• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2011

Human occupational exposure to n-hexane has been associated with neurobehavioral symptoms such as depression, irritablity, acute irritation symptom, concentration disturbance and fatigue. Effects of monoamine oxidase (MAO) B and serotonin transporter receptor (5-HTTR) polymorphisms on the neurobehavioral symptoms were investigated in 70 male workers from TV and computer monitor manufacturing plants exposed to n-hexane. Neurobehavioral symptoms were assessed through a self-reported questionnaire and ambient level of n-hexane was measured by NIOSH method. Blood and urine were collected from each workers to determine the MAO(B), 5-HTTR and urinary 2,5-hexanedione(2,5-HD). The mean concentration of volatile n-hexane was $18.8{\pm}28.8ppm$ and that of urinary 2,5-HD was $1.07{\pm}1.47mg/g$ creatinine. Statistically significant associations with sexual disturbance were age and smoking. The frequencies of MAO(B) AA, AG and GG were 18.6%, 45.7% and 35.7%, respectively, and the frequencies of 5-HTTR ll, ls and ss genotype were 82.9%, 15.7% and 1.4%, respectively. MAO (B) gene polymorphisms had susceptibility to the neurobehavioral symptoms such as fatigue, concentration disturbance, irritability and acute irritation symptom and 5-HTTR gene polymorphism had susceptibility to the sleep disturbance and acute irritation symptom. On multiple logistic regression analysis for the neurobehavioral symptoms, memory disturbance was significantly associated with smoking(OR=6.752, 95% CI=37.46) and drinking(OR=4.033, 95% CI=1.252-12.98), emotional lability was MAO(B) genotype(OR=0.412, 95% CI=0.170-0.996), fatigue (OR=1.011, 95% CI=1.000-1.021) and acute irritation(OR=0.990, 95% CI=0.981-1.000) were working duration and sexual disturbance were significantly associated with age(OR=1.208, 95% CI=1.042-1.399), ambient n-hexane(OR=1.077, 95% CI=1.005-1.154) and 2,5-HD(OR=0.186, 95% CI=0.041-0.841). This finding implies that the MAO (B) and 5-HTTR polymorphisms may affect susceptibility for specific neurobehavioral symptoms associated with n-hexane exposure in workers.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.195-207
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• 2010

This study aimed to examine factors and the correlations of burnout and job satisfaction in hospital dietitians. Burnout was classified into three sub-concepts: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. Job satisfaction was also classified into three sub-concepts, including relationships, self-realization, and advancement opportunities. A survey was conducted with dietitians working in general hospitals of over 400 beds, in the Seoul metropolitan area. The factors that significantly influenced emotional exhaustion were health, work hours, number of intern dietitians, self-esteem, level of responsibility, while the factors that influenced depersonalization were relationships with coworkers, and role ambiguity. Personal accomplishment was influenced by age, the number of staff dietitians, the general number of managed workers, and self-esteem. In terms of job satisfaction, relationship was affected by age and relationships with supervisors, while self-realization was influenced by work hours, health, the number of patient meals, and role ambiguity. Age, job regularity, business management, role ambiguity, and relationships with supervisors also affected advancement opportunities. Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishments, which represented burnout, had negative relationships with satisfaction with relationships, self-realization and advancement opportunities. Dietitians with low job satisfaction were likely to experience burnout. These results suggest that burnout and job satisfaction are influenced by internal and external factors that are individual or organizational problems encountered by hospital dietitians. Therefore, managers as well as dietitians need to understand these factors and overcome them through communication and mutual support.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.25.1-25.12
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• 2023

Background: In Korea, little research has focused on the relationship between discrimination in the workplace and sleep health. Thus, this study aims to investigate the association between such discriminatory experiences and insomnia, a common sleep disorder, using Korean employees' data. Methods: This study used data from the 6th Korea Working Conditions Survey. Discrimination experiences due to age, ethnic background, nationality, race, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, educational level, hometown, and employment status were investigated. The Minimal Insomnia Symptom Scale estimated insomnia symptoms. The association between discrimination experience and insomnia symptoms were analyzed using survey-weighted logistic regression analysis. Results: Based on experiences of discrimination over the past 12 months, insomnia symptoms were associated with discrimination experience due to religion (odds ratio [OR]: 3.70; 95% confidential interval [CI]: 1.58-8.69), sex (OR: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.87-3.37), age (OR: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.88-2.81), hometown (OR: 2.07; 95% CI: 1.44-2.97), employment status (OR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.37-2.10), and educational level (OR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.31-2.14). Furthermore, the prevalence of insomnia symptoms increased with the number of discrimination experiences. Conclusions: In this study, discrimination experiences due to religion, sex, age, hometown, employment status, and educational level were significantly associated with insomnia symptoms. Furthermore, as the number of discrimination experiences increased, so did the prevalence of insomnia. Preventing workplace discrimination may improve workers' sleep health.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.9-16
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• 2010

