• Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.171-181
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• 2008

Home care, known also as domiciliary care, is part of the community care service that is a responsibility of the local government authorities in the UK as well as many other countries around the world. The aim is to provide the care and support needed to assist people, particularly older people, people with physical or learning disabilities and people who need assistance due to illness to live as independently as possible in their own homes. It is performed primarily by care workers visiting clients' homes where they provide help with daily activities. This paper is concerned with the dispatching of care workers to clients in an efficient manner. The optimized routine for each care worker determines a schedule to achieve the minimum total cost (in terms of distance traveled) without violating the capacity and time window constraints. A collaborative population-based meta-heuristic called Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is applied to solve the problem. A particle is defined as a multi-dimensional point in space which represents the corresponding schedule for care workers and their clients. Each dimension of a particle represents a care activity and the corresponding, allocated care worker. The continuous position value of each dimension determines the care worker to be assigned and also the assignment priority. A heuristic assignment scheme is specially designed to transform the continuous position value to the discrete job schedule. This job schedule represents the potential feasible solution to the problem. The Earliest Start Time Priority with Minimum Distance Assignment (ESTPMDA) technique is developed for generating an initial solution which guides the search direction of the particle. Local improvement procedures (LIP), insertion and swap, are embedded in the PSO algorithm in order to further improve the quality of the solution. The proposed methodology is implemented, tested, and compared with existing solutions for some 'real' problem instances.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.21
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• pp.9307-9312
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• 2014

Background: Hope is an important coping resource for cancer patients. Types and sources of hope and hope-inspiring strategies are not well investigated among Iranian cancer patients. The aims of present study were therefore to investigate the nature of hope and some demographic predictors of hope among Iranian cancer patients. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was undertaken among 200 cancer patients admitted to an educational center affiliated to Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling method. The Herth Hope Index and other validated questionnaires were used to investigate level of hope and types and sources of hope, as well as hope-inspiring strategies. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Results: The overall score for hope was 31 from total scores ranging between 12 and 48. Some 94% of patients mentioned 'return to normal life' and 'complete healing of disease by drugs and physicians' as their main hopes. The most important sources of hope reported by patients include spiritual resources, family members, healthcare workers, and medicines and treatments available for the disease. Relationship with God, praying/blessing, controlling the signs and symptoms of the disease, and family/health care workers' support were the main hope-inspiring strategies. Patients who had a history of metastasis, or who were older, illiterate, divorced/widowed and lived with their children reported lower levels of hope. On the other hand, employed patients and those with good support from their families had higher levels of hope. Conclusions: The study findings showed moderate to high levels of hope among Iranian cancer patients. Accordingly, the role of spiritual/religion, family members and health care workers should be considered in developing care plans for these patients.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.59-73
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to understand which factors affect on the leisure constraint and leisure attitude of workers, to observe how the factors of leisure constraints affect on the leisure attitude. The subjects of this study were 267 urban workers who are older than 20 years old and resident in Seoul. The periods of this study was from November 15 to December 5. The modified versions of leisure constraint scale and leisure attitude scale were utilized for this study. The results of this study are as follows : First, as a result to compare the average of leisure constraint factors, intrapersonal constraint, which are individual mental status as interest, self-consciousness, uneasiness et at., was founded generally less than interpersonal constraints as personal relationship for leisure activity, or structural constraints as financial, time, information et at., Secondly, it was found that interpersonal constraint was statistically different in age, and that structural constraint was statistically different in sex, education, health status, marital status, income, and career. Thirdly, there were statistically different in cognitive leisure attitude, feeling leisure attitude, and behavioral leisure attitude according to the average monthly income and career. But, it was found that marital status and the five-day workweek system were not statistically different in 3 leisure attitude factors. Finally, 3 leisure constraint factors(intrapersonal, interpersonal, structural) had statistically significant effect on cognitive leisure attitude. Also, intrapersonal leisure constraint and interpersonal leisure constraint had statistically significant effect on feeling leisure attitude and behavioral leisure attitude

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.95-105
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• 2016

