• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 1998

In order to investigate and compare the health risk factors of nurses in the operating room(OR nurse) and ward (WARD nurse), the questionnaire survey for subjective symptoms was carried out on 553 nurses(132 OR nurses and 421 WARD nurses) who were employed at seven hospital. The self-administered questionnaries were composed of low back pain, subjective fatigue symptoms, musculo-skeletal symptoms, psychological stress and reproductive function. The results were as follows : 1. In the type of working posture and working environment, there were significant difference between two groups for working posture, waist form, height of working table, satisfaction of chair, lifting & carring. 2. Job satisfaction, duration of work, height of working table, satisfaction of chair, lifting & carring were significantly associated the low back pain. 3. In the complaints of subjective fatigue symptoms, the total mean score was higher in OR nurse than WARD nurse, but there was not significant. The items that the mean score of OR nurse was significantly higher than WARD nurse were 'head feels muddled', 'apt to forget', 'feel choky'. 4. In the complaints of musculo-skeletal syrrptoms, the total mean score was higher in OR nurse than WARD nurse, but there was not significant. The item that the mean score of OR nurse was significantly higher WARD nurse was 'wrist discomfort or pain'. 5. The comparison of spontatenous abortion in married nurses who had the experience of pregnancy were significantly associated the stress risk group. 6. In all of OR and Ward nurses, the job satisfaction is associated with subjective fatigue symptoms, musculo-skeletal symptoms, and stress. In conclusion, it suggested that working posture, working environment, stress, and job satisfaction were health risk factors of nurses working in the operating room. Further prospective intervention studies should be conducted to educate right working posture, improve of working environment, decrease of stress, and increase of job satisfaction.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.3927-3930
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• 2015

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common gastrointestinal cancer and the incidence is increasing in many developing countries. While it can be detected early and even prevented through screening and removal of premalignant lesions, there are barriers to screening which include low level of knowledge and awareness of CRC. This study assessed the level of knowledge of CRC in Brunei Darussalam. Materials and Methods: A total of 431 (262 male and 161 female) subjects participated in this questionnaire study. Subjects were scored on their knowledge of signs/symptoms (maximum 10 correct answers) and known risk factors for CRC (maximum 10 correct answers) and were categorised into poor (0-2), moderate (3-4) and satisfactory (5-10). Comparisons were made between the various patient factors. Results: Overall, 54.1% could not name any CRC signs/symptoms or associated risk factors. Most were not aware of any screening modalities. The overall scores for CRC signs/symptoms and risk factors were $1.3{\pm}1.39$ (range 0-6) and $0.6{\pm}1.05$ (range 0-5) respectively. Overall, the breakdown of scores was: poor (78.1%), moderate (20.3%) and satisfactory (6.2%) for signs/symptoms and poor (93.2%), moderate (6.2%) and satisfactory (0.7%) for risk factors. Higher level of education, female gender and non-Malay race were associated with higher scores for both signs/symptoms and knowledge of screening modality; however the overall scores were low. Conclusions: Our study showed that the general knowledge of CRC in Brunei Darussalam is poor. Being female, with higher levels of education and non-Malay race were associated with higher scores, but they were still generally poor. More needs to be done to increase the public knowledge and awareness of CRC.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.211-221
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify work-related risk factors associated with upper extremity symptoms among construction workers using the fourth Korean Working Condition Survey(KWCS). Methods: Subjects were 2,724 construction workers selected from 50,007 respondents in the 2014 KWCS. The presence or absence of upper extremity symptoms and work-related risk factors, including individual, physical, and psychosocial factors, were used as variables. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed in order to evaluate the relationship of the upper extremity symptoms with work-related risk factors. Results: Upper extremity symptoms were significantly associated with: employment type(OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.18~2.09); job satisfaction(OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.33~3.18); verbal abuse(OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.33~3.18); tiring or painful posture(OR: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.73~3.15); carrying or moving heavy loads(OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.23~2.24); repetitive hand or arm movement(OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.06~1.91) Conclusions: In order to prevent the upper extremity musculoskeletal disease in the construction industry, it is necessary to stabilize employment, enhance job satisfaction, and eliminate violence in the workplace and improve physical work environment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.338-341
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• 2020

