• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.42-49
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• 2019

Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is characterized by persistent airflow limitations associated with chronic inflammatory response due to noxious particles or gases in the lung. Iron deficiency is associated with chronic inflammation, such as COPD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship among iron deficiency, iron homeostasis, and inflammation in retired miners with COPD. Methods: The serum levels of ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor(sTfR), and transferrin saturation(TSat) as biomarkers for iron deficiency and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hsCRP) as a biomarker for inflammation and hepcidin as a biomarker for iron homeostasis were measured in 93 male subjects. Iron deficiency was defined as any one or more of (1) sTfR>28.1 nmol/L, (2) TSat<16%, and (3) ferritin< $12{\mu}g/L$. Results: Iron deficiency was found 28% of the study subjects. Median levels of serum hsCRP was significantly increased related to airflow limitation of COPD(GOLD 1, $0.09{\mu}g/dL$ vs. GOLD 2, $0.17{\mu}g/dL$ vs. GOLD $3{\leq}$, $0.30{\mu}g/dL$, p=0.010), and was positively correlated with hepcidin(p=0.009). Mean level of serum hepcidin was lower in COPD subjects with iron deficiency(p=0.004) and serum levels of hepcidin was negatively correlated with %$FEV_1$ predicted(p=0.030). Conclusions: These results suggest that high serum levels of hepcidin are related to severe airflow limitation or inflammation and can decrease iron availability, regardless of iron status.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.214-219
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• 2017

Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are characterized as chronic inflammation of the lung in miners exposed to coal mine dust. The aim of the present study was to compare the levels of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LD) and C-reactive protein (CRP) as the inflammatory indices between subjects with CWP and those with CWP and COPD (CWP+COPD), among a total of 97 subjects (27 control, 40 CWP, and 30 CWP+COPD patients). The mean levels of serum LD (165.7 vs 184.6 U/L, p=0.016) and CRP (0.08 vs 0.15 mg/dL, p=0.002) in subjects with CWP were higher than those of in subjects without CWP. The mean level of serum CRP (0.10 vs 0.19 mg/dL, p=0.008) in subjects with COPD was higher than that in subjects without COPD. In an analysis of covariance adjusted by age, the mean level of serum CRP showed statistical significance among the study groups, control, CWP, and CWP+COPD (0.07 vs 0.13 vs 0.19 mg/dL, p=0.005); the mean level of serum CRP in the CWP+COPD group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p=0.001). The results suggest that a high level of CRP in the serum may be associated with CWP and COPD in retired coal miners.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.69 no.3
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• pp.193-212
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• 2017

This study is purposed to explain the characteristics of injured workers' labor market situation and to analyze the factors influencing labor market transition of those workers. Using the Worker's Compensation Insurance Panel Data ver.1~3 which was surveyed by the Korean Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service in 2013-2015, this study analyzed 1,668 injured worker cases. The study shows that workers who have experience job retention at least once are 36.8% of all, 51.5% of them have experienced re-employment, and 36.9% have done unemployment. One result of the longitudinal analysis is that socio-demographic factors including gender, age, education years, convalescence period, ability on job performance, company size, term of service, temporary employment, daily-workers status before job accident and job training were associated with return to pre-injury job. The other result is that statistically significant factors affecting the probability to be the unemployed are gender, age, levels of disability, convalescence, ability on job performance, term of service before job accident, job rehabilitation service utilization. These findings indicate that we need to develop efficient intervention programs for supporting return-to-work and labor market transition of injured workers.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.477-485
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• 2022

This study was conducted to provide basic data to promote hair beauty service education by identifying the difference in the effect of positive psychological capital on job performance and job satisfaction of hair salon workers. For this purpose, in order to empirically verify the effect of positive psychological capital on job performance and job satisfaction of hair salon workers, 280 people engaged in hair salon workers in Gwangju, Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do were targeted. As a result of the study, positive psychological capital of hair and hair salon workers affects job performance and job satisfaction, and among the sub-factors of positive psychological capital, hope and optimism appear to affect both job performance and job satisfaction. Therefore, in order to strengthen the positive psychological capital of hair salon workers, it is necessary to develop a convergence program development and strategy that can enhance job performance and job satisfaction and apply it to the hair beauty service field.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.121-129
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of encounters with customer violence on the mental health of customer service workers, and to verify the moderating effect of coworker support. Methods: Workers who indicated that they engaged directly with individuals other than coworkers for more than 25% of their working hours, such as customers, passengers, students, and patients, were the focus of the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey in 2020. A total of 13,682 people were chosen as the final research subjects, responses from dishonest respondents who had picked "don't know/no answer" or indicated "reject" to pertinent topics such mental health level, were discarded. After adjusting for socio-demographic and vocational characteristics that influence mental health in customer service workers, a hierarchical regression analysis was executed, which incorporated input on customer violence experiences, coworker support, and interaction terms on a step-by-step basis. Results: It transpired that interactions with customer violence had a negative impact on workers' mental health. Additionally, it was shown that workers' mental health status as coworker support increased. Conclusion: This study's limitations include differences in the period the questions were posed, and limitations in interpretation to all workers. And it is difficult to determine the relationship between the frequency of customer violence, occupational characteristics and mental health. Despite its limitations, this study makes an important contribution toward fostering an environment where coworkers can continue to help one another.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.221-235
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• 2023

