• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.250-257
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the effects of training using the slime on the hand function and problem behavior in adults with intellectual disabilities. Methods: Five adults with intellectual disabilities who were judged as Level 1 or Level 2 were selected. The training consisted of one session (50 min)/day, one day/week for 10 weeks (preparatory activities: 5 min, slime activities: 40 min, finishing activities: 5 min) The functions of the hand (Purdue Pegboard Test [PPT], grip strength test [GST]) and problem behavior (Korean Behavior Problems Inventory [KBPI]) were assessed three times (first assessment; pre, second assessment; post-5 weeks, third assessment; post-10 weeks). Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to analyze changes in the subjects' performance before and after the intervention. Results: In the PPT, the use of the non-dominant hand was increased significantly (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the remaining results, but the mean value increased. In addition, although the problem behavior was not statistically significant, an increase in the problem behavior score was noted. Conclusion: The training using the slime for adults with intellectual disabilities is effective in hand function improvement and reducing problem behavior.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.384-388
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• 2019

The horse stable hand workers are one of the most important occupations in horse-racing industry. However, suicide problem of the horse stable hand workers in Korea has raised the necessity of new study on how these workers experience mental health problems such as occupational stress and depression in organizational situation. Therefore, this study investigated the occupational stress and depression level of the horse stable hand workers and identified the structural relationship in the horse-racing industry through a detailed interview. A total of 207 horse stable hand workers participated in this study, and occupational stress and depression level were surveyed using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS) and Korean version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). The results of this study showed that the occupational stress level of horse stable hand workers was higher than the median of Korean population. The significant difference in occupational stress among the detail job grade was also identified. In addition, 34% of the horse stable hand workers showed high risk of depression, and job demand, organizational system, and inappropriate compensation as the subfactors of occupational stress were showed to mainly affect depression. Although there are some limitations according to the field survey, this study also has significant meaning in that it identifies the relationship between the occupational characteristics of the horse stable hand workers and the mental health. It will be necessary to study the diverse organizational situation and individual mental health for new occupations.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2018

Objective : To determine the association between occupational stress and disordered eating problem in Korean female employees. Methods : We studied 1,452 female employees who attended mental health screenings. Using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale-Short Form (KOSS-SF) and 26-item Korean version of Eating Attitude Test, occupational stress and disordered eating problem were evaluated, respectively. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of those with disordered eating problem were examined. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine which subscale of KOSS-SF was associated with disordered eating problem. Results : Disordered eating problem was associated with interpersonal conflict [odds ratio (OR) 1.882, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.138-3.112] among various kinds of job stresses. Lack of reward (OR 7.164, 95% CI 1.139-45.043) and insufficient job control (OR 1.953, 95% CI 1.119-3.411) were associated with disordered eating problem in the underweight and normal weight group, respectively. Conclusion : There is an association between occupational stress and disordered eating problem among Korean female employees.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.67-77
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• 2007

Purpose: To provide concretely for support system to occupational health management grasped the present condition about the private support organizations for the migrant workers. Method: The subjects were 30 organizations to support migrant workers with the healthy and medical problem. The organizations were investigated by the internet search, and the visiting and telephone interview. Then a expert advisory conference and researchers' regular meeting were held. Result: The support organizations for the migrant workers played multiple activities, but the medical treatment and education regarding the occupational safety & health were scarcely accomplished. The government constructs a network between the organizations. A health problem of a worker should be requested to the medical centers which cooperated with the private support organizations, it makes business expand to the existing organizations which take charge of the health business of a small-scale workplace rather than it constitutes new organizations. The organizations which can manage which build the online network which can grasp all the information concerning the migrant worker from whom the government became a principal axis. Conclusion: Support system on the occupational safety and health for migrant workers that it will be help to the occupational disease prevention and occupational safety and health management, is needed.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.224-229
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify foreign worker's health problem. Method: Data were collected by interview and analyzed by using the Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. Result: The most frequent health problem was 'diarrhea' and the next, 'cold' and 'dental caries'. There were significant differences in health problem by gender. There were significant differences in health problem, regular health checkup between legal workers and illegal workers. Conclusion: Judging from this study result, health program for foreign workers should be developed according to whether they are male or female and whether they are legal or illegal immigrants.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.76-85
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify knowledge structure of the Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing from 1991 to 2014. Methods: 400 articles between 1991 and 2014 were collected. 1,369 keywords as noun phrases were extracted from articles and standardized for analysis. Co-occurrence matrix was generated via a cosine similarity measure, then the network was analyzed and visualized using PFNet. Also NodeXL was applied to visualize intellectual interchanges among keywords. Results: According to the results of the content analysis and the cluster analysis of author keywords from the Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing articles, 7 most important research topics of the journal were 'Workers & Work-related Health Problem', 'Recognition & Preventive Health Behaviors', 'Health Promotion & Quality of Life', 'Occupational Health Nursing & Management', 'Clinical Nursing Environment', 'Caregivers and Social Support', and 'Job Satisfaction, Stress & Performance'. Newly emerging topics for 4-year period units were observed as research trends. Conclusion: Through this study, the knowledge structure of the Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing was identified. The network analysis of this study will be useful for identifying the knowledge structure as well as finding general view and current research trends. Furthermore, The results of this study could be utilized to seek the research direction in the Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing.

