• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.202-212
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• 2021

Objectives: The reproductive health of female workers has been extensively investigated in South Korea and other countries worldwide. However, few studies have discussed the reproductive health of male workers. In this study, we reviewed the recent literature that reports on the effects of occupational exposure on the reproductive health of male workers and the health of their children. Methods: In May 2020 we used the PubMed search engine to search the literature over the last 10 years and chose case-control, cohort, and cross-sectional studies and reviews. We selected epidemiological studies that investigated the association between pre-pregnant occupational exposure and the reproductive health of male workers and the health of their children. We excluded case reports, non-epidemiological studies (animal experiments, cellular-level experiments, and similar articles), and studies that described postnatal occupational exposure. Results: We eventually selected 23 studies. The studies that included exclusively male workers reported that those employed in the agricultural sector or those exposed to pesticides showed lower blood levels of reproductive hormones and a high risk of lympho-hematopoietic system cancer in their children. Male workers exposed to complex organic solvents and organic compounds showed a high risk of poor semen quality, increased time to pregnancy, decreased blood levels of reproductive hormones, and a high risk of lympho-hematopoietic system cancer in their children. Male workers employed in occupations that involved significant social contact, or in the leather and livestock industries, and in occupations with high levels of exposure to lead and organic solvents showed a high risk of malignancies, including lympho-hematopoietic system cancer, neuroblastoma, and central nervous system tumors in their children. Studies that investigated both male and female workers reported that children of male smelters showed a high risk of premature birth, and children of male workers exposed to metals showed a high risk of hypospadias and cryptorchidism. Children of male welders and workers employed in the glass, ceramic, and tile industries showed a high risk of premature birth. Conclusion: The findings of this study will serve as basic data for further research on male workers' reproductive health and provide a scientific basis for the development of strategies to protect the reproductive health of males employed in high-risk occupations. Moreover, the results of this study may provide guidelines to improve the understanding of and knowledge on male workers' reproductive health.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• 제6권3호
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• pp.354-360
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• 2001

This study was carried out to investigate the present status of nutrition services for infants in public health centers and the need for nutrition services of health workers and infants mothers. The study subjects were 146 health workers and 197 infants mothers. The results were as follows : At present, the only major nutrition services for infants were vaccination and dental care. Proper nutrition management services were available to infants. Nutrition knowledge scores were 16.8 for health workers and 15.3 for mothers out of 20 possible points. Health workers strongly demanded a well-organized nutrition education program, government support, audio-visual materials and the employment of a community nutritionist. The public health workers, in particular, demanded the development of education programs for breastfeeding and weaning. The infants mothers demanded services of nutrition information and teaching of cooking and menu planning. Based on this, the results suggest that the employment of a community nutritionist and the development of practical nutrition service programs for infants are needed very urgently for public health centers.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.1-35
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• 1995

This study conducted from September 1 through October 30, 1993, in order to provide the data related to the industrial health policy and the development of health education program and the basic foundation. The data collected were analyzed in order to determine factors affecting knowledge and practice(KP) on health level of industrial workers. 3,396 workers were randomly selected from Kyungki, Inchun, Kwangju, Taejon, Taegu, Ulsan, Pohang, Masan and Changwon, Questionnaire forms were prepared and the personnel selected were interviewed by a graduate student with the aid of health management. As mentioned before, it was a serious problem that the industrial workers got the fairly low score of health KP and they did not practice what they know. Therefore it is necessary to establish the industrial policy and develop the education program for workers practice what they know and cooperate with related specialists, the management and the government authorities, Therefore we must ensure the good health of workers through a healthy home life, and a healthy work place and environment. Furthermore this will contribute to industrial peace and the development of korea.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제5권3호
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• pp.136-139
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• 2014