Purpose: With increasing medical use of radiation and radioactive isotopes, there is a need to better manage the risk of radiation exposure. This study aims to grasp and analyze the individual radiation exposure situations of radiation-related workers in a medical facility by specific job, in order to instill awareness of radiation danger and to assist in safety and radiation exposure management for such workers. Materials and Methods: 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2009 to work in medical institutions are classified as radiation workers Nuclear personal radiation dosimeter regularly, continuously administered survey of 40 workers in three years of occupation to target, Imaging Unit beautifully, age, dose sector, job function-related tasks to identify the average annual dose for a deep dose, respectively, were analyzed. The frequency analysis and ANOVA analysis was performed. Results: Imaging Unit beautifully three years the annual dose PET and PET/CT in the work room 11.06~12.62 mSv dose showed the highest, gamma camera injection room 11.72 mSv with a higher average annual dose of occupation by the clinical technicians 8.92 mSv the highest, radiological 7.50 mSv, a nurse 2.61 mSv, the researchers 0.69 mSv, received 0.48 mSv, 0.35 mSv doctors orderly, and detail work employed the average annual dose of the PET and PET/CT work is 12.09 mSv showed the highest radiation dose, gamma camera injection work the 11.72 mSv, gamma camera imaging work 4.92 mSv, treatment and safety management and 2.98 mSv, a nurse working 2.96 mSv, management of 1.72 mSv, work image analysis 0.92 mSv, reading task 0.54 mSv, with receiving 0.51 mSv, 0.29 mSv research work, respectively. Dose sector average annual dose of the study subjects, 15 people (37.5%) than the 1 mSv dose distribution and 5 people (12.5%) and 1.01~5.0 mSv with the dose distribution was less than, 5.01~10.0 mSv in the 14 people (35.0%), 10.01~20.0 mSv in the 6 people (15.0%) of the distribution were analyzed. The average annual dose according to age in occupations that radiological workers 25~34 years old have the highest average of 8.69 mSv dose showed the average annual dose of tenure of 5~9 years in jobs radiation workers in the 9.5 mSv The average was the highest dose. Conclusion: These results suggest that medical radiation workers working in Nuclear Medicine radiation safety management of the majority of the current were carried out in the effectiveness, depending on job characteristics has been found that many differences. However, this requires efforts to minimize radiation exposure, and systematic training for them and for reasonable radiation exposure management system is needed.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.142-160
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate food sanitation status in elderly welfare facilities and assess the performance of food sanitation practices. Twenty elderly welfare facilities out of 85 located in Seoul with a capacity of fewer than 50 persons participated. The food sanitation status of worktable, kitchen utensils (knives, cutting boards, ladles, spoons), and tableware and bowls were examined by ATP bioluminescence. The results found that the ATP value of knife was the highest. Those of ladles appeared relatively higher than others. Meanwhile, the tableware and bowls, although washed everyday after meals, had the lowest ATP value. This study also conducted a survey on the food sanitation practices of 32 cooking employees in the 20 facilities. Fifty-six percent were in their 40s, and 53% had graduated from high school. More than half (66%) of them had no certification of cooking. Half of the respondents had worked for at least 5 years in food service facilities, and had received food sanitation training. Among them, 31% said they applied food sanitation training while working, and 47% responded the training was very helpful. The foodservice employees demonstrated good food sanitation practices. The results show that food sanitation performance of the workers significantly differed according to their age, education level, total work experience in food service facilities, chef certification, and prior food sanitation experience.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.188-193
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• 1993

Toluene in air and blood and hippuric acid in urine were checked for the 41 female workers who are exposed to toluene and have normal liver function in shoe making factories in July, 1993. Toluene in air was sampled with charcoal by personal air sampler at least 4 times and analyzed by gas chromatography. At the end of shift, blood and spot urine were collected with a vacuum tube containing EDTA and a polyethylene bottle for detecting blood toluene and urine hippuric acid and analyzed by gas chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. Means of air and blood toluene and urine hippuric acid concentrations were 34.35ppm, 0.360mg/L, and 1.78g/g creatinine, respectively. Toluene in air showed a good correlation with hippuric acid in urine(r=0.4503) and toluene in blood(r=0.4596). The hippuric acid in urine and toluene in blood corresponded 10 exposure of 100ppm toluene in air were 2.628g/g creatinine and 0.481mg/L. Blood toluene and urine hippuric acid expected ratio were not correlated to the obesity index and working duration, however increased with age.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.69-77
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to measure changes in spine inclination and thoracolumbar structure and morphology according to upper-extremity movements with and without resistance in order to evaluate the spine stability in workers. METHODS: Forty-eight middle-aged male workers (mean age, 40.48 ± 6.27 years) participated in this study. Using the spine analysis system, changes in the inclination of the spine and structure as well as shape of the thoracolumbar spine were measured. For posture measurement, the postures of standing, lifting the right and left arms (shoulder joint 90° flexion), and lifting with both arms were measured in random order. In addition, variables were measured using a resistance of 3 kg for each posture. The statistical significance level was set at α = .05 for all variables. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between the front and back inclinations of the spine, kyphotic curve of the thoracic spine, lordotic curve of the lumbar spine, rotation changes in the thoracolumbar spine, and rotation changes in the T4 vertebra (p < .05). However, there was no significant difference in the left and right tilts of the spine. In the post-hoc analysis, rotation changes in the T4 vertebra showed a significant difference in posture when resistance was applied to the left and right sides CONCLUSION: Causes of musculoskeletal diseases include excessive thoracic spine rotation, torsion, and hyperlordosis of the lumbar spine. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the working environment in order to ensure a healthy posture and prevent musculoskeletal diseases that can reduce the ability to carry various and/or excessive loads.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.75-91
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• 1996