Purpose: This study examined the characteristics differences associated with 1-year continuous smoking abstinence in Korean young adult and middle-aged male workers. Methods: 'Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES)' is an ongoing surveillance system that assesses the health and nutritional status of Koreans. For a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from KNHANES VI-1, this study selected 683 Korean male workers as a subpopulation, who were young adult or middle-aged. The subpopulation was composed of success or failure group of 1-year continuous smoking abstinence. Binomial logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Success group was more likely to be older, live in urban areas, rate their health status as excellent or good, and have ever been diagnosed with hypertension than failure group. Additionally, Success group was less likely to have used electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), drink more than once a month, and have been exposed to secondhand smoking in workplace within a week. Conclusion: Developing smoking cessation programs requires consideration of resources in rural areas, promoting self-efficacy, restricting e-cigarettes and drinking, and promoting a smoke-free workplace.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.7-15
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• 2000

Objectives: The purpose of this study w8s to investigate the experience rate and point prevalence and factors related with Low Back Pain(LBP) in men workers for the manufacturing industry. Methods: Questionnaires were completed by 97 men workers for 1 vehicle company in Taegu city in September 6-26, 2000. The information was used to estimate odds ratio and $95\%$ confidence intervals fur the LBP related factors association. Results: The experience rate for LBP was $67.0\%$. point prevalence was $14.4\%$. Variables significantly associated with LBP were weight(p=0.052) and smoking(p=0.010). $57\%$ for patients with LBP was higher than 50.095 far without in normal weight. whereas $43.0\%$ for patients with LBP was smaller than $50.0\%$ for without in overweight. $73.8\%$ for patients with smoking increased than $46.9\%$ for smokers without in smoking. The experience for LBP increased as weight increased(Odds ratio=2.923). As subjects are getting older. experience increased(Odds ratio= 1.393). The higher subjects had experienced stress, the higher experience for LBP was(Odds ratio= 1.328), however all three variables had no significant relationship. Conclusions: Results from this study indicated that a statistically significant association between LBP and weight. smoking in X2-test. In logistic regression test, there were no related variables.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.356-371
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• 2000

This study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional counseling for farmers by using computer- based program to estimate pre - and post - knowledge and attitude changes. The desirable change of both knowledge and attitude focused on improving food Intake and early easing of body complaints. 311 agricultural workers in Korea were chosen for this experiment. The score was compared by 2 methods. In the first method, the scores were calculated from nutrient intake quantity and indices. In the second method, the difference of pre and post test of nutritional counseling by count of correct answers of foods and food preparation attitudes was measured according to different body complaints status. Major farming type was rice-planting(39%). The consciousness of health status of the subjects of less than 50 years old was good(42%), but it was only 20% in over 50 years' group. Female farmers felt uncomfortable in body complaints. Their body complaints were 2 times more than the male farmers, particularly, in over 50 years group. Nutrient intakes were lower in male based on the KRDA, except for vitamin C, niacin, and phosphate. Female farmers' nutrient intake was adequate based on the KRDA, but was low in vitamin A, pyridoxin, and iron. From the scores of knowledge and attitude by pre and post tests, counseling was efficient In nutritional education of all age groups, especially the older ones. The effect of counseling by farming type showed that the real agricultural workers had more increased score In the post test. This results Indicated that counseling about food, nutrition. and health to these workers was always effective. Therefore nutritional counseling and education program should be developed for different kinds of health and nutrition. It would be conducted to promote food behavior and improve nutritional and health status of farmers.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.96-103
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• 2021

Background: The number of elderly people with comorbidities who experience dysphagia associated with geriatric disorders, such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's dementia, is increasing. Consequently, the demand for long-term prescriptions of powdered medications is expected to rise. Most patients procure repackaged prescription medications from pharmacies; however, the guidelines regarding their expiration dates are unclear. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess awareness among adults regarding the expiration dates and drug stability issues associated with repackaged prescription medications, including powdered medications. Methods: A questionnaire with 16 components was designed and distributed online (August 1-September 1, 2019) to adults aged 19 years or older. Statistical analyses, including descriptive analysis and chi-square test, were conducted on the obtained data. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Data from 254 respondents were analyzed; 191 (75.20%) respondents worked in non-healthcare-related fields. A significant number of healthcare workers recognized the stability issues associated with powdered medications (p<0.001). However, a large proportion of healthcare workers were not aware of the expiration dates (p>0.05). Conclusions: More than half of the total respondents, including healthcare workers, were not familiar with the appropriate expiration dates of repackaged prescription medications. The establishment of evidence-based guidelines regarding drug expiration dates and the dissemination of awareness among patients are required. Furthermore, clinical practices including repackaging or pulverizing medications for long-term prescriptions should be avoided owing to the associated drug stability issues.

