• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.299-305
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• 2000

Objectives : To investigate the difference in the occurrence of lung cancer between foundry workers and non-foundry workers by comparing the number of workers diagnosed with lung cancer through health insurance data. Methods : The study population was comprised of 28,884 workers who had undergone at least one general or special medical examination between January 1995 and December 1997 at the occupational health center. All of the subjects had health insurance during this period. We combined the medical examination data with the health insurance data to compare the number of foundry workers diagnosed with lung cancer and the number of non-foundry workers diagnosed with lung cancer. Results : Seven workers were diagnosed with lung cancer among the 1,591 foundry workers, compared to twelve workers among the 27,293 non-foundry workers (odds ratio: 10.04, 95% confidence interval: 3.95-25.55). The seven foundry workers diagnosed with lung cancer were all exposed to dust, and six out these seven workers were engaged in finishing or shake-out processes. Conclusions : Although the information for this study was obtained from health insurance data, which has limitations such as accuracy and completeness, the number of foundry workers diagnosed with lung cancer was significantly higher than that of non-foundry workers. Therefore, a well-designed cohort study should be followed to confirm the higher lung cancer rates in foundry workers.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.185-195
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze noise exposure levels and the rate of exceedance of exposure limits in workplaces from a 2015 measurement of working environments according to area, industry, and scale of workplace and to determine changes compared to the past. Methods: Among the 408,875 measurements of noise in working environments from 27,030 workplaces in 2015, 16,359 workplaces that were linked to special health examination data were selected as the subjects of this study. The eight-hour corrected measurements and geometric mean values of the individual noise measurements of the workplaces were used to calculate noise exposure levels and the exceedance rate of exposure limits. Results: The average noise exposure level of the overall workplaces making up the subjects of this study was 83.6 dBA, and the exceedance rate of exposure limits was 15.1%. At least half of the noise measurements exceeded the exposure limits in 13.7% of the workplaces. Noise exposure levels were higher in the manufacturing industry and in smaller-scale workplaces. The exceedance rate of noise exposure limits was higher in the mining and manufacturing industries and in smaller-scale workplaces. Conclusions: Noise exposure has shown improvements compared to the past, but the exceedance rate of exposure limits was still high, and more than half of the workers were being exposed to noise of 85 dBA or higher. Therefore, it is necessary to make more active improvements in working environments in terms of noise exposure.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.35-45
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• 2021

Background: As a descriptive study targeting 2,068 cancer patients as men of national merit in 2013, this study aims to provide the basic data for systematizing the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer by comparatively analyzing the 5-year survival rate. Methods: This study researched the survival of cancer patients through Electronic Medical Record and Patriots-Veterans Qualification Program, targeting 2,068 newly-diagnosed cancer patients verified in five veterans hospitals and consigned management system. This study verified differences between general characteristics of cancer patients as men of national merit and analyzed their survival rate. Results: The cancer patients as men of national merit were super-aged as their average age was 72.5. In the analysis of general characteristics of five major prevalent cancers, there were statistically significant differences according to age, region, cancer diagnostic path, differentiation, diagnostic method, treatment method, SEER stage, and survival period, except for the types of the man of national merit (p<0.001). The whole survival rate of cancer patients as men of national merit was 50%. The 5-year survival rates of predisposing cancers were shown as prostate cancer (79%), colorectal cancer (64%), gastric cancer (57%), liver cancer (32%), and lung cancer (12%). In the cancer diagnostic path, all the predisposing cancers showed the highest survival rate in medical examination. In the treatment method, the surgery showed the highest survival rate. The cancer patients as men of national merit showed a lower survival rate than the general cancer patients of Korea. Conclusion: It would be needed to guarantee the honorable and happy life through health recovery as special treatment of contribution and sacrifice of super-aged men of national merit by increasing the cancer survival rates through regular checkup, early diagnosis, and high-quality treatment system that could have important effects on the survival rate according to the occurrence of cancers.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.83-97
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• 1983

