• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.421-426
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of shift work on occupational safety in various industrial sectors. The study analyzes the effects of shift work on the health of workers by considering factors such as the workplace environment and welfare. Methods: Focusing on the $4^{th}$ Korean Working Conditions Survey, this study used an ordinary least-square multiple regression analysis. The dependent variable was the annual frequency of injuries reported by workers. Independent variables were categorized as demographic, shift work, workplace environment, and welfare variables. The analysis was conducted on two levels: 1) Shift work and nonshift work groups were compared, and 2) Shift work was compared with fixed and rotating shifts. Results: For the entire group, age, a low level of education, work hours, and daily and dispatch work negatively impacted the frequency of injuries. Shift work was negatively affected by workplace environment and welfare factors. In the shift group, the frequency of injuries was lower than that of regular workers, and the higher the autonomy in the choice of work hours, the lower the frequency of injuries. Furthermore, shift workers in Korea have more extended work hours (49.25 h/week) than other workers (46.34 h/week). Conclusion: Overall, welfare factors such as workplace satisfaction and worke-life balance reduced the frequency of injuries. The effect of shift work was limited, but it was confirmed that shift worker autonomy could reduce the frequency of injuries.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.178-187
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• 2016

Objectives: Diisocyanates are a potent inducer of diseases of the airways, especially asthma. In this study, toluenediamine(TDA) and methylenedianiline(MDA) in urine were evaluated as biomarkers of exposure to tolunenediisocyanate(TDI) and methylenediphenyl diisocyanate(MDI), respectively. Methods: Workers exposed to TDI and MDI, as well as non-occupationally exposed subjects, were studied and pre- and post-shift urine samples were collected from 8 control subjects and 8 workers from a factory which manufactures polyurethane products for reducing noise and vibration in automobiles. Airborne TDI and MDI(n=8) were sampled on solvent-free glass filters impregnated with n-butylamine and detected by liquid chromatography atmospheric pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Urinary TDA and MDA were detected as pentafluoropropionic acid anhydride(PFPA) derivatives by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Results: The median levels of urinary 2,6-TDA(p<0.001), 2,4-TDA(p=0.001), and MDA(p<0.001) of workers in post-shift samples were significantly higher than those of controls. The median levels of urinary 2,6-0TDA($0.63{\mu}g/g$ creatinine vs $0.34{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, p=0.017) and MDA($4.21{\mu}g/g$ creatinine vs $3.18{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, p=0.017) of workers in post-shift samples were significantly higher than those of the pre-shift samples. There were significant correlations between the urinary 2,6-TDA, 2,4-TDA, and MDA of workers in post-shift samples and the airborne 2,6-TDI(rho=0.952, p<0.001), 2,4-TDI(rho=0.833, p=0.001), and MDI(rho=0.952, p<0.001). Conclusions: These urinary diamines, metabolites of diisocyanates, in post-shift samples were useful biomarkers to assess occupational exposure to diisocyanates.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.7195-7200
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• 2015

Background: Since seventeen employees of an offset printing company in Osaka, Japan developed cholangiocarcinoma it has become recognized as an occupational cancer. This study investigated the differences of clinical features between occupational cholangiocarcinoma and sporadic young-onset cholangiocarcinoma. Materials and Methods: Thirty-four young adults (<50 years old) with sporadic cholangiocarcinoma were extracted from the Rosai Hospital Group database (sporadic group) and their clinical features were compared with those of 17 patients with occupational cholangiocarcinoma (occupational group). Results: The 34 patients in the sporadic group were treated for cholangiocarcinoma at 16 different Rosai hospitals. There were significant differences of age (p<0.01), gender (p<0.01), abnormal laboratory tests (p<0.01), and tumor location (p<0.01) between the two groups. The percentage of patients with abnormal laboratory tests was significantly higher in the occupational group than in the sporadic group (p<0.001). Regional dilation of bile ducts, which is a characteristic of occupational cholangiocarcinoma, was not observed in the sporadic group. Conclusions: No cluster of cholangiocarcinoma cases was identified in the Rosai Hospital database. There were differences of clinical features between occupational and sporadic cholangiocarcinoma, which might be helpful for diagnosing occupational cholangiocarcinoma in the future.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.209-216
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the status of the dementia prevention programs, dementia support centers, and elderly welfare centers in major metropolitan cities to acquire data for future program development and dissemination and the specialization of dementia prevention personnel. Methods: Data were gathered through internet surveys and telephone questionnaires from 15 special demented elderly care centers and elderly welfare centers registered in five metropolitan cities from June 27 to Oct 25, 2016. Results: Dementia care programs were available at 15 centers. Seoul City was running the most diverse dementia programs, and all five cities were spending a significant amount of time on the cognitive therapy program within several dementia programs. In addition, many social workers hosted the program and the frequency of social welfare work was three times a week. Conclusion: To increase the dementia prevention policies' efficiency, an understanding of dementia has already been established. Experts who can provide client-centered, problem-solving programs will play the role of physical therapists and occupational therapists. However, more research is needed.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.42
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• pp.290-313
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• 2000

