• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.284-290
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• 2023

Objectives: Work environment assessments were conducted to investigate epidemiologically several cases of lung cancer and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) among workers in domestic quarries. Methods: We visited three quarries in South Korea where an epidemiological investigation was requested and measured total dust, respirable dust, and crystalline silica on rock drilling workers (4 people) and rock chipping workers (13 people). Measurement and analysis were conducted according to NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health) method 0500, NIOSH method 0600 for respirable dust, and NIOSH method 7500 for crystalline silica. Results: Among rock drilling workers the AMs (arithmetic mean) of total dust concentrations, respirable dust concentrations, and crystalline silica concentrations were 3.462 mg/m³ (range: 0.764~6.085 mg/m³), 0.613 mg/m³ (range: 0.153~1.251 mg/m³), and 0.105 mg/m³ (range: 0.012~0.228 mg/m³), respectively. Among rock chipping workers, the AMs of total dust concentrations, respirable dust concentrations, and crystalline silica concentrations were 2.446 mg/m³ (range: 0.156~8.494 mg/m³), 0.488 mg/m³ (range: 0.028~1.536 mg/m³), and 0.099 mg/m³ (range: 0.004~0.274 mg/m³), respectively. Conclusions: Although it cannot be said that the dust concentrations were high for both rock drilling workers and rock chipping workers, the concentrations of crystalline silica were found to be high. If such work is performed for a long period of time, diseases such as lung cancer and COPD may occur, so the work environment needs to be improved.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.77-87
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• 2024

Purpose : The study aim was to determine the present state of occupational therapists in Korea in terms of the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO). We collected basic data for future research by investigating recognition by occupational therapists for applications of the MOHO and the necessity thereof. Specifically, we explored ways to effectively apply the MOHO in occupational therapy. Methods : We conducted a study from December 3, 2023, to January 18, 2024. A survey was administered to 163 occupational therapists. The general characteristics, recognition, and necessity of the MOHO were examined using a frequency analysis and descriptive statistics. Results : The most responses to "degree of ease of access to the MOHO information" were for "disagree" 56 people(34 %). Regarding "degree of satisfaction with information about [the] MOHO," 53 people (33 %) responded with "disagree" (the highest response rate). Only 22 % had applied the MOHO previously. Second, occupational therapists thought that the MOHO should be applied in occupational therapy clinical practice; they also believed that related education was needed for occupational therapy university/college students and occupational therapists. In response to the question, "What channels do you think MOHO education will be helpful for?", 118 people (32 %) answered "continuing education at the association level," and 86 people (23 %) answered "educational institutions aimed at MOHO." Conclusion : Based on these results, I recommend the following. For application of the MOHO in occupational therapy clinical practice, an occupation-based concept must first be established. In addition, related knowledge must be acquired through the expansion of education regarding the MOHO. The efficient application of the MOHO will ultimately lead to improvement in the health of clients.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.338-344
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• 2024

Background: Sickness presenteeism (SP) has gained attention in occupational health. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between SP and depressive symptoms by occupation and employment type during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea. Methods: Community Health Survey data (August 16 to October 31, 2020-2021) were used to assess depressive symptoms and SP among workers (n = 221,241; mean age 46.0; 53.5% male). Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and SP was defined by the ability to rest at home when exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of depressive symptoms were estimated using multiple logistic regression analyses for each sex and year stratum. The interaction between SP and occupation on depressive symptoms was assessed using relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI). Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was higher in individuals with SP than in those without SP (4.22% [n = 696] vs. 1.89% [n = 3861], respectively). After adjusting for demographic and occupational variables, the association between SP and depressive symptoms was significant in both sexes in 2020 and 2021 (OR [95% CI]: 2.18 [1.82-2.62], 2.41 [1.97-2.93], 2.05 [1.77-2.38], 2.47 [2.11-2.88] for male-2020, male-2021, female-2020, and female-2021, respectively). A marginally significant interaction between service workers and SP on depressive symptoms was observed among male workers in 2021 (RERI = 2.37, 95% CI = [-0.04-4.78]) but not in other strata. Conclusion: SP is significantly associated with depressive symptoms in Korean workers across employment and occupational types, with a prominent association in service workers.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.99-117
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• 2020

