• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.326-329
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• 2005

A worker who grinded the inner parts of camshafts for automobile engines using water-soluble metalworking fluid (MWF) for 14 years was diagnosed with sinusitis. We postulated that the outbreak of sinusitis could be associated with exposure to microbes contaminated in water-soluble MWF during the grinding operation. To suggest responsible agents for this outbreak, quantitative exposure assessment for chemical and biological agents and prevalence of work-related respiratory symptoms by questionnaire were studied. The exposure ranges of MWF mist (0.59 $mg/m^3$to 2.12 $mg/m^3$) measured during grinding exceeded 0.5 $mg/m^3$ of the recommended exposure limit (REL). Grinder's exposures to bacteria, fungi and endotoxins were also generally higher than not only the proposed standards, but also those reported by several studies to identify the cause of respiratory effects. Statistical test indicated that the prevalence rate of reported symptoms related to nasal cavities showed no significant differences among the operations. Evaluation on grinding operation characteristics and quantitative exposure assessment indicated that repeated exposure to MWF mist including microbes contaminated from the use of water-soluble MWF may cause respiratory diseases like sinusitis or at least increase susceptibility to the development of sinusitis

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.180-190
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• 2022

Background: Like direct infection from COVID-19, psychological concern about infection could affect health. Concern about COVID-19 infection was associated with individual habits to practice rules for preventing infection. Therefore, this study aimed to check occupational types and whether to practice tooth brushing after lunch depending on the occupation of economic workers and find correlations between concerns about infection due to COVID-19 pandemic and tooth brushing after lunch. Methods: The raw data was from the community health survey conducted in 2020. Among 229,269 adult participants aged 19 years and older, 138,970 economic workers were included in the final analysis. The chi-squared test was used to find differences in psychological concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the participants, the rate of practicing tooth brushing after lunch was based on COVID-19-related psychological concerns. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to check the influence of psychological concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic on the rate of practicing tooth brushing after lunch. Results: According to occupational classifications, professionals and office workers and career soldiers had 1.551- and 1.581-times higher practicing rates than managers, respectively, whereas machine operators, agricultural and fishery sector workers, and daily laborers had lower practicing rates. Regarding COVID-19-related psychological concerns, the group with a lower concern about infection had a 1.076 times higher practicing rate than that with greater concern. The group with greater concern about blame from neighbors had 1.119 times higher practicing rate than that with lower concern. Conclusion: The correlations between higher economic workers' concerns about infection and blame from neighbors and higher recognition of the necessity to prevent COVID-19 and practice tooth brushing after lunch were confirmed. It is necessary to prepare measures for practicing tooth brushing after lunch suitable to the characteristics of occupational types and work environments of economic workers.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.343-351
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was to identify factors affecting mammography screening behavior in job women by attitude, social influence and self-efficacy model. Methods: The data were obtained from 171 job women in one residency area by structural questionnaire from March to June 2013 and analysed by using $x^2$-test, ANOVA, Spearman's correlation and logistic regression analysis. Results: The each performance rate was 45.1% in mammography, 44.9% in breast self examination and 48.5% in physical examination. The mammography performance rate in job women showed higher significance in the groups of 1) older age, urban residency, marital status or high economic state, 2) shorter office hours or higher job position, 3) childbirth experience or menopause and 4) preferring soy bean food, practicing regular exercise, suffering chronic disease or receiving radiation therapy. Attitude, social influences and self-efficacy made significant differences in mammography performance. Logistic regression analysis showed that 50 years or older, urban residency, social influences towards mammography and high self-efficacy were significant relationship. Conclusion: In order to increase the mammography performance rate, the intervention strategies are needed to increase positive social influences or self-efficacy and to offer public information to younger age.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.294-301
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• 2022