The present study is to provide information for the improvement of school health services through research on the current condition of its organization and practice in universities, colleges and junior colleges. The scope of this study is consisted of four components including health organizations/units, school health services, environmental sanitation and health education for the 30 universities, the 20 colleges and the 32 junior colleges in Korea. The major findings are summarized as follows: (1) Among the sampled schools, around 73% of them have the health service organization/unit. When we break down health service organization/unit into the types by the level of school, around 73% of the universities have formal organization called "health center" and 20.0% of them have an informal organization called "health room". For the colleges level, 30.0% of them have the "health center" and 40.0% of them have the "health room". The figure of junior colleges is a quite different from universities and colleges, 56.3% of junior colleges have the "health room" only but the other have no service organization at all. (2) It was found that only 22.0% of 82 schools have the health committee for the school health services. It might be necessary to have a kind of expert committee to establish an annual health service program, budget and health policy in the school. (3) Approximately 29% of those schools having formal health organizations/units appointed directors as a medical persons. 13.4% of the sampled schools are appointed doctors (including the dentists) at health service organization/unit, 9.8% are appointed pharmacist and 65.9% are appointed nurses. Therefore, the data imply that the school health services are depending mainly on nurses. (4) The major activities of school health services are covering primary medical care (84.1%), health counseling (72.0%), physical examination (68.3%), vaccination (58.5%), tuberculosis control (54.9%), parasite control (29.3%) and dental health case(9.8%). Also 69.5% of the schools have the program on the environmental sanitation and the health education program. (5) In regard to health budget taking account of 34 schools, approximately 92% of them have less than 5,000 won per students and only 8.8% of them have more 10,000 won per students. At the average health budget per students is 4089.8 won in universities, 1617.1 won in colleges and 475.0 won in junior colleges. (6) The students enjoy the benifit of medical insurance at 11.0% of 82 schools surveyed. They are all universities. (7) The study found that 56 universities, colleges and junior colleges provide the annual physical examination. Only 21.4% of them have provided it for all students and school employees. (8) 64.3% of the 56 schools surveyed keep a record of the regular physical examinations. Records must be utilized as the basic data for the evaluation of the student's health condition and so the individual student is encouraged to take care of his own health. (9) At the 59 schools which practice health counseling, the main concerns of the counsellees are venereal disease, tuberculosis and psychoneurosis. This shows the need to practice health education in the area of preventive medicine. (10) 69.5% of the 82 universities, colleges and junior colleges surveyed are concerned with supervision of the environmental sanitation in their school, but non-professionals are in charge at 70.1% of them. This indicates negligence in environmental sanitation. (11) 53.7% of the 82 schools responded that they have no special instructive measure for the students' health and 54.9% are found to be negative in the use of a health education method. This reveals a problem. They are not positive to the recognition of their function as the initiative organization for the students' health. (12) The supplementary education for the faculty of the school health services is executed only at 8.5% of all the schools surveyed.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.63-76
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• 2000

License system of radiologic technologists has been started since 1965 in Korea. This study is to explore directions on radiotechnologists' license system classified by subspecialty. For this purpose, the authors surveyed on radiotechnologists' license system classified by subspecialty, with the subject related to radiotechnologic societies. Additionally, data on qualification and license system associated with medical and health care field were collected. The results are as follows. 1. The main body for subspecialty system for radiologic technologists should be the Korea Radiologic Technologists Association and the Association should maintain a close cooperation with radiotechnologic societies. 2. A radiologic technologist should be a basic role once they pass the license examination. In addition, they can get a special qualification by subspecialty in radiologic technology. 3. Radiotechnologists' license system classified by subspecialty will be keep priorities in order and done systematically. Execution order is as follows ; This study proposes that radiotechnologists responsible for ultrasonography, computed tomography(CT), magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and security management be started for the first stage. For the second stage, radiotechnologists for mammography, angio-cardiography, digital imaging, maxillo-facial and dental radiography, nuclear medicine, radio-therapeutic field should be in force. 4. Professional education course(basic and intensive) and clinical training program have to be made for the eligibility of radiotechnologists' license system classified by subspecialty. 5. Eligibility system of radiotechnologists' license system classified by subspecialty(non-government or government) has to be made. Further more, inquiry commission to investigate eligibility for radiotechnologists' license system should be established.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.427-438
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• 2023

Objectives: This study aims to create a safer working environment by examining the working environment of cleanroom cleaning workers through a survey and comparing the differences in perception between workers and managers. Methods: The survey was written based on the working environment and the safety and health management system. In order to improve the quality of the study, we visited the sites in person and conducted an in-depth interview. SPSS Statistics 26 (IBM, USA) was used to analyze the data. Results: Based on the survey, differences were found in chemical used, MSDS sharing methods, risk factors during cleaning work, work environment measurement results, special health examination items, places considered dangerous, and work. Conclusions: It is necessary that there be different work environments and risk factors for cleanroom cleaning workers at respective workplaces. As a result of the survey, there was found to be a difference in perception between workers and managers, and both workers and managers should try to reduce this difference.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2002

