• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.54 no.5
• /
• pp.352-359
• /
• 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the geographic distribution of diabetes mortality in Japan and identify socioeconomic factors affecting differences in municipality-specific diabetes mortality. Methods: Diabetes mortality data by year and municipality from 2013 to 2017 were extracted from Japanese Vital Statistics, and the socioeconomic characteristics of municipalities were obtained from government statistics. We calculated the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of diabetes for each municipality using the empirical Bayes method and represented geographic differences in SMRs in a map of Japan. Multiple linear regression was conducted to identify the socioeconomic factors affecting differences in SMR. Statistically significant socioeconomic factors were further assessed by calculating the relative risk of mortality of quintiles of municipalities classified according to the degree of each socioeconomic factor using Poisson regression analysis. Results: The geographic distribution of diabetes mortality differed by gender. Of the municipality-specific socioeconomic factors, high rates of single-person households and unemployment and a high number of hospital beds were associated with a high SMR for men. High rates of fatherless households and blue-collar workers were associated with a high SMR for women, while high taxable income per-capita income and total population were associated with low SMR for women. Quintile analysis revealed a complex relationship between taxable income and mortality for women. The mortality risk of quintiles with the highest and lowest taxable per-capita income was significantly lower than that of the middle-income quintile. Conclusions: Socioeconomic factors of municipalities in Japan were found to affect geographic differences in diabetes mortality.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.10-17
• /
• 1978

Recently this writer has conducted a comprehensive survey of 38 private businesses where group feeding is practiced, with a view to determining the condition of nutrition intake by the blue collar workers of these businesses firms as well as gaining an indication of their facilities management along with their sanitary precautions. The survey has revealed, among others, a number of interesting data such as shown below. 1. There are a total of 1,054 workers being fed in groups daily at each of the above business companies, with only one nutrition specialist regardless of the number of workers to be fed or the number of times they are fed daily. The average number of cooks comes to 2.7 persons per 100 workers, while 42.2% of the companies provide four meals a day including mid-night supper, with the result that the workers are fed 3.13 times a day on an average. 2. The average feeding cost amounts to 151 won per meal per person, of which 86 won is payed by the workers themselves and 115 won by the companies involved. 3. The average fbod intake has been found to be 490 grams which can be further broken down into 44grams of animal food and 446grams of vegetable food. These figures are higher than those revealed by the 1975 investigation of the nation's average nutrition intake. 4. The survey also shows the daily calorie consumption per person to be as high as 896 calories including 37 grams of protein which is further broken down into 11 grams of animal protein and 26grams of vegetable protein. With respect to other types of nutrients excepting Vitamin-A, the companies concerned are believed to prorids more than what the survey of the nation's nutrition has revealed or the amount recommended by Korea FAO assoc!ation as desirable. 5. As for facilities management, there is still much room for future improvement. Some 97.4% of the companies surveyed are not equipped with the steam table, which indicates lack of concern along this line as well as a very how degree of equipment utilizations. Distribution of the food in the dining room is generally depedent on self-service method. 6. Speaking of sanitary precautions taken by those businesses involved, some 76.3% are found to have their compounds haunted by rats and other insects. Some 73.7% of them are dependent on boiling method for disinfection of kitchen utensils, which is conducted by 50% of those industries only two or three times a week. It seems hardly feasible to conduct disinfection everyday.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 1981

The purpose of this nutritional survey on the actual conditions of group feeding is to be of value for promoting the health of the blue collar workers through consice understanding of food intake trends in businesses as well as realizing our desirable target. The results of the survey are summarized as follow. 1, Status of food economics 1) The average feeding cost amounts to 453 won per day per person. 2) The average school years of food buyers were 12.3 years, cookers were 12.0 years and dieticians were 14.5 years. 3) Kerosene(57.6%), gas(24.2%), electric(12. 1%) and cool briguette(6.1%) were used for fuel. 2. Status of food intake The average food intake per person per day in surveyed businesses was 1193.4g. The total intake of food was consisted of 42% grains, 40.4% vegetables, 4.7% legumes, 4.5% fish and shellfish, 4.0% potatoes, 1.6% meats, 1.0% seasonings. 0.8% eggs, 0.5% sea weeds, 0.3% oil and fats, 0.1% sugar. These findings led us to the conclusion that workers in the surveyed businesses retied heavily on plant foods. 3. Status of nutrient intakes 1) The average intake of calorie was 2752.6 kcal per day, which was slightly higher than 2,700 kcal of RDA. Though the quantity was above the level of RDA, it was largely from plant foods. 2) The average intake of protein was 84.7g per day, which was slightly higher than 80g of RDA. 3) The average intake of fat was 26g per day, which was much lower than 36g of RDA. 4) The averse intake of calcium was 532.3mg per day, which was lower than 600mg of RDA. 5) The average iron intake was 9.8mg per day, which was much lower than 10mg of RDA and 18mg of HDA for women. 6) Intakes of vitamin group were high. Especially, intake of vitamin A was 2-3 times higher than RDA and intake of vitamin C and niacin were 2 times higher than RDA.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.231-241
• /
• 2021

