• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.200-205
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• 2015

Background: Construction activity has made considerable breakthroughs in the past two decades on the back of increases in development activities, government policies, and public demand. At the same time, occupational health and safety issues have become a major concern to construction organizations. The unsatisfactory safety performance of the construction industry has always been highlighted since the safety management system is neglected area and not implemented systematically in Indian construction organizations. Due to a lack of enforcement of the applicable legislation, most of the construction organizations are forced to opt for the implementation of Occupational Health Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18001 to improve safety performance. Methods: In order to better understand factors influencing the implementation of OHSAS 18001, an interpretive structural modeling approach has been applied and the factors have been classified using matrice d'impacts croises-multiplication $appliqu{\acute{e}}$ a un classement (MICMAC) analysis. The study proposes the underlying theoretical framework to identify factors and to help management of Indian construction organizations to understand the interaction among factors influencing in implementation of OHSAS 18001. Results: Safety culture, continual improvement, morale of employees, and safety training have been identified as dependent variables. Safety performance, sustainable construction, and conducive working environment have been identified as linkage variables. Management commitment and safety policy have been identified as the driver variables. Conclusion: Management commitment has the maximum driving power and the most influential factor is safety policy, which states clearly the commitment of top management towards occupational safety and health.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.202-213
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• 2017

Objectives: HRA (Health Risk Assessment) is an important tool for measuring the health impacts of air pollution. HRA is already being used widely as an important reference for crafting air pollution policies. However, the absence of a domestic CRF (Concentration Response Function) standard, which is a main component for HRA, could cause confusion amongst policy-makers. The purpose of this study is to tabulate a domestic CRF standard for a PM (Particulate Matter)-related HRA. Methods: This study suggested a domestic CRF standard for HRA thorough a literature review. The literature review for meta-analysis was limited to the English language for epidemiological studies published from January 1980 to March 2016. This meta-analysis was conducted by assuming both fixed- and random-effects of CRF. In addition, studies that reported HRA of air pollution for WHO (World Health Organization), the EC (European Commission), and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) were reviewed to compare the CRFs of South Korea to the recommended CRFs of WHO, the EC, or the EPA. Additionally, a domestic CRF standard was supplemented by these. Results: Nineteen studies were selected for the CRF for South Korea. Fifty-three CRFs were derived for meta-analysis. CRFs with a standard for PM-related HRA were divided according to the following four criteria: air pollution, exposure characteristics, type of health impact, and age group. Finally, a domestic CRF standard was created comprised of 21 CRFs. Among these, six CRFs were derived from the results of foreign HRA studies. Conclusions: This study is important in that a domestic CRF standard is first suggested. In addition, this study suggests a further area of study for using HRA as a policy tool and a direction of epidemiological study.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.489-498
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• 2020

The purpose of the study is to investigate the impact on mental health of university students from job-seeking stress, career decision-making, and social support. 429 university students from the three universities in J province were instructed to answer structured questionnaires, and the data was analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson Correlation, and Regression analysis using SPSS 24.0 software. The results reveal that job-seeking stress shows positive correlation to mental health, whereas career decision-making and social support show statistically significant negative correlations. The results also show that the factors that affect mental health are job-seeking stress and social support with Exploratory power of 48.9%. It is necessary to develop and apply measures that consider impact factors such as job-seeking stress to improve mental health of university students. It is also important to establish and maintain a support system for mental health.