• Journal of Urban Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2021

The number of old buildings older than 30 years in Korea continues to increase from 29.9% in 2005 to 38.8% in 2020. Considering the growing urban regeneration projects, urban maintenance projects, the suppression of urban expansion, and the lack of idle land in the city, the dismantling of old buildings is expected to increase further in the future. As major accidents at building dismantling sites continue to occur, related agencies are also strengthening safety management of building dismantling works. While physical safety management such as collapse and fall is strengthened, there is a relative lack of interest in the health of workers at dismantling sites due to environmental hazards. Since relevant laws stipulate that construction waste should be separated and discharged, old buildings need to be considered for environmental hazards such as fine dust, floating bacteria, and floating molds when dismantling. In this study, we intend to find important safety management elements in the management of building dismantling sites, measure environmental factors harmful to dismantling workers, and present basic data for the management of dismantling sites in the future. "Safety management" was the highest priority, followed by "dust," "vibration," "noise," "bacteria," and "smell." The perception of the importance of "physical damage prevention" with workers working on dismantling and managers managing the site came out similar, but the perception of "work efficiency" and "health disorder prevention" through environmental hazard management showed different priorities. In the process of dismantling, floating bacteria and floating mold were collected, cultured, and measured the concentration in the indoor air. The measurement was measured by dividing it into pre-dismantling and during dismantling.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.80-86
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• 2024

Background: The Work Ability Index (WAI) is an instrument that measures work ability. The wide dispersion of the WAI internationally has led to its adaptation for use in different countries. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the WAI. Methods: A methodological design was used over an opportunistic sample of 233 workers in the aeronautical industry in Spain. Reliability was evaluated through internal consistency. Factorial validity, known groups, and convergent validity were tested. Results: The Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlation indicated an adequate internal consistency. The confirmatory factor analysis, performed to evaluate the factorial validity, found adequate fit indices for a two-factor solution with a high correlation between the factors. Factor 1, "Subjectively estimated work ability and resources", was composed of 3 subscales and factor 2, "Ill-health-related", of 2 subscales. Subscales 4 and 6 had loading in both factors. Workers under 45 years of age obtained higher significant scores than older ones. Convergent validity was also evidenced since WAI was highly correlated with self-assessment of health status. Conclusions: The Spanish version of the WAI has shown evidence of reliability and validity in this study, supporting its use in individual and collective health surveillance by occupational health professionals. The factorial solution that was found has previously been reported in another international context. However, further research is needed to resolve the discrepancies detected in the role of some subscales between other national and international studies.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.377-383
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• 2019

Objectives: Exposure to fine particles in urban air has been associated with a number of negative health effects. High levels of fine particles have been detected at underground stations in big cities. We investigated the exposure conditions in four occupational groups in the Stockholm underground train system to identify high-exposed groups and study variations in exposure. Methods: $PM_1$ and $PM_{2.5}$ were measured during three full work shifts on 44 underground workers. Fluctuations in exposure were monitored by a real-time particle monitoring instrument, pDR, DataRAM. Qualitative analysis of particle content was performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Nitrogen dioxide was measured using passive monitors. Results: For all underground workers, the geometric mean (GM) of $PM_1$ was $18{\mu}g/m^3$ and of $PM_{2.5}$ was $37{\mu}g/m^3$. The particle exposure was highest for cleaners/platform workers, and the GM of $PM_1$ was $31.6{\mu}g/m^3$ [geometric standard deviation (GSD), 1.6] and of $PM_{2.5}$ was $76.5{\mu}g/m^3$ (GSD, 1.3); the particle exposure was lowest for ticket sellers, and the GM of $PM_1$ was $4.9{\mu}g/m^3$ (GSD, 2.1) and of $PM_{2.5}$ was $9.3{\mu}g/m^3$ (GSD, 1.5). The $PM_1$ and $PM_{2.5}$ levels were five times higher in the underground system than at the street level, and the particles in the underground had high iron content. The train driver's nitrogen dioxide exposure level was $64.1{\mu}g/m^3$ (GSD, 1.5). Conclusions: Cleaners and other platform workers were statistically significantly more exposed to particles than train drivers or ticket sellers. Particle concentrations ($PM_{2.5}$) in the Stockholm underground system were within the same range as in the New York underground system but were much lower than in several older underground systems around the world.