This study intended to present strategies and implications for attracting new students and customized education to university officials through research on the participation of workers' academic aspirations in university education. Thus, variables were derived by analyzing prior data, and causal settings between variables and questionnaires were developed. Subject to the survey, 331 workers interested in participating in university education were collected through interpersonal interviews. The collected data were dataized, and reliability and feasibility verification and frequency analysis were conducted. Finally, we validate the fit of the structural equation model and the causal relationship for each concept. Therefore, the results of the validation show the following implications. First, university officials should be motivated by a mentor and mentee system with experienced people who have switched to a suitable vocational group through university education. It will also be necessary to develop and disseminate programs so that they can continue to develop themselves for the future. To this end, it will be necessary to help them understand their aptitude and strengths through consultation with experts. Second, university officials should strengthen public relations so that prospective students can know the cases and information of the job transformation of the admitted workers through recommendations. It will also be necessary to develop university education programs that can self-develop, accept various ideas through "public contest", and provide accurate information about university education to workers through re-processing. Third, university officials should provide workers with a program that allows them to catch two rabbits: job transformation and self-improvement through university education. In other words, it is necessary to stimulate the motivation of workers by providing various information such as visiting advanced overseas companies, obtaining various certificates, moving between departments of blue-collar and white-collar, and transfer opportunities. Fourth, university officials should actively promote university education programs related to this by participating in university education and receiving systematic education and the flow of social environment. Finally, university officials will need to consult and promote workers so that they can self-develop when they participate in college education, and they will have to figure out what they need for self-development through demand surveys and analysis.

• Korean Journal of Family Social Work
• /
• no.60
• /
• pp.133-173
• /
• 2018

This paper analyzes the consistency and the discrepancy between system and practices of the old age pension(Nyunronyungeum) in North Korea. The literature review is conducted to analyze the system. Specifically, the North Korean law and North Korean dictionaries were carefully examined. The interviews with 25 North Korean refugees were conducted to grasp the exact state of the old age pension in North Korea. Major findings are as follows: the consistency between system and practices of the old age pension in North Korea is identified only certain portions of that. Beneficiaries(blue-collar workers, white-collar workers, farmers, soldiers, and employees in foreign-invested enterprises), contribution periods, earning-related schemes, the totalization of periods of coverage(workplace transitions), the absence of double benefits and early retirement pension, and the delivery system around Civic Service offices(Dong offices) are confirmed by complete consistency. Preservation age, variations in the implementation of the pension system by region, and premium of the old age pension are confirmed by partial consistency. The length of service, the labor regulation, lump-sum payment, and double dipping are confirmed by discrepancies. It's important that this study brings about a better understanding the old age pension in North Korea through various original texts of North Korea and interviews with refugees. The results of this study are expected to contribute to the policy production for the age income security system after the unification and to the spread of unification perspectives.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.144-152
• /
• 2005