Background: Occupational injuries cause major health problems, which the developed, developing, and underdeveloped nations worldwide are facing today. The present study aimed to assess dental caries, periodontal health of stone mine workers, and the relationship between wasting diseases and the years of working experience. Methods: The study population comprised 510 men, selected based on the stratified cluster sampling procedure. Clinical oral examinations were carried out, and periodontal disease, dental caries, and wasting diseases were recorded. Results: Workers were in the age group of 17-56 years; the prevalence of dental caries in the workers was found to be 74%, with a mean decayed, missing, filled teeth index of 2.89. A periodontal pocket of more than 6 mm was observed in 6% of the workers. Conclusion: The oral health of mine workers is in a poor state; steps should be taken so as to provide basic medical and dental care facilities.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.202-212
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of stress, health problems, absenteeism, productivity and presenteeism in Korean and Japanese workers. Methods : Data was collected from April 12 to July 18, 2008 in both countries. The content of questionnaires was demographic factors, stress and the Stanford Presenteeism Scale. Korean data from 810 workers was collected and Japanese data from 822 workers was collected by same questionnaires of both language. SPSS 12.0 and AMOS 5.0 programs were used for data analysis. Results : The major health problems in relation to the impaired presenteeism of Korean workers were dizziness, allergy, headache and dysmenorrhea, and for Japanese workers were arthritis, depression, and diabetes mellitus. Impaired presenteeism was increasing when the numbers of health problems were increasing in both countries. In Korean workers, job-related stress and the numbers of health problems directly affected presenteeism. In Japanese workers, job-related stress, life-related stress and the numbers of health problems directly affected presenteeism. Conclusions : Health managers should include physical and psychological health management programs for presenteeism control in workplace. They can obtain a greater benefit through both programs.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제13권5호
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• pp.444-451
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed health-related factors for metabolic syndrome (Mets) among workers in South Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This analysis included 4,666 adults aged 19-64 years to analyzed health-related risk factors for Mets from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016). The sociodemographic, working, health-related, and biochemical characteristics were presented as percentages (%) by chi-square tests. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and associations between health-related factors characteristic of workers and the odds ratios of Mets. RESULTS: An increased prevalence of Mets was associated with male day workers compared to male shift workers (1.726-fold increase, 95% CI: 1.077-2.765), and with ${\geq}8hrs/day$ sleep duration compared to < 6 hrs/day sleep duration in female workers (2.133-fold, 95% CI: 1.041-4.368). In addition, reduced odds of high Mets were associated with male workers consumed of breakfast 5-7 times/wk compared to those consumed < 1 time/wk (0.593-fold decrease, 95% CI: 0.372-0.944). CONCLUSIONS: Health-related factors (sleep duration, frequency of breakfast) and working type in Korean workers may affect the prevalence of Mets.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.45-56
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• 1991

The history of occupational health in Korea s covered the era of the Republic of Korea after the Liberation from the Japanese colonialism. But the number of Korean workers exceeded about 2 millions at the times of liberation in 1945, so that it is expected that many occupational health problems inflicted Korean workers under the Japanese colonialism. The authors reviewed medical literatures, administrative documents, and other available data which were published under the colonial state, and collected things which had reference to the health status of Korean workers. The results were as follows : 1. Nutritional status of Korean workers was supposed to be inferior to that of general population, some students, and poor inhabitants in a remote mountain villages. 2. It was supposed that the constitution of Korean workers was near lower limit of average build of contemporary Koreans. 3. The accidents rate in mines was significantly high but decreasing year after year, and the most important cause of accidents was the fall of roof in the mine. The medical facilities and equipments for miners were supposed to be not sufficient in the mines and workshops. 4. Some occupational disease including silicosis, noise-induced hearing impairment, and decompression disease were known. But, overall incidence or prevalence of these diseases could not be identified. 5. On the whole, the fatalities of acute infectious diseases of Korean workers were higher than those of Japanese inhabitants in Korea and Korean inhabitants. The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis of Korean workers was increasing with every passing year. 6. The medical personnels and facilities were so deficient that most Korean workers were out of adequate medical use. We discussed only a part of the health status of Korean workers under the Japanese colonialism, so it would be necessary to have a better grasp of details of occupational health policy and health status in the era of afflicting.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.29-40
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• 2016