Cases of syringomyelia associated with spinal dysraphism are distinct from those associated with hindbrain herniation or arachnoiditis in terms of the suspected pathogenetic mechanism. The symptoms of terminal syringomyelia are difficult to differentiate from the symptoms caused by spinal dysraphism. Nonetheless, syringomyelia has important clinical implications, as it is an important sign of cord tethering. The postoperative assessment of syringomyelia should be performed with caution.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1611-1628
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• 2009

It is well known that health and psychosocial factors are closely associated with depressive symptoms. Due to limitations in available data and analysis methods, however, little is known about the effects of health and psychosocial factors on depression trajectory. In order to address the limitations, this study examines the predictors of depression trajectory using latent growth curve modeling involving individuals aged 60 and over who participated in the Korean Welfare Panel Study (N=4,919). Controlling for socioeconomic variables, health and psychosocial variables were cross-sectionally associated with depressive symptoms, which is consistent with previous findings. However, the effects of health and psychosocial variables on the rate of depressive symptom change varied. Health variables were significantly associated with the levels of depressive symptoms at wave 1, but these were not significantly associated with the rate of depressive symptoms change. By contrast, although psychosocial variables were significantly associated with depressive symptoms at wave 1, the effects of psychosocial variables on the rate of depressive symptom change varied. Specifically, while self-esteem and family relationship were positively associated with the rate of depressive symptom change, social relationship was negatively associated with the rate of depressive symptom change. Based on the findings, this study discussed implications for intervention and future research.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2011

Human occupational exposure to n-hexane has been associated with neurobehavioral symptoms such as depression, irritablity, acute irritation symptom, concentration disturbance and fatigue. Effects of monoamine oxidase (MAO) B and serotonin transporter receptor (5-HTTR) polymorphisms on the neurobehavioral symptoms were investigated in 70 male workers from TV and computer monitor manufacturing plants exposed to n-hexane. Neurobehavioral symptoms were assessed through a self-reported questionnaire and ambient level of n-hexane was measured by NIOSH method. Blood and urine were collected from each workers to determine the MAO(B), 5-HTTR and urinary 2,5-hexanedione(2,5-HD). The mean concentration of volatile n-hexane was $18.8{\pm}28.8ppm$ and that of urinary 2,5-HD was $1.07{\pm}1.47mg/g$ creatinine. Statistically significant associations with sexual disturbance were age and smoking. The frequencies of MAO(B) AA, AG and GG were 18.6%, 45.7% and 35.7%, respectively, and the frequencies of 5-HTTR ll, ls and ss genotype were 82.9%, 15.7% and 1.4%, respectively. MAO (B) gene polymorphisms had susceptibility to the neurobehavioral symptoms such as fatigue, concentration disturbance, irritability and acute irritation symptom and 5-HTTR gene polymorphism had susceptibility to the sleep disturbance and acute irritation symptom. On multiple logistic regression analysis for the neurobehavioral symptoms, memory disturbance was significantly associated with smoking(OR=6.752, 95% CI=37.46) and drinking(OR=4.033, 95% CI=1.252-12.98), emotional lability was MAO(B) genotype(OR=0.412, 95% CI=0.170-0.996), fatigue (OR=1.011, 95% CI=1.000-1.021) and acute irritation(OR=0.990, 95% CI=0.981-1.000) were working duration and sexual disturbance were significantly associated with age(OR=1.208, 95% CI=1.042-1.399), ambient n-hexane(OR=1.077, 95% CI=1.005-1.154) and 2,5-HD(OR=0.186, 95% CI=0.041-0.841). This finding implies that the MAO (B) and 5-HTTR polymorphisms may affect susceptibility for specific neurobehavioral symptoms associated with n-hexane exposure in workers.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.141-148
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• 2006

