• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.293-298
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• 2016

Background: The aim of this study was to increase knowledge regarding the dangers associated with tobacco use, and decrease secondhand smoke exposure and tobacco use behaviors with an antitobacco messaging campaign among rural, medically underserved, blue-collar workers. Methods: A quasiexperimental study was conducted with employees at two worksites. One worksite received the intervention, which consisted of nine different antitobacco messages. Baseline and follow-up surveys were conducted at each worksite to assess change in knowledge and behavior; the data were compared across the two worksites. Results: Two hundred twenty-two and 243 participants completed baseline and follow-up surveys at the intervention and comparison sites, respectively. A statistically significant difference was seen over time between the worksites on knowledge of the dangers of tobacco (p < 0.0001); the mean knowledge score increased at the intervention site, but remained unchanged at the comparison site. In general, non-smokers at both worksites appeared to try to decrease exposure to secondhand smoke over the follow-up period. Repeated measures analysis indicated that there were no differences in motivation to quit (p = 0.81), interest in quitting (p = 0.40), thinking about quitting (p = 0.53), or several tobacco-use behaviors over time among smokers at the intervention and comparison worksites. There were slight increases over time in the proportion of smokers who do not allow smoking in their homes/vehicles at the intervention worksite, although not statistically significant. Conclusion: Participants at the intervention worksite increased their knowledge regarding the dangers of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure. Among current tobacco users, the intervention appeared to increase family rules regarding secondhand smoke exposure in their homes and vehicles.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.239-248
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• 2010

Objective: Despite the increasing number of female participation in employment, blue-collar women have been exposed to higher health risk. This study is to describe the prevalence of chronic diseases, health behaviors, and medical service utilization of female blue-collar workers. Methods: Data were derived from the 2001 Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey (KNHANES). The sample was made up of 37,108 male and female participants aged 20 or over selected nation-wide by probability sampling from Korea. This study applied the logistic regression for nominal variables such as disease prevalence and health behaviors and with the regression for continuos variables such as the length and costs of medical services. Results: In general, women's prevalence of chronic illness and uncured rate were significantly higher than male, and especially female blue-collar workers had the highest prevalence, uncured rate, unhealthy status, and perceived stress. However, the medical care cost was the lowest in female blue-collar workers. Conclusions: The findings suggest that female blue-collar workers were more likely to experience health problems, and that despite the highest health risk, health service is not effectively utilized, and health policy maker should take consider of special status of female blue collar workers who are in health inequality.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.269-274
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• 1998

The purpose of this study is to establish the basic consultation data for diabetes in adults and to demonstate the necessity of preventive regular medical examinations. The study was carried out at Chungyang County, Chungchungnam-Do from the first of January, 1996 to the end of December. Below is the statistical data of this study which concerns the distinction of sex, ages, and occupations from the 600 examinees. 1. According to the distinction of sex, there are 12 males and 11 females among the 300 examinees in each group. That means, the diabetic percentage is 4.0% versus 3.6% and male/female diabetic ratio is 1.1:1 2. According to the distinction of ages, there is one people 0.25% aged 20years old and 5 peoples 1.3% aged 30 years old among the 400 examinees. There are 6 peoples 1.0% aged 40 years old and 6 peoples 1.0% aged 50 years old among the 600 examinees. There are 4 peoples 2.0% aged 60 years old among the 200 examinees. 3. According to the distinction of occupations, there are 13 white collar workers 6.5% among the 200 examinees, and there are 8 blue collar workers(4%) among the 200 examinees. There are 2 government employees 1% among the 200 examinees. This show that there is less diabets in government employees than other occupational groups of the same number. 4. Among the white and blue collar workers, 7 diabetis's blood glucose levels are 140mg%--200 mg% and 6 are 200mg%. 5. Among the community medical insurance holders, 7 diabetic's blood glucose levels are 140 mg%--200mg% and 1 is 200mg%. 6. Among the government employees, 2 diabetic's bleed glucose levels are 140mg--200mg% and there is no 200mg%.