To evaluate the effect of lead biomarkers including bone lead on neurobehavioral test in lead workers, 652 lead workers without any occupational exposure to organic solvent, mercury and arsenic were agreed to participate this study. For the control subjects 102 non-occupationally lead exposed blue collar workers in general manufacturing industries were also joined this study. All study subjects joined this study with written informed consent. The study variables of lead exposure were blood and patella lead. For the general characteristics of study subjects, standardized questionnaire regarding age, sex, past disease history, job duration, body mass index (BMI), drinking and smoking habit were provided. For the past history of neurotoxicity related diseases, all study subjects were interviewed by qualified occupational health physician. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Compared with controls without occupational lead exposure, lead exposed subjects had worse performance on all tests(p<0.05). 2. After adjustment for covariates (age, sex, job duration, education level, BMI, smoking and drinking status), the signs of the regression coefficients for blood lead were negative for 13 of the 14 tests. Blood lead was a significant predictor of poorer scores on 8 tests (simple reaction time(ms & root MSD), Trail-Making Test B, Digit Symbol Substitution, Purdue Pegboard assembly, Digit Span Test, Benton Visual Retention, and Purdue pegboard both hand). 3. After adjustment for covariates (age, sex, job duration, education level, BMI, smoking and drinking status), the signs of the regression coefficients for patella lead were negative for 12 of the 14 tests. Patella lead was a significant predictor of poorer scores on 8 tests (simple reaction time(ms). Purdue Pegboard assembly, Digit Span Test, Benton Visual Retention. Pursuit Aiming rest (no. of correct & no. of incorrect), Purdue pegboard non-dominant hand and both hand). With above results, blood lead and patella lead were associated with poorer performance of neurobehavioral tests. In addition, patella lead was confirmed to be better predictor of manual dexterity test in neurobehavioral test battery in lead workers

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.208-214
• /
• 2005

Objectives: This study was performed to examine the factors affecting re-smoking in male workers. Methods: A self-administrated questionnaire survey was conducted during April 2003 to examine the smoking state of 1,154 employees of a company that launched a smoking cessation campaign in1998. Five hundred and eighty seven persons, who had stopped smoking for at least one week, were selected as the final study subjects. This study collected data on smoking cessation success or failure for 6 months, and looked at the factors having an effect on re-smoking within this period. This study employed the Health Belief Model as its theoretical basis. Results: The re-smoking rate of the 587 study subjects who had stopped smoking for at least one week was 44.8% within the 6 month period. In a simple analysis, the re-smoking rates were higher in workers with a low age, on day and night shifts, blue collar, of a low rank, where this was their second attempt at smoking cessation and for those with a shorter job duration (p<0.05). Of the cues to action variables in the Heath Belief Model, re-smoking was significantly related with the perceived susceptibility factor, economic advantages of smoking cessation among the perceived benefits factor, the degree of cessation trial's barrier of the perceived barriers factor, smoking symptom experience, recognition of the degree of harmfulness of environmental tobacco smoke and the existence of chronic disease due to smoking (p<0.05). In the multiple logistic regression analysis for re-smoking, the significant variables were age, perceived susceptibility for disease, economic advantages due to smoking cessation, the perceived barrier for smoking cessation, recognition on the degree of harmfulness of environmental tobacco smoke, the existence of chronic disease due to smoking and the number of attempts at smoking cessation (p<0.05). Conclusion: From the result of this study, for an effective smoking ban policy within the work place, health education that improves the knowledge of the adverse health effects of smoking and the harmfulness of environmental tobacco smoke will be required, as well as counter plans to reduce the barriers for smoking cessation.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.210-217
• /
• 2011

Objectives: The rising burden of preventable risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among adolescents is a major public health challenge worldwide. We identified the preventable risk factors for NCDs in adolescents. Methods: In a school-based study, pre-tested structured questionnaires were completed by 414 adolescents (14 to 17 years) at six schools in three cities in Pakistan. The chi-squared test and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated in a multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results: Over 80% of the adolescents had unhealthy diets, and 54% were physically inactive. Most adolescents were exposed to passive smoking, and 14% were also current smokers. More than one-third of participants chewed betel nut, and one-quarter used oral tobacco. More girls were physically inactive (OR, 4.07; 95% CI, 2.69 to 6.17), whereas a greater proportion of boys were current smokers (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.19 to 3.91), exposed to passive smoking (OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.72 to 3.83), and using betel nut (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.34 to 3.06). Only 3.1% of the participants were without any preventable lifestyle risk factor for NCDs, and over 80% had ${\geq}$2 factors. Co-existence of risk factors was independently associated with fathers being blue-collar workers (aOR, 3.57; 95% CI, 1.07 to 11.92) and parents not treating their child fairly (aOR, 5.05; 95% CI, 1.29 to 19.78). Conclusions: Most of the adolescents studied had preventable risk factors for NCDs. These results warrant comprehensive and integrated interventions to prevent lifestyle risk factors, and parents are front-line stakeholders.