Objectives : To identify the relationship between the use of medical services by workers with three types of respiratory diseases(total respiratory diseases, acute upper respiratory infections and chronic lower respiratory diseases) and exposure to hazardous agents after controlling for other factors affecting medical services use, such as characteristics of the enterprises(scale, industry type) and employee demographics (sex, age). Methods : The study population comprised 28,882 workers who had undergone general or special medical examinations at the industrial health center at least once between Jan 1995 and Dec 1997 and had possessed medical insurance during the period. We combined medical examination data with medical insurance data in order to analyze the relationship between exposure to hazardous agents and respiratory diseases, Results : Among the 28,882 study subjects, 17,454 employees(60.4%) used medical services more than once during 3-year study period, owing to more than one kind of respiratory diseases. In logistic regression analysis, sex, age and the size of the enterprises proved to be significant variables on the use of medical services for all three types of respiratory disease; The use of medical services increased with employee age. Women used more medical services than men and the employees in the large-scale enterprises used more services than employees in small-scale enterprises. However, exposure to dust or organic solvents did not affect medical service use due to total respiratory diseases or acute upper respiratory infections. Only in the case of chronic lower respiratory diseases did workers exposed to dusts(OR=1.12, 95% CI=1.01-1.24) or organic solvents(OR=1.19, 95% CI=1.05-1.35) use more medical services than those not exposed. Conclusions : Workers exposed to dusts or organic solvents are particularly apt to suffer from chronic lower respiratory diseases and use medical services more often than those not exposed. That is, chronic exposure to hazardous agents such as dusts and organic solvents is believed to be harmful and to cause respiratory symptoms and diseases.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.139-146
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Chewing difficulty is a factor contributing to a poor nutritional status in the elderly. The aim of this study was to examine disparities in food and nutrition intakes among Korean elderly people with and without chewing difficulty. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study utilized data from the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2013. The study subjects included males and females over 65 years of age who were not required to adhere to a special diet due to disease or sickness. They were divided into groups according to their chewing ability. Those who found chewing "very difficult" or "difficult", were combined to form the chewing difficulty group. Similarly, those who found chewing "moderately difficult", "easy", and "very easy" were combined to form the normal chewing group. RESULTS: Of the 999 subjects, 47.7% had chewing difficulties and the prevalence of chewing difficulty was higher in females than in males (P = 0.03) and higher in those 75 years of age and over than in younger individuals (P < 0.001). The chewing difficulty group had a significantly lower intake of fruits and vegetables (P < 0.05) and lower vitamin C and potassium intake than those in the normal group. Comparison of the percentages of Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs) in the two groups indicated that the intake of most nutrients (energy, vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and iron) were significantly lower in the chewing difficulty group than in the normal group. In particular, calcium intake was inadequate (51% of KDRIs) in the chewing difficulty group. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that chewing difficulty is closely related to food and nutrient intake in the elderly and can result in vitamin and mineral intake deficiencies. It is evident that the care of elderly subjects with chewing difficulty is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.141-152
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to provide the basic materials for searching the way of improvement to heighten the emergency medical welfare level by one step further. To achieve this purpose, the subjects of this study were selected 452 college students in Gwangju, using a random sampling method. The statistical analysis methods utilized for analyzing the collected data are frequency analysis, $x^2$ test. The conclusions obtained from these analyses are as following ; 1. In question about necessary optimum number of persons for rescue first aid activity, health and non-health major college students responded by 39.2%, 45.3% respectively that rescue team 15 people, first aid team 3 people is most suitable. But there was no significant difference in major department(p<0.05). 2. In question about security of the public health doctor and the emergency medical technician, all health and non-health major college students are recognizing necessity urgently, but there was no significant difference in major department(p<0.05). 3. In question about 119 rescue first aid team member applying for an examination qualification grant to the department of EMT's graduate, all health and non-health major college students were highest by 52.9%, 52.4% respectively in "necessity" item. But there was no significant difference in major department(p<0.05). 4. Because rescue first aid equipment level appears higher than 41.7% in non-health major college student's case by 54.2% in health major college student's case, health major college students are recognizing that equipment level should be supplemented more but there was no significant difference in major department(p<0.05). 5. In question about equipment supplement, all health and non-health major college students appeared highest by 64.8%, 69.3% in accident type different special equipment. But there was no significant difference in major department(p<0.05). 6. In question about rescue ambulance car size, we could know being thinking that health and non-health major college student each 61.2%, 56.5% is small and narrow that large size of the rescue ambulance amount need. But there was no significant difference in major department(p<0.05). 7. In question about patient's state is worsened, because rescue first aid equipment is inferior, health major college student responded sometimes 55.1%, many 29.5%. very many by 11.5%, while non-health major college student responded 65.8%, 23.1%, 4.0% respectively. There was significant difference in major department(p<0.05). 8. In question about emergency patient must utilize for 119 rescue ambulance car, all health and non-health major college students appeared highest by 38.8%, 41.3% in "not so" item. In question about rescue first aid team's first-aid treatment ability improves more, all health and non-health major college students appeared highest by 58.1% and 58.7% respectively in "improve" item. In question about "119 rescue ambulance car must go more rapidly than now", all health and non-health major college students are recognizing that should be quicker by 58.1%, 60.9% respectively. When called to 119 all health and non-health major college students responded highest by 55.5%, 53.3% respectively that we must receive first-aid treatment direction from a doctor. In question about "119 rescue ambulance car must be made the pay system", all health and non-health major college students responded 74%, 80% respectively in "not so" item. There was significant difference in major department(p<0.05). In conclusions, In oder to provide superior rescue first aid service to people, a public health doctor should be placed in the situation room inside the fire station so that the doctor could instruct the proper emergency treatment suitable for each situation to the rescue first aid team. Also, national education about a first-aid treatment that do to all people is necessarily necessary in emergency delivery system and this should be spread extensively through school education and broadcasting medium and education should be gone side by side, and see that will can save emergency patients' life which is more when these education consists continuously fixed period for public institution of policeman, fire officer etc. specially. And for reinforcement of patient transfer system, public organization must procure special ambulance car so that emergency patient receive first aid treatment while transfer.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.458-471
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• 1994

