• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.148-154
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• 2022

Background: Bus driving is a mentally demanding activity that requires prolonged attention to ensure safety. The aim of the study was to assess mental fatigue caused by driving a public bus and to find a profile of workers at higher risk. Methods: We evaluated changes of critical flicker fusion (CFF) (index of central arousal) and heart rate variability (HRV) (index of autonomic balance) in a 6-hour driving shift on a real route, in 31 professional bus drivers, and we tested the influence of personal factors such as sleep quality, BMI, and age. Paired t-test was used to test differences of CFF and HRV between both initial and final phase of driving, while multiple linear regression tested the influence of personal variables on the indexes of mental fatigue. Results: Results showed that CFF significantly decreased after 6 hours of bus driving (41.91 Hz, sd 3.31 vs. 41.15 Hz, sd 3.15; p = 0.041), and heart rate significantly decreased in the final phase of driving, with respect to the initial phase (85 vs. 78 bpm, p = 0.027). Increasing age (beta = -0.729, p = 0.022), risk of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (beta = -0.530, p = 0.04), and diurnal sleepiness (beta = -0.406, p = 0.017) showed a significant effect on influencing mental fatigue. Conclusion: Elderly drivers at higher risk of sleep disorders are more prone to mental fatigue, when exposed to driving activity. Monitoring indexes of central arousal and autonomic balance, coupled with the use of structured questionnaires can represent a useful strategy to detect profile of workers at higher risk of mental fatigue in such duty.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.40-50
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• 2022

Background: Underground mines have several hazards that could lead to serious consequences if they come into effect. Acquiring, evaluating, and using the real-time data from the atmospheric monitoring system and miner's positional information is crucial in deciding the best course of action. Methods: A graphical user interface-based software is developed that uses an AutoCAD-based mine map, real-time atmospheric monitoring system, and miners' positional information to guide on the shortest route to mine exit and other locations within the mine, including the refuge chamber. Several algorithms are implemented to enhance the visualization of the program and guide the miners through the shortest routes. The information relayed by the sensors and communicated by other personnel are collected, evaluated, and used by the program in proposing the best course of action. Results: The program was evaluated using two case studies involving rescue relating to elevated carbon monoxide levels and increased temperature simulating fire scenarios. The program proposed the shortest path from the miner's current location to the exit of the mine, nearest refuge chamber, and the phone location. The real-time sensor information relayed by all the sensors was collected in a comma-separated value file. Conclusion: This program presents an important tool that aggregates information relayed by sensors to propose the best rescue strategy. The visualization capability of the program allows the operator to observe all the information on a screen and monitor the rescue in real time. This program permits the incorporation of additional sensors and algorithms to further customize the tool.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2011

This study investigated the relationship between learning strategies and achievements of the students in the department of health science, and differences between higher academic achievers and lower academic achievers in the use of the learning strategies. The results were as follows. First, there was a correlation between academic achievements and self-efficacy and power of execution in the personality area. Second, there was a positive correlation between academic achievements and academic motivation, a negative correlation between academic achievements and avoidnat motivation, in the motivation area. Third. there was a correlation between academic achievements and all 8 factors in the behavior area. In the use of learning strategies, there was a difference found in self-efficacy and the power of execution between the higher academic achievers and the lower academic achievers. It also was found that the lower academic achievers perceived more depression, showed remarkably lower motivation and higher avoidance motivation, than the higher academic achievers. Lastly, the lower academic achievers was lagged behind noticeably compared to the higher academic achievers in the ability of using all factors of the behavior area.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.69-84
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• 2024

Objective : This study aimed to provide an overview of task-oriented approaches for children with developmental coordination disorder, including its definition, diagnosis, causes, and assessment, through a literature review. Subject : Eighteen international articles published between January 2000 and September 2023 were analyzed to explore the intervention strategies of Neuromotor Task Training (NTT) and Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP). The objectives of the interventions mentioned in the reviewed articles were categorized according to the criteria of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework-4 (OTPF-4). The results showed that NTT more frequently set goals in the area of client factors, while CO-OP set goals only in the area of occupation. This difference in goal setting can be explained by the strategy differences between the two interventions. Conclusion : A broader and deeper understanding of strategies for interventions with task-oriented approaches to developmental coordination disorder can increase awareness of the disorder and provide a more solid basis for evidence-based practice.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.25-37
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• 2005

