• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1243-1255
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• 2014

This study is aimed at developing an index and indicator in the light of social factors by analyzing the basic materials on Korean working conditions survey to make it possible to grasp various working environment factors consequent on business type and to judge the industrial safety & health policy of the related area. For the purpose of developing an index, this study was conducted by benchmarking the OECD-suggested index development guidelines and overseas cases of index development. This study suggested indexes related to health by benchmarking OECD's press-state-response model. The press-state health-related indexes specified in Korean working condtions survey were found to consist of physical risk environment, working hours, business environment, and social environment, and its consequent 'state' items were comprised of mental health, physical health, absence from work due to health problems and work satisfaction as health-related items. As a result, it was found that the 'press-state index' for wage worker, regular employee, manager, clerks, expert & related personnel involved, and workers aged under 50 was relatively good; in contrast, the 'press-state index' for people aged over 50, owner-operator, daily job, skilled position in agriculture & fisheries, simple labor service, and apparatus & machines assembly worker was found to be relatively vulnerable.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was a descriptive research to identify the effects of communication skills, compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue on burnout among staff of long term care insurance for the elderly in National Health Insurance Services in Korea. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. The participants were 191 staffs of long-term care insurance in National Health Insurance Services. Data were collected via mail from the 24 branch offices which were randomly selected among the total of 226 centers of National Health Insurance Corporation. Stamm's professional quality of life (ProQOL) and Communication Skills Test tool were included in questionnaire to detect. SPSS/WIN 20.0 was used to conduct the descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, correlation analysis, and multiple regression. Results: Compassion fatigue had a significant positive effect on burnout, while Compassion satisfaction had a negative effect on burnout. The explained variance for burnout was 69% and compassion fatigue was the most significant factor in burnout among staff of long term care insurance services. Conclusion: The results indicate that the factors influencing staffs' burnout are compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and education level. Therefore, strategies to decrease compassion fatigue and improve compassion satisfaction are needed to decrease burnout for staffs of long-term care insurance in National Health Insurance Services.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.377-386
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• 2017

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the job stress levels of 669 subway operators in Seoul after the installation of screen doors and their mental health. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and via web site. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted using the SPSS 20.0 statistical program. The total score of job stress turned to be higher than the standard score, and physical environment, job demand, insufficient job autonomy, interpersonal conflict and occupational climate were within the top 50% and organizational system within the top 25%. A correlation analysis revealed that job stress was positively correlated with all sub-domains of mental health. In terms of effects of job stress on mental health, there were significant differences according to job demand, organizational system, lack of reward and occupational climate, with an explanatory power of 36.6%. It is expected that this study can provide foundation for the establishment of organizational measures accustomed to job characteristics to prevent job stress of subway operators and the development and implementation of intervention programs for mental health promotion.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.254-261
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the degree of performance of TB control manpower in Korea and to identify the affecting factors associated with it. Methods: This study employed a quantitative observational with cross-sectional design and the subjects were consisted of 189 TB (Tuberculosis) control manpower who were working in both community health centers and private hospitals. Variables included in this study were demographic, social, work-related characteristics, aqhnd self-efficacy. A reliability of the instrument for the performance was Cronbach's ${\alpha}$=.91. Data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA and multiple regression using SPSS (19th version). Results: The mean value of the degree of work-related performance of TB control manpower was $4.4{\pm}0.49$9 and it was higher than those of general nurses working in any other health care departments. The mean differences in the degree of work-related performance were in self-efficacy, workplace, the number of full charge manpower in TB, the number of participation in in-depth education, and the willingness to job maintenance. In multiple regression analysis, factors associated with TB control manpower' work-related performance were self-efficacy (${\beta}$=.164, p=.025), workplace (${\beta}$=-.186, p=.023), the number of participation in in-depth education(${\beta}$=.339, p<.002), and the willingness to job maintenance (${\beta}$=-.157, p=.036). Conclusion: Results of this study showed that work-related performances of manpower working in private hospital were higher than those of manpower in public health centers. So, it is necessary to enhance nation's active intervention to improve effectiveness and reduction of risk factors in TB policy.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.125-155
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• 1999

The objectives of this study were (1) an investigation of the current status of the hazardous substances, (2) a comparative analysis of classification system of hazardous substances between Korea and other countries, (3) a development of the new classification system in Korea, finally a review of prerequisites for effective enforcement of the new system. The results are summarized as follows : 1) The backbone of classification system of hazardous substances in Korea is based on Japanese classification system and EC(European Committee) guideline of hazardous substance. There are many problems in managing and handling of hazardous substances due to discordant of Japanese and EC system. It is desirable to revise the classification system to be harmonized with international guideline for example, guideline of IFCS(The Inter-governmental Forum on Chemical Safety) and EC guideline. 2) There are several problems in definitions of corrosive, sensitizing and irritation in MSDS Code of Ministry of Labour. It is desirable to reform those definitions. 3) Among the hazardous substances under the current system, there are several substances such as, beta-propiolactone, methyl bromide, ethyleneimine, etc that are not used and produced in Korea. It is desirable to exclude the substances from the list of controlled substances. 4) The section 39, about 'substance that designated to attach warning label' in Korea Occupational Safety and Health Act(OSHAct) should be eliminated, because above section is unnecessary under the MSDS system. 5) The researchers recommend to establish a new list of hazardous substance which are controlled by OSHAct. It is desirable that the new list is consist of two types. The first type is 'a list of the specially controlled substances' and the other is 'the generally controlled substances'. 6) It is recommended that the specially controlled substances should include hazardous substances that are highly toxic and widely used in Korea. And the generally controlled substances should include hazardous substances that can be analysed by instrument and carry threshold. limit values(TLV's).