• KOREAN ASSOCIATION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.61-61
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• 2012

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2012

Lead poisoning is one of the earliest identified and most known occupational disease. Its acute effects have been recognized from antiquity when this condition principally afflicted manual workers and slaves, actually scarcely considered by the medicine of that time. The Industrial Revolution caused an epidemic of metal intoxication, urging scientists and physician of that period to study and identify specific symptoms and organ alterations related to chronic lead poisoning. During the 20th century, the acknowledgment of occupational and environmental toxicity of lead fostered public awareness and legislation to protect health. More recently, the identification of sub-clinical effects have greatly modified the concept of lead poisoning and the approaches of medicine towards this condition. Nowadays, lead poisoning is rarely seen in developed countries, but it still represents a major environmental problem in certain areas. Consequently, it may appear as a paradigm of "occupational and environmental disease," and the history of this condition seems to parallel the historical development of modern "Occupational and Environmental Health" as a more complete medical discipline.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.18-31
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• 2016

Background: A job-specific Worker's Health Surveillance (WHS) for hospital physicians is a preventive occupational health strategy aiming at early detection of their diminished work-related health in order to improve or maintain physician's health and quality of care. This study addresses what steps should be taken to determine the content of a job-specific WHS for hospital physicians and outlines that content. Methods: Based on four questions, decision trees were developed for physical and psychological job demands and for biological, chemical, and physical exposures to decide whether or not to include work-related health effects related to occupational exposures or aspects of health reflecting insufficient job requirements. Information was gathered locally through self-reporting and systematic observations at the workplace and from evidence in international publications. Results: Information from the decision trees on the prevalence and impact of the health- or work-functioning effect led to inclusion of occupational exposures (e.g., biological agents, emotionally demanding situations), job requirements (e.g., sufficient vision, judging ability), or health effects (e.g., depressive symptoms, neck complaints). Additionally, following the Dutch guideline for occupational physicians and based on specific job demands, screening for cardiovascular diseases, work ability, drug use, and alcohol consumption was included. Targeted interventions were selected when a health or work functioning problem existed and were chosen based on evidence for effectiveness. Conclusion: The process of developing a job-specific WHS for hospital physicians was described and the content presented, which might serve as an example for other jobs. Before implementation, it must first be tested for feasibility and acceptability.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.304-310
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• 2021

Background: Healthcare settings have been recognized among the most hazardous places to work. Based on the five categories of occupational hazards that were identified by the ILO and WHO, this study aimed to analyze policy framework relevant to occupational health protection of health workers (HWs) in public health service in China, then discussed how to share the experience of the National Health Service (NHS) England for improvement. Methods: Based on policy learning theories, policy analysis and qualitative interview were used in this study. Results: In the Chinese public health service, at least five laws related to the regulation of occupational health protection for HWs; however, enforcement of relevant laws was separated and multi-centered; the national monitoring system, which targeted to occupational hazards and health outcome for HWs in China, had yet to be developed; the top three priorities were workplace violence, bloodborne pathogens, and musculoskeletal disorders; national strategies included Security Hospital, and Healthy China 2030. In NHS England, three laws were fundamental; several monitoring systems had been set up, including NHS Staff Survey, Commissioning for Quality and Innovation incentive scheme; mental health, musculoskeletal problem, and nutrition disorder and overweight were raised great concern; Health and Safety, and NHS Healthy Workforce Program were critical nationwide strategies. Conclusion: There were several similarities as well as differences between the Chinese public health system and NHS England, which laid foundation of learning by China. Recommendations of improving occupational health policies in China were provided, based on the lessons learned from the NHS England.