Objective : The purpose of this study was to study the effects of occupation-based community rehabilitation on occupational performance skills and activities of daily living in stroke disabled persons living in the community, and to investigate the changes in occupation quality and satisfaction. Methods : In this single-subject ABA design study with follow-up evaluation, one severely disabled person diagnosed with stroke who lived in the community was recruited. The procedure consisted of a total of 25 sessions for 17 weeks. Intervention was according to occupation-based community rehabilitation, and the researcher visited the subject's home. Individualized intervention was applied according to the OTIPM. The intervention was composed of task assignment and feedback, home environment modification, information-related caregiver education, and community resource network. The evaluation of each session included the changes in the frequency of occupational performance skills, the quality of occupational performance in daily life, and the changes in occupational satisfaction, activities of daily living, quality of life, and maintenance of in the occupational performance skills during follow-up. The results were visually analyzed using a bar graph and a linear graph. Results : The results showed that the occupation-based community rehabilitation improved activities of daily living such as putting on socks, shoes slip-on, and upper body dressing garment within reach. Within the framework of the AMPS, it was confirmed that the quality of occupational performance was improved in all the subjects, and the degree of satisfaction also improved. Conclusion : This study showed that occupation-based rehabilitation can improve the occupational performance skills of stroke home disabled people positively affect the quality of occupational performance in daily life. Therefore, I think it is meaningful that useful for them.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.1-21
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• 1989

For the analysis of mortality differentials by socioeconomic factors based on death registration data, we have considered four variables : place of residence, educational attainment, marital status and occupation. The age range adopted were 5 to 64 years of age for place of residence, and 25 to 64 years of age for the other factors. The mortality differentials by socioeconomic variables were clear and in the expected direction: mortality levels among urban residents, better educated groups, and non- agricultural workers were lower than among the other sub- groups. The average mortality level in rural areas is much higher than in urban areas : the rural mortality levels were at least double the urban levels at ages below 40 years, but became smaller after age 40, and no clear differentials by urban I rural residence increased until 1974~76 for the both sexes, but since the then differentials have declined slowley for both sexes. This changing pattern of mortality differentials by place of residence can be explained by historical socioeconomic development : the development generally started in urban areas, and rural areas followed : in the course of socioeconomic development the differences between the death rates in the two areas became smaller and finally the mortality levels in the two areas became nearly the same, as is found in the developed countries nowadays. The inverse relationships between mortality and educational level became stronger between the periods 1970~72 and 1984~86, but showed the same atterns of mortality differentials in both period : larger differences among the younger age groups, and for males, than among the older age groups, and for females. The increasing mortality differentials in the fourteen-year period between 1970~72 and 1984~86 were caused by inadequate living standards of the non- educated, whose proportion in the total population, however, dropped sharply during that period. Also, the much lower proportions of low - educated groups or of persons with no formal education among males than females helped to establish the clearly pronounced differentials. The mortality differentials by marital status in Korea showed the usual pattern : the mortality rates of the married in each age and sex group were clearly lower than those of others during the fourteen-year period between 1970~72 and 1984~86. In Korean society which remotes universal marriage, the never married recorded especially high death rates, presumably mainly because of ill - health, but also possibly because of the stigma attached to celibacy. However, the mortality differentials by marital status changed with the changes in the proportionate distribution by marital status during the period : the differences between the death rates of the married and never married groups became smaller, the proportion of the never married group increased : in contrast, the differences between mortalities of the married and widowed / divorced / separated groups widened, with the decrease in the proportion of the later group ; this tendency was perticularly marked for females. Occupational groups also showed clear mortality differences : among four occupational groups mortality of males was highest among agricultural workers and lowest among 'professional, admi-nistrative and clerical workers, However, when the death rates were standardized by educational level, the death rates by occupation in age group 45~64 years were nearly the same (excet for the mixed group consisting of unemployed, students, military servicemen and unknown). Therefore, the clear mortality dfferentials by occupation in Korea resulted mainly from the differences in educational level between different occupation groups. Since socioeconomic characteristics are related to each other, the net effect of each variable was examined. Each of the three variables - ducational level, marital status and urban / rural residence affected significantly Korean adult mortality when the effects of the other variables were controlled. Among the three variables educational level was the most important factor for the determination of the adult mortality level. When male's occupation was added to the above three variables, the effects of occupation on adult mortality were notably smaller after control for the effects of the other three variables while the net effects of these three variables were nearly the same irrespectively whether occupation was included or not. Thus, the differences in educational level (mainly), place of residence and marital status bring out the clear differences in observed mortality levels by occupation.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2903-2913
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aroma inhalation method with roll-on in occupation stress, depression and sleep in female manufacture shift workers. The study was a nonequivalent control group pre-post test design. The subjects in this study were female manufacture shift workers who were from K-do area; 26 in the experiment group and 26 in the control group. Data was collected from April 1 to May 25. The questionnaires about pre and post occupation stress, depression and sleep were used to identify the effect of aroma inhalation method with roll-on. The data was analyzed using SPSS Win 18.0 version program. The homogeneity between two groups of general characteristics was analyzed by Chi-square test and independent t-test. The homogeneity of occupation stress, depression and sleep were analyzed by independent t-test. The difference of pre-post occupation stress, depression and sleep were analyzed by independent t-test. The finding of this study were as follows: The first research hypothesis that the occupation stress of the experimental group might get less than the control group was rejected(t=-0.37, p=.717). The second research hypothesis that depression of the experimental group might get less than the control group was accepted(t=-6.11, p<.001). The third research hypothesis that sleep of the experimental group might get less than the control group was accepted(t=3.15, p=.003). Based on the above-mentioned findings, Aroma inhalation method with roll-on can be utilized as an effective intervention for depression and sleep in female shift workers in the manufacturing industry. and The multiple nursing intervention should be needed to decrease on occupation stress in female manufacture shift workers.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.109-124
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to investigate relationship among housewive's backgrounds, laundry practice, laundry concept and interests about environmental pollution. Two separate samples were selected to study a possible relationship among housewive's backgrounds, laundry practice, laundry concept and interests about environmental pollution in rural and urban areas. Using SAS (Statistical Analysis System), the results of this study were as follows: 1. There were significant differences in laundry practices by age, education, occupation, housing type and income. But there was no difference in laundry practice between the rural area and urban area. 2. There were significant differences between laundry awareness and age, education, occupation, housing type and income. But there was no difference in laundry awareness between the rural area and urban area. 3. There were significant differences in environmental interest by age, education, occupation, housing type, income. There were significant differences in environmental interest between the rural and urban areas. 4. There was a significant relationship in laundry awareness, environmental interest and laundry practices between the rural area and urban area. It was concluded that a housewife who has a greater environmental interest showed greater awareness in laundry practices.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate influencing factors on recovery among alcoholics. Methods: The participants were 123 hospitalized patients with alcohol use disorder in two hospitals in Gyeonggi province. The data were collected from May 16 to June 4, 2012 using self-report questionnaires including Hanil Alcohol Insight Scale, Alcohol Abstinence Self-Efficacy Scale, and Recovery Scale. The data were analyzed using the SPSS/Win 18.0 program with descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient and regression analysis. Results: Recovery is positively related to abstinence self-efficacy and duration of abstinence. Recovery differed by insight type, gender, and occupation. Insight, duration of abstinence, gender, and occupation accounted for 59.1% of the variance in recovery of the alcoholics. Conclusion: The influencing factors on recovery among alcoholics were insight, duration of abstinence, gender, and occupation. Programs focusing on insight, abstinence self-efficacy, and abstinence maintenance should be developed and provided. When developing the programs, the environmental context in which the alcoholics work should be considered.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.187-196
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• 2007