Objectives : We wanted to evaluate the medical underutilization for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among Korean elderly men and we wanted to determine their associated factors. Methods : This study was conducted on 239 men with LUTS and 116 men with BPH who were compatible with the diagnostic criteria from a total of 641 participants. These participants were over 50 years old and they were randomly chosen in a community-based study for estimating the prevalence of BPH. Using a self-reported questionnaire, we surveyed the sociodemographics, health status, quality of life, lower urinary tract symptoms, medical utilization and reasons for not seeking treatment. Results : Only 27.6% of the men with LUTS and 31.0% of the men with BPH reported having visited a doctor for urinary symptoms. The reasons for not visiting a doctor were, in order of responses from the group with LUTS: 'considered the symptoms as a part of the normal ageing process', 'not enough time to visit a doctor', 'financial difficulty' and 'the symptoms were not severe or bothersome'. Regarding BPH, the responses were the same as those of the group with LUTS however, 'financial difficulty' placed second. Among the men with experience of visiting a doctor for urinary symptoms, 33.3% of those with LUTS and 28.1% of those with BPH were not treated. The most common reason in both groups was 'the symptoms were not severe to be treated'. On a multiple logistic regression analysis, the larger size household (odds ratio (OR) 3.03, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.40-6.54) and an unsatisfactory quality of life related with urinary symptoms (OR 2.98, 95% CI=1.23-7.21) were associated with medical utilization in the group of LUTS. For BPH, the current employment status was related with the medical utilization (OR 2.80, 95% CI=1.10-7.11), in addition to the larger size household (OR 3.24, 95% CI=1.14-9.21). Conclusions : Many men with urinary symptoms do not visit a doctor. This medical underutilization for people with LUTS and BPH may be associated with economic status in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1043-1058
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to identify how attitudes toward menopause and family-related variables (living with a first child, satisfaction with children, and marital satisfaction) were associated with the perceived menopausal symptoms of middle-aged Korean females. Data for the study were based on a community sample of 628 women whose ages ranged from 45 to 60, who were currently married and had at least one child. The respondents reported lower levels of menopausal symptoms, medium levels of marital satisfaction and slightly higher levels of satisfaction with children. Feelings of tiredness, irritability, and nervousness without apparent reason, and aches in the lumbago and joints were common menopausal symptoms reported in this study. Regression analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of monthly income, educational level, employment status, attitudes toward menopause, living with a first child, satisfaction with children, and marital satisfaction on perceived menopausal symptoms. Attitudes toward menopause, living with a first child, satisfaction with children and marital satisfaction were significantly associated with perceived menopausal symptoms. In particular, marital satisfaction had the strongest effect on perceived menopausal symptoms. The results showed that in the face of the developmental challenges experienced during the menopausal transition, family-related variables served as positive reinforcement for married middle-aged women. This finding suggests that in order to improve the menopausal transition, family education programs need to be developed and offered to middle aged females who suffer from severe menopausal symptoms.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.757-767
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify the associated factors with subjective oral symptoms experience of obesity adolescents. Methods: The study subjects were targeting 8,139 obesity adolescents and 55,601 non-Obesity adolescents who completed 2016 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based survey. Dependent variables were subjective oral symptoms experiences of fracture teeth, pain, throbbing pain, periodontal pain & bleeding, mucosal disease and bad breath. Independent variables were demographic characteristics of the subjects, oral health behaviors, health behaviors and eating habits. Results: Obesity adolescents were 12.8% with 61.9% subjective oral symptoms experience. Regarding the related factors of subjective oral symptoms experience of obesity adolescents, the factors were identified to be significantly higher in high school (OR=1.72) compared to middle school, learning achievement was higher in middle (OR=1.09) and lower (OR=1.31) compared to high, economic status was higher in lower (OR=1.09) compared to high, sealant experience (OR=1.10) and scaling experiences (OR=1.12) responded no were higher compared to responded yes, smoking experiences responded yes(OR=1.08) were higher compared to responded no, sweet drink (OR=1.14) and fastfood (OR=1.13) consumption were higher in consumption compared to non-consumption and females (OR=0.46) were higher than males. Oral symptoms experience were lower that father and mother's level of education were under high school graduation (OR=0.86) compared to unknown, economic status was in case of middle (OR=0.93) compared to high, tooth brushing was lower in under 1 time (OR=0.76), 2 times (OR=0.61) compared to more than 3 times, vigorous physical activities responded no (OR=0.75) were lower, compared to yes, vegetable consumption was lower in non-consumption (OR=0.68) compared to consumption. Conclusions: Subjective oral symptoms experiences were identified higher in obesity adolescents than non-obesity adolescents. It would be useful to use the results of this study to reduce oral symptoms and necessary to develop a program system considering characteristics of obesity adolescents.

• 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.