• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.129-138
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• 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant surge in glove usage, as recommended by the World Health Organization. Despite efforts to ensure the quality and safety of gloves, glove-associated skin diseases such as hand dermatitis have become ubiquitous, particularly among health care workers. This review discusses the prevalence, causes, and risk factors of hand dermatitis, as well as research efforts in medical gloves in the past decade to overcome glove-related hand dermatitis. Research papers from 2013 to 2022 were reviewed, selecting only 49 relevant papers from the Ovid, PubMed, and Scopus databases. The average prevalence of hand dermatitis among health care workers increased from 21.08% to 37.24% upon the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The cases are likely due to allergies to latex proteins, rubber additives, and accelerators commonly found in gloves. Using alternatives to latex gloves, such as accelerator-free and latex-free glove options, can help reduce allergy-induced hand dermatitis. Strict hand hygiene practices, such as frequent hand washing and the use of sanitizers, are also contributing factors in contracting hand dermatitis. Over the past decade, glove research advancements have focused mainly on reducing or immobilizing latex proteins. These include the use of biodegradable dialdehyde, sodium alginate, arctigenin, bromelain, papain, UV-LED, prototype photoreactors, and structure-modified nanosilica with silane A174. Two effective hand dermatitis preventive measures, i.e. an additional layer of glove liners and the use of gentle alcohol-based hand sanitizer, were recommended. These advancements represent promising steps towards mitigating hand dermatitis risks associated with glove usage.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.275-284
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• 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to assess hand grip strength and femoral neck bone mineral density levels among Korean fishery workers and investigate their association. Methods: Hand grip strength and femoral neck bone mineral density were measured in a survey and health examination conducted in 2021 among fishery workers in a southern region of South Korea. Covariates including gender, age, education level, income level, smoking behavior, drinking behavior, family history of hip fractures, use of calcium and vitamin D supplements, hypertension, diabetes, regular exercise, and body mass index were investigated. Multiple regression analysis was employed to assess the association between hand grip strength and femoral neck bone mineral density. Results: Among 147 fishery workers, 8.16% exhibited low hand grip strength levels indicative of possible sarcopenia, and a significant association was found between low hand grip strength and decreased femoral neck bone mineral density (β = -89.14, 95% CI = -160.50, -17.78). Additionally, factors such as women gender, advanced age, family history of hip fractures, and a body mass index below 25 kg/m² were associated with decreased femoral neck bone mineral density. In the subgroup analysis by gender, a correlation between low hand grip strength and decreased femoral neck bone mineral density was observed only in men. Conclusions: Further research is needed to explore various determinants and intervention strategies to prevent musculoskeletal disorders among fishery workers, ultimately enhancing their quality of life and well-being.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.156-167
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• 2010

To evaluate the effect of lead biomarkers including bone lead on neurobehavioral test in retired lead workers, 131 retired lead workers without any occupational exposure to organic solvent, mercury and arsenic were agreed to participate this study. For the control subjects 56 non-occupationally lead exposed subjects were recruited from same area of retired lead workers with consideration of demographic characteristics. The mean levels of blood and bone lead of retired lead workers were significantly higher than control group and there were significant correlation among other lead biomarkers. Compared with controls without occupational lead exposure, lead exposured subjects had worse performance on 10 tests out of 12 neurobehavioral tests, but only two tests(Purdue pegboard nondominant and both hand) showed statistical significance of differences. In multiple linear regression analysis of neurobehavioral tests with lead biomarkers and demographic and lifestyle variables, age was associated negatively with 11 neurobehavioral tests, whereas log-transformed ZPP was associated with Purdue pegboard(both hand) and Santa Ana manual dexterity(non-dominant hand). On the other hand, tibia lead was associated Pursuit aiming test(correct) and Purdue pegboard(dominant hand) and calcaneal lead was associated with Purdue pegboard(dominant hand). This study confirmed that among all relevant variables age was most significantly associated with the poor performance of neurobehavioral tests. The blood lead did not have any significant association with neurobehavioral tests, but tibia and calcaneal bone lead and blood ZPP showed significant association with a few tests even after more than mean 9 years from their retirements.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.236-244
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• 2020

Objectives: Although the World Health Organization (WHO) initiative "My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene" has been lauded as effective in preventing hospital-associated infections, little is known about healthcare workers (HCWs)' hand hygiene behavior. In this study, we sought to assess knowledge and attitudes towards the concepts in this initiative, as well as associated factors, among Vietnamese HCWs at a general hospital. Methods: A structured questionnaire was administered to HCWs at a central Vietnamese general hospital in 2015. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with HCWs' knowledge and attitudes towards hand hygiene. Results: Of 120 respondents, 65.8% and 67.5% demonstrated appropriate knowledge and a positive attitude, respectively, regarding all 5 hand hygiene moments. Logistic regression indicated better knowledge of hand hygiene in workers who were over 30 years old, who were direct HCWs (rather than managers), who had frequent access to clinical information, and who received their clinical information from training. Those who worked in infectious and tropical disease wards, who had frequent access to clinical information, and who received information from training were more likely to have a positive attitude towards hand hygiene than their counterparts. Conclusions: Although many Vietnamese HCWs displayed moderate knowledge and positive attitudes towards the WHO hand hygiene guidelines, a key gap remained. Regular education and training programs are needed to increase knowledge and to improve attitudes and practices towards hand hygiene. Furthermore, a combination of multimodal strategies and locally-adapted interventions is needed for sustainable hand hygiene adherence.

