were done the most frequently to detect the effects of physical agents (59.2%). Direct notice to individual workers was used the most frequently as a method of notification after a special examination (61.2%). The length of time taken to receive the result of a special examination was less than 1 month (38.9%) and 36.7% had taken up to two months (36.7%.). Most results of special examination were obtained within 2 months. The referral rate of consulting special examination by health managers was estimated at 95.9%. 4. 89.8% of the companies had. their own company dispensaries and 75.5% of those. had separate dispensaries. 32.7% of the companies designated local clinics for health management of workers. Industrial nurses performed health examination the most frequently(1.4 points). Health appraisal for work places were. done the least(0.83 points).

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.4 s.55
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• pp.733-746
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• 1996

To evaluate the follow-up management state and related factor of lead battery workers in periodic health examination as part of program of group occupational health service, author studied 293 workers with questionnaire on knowledge of results and follow-up management state and related factors, and compared the responses to their periodic health examination result charts. The results were as follows: 1. 252(86%) workers responsed that they had received the health examination result chart, but only 116(39.6%) workers responsed that they had been educated or explained about the results of health examination, and 11(57.9%) workers among 19 workers with non-occupational disease D, 101(44.3%) workers among 228 workers with non-occupational disease C, and 19(28.4%) workers among 67 workers with occupational disease C knew accurately their health examination results. 2. 78(24.8%) of the workers responsed that they had follow-up management, and contents of follow-up management were follow-up(36.6%), out-patient treatment (31%), change worksite(8.5%), temporary retirement(7.0%) and others(16.9%). 3. Most of the workers responsed that the health examination were necessary, but three-fourths of the workers responsed that the health examination had been superficial or that they didn't know. 4. In this study, follow-up management show significant association with only explanation or education about health examination result chart.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.516-524
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• 2014

Workers' oral health is important to guarantee workers' right of health and increase productivity. The aim of this study was to investigate recognition and satisfaction of national oral examination for workers in Incheon and Daejeon. Three hundred seventy-nine workers who were selected by convenience cluster sampling answered the questionnaire about experience, recognition and satisfaction of national health examination and oral examination by self recording type. A total of 76.0 percent of the subjects had national health examination, and 51.7% had national oral examination. A total of 64.9 percent had experienced notice about national health examination from the company, and 28.2% about national oral examination. The subjects had high positive score about intention of treatment, dental scaling, and change of toothbrushing method depending on oral examination, need of national health and oral examination, and usefulness to one's health through national health and oral examination. Office workers, regular workers, and the workers with monthly income more than 2 million won had more notice about national health and oral examination compared with sales and production workers, contract workers and the workers with monthly income less than 2 million won. We suggest institutional management of the notice about national oral examination be needed, especially for economically poor, or contract workers to increase the ratio to have national oral examination.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.97-102
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• 2020

Background: It is well known that the prevalence of obesity in Korea is increasing over time, however it is not known how the trends among occupational groups and sex differ in such increasing trends. This study was designed to provide recent trends of obesity among workers in Korea and to identify whether there were differences among occupational groups. Methods: We used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Phases I to VI (19982015), to analyze trends in the prevalence of obesity in adult Korean workers. Obesity was defined as a body mass index of 25 kg/㎡ or higher. Occupations were classified into 3 groups: (a) nonmanual workers, (b) service/sales workers, and (c) manual workers. Results: During the period of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Phases I to VI, the prevalence of obesity in male workers increased in all occupations (31.1% to 39.5% in manual workers, 32.3% to 38.2% in service/sales workers, and 25.3% to 39.7% in manual workers). However, female workers did not show any particular tendency toward obesity, except for a significant decrease in the prevalence rate in service/sales workers (30.8% to 23.9%, p for trend = 0.0048). Conclusion: The trends of obesity prevalence by sex and occupation were different. For male manual workers, the prevalence rate increased steadily during the data period, while it decreased steadily in female sales/service workers.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2000

This study was carried out to investigate what factors affect satisfaction of periodic health examination undertaken by employees. The purpose of the study was to improve quality of periodic health examination and to increase the rate of workers participation in the screening test. The content of questionnaire was designed with focus on the satisfaction and attitude on the periodic health examination. Data were analyzed with 212 males, 181 females among 393 samples who took periodic examination at a general hospital in Seoul. Korea. The results were as follows: 1. Respondents were mainly in the thirties(42.7%), married(58.5%), more than 3 years working experiences(66.7%) and employed in Sales & Customers service industry(60.1%). 2. There were significant differences in the scores of satisfaction by general characteristics among the respondents. The highly educated and the single showed higher satisfaction on the periodic health examination than other respondents. 3. The scores of satisfaction in periodic health examination showed highly influenced by level of age, work duration, level of knowledge to the health screening and income. Based on the results, this study concluded that the periodic health examination might be necessary to modify its items according to the clients characteristics and their individual demands for maintenance of healthy life.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.444-451
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed health-related factors for metabolic syndrome (Mets) among workers in South Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This analysis included 4,666 adults aged 19-64 years to analyzed health-related risk factors for Mets from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016). The sociodemographic, working, health-related, and biochemical characteristics were presented as percentages (%) by chi-square tests. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and associations between health-related factors characteristic of workers and the odds ratios of Mets. RESULTS: An increased prevalence of Mets was associated with male day workers compared to male shift workers (1.726-fold increase, 95% CI: 1.077-2.765), and with ${\geq}8hrs/day$ sleep duration compared to < 6 hrs/day sleep duration in female workers (2.133-fold, 95% CI: 1.041-4.368). In addition, reduced odds of high Mets were associated with male workers consumed of breakfast 5-7 times/wk compared to those consumed < 1 time/wk (0.593-fold decrease, 95% CI: 0.372-0.944). CONCLUSIONS: Health-related factors (sleep duration, frequency of breakfast) and working type in Korean workers may affect the prevalence of Mets.