Objective : To estimate the magnitude of psychosocial distress and examine eligible factors associated with the development of psychosocial distress in Korean employees, using a nationwide sample. Methods : A total of 6,977 workers were recruited from 245 companies. A structured questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographics, health-related behaviors, job characteristics, social support at work, personality traits (locus of control, type A behavior pattern), self-esteem, and psychosocial distress. Results : The results showed that 23 % of workers were categorized as high stress, 73% as moderate, and 5% as normal. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that psychosocial distress was more common in younger workers, both male and female. Regular exercise was negatively associated with increase of psychosocial distress. In job characteristics, as expected, low decision latitude, high job insecurity, and low social support at work were related to high psychosocial distress. Personality traits such as locus of control and type A behavior pattern, and self-esteem were more powerful predictors of psychosocial distress than general characteristics, health-related behavior, and job characteristics. There were some gender differences. While men who are less educated and single (unmarried, divorced, and separated) experienced higher levels of psychosocial distress than those who are educated and married, women who feel high job demand experienced higher levels of psychosocial distress than those who feel low job demand. Conclusions : The proportion of the high stress group was higher than expected, and psychosocial factors like social support and personality characteristics (e. g. locus of control, type A behavior pattern and self-esteem) were more significant factors for psychosocial distress than other variables. This finding suggests that some psychosocial factors, especially inadequate social support, low self-esteem and lack of internal locus of control for the development of psychosocial distress, will also operate as an intervention strategy in the worksite stress reduction program. It is strongly required that worksite stress reduction programs should be established in at both occupational and level as well as in individual levels.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.55-65
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• 2016

Objective : This study aimed to investigate the effects of home-based action observation training on upper extremity in brain tumor patient. Methods : Among the single case study design, this experiment used ABA' design. The evaluations were carried out 4 times during pre baseline period(A) and post baseline period(A') respectively. At the intervention period(B), a total of 25 times of action observation training and 10 times of evaluation were administered. Results : Study results indicate that 9-hole peg test, Box and Block Test, Manual Function Test were increased when compared to action observation intervention(B) to pre intervention baseline(A). Conclusion : Based on these results, home-based action observation training may be an effective upper extremity intervention strategy for tumor-induced hemiparetic patient.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.465-471
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• 2010

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have been the most common health problem covered by worker's accident compensation insurance for several years in Korea. Korean government has strengthened related regulations since 2003. People looked forward to decreasing the incidence and prevalence of WMSDs. At first, the expectation could be realized. However, we were bumped against to limit at present. The authors think it is due to the negligence of psychosocial factors for WMSDs. Many researchers reported that the various psychosocial factors were associated with WMSDs or symptoms. Job demand, social support, job satisfaction and decision latitude are the major risk factors in job stress aspect. Work pressure, lack of rest, qualified workload, workload variability and monotonous job are the significant risk factors in work context of work organization. Employment flexibility, downsizing, lean production, contingent work and pay for by the piece are also the risk factors in an organizational context. Furthermore, these risk factors are associated with each other across different dimensions of work organization. Suggestive possible pathways between these risks and WMSDs have been taken note of increasing muscle strain or ergonomic stress and of a cognitive aspect. The authors suggest these risk factors could explain the limitation of the regulation system for WMSDs. In conclusion, the strategy to manage psychosocial factors is the one of the essential approach to prevent WMSDs.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.131-141
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• 2001

