• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.334-338
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• 2018

Background: With global changes in the current state of work and employment, the role of health-adverse psychosocial work environments has received increasing attention in developed as well as in rapidly developing countries. Thus, there is a need to apply valid measurement tools for monitoring and preventive purposes. This study aims to examine the factorial structure and psychometric properties of the Persian version of the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) questionnaire, assessing one of the internationally leading concepts of stressful work. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study of a random sample of 202 white collar employees in an industrial company in Iran analyzes the ERI scales by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Moreover, aspects of construct and criterion validity are tested. To this end, correlations of ERI scales with subscales of organizational injustice, a complementary work stress model, and also the correlations of ERI scales with a questionnaire assessing psychosomatic symptoms are performed. Results: Internal consistency of the three ERI scales was satisfactoryy (Cronbach ${\alpha}$ effort: 0.76, reward: 0.79, overcommitment: 0.75). Fit indices of confirmatory factor analsis pointed to an adequate representation of the theoretical construct (e.g., adjusted goodness of fit index (AGFI): 0.73, goodness of fit index (GFI): 0.78). Negative correlations with subscales of organizational injustice supported the notion of construct validity of the ERI scales, and positive correlations of ERI scales with psychosomatic symptoms indicated preliminary criterion validity. Conclusion: The Persian version of the ERI questionnaire has acceptable psychometric properties and can be used as a valid instrument in research on this topic.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.1-12
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• 2019

Objectives : Korean national health insurance data is a useful real-world data representing whole medical bills submitted to Health Insurance Review Agency. This study aims to understand recent benefit trend of insurance herbal preparations for treating bronchiectasis(disease code J47) utilizing insurance data. Methods : We reviewed national health insurance claims data from 2013 to 2017 which have main diagnosis or sub diagnosis code of J47 and with the record of prescribing insurance herbal medication. Frequency analysis was performed to analyze the most frequently prescribed prescription. Results & Conclusions : Both the number of claims statement(770 to 1,746cases) and patients(266 to 484) of insurance herbal preparations increased considerably from 2013 to 2017. Top 10 preparations based on the number of claims statement were 'Samso-eum', 'Yeonkyopaedok-san', 'Socheongryong-tang', 'Bojungikgi-tang', 'Hyangsapyungwi-san', 'Yijin-tang', 'Saengmaek-san', 'Jaeumganghwa-tang', 'Ojeok-san' and 'Gungha-tang'. Top 10 preparations based on the number of patients were 'Samso-eum', 'Socheongryong-Tang', 'Saengmaek-san', 'Yeonkyopaedok-san', 'Haengso-tang', 'Hyangsapyungwi-san', Yijin-tang', 'Jaeumganghwa-tang', 'Bojungikgi-tang' and 'Hyeonggaeyeongyo-tang' in respectiv order. Claims of top 10 frequent preparations occupied more than 60% of total claims. We hope this finding to be utilized as basic data for future research of evidence-based bronchiectasis treatment utilizing Korean traditional medicine.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.359-364
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• 2006

Objectives: The object of this study is to assess the relationship between socioeconomic factors and the predicted 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease by using health risk appraisal of ischemic heart disease. Methods: The study population was taken from The 2001 Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey, and it consisted of 1,566 men and 1,984 women aged 30-59. We calculated 10-year risk using the risk function of ischemic heart disease as developed by Jee. The educational level and equivalized household income were dichotomized by a 12 years education period and the median income level. Occupation was dichotomized into manual/non-manual work. We stratified the population by age(10 years) and sex, and then we rated the risk differences according to socioeconomic factors by performing t-tests for each strata. Results: There were gradients of the predicted 10-year risk of ischemic heart disease with the educational level and the equivalized household income, and thet was an increasing tendency of risk differences with age. Manual workers didn't show significant risk difference from non-manual workers. Conclusions: There was definite relationship between low socioeconomic position and the predicted risk of ischemic heart disease in the future.

• Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.340-347
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• 2018

Objectives: The aim of this research was to determine intra-oral factors that affect halitosis in young women. Methods: This study was performed between March 2014 to May 2014, and included 35 women in their 20s with good oral health. Correlation and logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the change in halitosis immediately, and 1 hour after scaling. Results: In both oral gas (OG) and extraoral gas (EG) groups, halitosis was reduced after scaling compared to before scaling. The logistic regression analysis of oral state factors in OG showed that as oral fluid [odds ratio (OR) = 0.792, p = 0.045] and dental plaque (OR = 0.940, p = 0.016) decreased by 1 unit, the OR in the OG group decreased (> 50). In addition, as glucose levels in the oral cavity (OR = 1.245, p = 0.075) and tongue coating index (OR = 2.912, p = 0.064) increased by 1 unit, the OR in the OG group increased (> 50). Furthermore, in the EG group, as oral fluid (OR = 0.66, p = 0.01) and dental plaque (OR = 0.95, p = 0.04) decreased, the OR in the EG group decreased (> 50) significantly. Conclusion: To control halitosis, it is necessary to increase oral fluid and decrease the amount of tongue plaque. Furthermore, maintaining a healthy oral environment, aided by regular scaling and removal of dental plaque, may significantly control halitosis.

• Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.289-298
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• 2018

Objectives: To describe the distribution of social factors, lifestyle habits and anthropometric measurements according to hypertension and Type-2 diabetes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gaza City, Palestine that included 379 patients (20-60 years) who had hypertension and/or diabetes. Three groups of patients were involved; 106 hypertensive (HT), 109 diabetic (T2DM) and 164 hypertensive diabetics (HT + T2DM). Results: The HT + T2DM group were older and had a higher body mass index compared to HT and T2DM groups. There were 62.3% patients who were female, 49.2% were highly educated HT patients, and 49.3% patients had a low level of education and were HT + T2DM. There were 55.8% patients who lived in large families. Patients who were passive smokers or never smoked before were mostly HT + T2DM, while active smokers and past smokers had T2DM. There were 48.2% patients who were highly physically active who had HT, 40.9% whom were moderately active had T2DM, and 53.8% of patients who had a low level of activity were HT + T2DM. Multivariate linear regression showed that having a diseased mother, living in a large family, being a past or passive smoker, or never having smoked, having a low or moderate level of activity, and having HT or HT + T2DM, were significantly associated with an increased body mass index. Conclusion: Parental health/disease conditions and environmental factors (social network and lifestyle habits) played the greatest role in the development of obesity and disease.

• Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.354-361
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of injection laryngoplasty (IL) with hyaluronic acid in patients with vocal fold paralysis (VFP). Methods: A total of 50 patients with VFP participated in this study. Pre- and post-IL assessments were performed, which included analyzing the sustained vowel /a/ phonation, and the patient reading 1 Korean sentence from the "Walk" passage that comprised 25 syllables in 10 words. To investigate the effect of IL on vocal fold function, acoustic analysis (acoustic voice quality index, cepstral peak prominence, maximum phonation time, speaking fundamental frequency) was conducted and auditory-perceptual (grade and overall severity), visual judgment (gap), and self-questionnaire (voice handicap index-10) assessments were performed. Results: The patients with VFP showed statistically significant differences between pre-and post-IL assessments for acoustic and auditory-perception, visual judgment, and self-questionnaire assessments. Conclusion: The patients with VFP showed positive change in vocal fold function between pre- and post-IL measurements. The findings showed that IL with hyaluronic acid is an effective method to improve vocal fold function in patients with VFP.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.268-278
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• 2015

Background: This study aimed to assess the whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure among large blast hole drill machine operators with regard to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recommended threshold values and its association with machine- and rock-related factors and workers' individual characteristics. Methods: The study population included 28 drill machine operators who had worked in four opencast iron ore mines in eastern India. The study protocol comprised the following: measurements of WBV exposure [frequency weighted root mean square (RMS) acceleration ($m/s^2$)], machine-related data (manufacturer of machine, age of machine, seat height, thickness, and rest height) collected from mine management offices, measurements of rock hardness, uniaxial compressive strength and density, and workers' characteristics via face-to-face interviews. Results: More than 90% of the operators were exposed to a higher level WBV than the ISO upper limit and only 3.6% between the lower and upper limits, mainly in the vertical axis. Bivariate correlations revealed that potential predictors of total WBV exposure were: machine manufacturer (r = 0.453, p = 0.015), age of drill (r = 0.533, p = 0.003), and hardness of rock (r = 0.561, p = 0.002). The stepwise multiple regression model revealed that the potential predictors are age of operator (regression coefficient ${\beta}=-0.052$, standard error SE = 0.023), manufacturer (${\beta}=1.093$, SE = 0.227), rock hardness (${\beta}=0.045$, SE = 0.018), uniaxial compressive strength (${\beta}=0.027$, SE = 0.009), and density (${\beta}=-1.135$, SE = 0.235). Conclusion: Prevention should include using appropriate machines to handle rock hardness, rock uniaxial compressive strength and density, and seat improvement using ergonomic approaches such as including a suspension system.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.234-237
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• 2014