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to examine the differences in need, necessity, performance, barriers, and effectiveness of workers' health promotion program and to determine the influencing factors in effectiveness of workers' health promotion program by business types. Methods: Subjects were participants of an education held by Korean association of occupational health nurses and a survey was self-reported. Survey items were developed by researchers through literature review. It included general characteristics of occupational health providers and worksites, need, necessity, performance, barriers and effectiveness of workers' health promotion (WHP) program. The total number of worksites was 168, manufacturing/construction was 76 (45.2%), other services were 52 (31.0%), and healthcare services were 40 (23.8%). We used ${\chi}^2test$, ANOVA test, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. Results: There were differences in need, necessity and performance of WHP by business types. In healthcare services, WHP had statistically significant effectiveness to reduce turnover rates. And the influencing factors of WHP's effectiveness were workers' need in manufacturing/construction, health provider's career in other services, and perceived necessity in healthcare services. Conclusion: Based on this result, we propose differentiated strategies depending on the business types for effective workers' health promotion program.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.91-108
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• 1998

This study was conducted to use the feedback of health personnel to improve the Visiting Health Service. The data was collected from 471 Home Health Workers serving 24 local health organizations in the Kyung-Pook province. 62.5% of the respondents were men under thirty-nine years of age. 92.8% of the respondents are married. 47.1% had degrees from junior colleges. It was ascertained 52.7% of the workers visited their patients six to twelve times within a six month period. And one to three patients were visited per day by one worker. Workers of older age, higher job position, and more experience were more positive in their feedback about the program. In addition, local health center employees, including nurses, were more positive about the program. Younger workers with a higher level of education, less experience, and lower job position had more insight into the problems of the program. Deeper insight into these problems led to a more negative conception of the program. Older workers with higher ranking jobs were found to be most competent. in their jobs. Workers at the main health center were assessed higher than the workers at the health sub-center or the primary health post. In addison nurses at all centers were found to be slightly more competent than the nurses' aide. The primary health post established the highest degree of patient satisfaction. It was discovered that the more positive the workers felt about the program, the higher their patient satisfaction feedback. There was a positive correlation between management assessment and patient satisfaction. This means that better program management was found to produce higher patient satisfaction. Workers feel being more educated about patient management would lead to better service. However, they take no action to produce these results. Where the problems of the system are most commented upon, the need for further education is greatest. Through multiple regression analyses it is apparent that the assessment of patient management is the greatest variable affecting patient satisfaction of patients is dependent on the management by the visiting health worker. Therefore, the development of the visiting health program is highly dependant on the feedback of those workers with a negative conception of the program. So the development of programs, motivation, education and training must be established. These works would lead to active participation by visiting health workers in the improvement of the Visiting health program.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제40권5호
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• pp.388-396
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• 2007

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the differences in employment status and self assessed health in Korea. Methods: We analyzed 4 year follow-up data generated by the Korean Labor and Income Panel Study(KLIPS), which was conducted on 1,207 men and 582 women who had undergone a change in employment status. The study subjects were placed into 1 of the following 4 groups based on their employment history; Non-precarious workers, Precarious to non-precarious workers, Non-precarious to precarious workers and Precarious workers. Logistic regression was then used to examine the relationship between the changes in employment status and self assessed health. Results: When males were considered, self assessed health was better among the precarious to non-precarious workers (OR 1.58, 95% CI=1.57-1.60) and the precarious workers (OR 1.29, 95% CI=1.28-1.30) than in the non-precarious workers, after adjusting for age, socioeconomic status (education level, occupational class, marital status, average equivalent household income and average number of hours worked per week), health behavior (smoking, drinking and exercise) and medical service access (regular medical examination, have chronic disease or hospitalized within 1 year). When female workers were considered, the precarious to non-precarious workers (OR 1.89, 95% CI=1.86-1.92), non-precarious to precarious workers(OR 1.24, 95% CI=1.23-1.26) and precarious workers (OR 1.27, 95% CI=1.25-1.28) all reported poorer health than the non-precarious workers after adjusting for the aforementioned factors. Conclusions: This study showed that changes in employment status were associated with differences in self assessed health among men and women. Specifically, the results of this study showed that a corresponding positive outcome based on self assessed health was greater for employees that changed from precarious to non-precarious jobs and for male employees with precarious jobs., whereas female employees with non-precarious jobs had higher self assessed health. However, additional longitudinal studies on the health effects of employment status should be conducted.