Background: In the early stage of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, small- and midsized enterprises (SMEs) may be an important transmission consideration. The study aimed to identify the pattern of COVID-19 prevention measures during the outbreaks in Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do at the early stage of COVID-19. Moreover, we investigated whether SME size and past experiences affected the preventive measures implemented in the region. Methods: A survey detailing the general characteristics and implementation of 12 preventive activities was conducted in 122 SMEs in Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do. The survey was analyzed by size and operation period. Results: The study subjects consisted of 53 (43.4%) workplaces with 1-5 employees, 50 (40.9%) workplaces with 6-30 employees, and 19 (15.6%) workplaces with 31-49 employees. The lowest three items among those surveyed were 'symptomatic workers to stay home for 3-4 days' (17.2%), 'work remotely' (18.9%), and 'video meetings' (20.5%). There were significant differences in the rate of several preventive measures implemented. The larger sized SMEs, the higher the number of implementations (p < 0.01). The operation period had no significant relationship with the implementation of preventive measures. The same pattern was observed in multiple generalized linear regression with covariate adjustment. Conclusion: Preventive measures among SMEs with fewer than 50 employees were identified. Even within SMEs, a gap in preventive measures according to size was confirmed. To prevent the spread of infection and protect workers' right to health, different support for different sized SMEs is necessary.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.390-402
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• 2009

This study aimed to examine the general characteristics of individual workers, psychosocial working environment, and ergonomic risk factors which affect the status of musculoskeletal disorders. Self-report was carried out for musculoskeletal symptoms and ergonomic risks in working environment in 856 production workers in 16 small to medium sized manufacturing companies. Musculoskeletal symptoms were examined with a standardized questionnaire, and ergonomic risks were evaluated with a qualitative self-administered instrument for the tasks related to musculoskeletal disorders. Major findings were as follows: 1) Complaint rate for musculoskeletal symptoms was higher in female, aged, married workers with longer working hours, less leisure/hobby activity, longer household working hours and history of disease or accident. 2) Complaint rate for musculoskeletal symptoms was significantly higher in workers with dissatisfaction, difficult tasks, and no self-control at work. 3) Complaint rate for musculoskeletal symptoms was significantly higher in workers involved in tasks with major ergonomic risk factors, and handling heavy equipment. 4) Explanatory power increased the model with the musculoskeletal symptoms as dependent variable and demographic variables, psychosocial working environment and ergonomic risk factors included, and total explanatory power of 18.6% revealed the significant effect. Based on the results, we can conclude that musculoskeletal symptoms in manufacturing workers are associated with individual demographic characteristics, psychosocial working environment and ergonomic risk factors.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.30 no.6 s.112
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• pp.551-559
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to find out morbidity rate and pattern of disease and affect of variables related disease and medical management of seafares'. The subjects this study were 1049 seafares' were took education in Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology. This questionnaire was focused on finding the basic data for prevention of disease and promotion health for the seafares'. The collected data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, cross tab, linear regression by SPSS 10.1 package. The result of this study are as follow. 1)The morbidity rate within recent 12 months was 69.0%. 2)there were significant differences qf occurred disease in age(p<0.05), income(p<0.01), career of ship on board(p<0.01), rank(p<.01), perceived health status(p<0.01), worry of health(p<0.01), fatigue symptoms(0.01), satisfy of job(p<0.05), rest time(p<0.05) 3) Considering disease unable to work more than 4 hour, the number of those who had oral disease 7.3%> tinea 6.6%> gastric ulcer 6.4, and musculoskeletal disease group were 20.9%, which revealed the highest rate oral disease 13.6%> skin disease> 12.4%, digestive disease> 12.1%. 4) As refer to medical management, The pain above 31days 35.7%, hospitalization and treatment below 7days were each 50.2%, 42.8%, medical service were doctor's office 27.9, which revealed the highest rate.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2010

It has been well known that organic industrial solvents such as toluene, xylene and styrene are environmental health hazards causing occupational diseases to workers. The detection of biological metabolites of toluene, xylene and styrene in blood, urine, breast milk, saliva, and hair of workers exposed to these organic industrial solvents is a useful tool for assessing the amount of organic industrial solvents. Therefor, the external analytical quality assurance program is extremely important work for increasing reliability of the data analyzed in the special health examination laboratory. We evaluated the results of analysis by Korean analytical quality assurance program from the second half 2007 to the first half 2009. The number of participants for analytical quality assurance program for both mandatory item and one of optional items, hippuric acid and methylhippuric acid were 116-122, 116-122 and 105-115 laboratories, respectively. The proficient rate of the special health examination laboratories analyzed both mandatory item and optional item, hippuric acid and methylhippuric acid were 92-98%, 92-98% and 96-98%, respectively. We can conclude from our data that the analytical quality assurance program is a essential tool for improvement of reliability on the data analyzed in the special health examination laboratories.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.71-77
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• 2009