The purpose of this study is to analyze empirically the job training effects on employment and income of the people with disabilities. In order to pursue such goal this study divides the job training into three factors: total training time, types of training supplier, and occupational training types. The major findings are: (1) Total training time decreased the probability of employment, but was not significant for income. (2) Among the types of training supplier, public job training center and firm increased the probability of employment. Private job training center increased income significantly. (3) Among the occupational training types, trainings focused on heavy industries and advanced industries increased both the probability of employment and income. According to the findings of this study, we should focus on the occupational training types, especially on trainings focused on heavy industries and advanced industries.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.69-85
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to investigate the home-health-care workers licensing education course in Seoul, Korea. Based on the previous research, a conceptual model was suggested explaining the dynamics of perceived educational service quality (SERVQUAL), educational satisfaction and the occupational readiness. The data set for this study drawn from the 297 self-administered surveys were analyzed with the suggested conceptual model by utilizing AMOS program. The measurement models and conceptual model fit well with the collected data set. As results of this study, 5 domains of SERVQUAL were produced including accountability, trustiness, responsiveness, sympathy, and assurance. The results of structural modeling with latent variables confirmed that SERVQUAL were influenced perceived educational satisfaction as well as occupational readiness. Among the SERVQUAL domains, accountability, trustiness, responsiveness, and assurance had significant impacts on the educational satisfaction while accountability, trustiness and responsiveness had significant direct effects on the occupational readiness. The trustiness had significant indirect effects on the occupational readiness via the educational satisfaction. Hence, the educational satisfaction had the significant impacts on the occupational readiness. Based on the findings of this study, we suggest to intense the educational program or curricular focusing on the SERVQUAL elements. Those changes will enhance self-confidence among the prospective home-health-care workers as well as public trustiness on the national long-term care program.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.238-245
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• 1991

This study was analysis of ${\alpha}$-quartz in the 37 worker's lung died of coal workers' pneumoconiosis(CWP) and in the 9 normal's lung by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer. The results were as follows : 1. The dried lung weight percents in wet lung weight were 24.4%, 25.4%, coal workers' pneumoconiosis and normal lungs, respectively. Ash weight percents in dried lung weight were 7.7%, 5.0%, coal workers' pneumoconiosis and normal lungs, respectively. 2. The presision (as of coefficient of variation) for the ${\alpha}$-quartz determination were 2.6% in standard quartz (ranged from 9.9 to $198.0{\mu}g$) and 3.7% in ashed lung samples. 3. The characterstic ${\alpha}$-quartz absorption spectra in lungs of CWP were only shawn by LTA ashing. 4. Geometric mean of ${\alpha}$-quartz concentration in CWP lung was 173mg/100g dried lung. 5. The concentrations of ${\alpha}$-quartz in Korean CWP lungs were similar to those of foreign coal miner's lungs.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.71 no.5
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• pp.341-348
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• 2011

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate annual changes in pulmonary function in workers who were exposed to inorganic dust. Methods: The subjects were 2,922 male patients who had been diagnosed with pneumoconiosis more than twice during 6 years from 2005 to 2010. Results: Of the 2,922 cases, forced vital capacity (FVC) decreased by 54 mL in 1 year. In contrast, the annual change of forced expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_1$) decreased by 56 mL. Conclusion: This is the first study that has investigated the annual change in pulmonary function in workers exposed to inorganic dust. The results will help estimate the pulmonary condition of patients who are unable to perform a pulmonary function test due to age or a disorder.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.238-244
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• 2017

Objectives: The major objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among employees at a workers' compensation hospital. Methods: Among the 394 employees at Incheon Hospital, 362 were enrolled in the study. An interferon-gamma release assay(IGRA) for diagnosis of LTBI was performed using QuantiFERON$^{(R)}$ TB Gold In-Tube(QFT-IT). Risk factors for LTBI were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Results: The overall prevalence of LTBI was 32.0%(116/362). The non-medical departments have a significantly high prevalence compared to medical departments(39.7% vs 23.2%). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, experience working in the pneumoconiosis hospital(OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.3-10.3) was associated with development of LTBI. Conclusions: Korean guidelines for the management of tuberculosis recommend annual regular health examinations for TB and LTBI for health care workers(HCWs). Considering the high prevalence of and risk factors for LTBI among non-HCWs, it suggests a need for annual regular health examinations for TB and LTBI for all employees at workers' compensation hospitals, including pneumoconiosis hospitals.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.40-41
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• 2014