• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.536-543
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• 2021

Background: Sickness absenteeism is an area of concern in nursing and is more concerning given the recent impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare. This study is one of two meta-analyses that examined sickness absenteeism in nursing. In this study, we examined demographic, lifestyle, and physical health predictors. Methods: We reviewed five databases (CINAHL, ProQuest Allied, ProQuest database theses, PsycINFO, and PubMed) for our search. We registered the systematic review (CRD de-identified) and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Additionally, we used the Population/Intervention/Comparison/Outcome Tool to improve our searches. Results: Following quality testing, 17 articles were used for quantitative synthesis. Female employees were at higher risks of sickness absenteeism than their male counterparts (OR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.33-2.25). Nursing staff who rated their health as poor had a greater likelihood of experiencing sickness absence (OR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.19-1.60). Also, previous sick leave predicted future leaves (OR = 3.35; 95% CI: 1.37-8.19). Moreover, experiencing musculoskeletal pain (OR = 2.41 95% CI: 1.77-3.27) increased the likelihood of sickness absence with greater odds when it is a back pain (OR = 3.05; 95% CI: 1.66-5.62). Increased age, physical activity, and sleep were not associated with sick leave. Conclusion: Several variables were statistically associated with the occurrence of sickness absenteeism. One primary concern is the limited research in this area despite alarming rates of sick leave in healthcare. More research is required to identify predictors of sickness absence, and thereby, implement preventative measures.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.227-244
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• 2021

Objectives: The Korean National Environmental Health Survey provides representative biomonitoring data for environmental pollutants in South Korea. Over the last decade, there have been various studies published using this data. In this study, we aimed to provide information and implications by reviewing each study. Methods: We searched comprehensive electronic databases from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Naver Academic database using the key words 'Korean National Environmental Health Survey' and 'KoNEHS' through March 2021. A total of 57 studies were selected after reviewing the relevance of the data. Results: The most frequently studied pollutants were heavy metals (10), Cotinine (8), Bisphenol A (7), and Phthalates (6), in that order. In particular, Phthalates, Bisphenol A, and Parabens were often studied together (6). A decline in urinary cotinine and heavy metals in the body was shown over time among studies on exposure association. It was demonstrated that Phthalates and Bisphenol A were significantly related to obesity and diabetes from the studies of health impacts. Cross-section study design, spot urine, and insufficient health status information were mostly reported as limitations of the data. Conclusion: Since research has been focused on adults, further investigations of children and adolescents are required. In this regard, it is necessary to maintain the consistency of the data structure and provide integrated weights for all ages. In addition, it would allow the measurement of several environmental pollutants by considering subsample design. Lastly, integrated studies with multi-cycles and the health effects from co-exposure to multiple chemicals would be expected to provide important knowledge.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 2023

Objectives: Previous studies have reported that people with disabilities are more likely to be impoverished and affected by excessive medical costs than people without disabilities. Public transfer income (PTI) reduces financial strain in low-income households. This study examined the impact of PTI on catastrophic health expenditures (CHE), focusing on low-income households and households with Medical Aid beneficiaries that contained people with disabilities. Methods: We constructed a panel dataset by extracting data on registered households with disabilities from the Korea Welfare Panel Study 2012-2019. We then used a generalized estimating equation model to estimate the impacts of PTI on CHE. A subgroup analysis was carried out to assess the moderating effects of family income levels and health insurance types. Results: As PTI increased, the odds ratio (OR) of CHE in households that contained people with disabilities decreased significantly (OR, 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89 to 0.94; p<0.001). In particular, PTI effectively reduced the likelihood of CHE for low-income households (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.81 to 0.89; p<0.001) and those who received medical benefits (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.68 to 0.89; p<0.001). Conclusions: This study highlights the positive effect of PTI on decreasing CHE. Household income and the health insurance type were significant effect modifiers, but economic barriers seemed to persist among low-income households with non-Medical Aid beneficiaries. Federal policies or programs should consider increasing the total amount of PTI targeting low-income households with disabilities that are not covered by the Medical Aid program.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.24-32
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• 2012