Purpose: This study were carried out to investigate the difference employment characteristics and job satisfactions by gender and to explore the influences of demographic status and employment characteristics on job satisfaction. Method: Social statistics survey data collected by Ministry of Statistics in 1998 were used for the secondary analysis in the study. Job satisfaction was measured by questionnaire which were consisted in 12 items such as task, promotion, placement, wage, benefits, future in the work, working environment, human relationship, working hours. Result: The results show that more than 50% of women were working as a part-time employees. Their education level were lower than men. Women workers were unmarried at higher percents than men. Men were showed more satisfaction significantly in their job than women. Men also had higher job satisfaction with work task, promotion, placement, and human relation. Women had shown higher job satisfaction with wage, working environment, and employer-employee relationship. Employment status had the most important factor on the job satisfaction. And, living status satisfaction, education, age, occupation, marital status, employment status and sex were significant for the job satisfaction. 33.34% of the variance in the job satisfaction were accounted for by these variables. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that there were difference of job satisfaction between gender and employment status was the most predictive factors on the job satisfaction. Women had more unstable employment status such as part-time, employment on probation, or family employer without wage than men. Stability of employment could be considered as a strategy for enhancing job satisfaction for women.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.166-173
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• 2004

Objectives : Cervical cancer is the second most frequent cancer among women in Busan. The Pap smear test could have a significant effect on detecting cervical cancer, and enhancing their rate of use is an important strategy for reducing the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with the past use of the Pap smear test in Korean women. Methods : A population-based survey was carried out in Busan between November 1999 and March 2000. 1,673 participants were randomly selected from 2,684 women in Busan, using a 2-stage cluster sampling method, and interviewed in their homes. Their socio-demographic characteristics, smoking, drinking, familial cancer history, Pap smear screening history, reproductive and menstrual factors, sexual habits and use of contraceptive methods data were collected by a trained interviewer using a questionnaire. The use of the screening test was defined by a self-report from the participants on how many times they had had a Pap smear test in their lifetime, and when they had received their latest examination. Results : Of the 1,673 respondents (62.3% response rate), 57.6% had had a Pap smear test during her life (mean number, 2.3). Among the health examination participants(1,064), 961(90.3%) reported having sexual experience and 70.9% of these had had a Pap smear test. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, statistically significant relationships were observed for age groups and the Pap smear test rate (odds ratio, OR for 35-44 years=2.45; OR for 45-54 years=3.41; OR for 55 years=2.60; reference, under 34 years). The married or cohabiting women were more likely to have used the Pap smear test than those separated or widowed (OR=1.73). Among the reproductive behavioral measures, the number of births (OR for 3 births=4.22; OR for 2 births=3.95; OR for 1 births=3.38; reference, 0 births) and husband's extra-marital affairs (OR=1.50) were associated with the rates of use of Pap smear tests. Conclusion : It appears that the most important contributing factors to cervical cancer screening were age, marital status and number of births. A positive association was also observed for the husband's extra-marital affairs. This study enabled us to systematically assess the relationship between Pap smear rates and risk factors for cervical cancer. It is hoped that this study will make a significant contribution to the accumulating scientific evidence on the identification of factors associated with cervical cancer screening in Korea.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.397-413
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the income level and the healthcare utilization by health insurance type in all cancer patients in year 2005. Methods: The target population was cancer patients with health insurance who used healthcare as a diagnosis code (C00-C97) from January 1 to December 31 of 2005. The Korea Central Cancer Registry Center's Cancer Patient Registry Data, the list of cancer patients of the National Health Insurance Corporation, and the claim data of the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service were used. The I was the wealthiest, followed by II, III, IV. The V was the poorest in this study. For the analysis, the $x^2$-test, ANOVA (and Kruskal-Wallis test), and regression were used. Results: Outpatient and hospitalization medical expenses, and outpatient visit days of cancer patients with self-employed health insurance were highest in I (p<.001, respectively), and the hospitalization days were the highest in II (p<.001, respectively). Outpatient and hospitalization medical expenses, and outpatient visit and hospitalization days of cancer patients with occupational health insurance were the highest in I (p<.001, respectively). Outpatient and hospitalization medical expenses, and outpatient visit and hospitalization days in cancer patients were higher in I compared to V, and higher in II and III, IV compared to V (p<.001, respectively). Conclusion: Supporting plan for cancer patients' outpatient healthcare utilization are necessary. Moreover, we should make specialized strategy for low income cancer patients with self-employed health insurance when we develop quality improvement policy for inpatient service.