• Journal of Korea Game Society
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.73-90
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• 2013

Serious games allow learners to experience situations that are impossible in the real world for various purposes. To date the major applications of serious games include military, government, education, corporate and healthcare applications. This paper aims to provide an overview of the applications of serious games for various health-related purposes, particularly for Health and Medicine education, health risk prevention, behavioral intervention, and disease self-management. These games identified numerous papers reporting empirical evidence about the impacts and outcomes. There is potential promise for serious games to improve health outcomes. We discuss implications of using serious games for health-related purposes and future direction for research in this area.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.303-324
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• 2009

This study examines the mediating effects of social support on the relationship between health status and depression of the elderly in Korea. Through stratified multi-state random sampling, 1409 individuals aged 65 and over who lived in Seoul and Chunchen, and who had their own children were selected. Social support was composed of three types: emotional support, instrumental and financial support, and included both support-received from and provided to children. The multiple regression model proposed by Kenny and Baron was used. As the results, first, the elderly get more depressed when having lower health status and lower social support. Second, there is a partial mediating effect of social support in association with health status and depression. Comparing by gender, instrumental support received from children, and emotional and instrumental support provided to children are mediators in the link between health status and depression in the case of male. In the case of female, emotional, instrumental and financial support received from children, and instrumental and financial support provided to children shows the mediating effects between health status and depression. The results suggest that social support both received from and provided to children reduces the negative impacts of health status on depression of the elderly in Korea.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.329-336
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• 2012

This study evaluated ecological health, using various biomarkers and bioindicators, of pale chub (Zacco platypus) as a sentinel species, in Daejeon Stream, South Korea, during AprilMay 2011. The biomarkers and bioindicators were compared among three sites of control: Reference ($C_z$), transition ($T_z$), and the urban zones ($U_z$); and the 7-Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity, DNA damage, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and vitellogenin (VTG) concentrations were more significantly increased in the $U_z$ than in the $C_z$. Also, physiological markers such as condition factor, liver somatic index, visceral somatic index, and gonad somatic index were significantly increased in the $U_z$ than in the $C_z$. For the health assessments, three categorized parameters of blood chemistry, molecular biomarkers, and physiological bioindicators were standardized and calculated as a star-plot, representing values of Integrated Health Response (IHR). Values of IHR had more significant (P<0.05) increases in the $U_z$ than any other zones, indicating an impairment of ecological health by organic matter, nutrients (N, P), and toxic chemicals. This study is based on low levels of biological organization approach of molecular and physiological biomarkers and bioindicators, so further study of high-levels of biological organization approach such as community and population is required for overall range of health assessments. The approach of IHR values, however, may be useful in providing early warning of future impacts on ecological health.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.347-355
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• 2017

Background: The objective of this article is to make some analysis on the process of work and accidents occurring in slaughterhouses, evidenced in the Brazilian documentary film called Flesh and Bone. As such, it was necessary to discuss an alternative theoretical concept in relation to theories about health and safety at work. This alternative discussion focuses on the concepts of biopower and biopolitics. Methods: The use of audiovisual elements in research is not new, and there is already a branch of studies with methodological and epistemological variations. The Brazilian documentary Flesh and Bone was the basis for the research. The analysis of this documentary will be carried out from two complementary perspectives: "textual analysis" and "discourse analysis." Results: Flesh and Bone presents problems related to health and safety at work in slaughterhouses because of the constant exposure of workers to knives, saws, and other sharp instruments in the workplace. The results show that in favor of higher production levels, increased overseas market sales, and stricter quality controls, some manufacturers resort to various practices that often result in serious injuries, disposal, and health damages to workers. Conclusion: Flesh and Bone, by itself, makes this explicit in the form of denunciation based on the situation of these workers. What it does not make clear is that, in the context of biopolitics, the actions aimed at solving these problems or even reducing the negative impacts for this group of workers, are not efficient enough to change such practices.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.249-254
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• 2021