A large fraction of urban $PM_{10}$ concentrations is due to non-exhaust traffic emissions including road dust, tire wear particles, and brake lining particles. Although potential health and environmental impacts associated with tire wear debris have been increased, few environmentally and biologically relevant studies of actual tire wear debris have been conducted. Tire wear particles (TWP) are released from the tire tread as a result of the interaction between the tire and the pavement. Roadway particles (RP), meanwhile, are particles on roads composed of a mixture of elements from tires, pavements, fuels, brakes, and environmental dust. The main objective of present study is to identify the contribution of tires to the generation of RP and to assess the potential environmental and health impacts of this contribution. First, a mobile measurement system was constructed and used to measure the roadway particles on asphalt road according to vehicle speed. The equipment of the mobile system provides $PM_{10}$ concentrations by Dusttrak DRX and number density & size distribution measurements of fine and ultra-fine particles by a fast mobility particle sizer (FMPS) and an aerosol particle sizer (APS). When traveling on an asphalt road at constant speed, there is a clear tendency for PM10 concentration to increase slightly in accordance with an increase in the vehicle speed. It was also found that considerable brake wear particles and particles from tire/road interface were generated by rapid deceleration of the vehicle. The morphology and elements of the roadway particles were also analyzed using SEM-EDX technique.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.49-56
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• 2001

The water quality simulation was carried out to predict water quality in Tan stream of the Han river using water quality model, QUAL2E. In the end, the future variations in water quality of Tan stream were simulated and the prediction of the impacts of Tan stream on water quality in the Han river was carried out by applying the Tan stream simulation results into the model. The results are as follows. The predicted results of future water quality of Tan stream suggested that the concentrations of BOD, T-N and T-P at Chungdam bridge would increase to 0.68~0.77 mg/$\ell$, 1.33~1.62 mg/$\ell$ and 0.05~0.06 mg/$\ell$, respectively in 2006 and 2011 and that with the implementation of advanced treatment in Sungnam and Tanchun sewage treatment plants, the concentration of T-N would be reduced more as the amount of treated sewage increase, while the concentration of T-P would stay 0.49 mg/$\ell$. The results obtained from simulation of the impacts of future Tan stream water quality improvement on the main stream of the Han river showed that with implementation of advanced treatment in both Sungnam and Tanchun sewage treatment plants, the concentration of T-N, T-P and chlorophyll-a at Hangang bridge and Heangju bridge would be reduced by 11.6%, 7.7% and 20.9%, respectively in 2..6 and by 13.6%, 9.4% and 22.2%, respectively in 2011, which indicates that the effect on the reduction of T-N and T-P would be relatively significant while the effect on the decrease of algae would be slight.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.131-141
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• 2012

A large fraction of urban $PM_{10}$ concentrations is due to non-exhaust traffic emissions including road dust, tire wear particles, and brake lining particles. Although potential health and environmental impacts associated with tire wear debris have increased, few environmentally and biologically relevant studies of actual tire wear debris have been conducted. Tire wear particles (TWP) are released from the tire tread as a result of the interaction between the tire and the pavement. Roadway particles (RP), meanwhile, are particles on roads composed of a mixture of elements from tires, pavements, fuels, brakes, and environmental dust. The main objective of present study is to identify the contribution of tires to the generation of RP and to assess the potential environmental and health impacts of this contribution. First, a mobile measurement system was constructed and used to measure the RP on asphalt roads according to vehicle speed. The equipment of the mobile system provides $PM_{10}$ concentrations by Dusttrak DRX and number density & size distribution measurements of fine and ultra-fine particles by a fast mobility particle sizer (FMPS) and an aerosol particle sizer (APS). When traveling on an asphalt road at constant speed, there is a clear tendency for $PM_{10}$ concentration to increase slightly in accordance with an increase in the vehicle speed. It was also found that considerable brake wear particles and particles from tire/road interface were generated by rapid deceleration of the vehicle. As a result, the $PM_{10}$ concentration and particle number of ultra-fine particles were measured to be very high.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2014