To evaluate the periodontal status of Korean adults, 3,988 adults(20-69 years old) who lived in Kwangju, Chonnam, Taegu, and Kyungbuk districts were periodontally examined by plaque index(PI), calculus index(CI), gingival index(GI), periodontal disease index (PDI), and papillary bleeding index(PBI). The periodontal examination charts were grouped according to age and sex. And subsequently 200 periodontal examination charts in each age group were randomly selected according to sex. The differences of the indices among age groups and those between male and female in each age group were statistically analyzed by Chi-Square test. In PI, CI, GI, PDI, and PBI, there was no statistical significance in the difference between male and female in each age group(p>0.05). In male, PI of 60s age group($1.44{\pm}0.68$) was significantly higher than that of any age group(p<0.05), and in female PI of 20s age group($0.86{\pm}0.39$) was significantly lower than that of any other age group(p<0.05). CI of 60s age group in both male($1.67{\pm}0.70$) and female($1.63{\pm}0.91$) was significantly higher than that of any age group(p<0.05). GI of 20s age group in both male($0.85{\pm}0.66$) and female($0.67{\pm}0.60$) was significantly lower and GI of 60s age group in both male($1.37{\pm}0.60$) and female($1.44{\pm}0.84$) was higher than that of any age group(p<0.05). PDI in male was the lowest in 20s age group($0.70{\pm}0.73$), and was the highest in 60s age group($4.93{\pm}1.96$) (p<0.05). In female PDI of 20s age group($0.71{\pm}0.74$) was significantly lower than that of any age group(p<0.05). In male PBI of 20s age group($0.38{\pm}0.31$) was significantly lower than that of any age group(p<0.001). PBI in female was the lowest in 20s age group($0.35{\pm}0.30$) (p<0.001), and was the highest in 60s age group($1.09{\pm}0.76$) (p<0.05). The data insist that all the young populations of 20s age group should be interested in routine check for early diagnosis and prevention of periodontal disease, and a special education program of periodontal health care for young generation must be prepared, and the periodic recall check system for periodontal examination of middle age group must be supported by government.