• IE interfaces
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.375-383
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of vibration induced by the powered hand tools used in the automobile assembly lines, and estimate the prevalence of vibration syndrome. The acceleration levels of four major powered hand tools were measured using the ISO 5349 method along with the time of exposure to the vibration of the hand tools. Four-hour-energy-equivalent frequency-weighted accelerations ranged from $1.27m/s^2$ to $2.58m/s^2$, After exposure to vibration for 12.6 years, about 10% of the workers using impact ranches were expected to develop Raynaud's disease. For the workers using grinders, 16.6% of the workers were expected to develop Raynaud's disease. The results would be of help in developing the guidelines of local vibration control.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.215-223
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• 2012

This study was performed to investigate hygienic behavior of food workers on the awareness of hand-washing, and the microbial load of their hands. This study focused on the comparison of fast food restaurant workers and full-service restaurant workers. A questionnaire survey and microbiological analysis were carried out for thirty fast food restaurant workers and forty full-service restaurant workers. Samples for microbiological analysis were collected through the glove-juice method from the hands of the food workers, and were analyzed for the presence of aerobic plate counts, total coliforms, fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella spp. Microbiological analysis was done according to the Food Code of Korea. In the survey, significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between the fast food restaurant workers and full-service restaurant workers in the use of hand washing tools and method of turning off water. More full-service restaurant workers responded to wash their hands after touching face, hair, or clothes; after handling raw food materials, and more fast food restaurant workers periodically (p < 0.05). Aerobic plate counts were higher in fast food restaurant workers while total coliforms were higher in full-service restaurant workers (p < 0.05). No remarkable difference was found between the two groups in the load of fecal coliforms, E. coli, S. aureus, and Salmonella spp. Poor hand hygiene practices were indicated by the positive results for E. coli, S. aureus, and Salmonella spp. on the hands of some food workers in both groups. The findings of this study emphasize the need for strict adherence to hand hygiene compliance among the food workers.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.121-133
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of hand acupressure in relieving shoulder pain among male manufacturing workers. Methods: A nonequivalent control group was employed using a nonsynchronized design. Data were collected from two manufacturing plants located in metropolitan area U. The data were analyzed with a ${\chi}^2$-test and an independent t-test to perform a homogeneity test, and with repeated ANOVA measures to perform an hypothesis test using the SPSS 21.0 program. Results: Hypothesis 1 that "the experimental group provided with hand moxibustion would score lower for low shoulder pain than the control group" was supported (F=306.05, p<.001). Hypothesis 2, that "the experimental group provided with hand moxibustion would have a wider range of motion than the control group" was also supported with increased flexion(F=7.73, p<.001), extension(F=7.89, p=.001), abduction(F=21.23, p<.001), and horizontal abduction(F=20.89, p=.028). Hypothesis 3, that "the experimental group provided with hand moxibustion would score lower for quality of sleep than the control group" was not supported (F=56.10, p=.091). Conclusions: Hand moxibustion is effective in relieving shoulder pain for male manufacturing workers, in relieving low shoulder pain and increasing the range of motion.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.31-36
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• 2013

For lighting of dark and hazardous workplace such as compartment of ships under construction, workers should use hand lamps of explosion-proof type. However, the heavy weight of such lamps has prevented most impatient workers from using such types of lamps extensively. In this paper, we developed a light weight hand lamp of intrinsic safety type which reduced the weight a lot while maintaining or improving the lighting and explosion-proof function. We made a prototype which consisted of lamp fixture and high frequency power supply. Testing results show that the hand lamp meets well all the explosion-proof testing requirements of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency. And more, we surveyed the explosion protection technology of a light weight hand lamp, and suggested the advantage/disadvantage to apply lighting of hand lamp about economical aspect.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.185-195
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to opportunity of oral examination and positively utilizing the oral-health educational method of being preferred on the basis of the contents promote workers' oral health. Methods : This study carried out questionnaire research by self-administrated method, which was selected by convenience sampling method, from February 9th to March 6th, 2009 targeting 237 workers where are located in Gunsan city of Jeollabuk-do Province. Results : 1. Workers' interest and recognition of importance in oral health were high, and were low in subjective oral-health knowledge level, on the other hand. 2. Workers were indicated to be high in the response rate of work-site oral examination and, on the other hand, to be high in the dissatisfied rate at work-site oral examination. 3. As for work-site oral examination, the workers were indicated to positively recognize participation in work-site oral-health education along with high necessity. 4. Workers were indicated to prefer the most a method of lecture such as dentist along with contents in prevention and curing method of periodontal disease. Conclusions : An efficient result is thought to be probably obtained given offering an opportunity of oral examination and positively utilizing the oral-health educational method of being preferred on the basis of the contents with the highest preference, in order to promote workers' oral health.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.336-344
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• 2019

Purpose: This study tries to examine the effects of hand moxibustion and press pellet by applying them to male manufacturing workers with low back pain, and use them to develop nursing interventions for workers. Methods: The data were collected from August to October, 2018, and the subjects were 60 men, processed by using SPSS/WIN 21.0 to perform homogeneity test with $x^2$-, t-, and hypothesis tests with repeated measures, ANOVA and $Scheff{\acute{e}}$ test. Results: Hypothesis 1 that "the experimental group provided with hand moxibustion and hand press pellet would give lower scores for low back pain than the control group" was supported (F=78.71, p<.001). Hypothesis 2 that "the experimental group provided with hand moxibustion and hand press pellet would have a wider range of motion than the control group" was also supported (F=17.44, p<.001). Hypothesis 3 that "the experimental group provided with hand moxibustion and hand press pellet would give lower scores for depression than the control group," again, was supported (F=16.95, p<.001). Conclusion: Hand moxibustion and hand press pellet are effective in relieving low back pain for male workers, in increasing the range of motion, and in decreasing depression.