In Korea, asbestos related diseases (ARDs) associated with occupational and environmental asbestos exposures have been reported, and commercial products contaminated with asbestos have gathered huge public attentions recently. Review of previous studies was conducted. Whereas asbestos consumptions among developed countries have decreased, those of Asian countries have increased, which showed typical international transfer of hazardous industries. In Korea residents around former asbestos mines had ARDs, which were reported in many countries such as South Africa, Canada and Australia. ARDs among residents around asbestos factories were found in many countries such as United Kingdom, United States and Italia, and increased relative risks were reported among residents around asbestos textile factories in Korea. Increased air asbestos concentrations by environmental asbestos leakages from factories were correlated with higher malignant mesothelioma incidence rates. When air dispersion model applied, excess incidence rate as far as 2.5 km from a factory were observed. As mesothelioma incidence rate, a representative index of ARD, in Korea has not reported systemically, mandatory reporting system by health personnel who diagnose the disease needs to be introduced. It is hard to conclude that commercials with contaminated asbestos do not have adverse health effects, and further studies are needed to solve these public questions.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Health Science
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.247-255
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• 2014

Purpose. This study is based on physical and mental health and physical activity differences in Practice rate each physical activity according to the body to target the 319 people who live in rural areas of 65 and older who have chronic diseases Practice rate activities, general characteristics of chronic diseases, elderly differences in physical activity and investigate the factors that influence. Methods. Physical activity Practice rate was used for descriptive statistics. Each physical activity Practice rate in accordance with the general characteristics of the rural elderly chronic disease were independent T test and One-way ANOVA test. To evaluate the factors influencing the physical activity was the multiple logistic regression analysis. Results. Results of physical activity practice was the most flexibility exercise was walking then, Practice rate each physical activity in accordance with the general characteristics of the elderly are tangible and physical activity radish age, housing type, education level, health insurance part statistically significant were different. Physical health status according to the presence or absence of physical activity showed a significant difference in daily life activities and limited mental health differences were not significant. Factors affecting the physical activity of the elderly with chronic diseases appeared to limit the presence and activities of daily living. Conclusions. As well there is no activity restrictions can be more physically active everyday life well. It is suggested that it is important to approach everyday life, I can help eliminate the factors that independently giving limits on the activities of the elderly with chronic diseases.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2016

Background: Previous research has shown that paramedics are exposed to risks in the form of injuries to the musculoskeletal system. In addition, there are studies showing that they are also at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and psychiatric diseases, which can partly be explained by their constant exposure to stress. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether the use of shoulder straps decreases physical effort in the form of decreased heart rate and cortisol concentration. Methods: A stretcher with a dummy was carried by 20 participants for 400 m on two occasions, one with and one without the shoulder straps. Heart rate was monitored continuously and cortisol samples were taken at intervals of 0 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, and 60 minutes. Each participant was her or his own control. Results: A significant decrease in heart rate and cortisol concentration was seen when shoulder straps were used. The median values for men (with shoulder straps) at 0 minutes was 78 bpm/21.1 nmol/L (heart rate/cortisol concentration), at 15 minutes was 85 bpm/16.9 nmol/L, and at 60 minutes was 76 bpm/15.7 nmol/L; for men without shoulder straps, these values were 78 bpm/21.9 nmol/L, 93 bpm/21.9 nmol/L, and 73 bpm/20.5 nmol/L. For women, the values were 85 bpm/23.3 nmol/L, 92 bpm/20.8 nmol/L, and 70 bpm/18.4 nmol/L and 84 bpm/32.4 nmol/L, 100 bpm/32.5 nmol/L, and 75 bpm/25.2 nmol/L, respectively. Conclusion: The use of shoulder straps decreases measurable physical stress and should therefore be implemented when heavy equipment or a stretcher needs to be carried. An easy way to ensure that staff use these or similar lifting aids is to provide them with personalized, well-adapted shoulder straps. Another better option would be to routinely sewn these straps into the staff's personal alarm jackets so they are always in place and ready to be used.