• Korea journal of population studies
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.57-84
• /
• 2008

This study investigates the patterns of leisure in Korea and the effects of social class on the objective and subjective dimension of leisure activities and life satisfaction. A data set of 1376 Korean men and women over 18 years old is analyzed to yield five main results. First, Korean prefers domestic entertainment to outdoor activities as is exemplified by domestic audio-visual entertainment(TV/DVD/VCR) which ranks the highest in the favored leisure activity. Leisure activities are divided into four types; "activity-based", "relationship-based", "alcohol-based", "relaxation". Second, the function of leisure activity is to strengthen relationships. The main purpose of leisure activity is to relax and revitalize, while creating prospective social network ranks next to relax. But the effect of leisure time is often compromised by recurring thoughts related to work. Third, respondents with high educational and economic backgrounds are more likely to engage in "relationship-based," "activity-based", "alcohol-based" leisure type. However, such factors do not influence on "relaxation" type of leisure. While students and housewives rank highest in number of respondents, respondents with managerial/professional or white-collar/semi-professional occupations enjoy more diverse activities. Fourth, the effort to discern the significance of social class with respect to the leisure-activity-index revealed followings; the index scores elevate with higher education, younger age and higher income. Fifth, leisure-activity-index is the most important variable predicting leisure satisfaction. Leisure satisfaction is influenced by gender, age, income and occupation. The younger the age and higher the income, the higher it is the leisure satisfaction. Men are more satisfied with leisure activities than women. Students experience the highest satisfaction with leisure activities while service/sales workers, industrial/technical/blue-collar workers shows the least satisfaction. Also, the number of family members decreases significantly the leisure satisfaction. While "activity-based" leisure induces the highest satisfaction, "alcohol-based" leisure produces the least satisfaction. The frequency and diversity of leisure activities, and "activity-based" leisure incur the most positive effects on the life satisfaction.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.22 no.1 s.25
• /
• pp.29-44
• /
• 1989

A household survey was conducted to determine the utilization rate of medical facilities and to identify the factors related with the utilization in the South District of Taegu from July 3 to July 15, 1988. Study population included 1,723 family members of 431 households which were selected by one-stage simple cluster random sampling. Well trained medical college students interviewed mainly housewives with a structurized questionnaire. Morbidity rate of acute illness during the 2-week period was 101 per 1,000 persons and it was highest in the age group of 9 years below. The rate for chronic illness was 77 per 1,000 persons, increasing with age, low income and medicaid benefit. During the 2-week period, 689 of 1,000 persons utilized the medical facilities. Of the facilities, most number, 294, used hospital and clinic, and the order ran as pharmacy, health center, and herb medical clinic. The utilization rate was higher in the female, 70-year and older group, medicaid group, the lowest income class and self-employed group than other groups. The average number of visits among users of medical facilities during the 2-week period was 3.25. those who visited medical facilities most frequently were females, the 70-year and older group, the lowest income class and blue collar worker group. During one-year period, admission rate of 1,000 persons was 27.6 and that of female was 38.9, higher than that of male. the eldest group had the highest admission rate. Admission rate of medical insurance beneficiaries was twice or higher than non-beneficiaries. The higher the family monthly income, the more frequently they admitted. During one-year period, average admission days of the persons hospitalized were 22.5 days and males were hospitalized longer than females. The groups which were hospitalized longest were those between the ages of 40 and 49, medical insurance beneficiaries, the lowest income group and unemployed group. During one-year period, average admission days of 1,000 persons were 560 days and those of female were 661 days, more than those of male. The guoups which had the longest admission days were those above 70 years of age, the lowest income and unemployed groups. The medical insurance beneficiaries were three times or longer than non-beneficiaries. In logistic regression analysis of utilization of physician significant independent variables were the 9-year and younger group(+), the 70-year and older group(+), acute illness episode(+), chronic illness episode(+), medical insurance beneficiary(+) and white collar workers(-). Acute and chronic illness episode(+), and medical insurance for government employees and private school teacher(-) were significant variables in analysis of utilization of pharmacy. In multiple regression analysis of the number of physician visits, siginificant variables were acute illnes episode(+), chronic illness episode(+), industrial, occupational and regional medical insurance beneficiary(+), white collar workers(-). Acute and chronic illness episode(+), and medical insurance beneficiary(-) were significant variables in analysis of the number of pharmacy visits. In logistic regression analysis of admission event, significant independent variables were the 9-year and younger group(+), the 70-year and older group(+) , chronic illness episode(+), and medical insurance beneficiary(+).