The capital city of Himalayan Country Nepal, Kathmandu Valley is surrounded by consecutive high mountains, which limits the air distribution and mixing effects significantly. It in turn generates steady air flow pattern over a year except in monsoon season. The air shed in the Valley is easily trapped by the surrounded mountains and the inversion layer formulated as the cap. The $PM_{10}$ concentration was noticeably higher than the standard level (120 ${\mu}g/m^3$) in urban and suburban area of Kathmandu valley for all seasons except monsoon period. The Valley area experiences similar wind patterns (W, WWS, and S) for a year but the Easterly wind prevails only during the monsoon period. There was low and calm wind blows during the winter season. Because of this air flow structure, the air emission from various sources is accumulated within the valley air, high level of air pollution is frequently recorded with other air polluted cities over the world. In this Valley area, brick kilns are recognized as the major air pollution source followed by vehicles. Mostly Bull Trench Kiln (BKT), Hoffman Kiln and Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln (VSBK) are in operation for brick firing in Kathmandu valley where the fuels such as crushed coal, saw dust, and natural gas are used for processing bricks in this study. Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and Other Environmental Impacts (TRACI) was used for screening and quantifying the potential impacts of air emission from firing fuels. The total Environmental Performance Score (EPS) was estimated and the EPS of coal was approximately 2.5 times higher than those of natural gas and saw dust. It is concluded that the crushed coal has more negative impact to the environment and human health than other fuel sources. Concerning the human health and environment point of view, alternative environment friendly firing fuel need to be used for brick industry in the kiln and the air pollution control devices also need to be applied for minimizing the air emissions from the kilns.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the impacts of job stress and job embeddedness on presenteeism among container terminal workers. Methods: The participants were 299 workers at the S Harbor in P City. Data were collected from April 22 to June 5, 2015. The data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, $Scheff{\acute{e}}^{\prime}s$ test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and logistic regression. Results: These workers on presenteeism were affected by the department of work, annual pay, and exercise of more than 30 minutes per day, revealing a statistically significant difference according to these variables. In other words, when job stress was high, job embeddedness was less, the extent of work impairment was higher, and in turn perceived productivity was lower. Work impairment was 3.11 times higher in workers with above-average job stress than those with lower job stress. Perceived productivity was 2.31 times higher in workers with above-average job embeddedness than those with lower job embeddedness. Conclusion: To reduce work impairment and increase productivity among container terminal workers, it is necessary to decrease their job stress, to increase their job embeddedness, and especially to do exercise for more than 30 minutes a day.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.610-619
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• 2008

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Factors affecting patients' decision-making for dental prosthetic treatment should be examined in terms of understanding improving patients' oral health. PURPOSE: The main purpose of this dissertation was to investigate patients' dental prosthetic treatment and factors affecting patients' decision-making for dental prosthesis treatment in Deagu and Gyungbook areas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was based on the preliminary survey of dental patients conducted from July 1 to August 31 in 2006. A total of 700 questionnaires had been distributed and 640 were collected. 629 questionnaires were used for the statistical analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics, such as frequencies, cross tabulation analysis, correlation analysis, logistic regression analysis, and multiple regression analysis were introduced. In the multiple regression analysis and logistic regression analysis, twenty-two independent variables were employed to explore the factors which have impacts on decision-making and satisfaction. RESULTS: The results of this dissertation are as follows: Logistic regression analysis turned out that monthly income, age, degree of expectation, marital status, and employer-insured policy of national insurance statistically increased the odds of decision-making of dental prosthesis treatment. But educational attainment decreased the odds ratio of the decision-making of dental prosthesis treatment. However, the rest independent variables do not have statistically significant impacts on the decision-making of dental prosthesis treatment CONCLUSION: Among independent variables, marital status had the most significant influence on the decision making of dental prosthesis treatment. Finally, suggestions for the future study and policy implications to improve satisfaction of the patients' dental prosthetic treatment were discussed.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.287-296
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• 2018

Purpose: To determine impacts of psychological distress, gender role attitude, and housekeeping sharing on quality of life of gynecologic cancer survivors. Methods: Subjects completed questionnaires consisting of four measurements: FACT-G (ver. 4) for quality of life, anxiety and depression from SCL-90-R for psychological distress, gender role attitude, and housekeeping sharing. A total of 158 completed data sets were analyzed by descriptive statistics, independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis using SPSS 21.0 program. Results: Quality of life was significantly and negatively correlated with psychological distress (r=-0.64, p<.001), but not with gender role attitude (r=-0.14, p=.820) or housekeeping sharing (r=0.08, p=.350). Psychological distress was significantly and positively correlated with gender role attitude (r=0.25, p<.010). Factors that significantly impacted quality of life were type of cancer (t=2.27, p=.025), number of treatment methods (t=2.58, p=.011), education level (t=3.33, p<.001), and psychological distress (t=-9.96, p<.001). Conclusion: Nursing interventions that can relieve psychological distress need to be developed for gynecologic cancer survivors. Nurses need to put priority on ovarian cancer survivors who have low education level with multiple treatment methods when performing nursing interventions to improve the quality of life of gynecologic cancer survivors.