The work-man's uniform should be coincident wit the image of his firm and accounted of the function according as its purpose. We made questions to 404 workers at 8 firm in our country through the questionnaire papers to know about a work-man's uniform and researched whether the satisfactory in wearing his uniform had relation with his type of business, grade, carrier, age, marriage, and monthly income. The results of this study is as follows; 1. In the uniform status of the fir, thee were many jumper styles in he design of the uniform. The color of that was more dark than bright and the materials of one was used much more chemical fiber than natural fiber. Each of the field office supplied the uniform to his work-man more frequently than the main office. All of firm payed off the uniform expense and decision of the uniform design was almost made both the firm and the labour union. 2. In he satisfaction of the uniform, the satisfaction of uniform was shown high in the design, color, materials, size and function. The highest dissatisfaction reason is as follows; it was disagreeable to concrete design in the design and dark color and keeping warm or draft was bad in the materials, the bust and pant's length was long in the size. 3. In preference of the uniform, the older of preference in the design was what the working environment and the image of firm was suitable, the characteristic uniform. The order of preference in the color was beige, blue, grey. The preference of in the materials was good to keep warm and draft. The preference in the pattern was 'no pattern' every type of business. The experts, or administrators and office workers than others preferred 'no pattern' of the uniform in the pattern.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.149-157
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• 2010

Objectives: To quantify disability level in salespeople with concurrent low back pain (LBP) and to determine the relative associations between demographic, occupational, psychosocial and clinical factors and back disability. LBP is the most common cause of work-related disability in people under 45 years of age and the most expensive cause of work-related disability, in terms of workers' compensation and medical expenses. Evidence suggests high prevalence of LBP in salespeople. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in which 184 saleswomen with a current episode of self-reported LBP working in a large up-scale department store filled out a battery of 6 self-administered questionnaires and received a standardised physical examination. Results: Saleswomen with concurrent LBP had low disability levels. Factors significantly associated with disability were pain intensity, measured by a visual analogue scale, in the past week (p < 0.001), physical and mental health status (p < 0.001, p = 0.003, respectively), fear avoidance scores for both work and physical activities (p = 0.031, p = 0.014, respectively), past history of LBP (p = 0.019), and self-reported frequency of pushing or pulling objects placed in high positions during work (p = 0.047). A significant level (45%) of the variance in disability status was explained by these variables. Conclusion: In clinical management of LBP workers who required prolonged standing, such as salespeople, clinicians should look for modifiable risk factors associated with disability. Specific measures need to be taken to prevent disability due to LBP among salespeople.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.647-660
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• 2001

Forming health care management model in small-scale enterprises was the purpose of this study. For the purpose, we tried to investigate the characteristics of small-scale enterprises and analyzed the pattern of their health care management. The results are as follow: 1. The strength of health managing agency and technical supporting program lies in team approach by specialized manpower. However, if the liaison between each part of the organization is not smooth, the overall management will be very difficult. 2. Small scale enterprises are characterized by their short life after the establishment, use of rental building, lack of welfare facilities, weakness in sanitary management and aggregation of factories of similar type of industry. Because of these characteristics, it is very difficult to solve problem basically, such as improvement of working environment. Therefore, it is important to focus on health education and community based approach. 3. Many workers in small-scale factories are in middle and old age. They have health problems mainly related to personal habits. Implementation of an appropriate health promotion program is needed. 4. The number of workplaces, which should be managed by health managing agent. is increasing rapidly. But the number of health managing agent is limited. In the aspect of the requirement of manpower and equipment, training personal agent is more urgent than founding institutional agent. 5. The uniform method of health management hampers the choice of employer and workers. The types of provision of health management should be diversified. 6. For an efficient management, a frequent visit of personal agent and the following referral to a specialist should be done. The specialists in charge of secondary management are from the field of occupational medicine, occupational hygiene, ergonomics, etc. 7. The health management of small-scale facilities should have six components. They are community-based approach, multi-disciplinary cooperative system, program based on the need of recipient, forming partnership of employer and worker, change of lifestyle, and evidence-based program.