Introduction: Workplace violence (WPV) is a major occupational and health hazard for nurses. It affects nurses' physical and psychological well-being and impacts health service delivery. We aimed to assess the prevalence and describe the consequences of WPV experienced by nurses working in an emergency department in Kenya. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among emergency nurses at one of the largest tertiary hospitals in Kenya. We collected data using a structured questionnaire adapted from the 'WPV in the Health Sector, Country Case Studies Research Instruments' questionnaire. We described the prevalence and effects of WPV using frequencies and percentages. Results: Of the 82 participating nurses, 64.6% were female, 57.3% were married and 65.8% were college-educated (65.8%). Participants' mean age was 33.8 years (standard deviation: 6.8 years, range: 23-55). The overall lifetime prevalence of WPV was 81.7% (n = 67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 71.6%-88.8%) and the 1-year prevalence was 73.2% (n = 63, 95% CI: 66.3-84.8%). The main WPV included verbal abuse, physical violence, and sexual harassment. Most incidents were perpetrated by patients and their relatives. No action was taken in 50% of the incidents, but 57.1% of physical violence incidents were reported to the hospital security and 28.6% to supervisors. Perpetrators of physical violence were verbally warned (42.9%) and reported to the hospital security (28.6%). Conclusion: Workplace violence is a significant problem affecting emergency nurses in Kenya. Hospitals should promote workplace safety with zero-tolerance to violence. Nurses should be sensitised on WPV to mitigate violence and supported when they experience WPV.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.413-421
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• 2023

Objectives: This study explored the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on psychosocial stress in prime working-age individuals in Korea, focusing on gender inequalities. We hypothesized that the impact of COVID-19 on mental health would differ by age and gender, with younger women potentially demonstrating heightened vulnerability relative to men. Methods: The study involved data from the Korea Community Health Survey and included 319 592 adults aged 30 years to 49 years. We employed log-binomial regression analysis, controlling for variables including age, education, employment status, marital status, and the presence of children. The study period included 3 phases: the period prior to the COVID-19 outbreak (pre-COVID-19), the early pandemic, and the period following the introduction of vaccinations (post-vaccination). Results: The findings indicated that women were at a heightened risk of psychosocial stress during the early pandemic (relative risk [RR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98 to 1.05) and post-vaccination period (RR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.10) compared to men. This pattern was prominent in urban women aged 30-34 years (pre-COVID-19: RR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.10; early pandemic: RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.25; post-vaccination period, RR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.31). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted unequal impacts on psychosocial stress among prime working-age individuals in Korea, with women, particularly those in urban areas, experiencing a heightened risk. The findings highlight the importance of addressing gender-specific needs and implementing appropriate interventions to mitigate the psychosocial consequences of the pandemic.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.529-537
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence, relative factor and the effects that overactive bladder or urinary incontinence have on women's lives. Data was gathered through an internet survey. The subjects included 3,372 women ranging from 20 years old to 49 years of age. The questionnaire included general characteristics (age, parity, family history, and history of UTI), overactive bladder symptoms (urgency, frequency, nocturia, urgent incontinence), urinary incontinence, discomfort in ADL and sexual activity. The data was analyzed by the SPSS/PC+ program using frequency, $x^2$ test, and multivariate logistic regression. The results were as follows; 1. The prevalence was 12.7 % in overactive bladder and 21.0% in urinary incontinence. 2. 19.2% of the subject have urge incontinence, 5% of them have coped with the use of a pad. 3. The significant factors to overactive bladder were age($x^2$=6.6, p<0.05), history of urinary tract infection ($x^2$=50.8, p<0.01) and family history ($x^2$=26.1, p<0.01). The significant factors to urinary incontinence were age ($x^2$=6.2, p<0.05), occupation ($x^2$=11.0, p<0.05), history of urinary tract infection($x^2$=20.2, p<0.01), parity ($x^2$=8.6, p<0.01), and family history ($x^2$=4.9, p<0.05). 4. Overactive bladder impacts on individual daily life was 5.0 times, urinary incontinence was 2.9 times higher than in non-symptoms. Also, overactive bladder impacts on their sexual activity disturbance was 4.3 times, urinary incontinence has 3.9 times higher than in non-symptoms. In conclusion, overactive bladder symptoms and urinary incontinence were health problems that disturbed women's lives. Also the most problem among overactive bladder may be urgency in Korean. Intervention based on these results needs to be provided for these women.