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.2-8
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• 2011

Objectives: Public release of and feedback (here after public release) on institutional (clinics and hospitals) cesarean section rates has had the effect of reducing cesarean section rates. However, compared to the isolated intervention, there was scant evidence of the effect of repeated public releases (RPR) on cesarean section rates. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of RPR for reducing cesarean section rates. Methods: From January 2003 to July 2007, the nationwide monthly institutional cesarean section rates data (1 951 303 deliveries at 1194 institutions) were analyzed. We used autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) time-series intervention models to assess the effect of the RPR on cesarean section rates and ordinal logistic regression model to determine the characteristics of the change in cesarean section rates. Results: Among four RPR, we found that only the first one (August 29, 2005) decreased the cesarean section rate (by 0.81 percent) and continued to have an impact period through the last observation in May 2007. Baseline cesarean section rates (OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 3.1 to 7.1) and annual number of deliveries (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.6 to 4.7) of institutions in the upper third of each category at before first intervention had a significant contribution to the decrease of cesarean section rates. Conclusions: We could not found the evidence that RPR has had the significant effect of reducing cesarean section rates. Institutions with upper baseline cesarean section rates and annual number of deliveries were more responsive to RPR.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.100-126
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• 2017

Objectives: The aim of this study was to measure income differences in smoking prevalence at the district level and to investigate correlations among area deprivation, smoking prevalence, and income differences in smoking prevalence, stratified by urbanity. Methods: Data were pooled from the Community Health Survey data of South Korea between 2008 and 2014. The age-standardized prevalence of smoking and its interquintile income differences were calculated. We conducted correlation analyses to investigate the association of the deprivation index with smoking prevalence and interquintile differences in smoking prevalence. Results: Across 245 districts, the median prevalence of smoking in men was 45.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 43.4 to 48.5%), with an interquartile range (IQR) of 4.6% points. In women, the median prevalence was 3.0% (95% CI, 2.4 to 3.6%) and IQR was 1.6% points. The median interquintile difference in smoking prevalence was 7.4% points (95% CI, 1.6 to 13.2% points) in men and 2.7% points (95% CI, 0.5 to 4.9% points) in women. The correlation coefficients for the association between the deprivation index and smoking prevalence was 0.58, 0.15, -0.22 in metropolitan, urban, and rural areas, respectively, among men, and 0.54, -0.33, -0.43 among women. No meaningful correlation was found between area deprivation and interquintile difference in smoking prevalence. The correlation between smoking prevalence and interquintile difference in smoking prevalence was more evident in women than in men. Conclusions: This study provides evidence of geographical variations in smoking prevalence and interquintile difference in smoking prevalence. Neither smoking prevalence nor the deprivation index was closely correlated with interquintile income difference in smoking prevalence. Measuring inequalities in smoking prevalence is crucial to developing policies aimed at reducing inequalities in smoking.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.128-139
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the work experiences of nurses working as 119 paramedics and to provide basic information to develop administrative and institutional support system for the nurses. Method: The data were collected from December, 2007 to July, 2008 and analyzed using the phenomenological method provided by Munhall and Boyd. Participants of this study were 7 nurses currently working as 119 paramedics and who were willing to fully express their experiences. The grand mal question used in this study was "How is your work experience as an 119 paramedic?" Result: Narratives of the participants were analyzed and divided into 3 categories such as 'recognizing', 'withdrawal', and 'confrontation'. Conclusion: The results showed even if the participants think of their tasks fulfilling and be proud, they have some difficulties due to restrictions of tasks and work environment. Based on the findings, we suggest developing educational programs to improve their task abilities, establishing safety policy and compensatory reward system according to their accomplishments, and providing counseling opportunities for their traumatic experiences with difficult emotion.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.208-217
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• 2013

Purpose: This study is a correlative study to assess the relationships of fatigue, stress, and burnout among the pregnant nurses in hospital. Methods: The subjects in this study were 103 nurses aged between 22 and 40 who were confirmed as pregnant by the OBGY (Obstetrics and Gynecology) hospital and working at medical facilities located in J-province of G city during the period of July 15 through September 15, 2010. Results: The level of fatigue of pregnant nurses showed an average of 5.60 out of 10 points, and the level of stress showed an average of 25.91. In terms of burnout, the average was 2.72 out of 5 points. The results of the correlative study to assess relationships among fatigue, stress and burnout showed significant positive correlation between burnout and fatigue (r=.47, p<.001) and stress (r=.53, p<.001) and between stress and fatigue (r=.58, p<.001). Therefore, the results show that increased level of fatigue and stress leads to increased level of burnout. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that higher level of fatigue and stress led to higher level of burnout. Therefore, to minimize the burnout of pregnant nurses, many efforts are required in the hospital policy and for the strategies to reduce burnout.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.238-248
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this empirical research was to describe the contents what had happened to nurses experiencing taeoom. Methods: This study explored the phenomenological ways to understand lived experiences in nurses' 'Taeoom' and investigated the 'Taeoom' through the deductive content analysis. For the this study, the data was collected through individual interviews with 11 nurses who worked over 12months in 1 hospital, lived in 5 areas, working 7 nursing unit of 10 hospitals. The interviews conducted by semi structured questions about participants' lived experiences in 'Taeoom'. Results: Inductive contents analysis identified 5 categories and 15 subcategories. Main themes in this study included a failed membership, difficult of practical field adaptation, feared with nursing unit life, self-centered peer relationships and rite of passage. Conclusion: This study results have been illuminated with edged sword which has a dark side and a light side to experienced in 'Taeoom'. Newly employed nurses have suffering from 'Taeoom' as well as retained nurse. Therefore, policy and practice programs for a diminution of suffering and management for nurses 'Taeoom' should be developed and implemented.