Purpose: This is a descriptive research to examine the level of health status, depression, and quality of life in the elderly, the relations among the factors. Methods: Subjects were 441 elders in Seoul and Gyung-gi province. Data were collected from July 10, 2006 to October 30, 2006. Measures were CMI, GDS, and SF-36. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, T-test, and ANOVA. Results: (1) The health status was the average of 1.75, which indicates being good. Depression was the average of 2.85, which indicate being high, and the quality of life was the average of 2.72, which indicate being moderately. (2) The relations indicate that the better status of health is related with the lower depression, and the better status of health is related with the higher quality of life, and the higher depression is related with the lower quality of life. (3) The health status, depression, and quality of life all showed significant differences according to age, education, past occupation, current occupation, dwelling pattern, monthly pocket money, living expense. Conclusion: for nursing intervention strategies, it are requested the special attention of the current occupation level and interpersonal relation ship in older people.

• The Journal of the Korean life insurance medical association
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.122-127
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• 1985

The basis for determining hearing disturbance adopted by the Life Insurance Industry is the loss of hearing power above 80 db on either or both sides, in accordance with the divide sixth method of audiometric test. Different types of small-to-medium-sized enterprises were chosen for the study of the extent of loss and the power of hearing. The following are the findings: 1. The disturbance percentage found among the types of occupation and different levels of age was found to be higher as the subject's ages increased. 2. The heavier the workload and the noisier the environment, the higher the percentage of disturbance. The average percentage of the subjects turned out to be 24.35%. Those engaged in sawing and wood-work showed 49%. Those engaged in machinery and equipment for transportation accounted for 42.6%. Those engaged in the metal products occupied 39.6%. The disturbance percentage among those engaged in such noisy works as press, pipe and sawing showed 32.52%. 28.46% of those workers with three to four years employment turned out to be disturbed in hearing. Of these, a high percentage of 43.9% showed disturbance in conversation or talk. 3. No hearing loss due to occupation beyond the Life Insurance standard of 80 db was found; therefore, the present status poses no problem. Constant attention, however, is needed.