Purpose : Delegating authority to employees exerts a positive effect on the efficient operation and service of a company. In particular, investigating how the delegation of authority granted to social workers, who have a greater workload compared with those of other occupations, influences job satisfaction and commitment to the organization is meaningful. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of the empowerment of social workers on job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Methods : Toward this end, surveys were distributed to social workers employed at social welfare facilities in Daegu metropolitan city. Prior to the study, the researcher visited the institutions in which the social workers were working, explained the content in person, and conducted the self-administered survey accompanied by two research assistants who received prior training. Out of the 233 collected responses, those with unreliable responses and missing data were excluded, which left a sample of 224 for analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0. Results : First, social workers who were older, had higher positions, and with longer years of service exhibited higher levels of empowerment in terms of differences in empowerment according to general characteristics. Second, for job satisfaction and organizational commitment according to general characteristics, the longer the period of employment, the higher the level of job satisfaction. Third, empowerment exerted an effect on job satisfaction and organizational commitment, and a positive correlation was found. Conclusion : The empowerment of social workers exerted a positive effect on job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Therefore, to improve service quality and the efficient operation of social welfare organizations in this practice, improving the empowerment of social workers is necessary by providing appropriate treatments, improving working environments, and providing appropriate discretion and decision-making authorities that are considered necessary for work performance.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.291-297
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• 2023

Objectives: An epidemiological investigation was requested for a worker who developed COPD and IPF after long-term molding and firing at a domestic tile manufacturing site. We would like to share the results of the exposure assessment and the estimation of past work. Methods: The content of crystalline silica in four raw materials was analyzed, and the respirable fraction of crystalline silica and dust generated in the air from molding and firing workers and other processes were measured. The measurement and analysis method referred to the NIOSH method. Results: The crystalline silica content of the raw material was 24~47%. The concentration of crystalline silica in the molding and firing process workers and the surrounding area was at the level of the exposure standards set by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and ACGIH, and the respirable and total dust exposure levels were generally low. The crystalline silica concentration of the area samples measured to estimate past work was about twice as high as the exposure standard of the Ministry of Employment and Labor (0.05 mg/m3), and the exposure levels of respirable dust were also quite high at 0.903 and 1.332 mg/m3. Conclusions: It was confirmed that tile molding and firing workers are currently exposed to a fairly high level of crystalline silica, and a high level is also confirmed in area samples to estimate past work. In the past, it is judged that the level of exposure would have been much higher due to differences in production volume, working method, presence/absence of local ventilation facilities, and process layout. When working in such a working environment for a long time, respiratory diseases such as lung cancer, COPD, and IPF can occur.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.171-183
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• 2000

The purposes of this study were to identify the needs for the employer-supported day care service and to analyze the factors related to the needs for the day care service of the married employees. KLFI(1995)'s National data were used and three Logistic models and one Catmod model were employed to analyse the effects of the independent variables on the needs for the day care service. The results of this study were as follows: First, half of employed workers needed the employer-supported child care service. Second, they preferred the day care center near their residential area than in their work site. Third, according to their age, type of occupation, and their difficulties for the childcare and household work, employed men and women needs on site day care differently. Finally, their needs for the expenditure of duty care service differed by their age, sex, and occupation, and their levels of difficulties for the childcare and household work. These findings suggest that duty care service for the employed man and woman are supported diversely according to their needs and preferences.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.91-104
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• 2011

This study is focusing on the fact that Medical bodies are a labor-intensive organization in the technological field which needs technical knowledge and concerted efforts and then explaining the job value and the workplace value on the basis of trust in terms of a sense of organizational unity. The study reveals that, the higher recognition of their seniors the medical workers have, the higher level of self-esteem for job value they have. In terms of personal characteristics, educational experience has a meaningful influence on self-esteem for job value; in terms of job characteristics, the period of one`s service and monthly salary have a meaningful influence on it. And, it is found, the higher the pride on workplace, respect and trust in seniors, loyalty to seniors and self-esteem for job value are, the more proud they feel of workplace.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.296-300
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• 1994

Recently hospital food service systems are often burdened with labour problems including employee job dissatisfaction, high labour costs and turn over. It is essential that these factors should be considered in developing for assuring palatable, nutritious, and safe feeding. A survey of 14 hospital conventional food service systems was undertaken and detailed information was collected from 390 catering staff. Foodservice employee satisfaction was evaluated by measuring employee job attitudes towards five aspects of their job using the Job Description Index(JDI). The food serive workers surveyed in this research were less satisfied with their jobs than are other types of workers in other industries. The demographic variables including age, length of employment and kinds of work were significantly related to job satisfaction. It was also found that catering staff in 14 hospitals surveyed were more satisfied with their interpersonal relations with supervisions and co-workers than with work content, pay and promotional opportunities.