Background: Inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to adverse health effects on the lungs. This study describes lung function profiles among individuals with nonmalignant asbestos-related disorders (ARDs). Methods: The study population was from the Workers' Compensation (Dust Diseases) Board of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Lung function measurements were conducted in males with asbestosis (n = 26), diffuse pleural thickening (DPT; n = 129), asbestosis and DPT (n = 14), pleural plaques only (n = 160) and also apparently healthy individuals with a history of asbestos exposure (n = 248). Standardized spirometric and single-breath diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide ($DL_{CO}$) measurements were used. Results: Mean age [standard deviation (SD)] was 66.7 (10.3) years for all participants. Current and ex-smokers among all participants comprised about 9.0% and 54.8%, respectively. Median pack-years (SD) of smoking for ex- and current-smokers were 22.7 (19.9). Overall 222 participants (38.6%) and 139 participants (24.2%) had forced expiratory volume in 1 second ($FEV_1$) and forced vital capacity (FVC) measurements < 80% predicted, and 217 participants (37.7%) had $FEV_1/FVC$ results < 70%. A total of 249 individuals (43.8%) had DLCO values < 80% predicted and only 75 (13.2%) had DLCO/VA results < 80% predicted. A total of 147 participants (25.6%) had peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurements < 80% predicted. The presence of ARDs lowered the lung function measurements compared to those of healthy individuals exposed to asbestos. Conclusion: Lung function measurement differs in individuals with different ARDs. Monitoring of lung function among asbestos-exposed populations is a simple means of facilitating earlier interventions.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.377-383
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• 2021

Background: This study investigated the longitudinal associations between the degrees of positive and negative spillover in work-life balance (WLB) at baseline and reports of depressive mood at a 2-year follow-up in Korean women employees. Methods: We used a panel study design data of 1386 women employees who participated in the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families in both 2014 and 2016. Depressive mood was measured using the "10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale." Associations between the positive and negative spillover in WLB at baseline and reports of new incidence of depressive mood at 2-year follow-up were explored using a multivariate logistic regression model. Results: Negative spillover in WLB at baseline showed a significant linear association with reports of depressive mood at 2-yearfollow-up after adjusting for age, education level, marital status, number of children, and positive spillover (P = 0.014). The highest scoring group in negative spillover (fourth quartile) showed a significant higher odds ratio of 1.95 compared with the lowest scoring group (first quartile; P = 0.036). Conclusion: Positive spillover in WLB showed a U-shaped association with depression. The degrees of positive and negative spillover in WLB among Korean women employees at baseline were associated with new incidence of depressive mood within 2 years. To prevent depression of female workers, more discrete and differentiated policies on how to maintain healthy WLB are required.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.761-772
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• 2021

BACKGROUD/OBJECTIVES: Understanding the factors associated with fish consumption is necessary to determine strategies to improve the fish consumption particularly those high in omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA). The aim of this study was to analyse the correlation between a mother's perspective on fish and actual fish consumption in their children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Two hundred thirty-one elementary school children grade 3-6 and their mothers in Surakarta were recruited using multi stage random sampling for this study. Data was collected in July and August 2017. A validated questionnaire consisted of 3 topics including knowledge related to the health benefits and organoleptic properties of fish and cooking technique-related attitudes on fish were used to measure the mother's response to the fish properties. A validated food frequency questionnaire and a food picture book of fish specifically designed for the survey were developed and used to assess fish consumption of the children. A χ² test was used to analyse the correlation between the mothers' perspective on fish and their children's fish consumption. RESULTS: The median fish consumption in children was 65 g/d with fried non-oily or lean fish, e.g., milkfish (locally called Bandeng) and catfish (locally called Lele) were consumed more than oily fish as well as processed fish products. Of all children, 31% met the fish consumption recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency-Food and Drug Administration 2017. There was no relationship between a mother's knowledge related to health benefits, organoleptic properties and cooking technique-related attitude toward fish and her child's fish consumption. CONCLUSIONS: The fish consumption of children is not influenced by their mother's perspective on fish. Nutrition education strategies are warranted to improve fish consumption and maintain the optimal benefits by consuming fish, including fish high in n-3 LCPUFA.