Low back pain patients an controls of shipyard workers were surveyed between June 1995 and september 1995 to identify risk factors of industrial low back pain. The patients were 17 male workers who had got medical treatment for over 3 days because of industrial back pain controls were 51 male workers who had not have musculoskeletal disorder for one year before the survey. By univariate analysis, the workers who did overtime work 4 times or more for the last 2 weeks showed odds ratio of 3.67 on low back pain with the workers who did less overtime work. Carrying heavy materials was also associated with the low back pain and the odds ratio increased with the increase of carrying weight. work space and work posture were not associated with the low back pain significantly. The welder had higher odds ratio than the other workers on low back pain. The duration of employment and job satisfaction did not affect the risk of low back pain. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that frequency of overtime work for the last 2 weeks and carrying heavy materials among the risk factors were associated significantly with the low back pain. We found that important risk factors of low back pain of shipyard workers are work intensity factors such as overtime work and carrying heavy weight.
Back Pain ; Employment ; Humans ; Job Satisfaction ; Logistic Models ; Low Back Pain* ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Posture ; Risk Factors*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between self-esteem and sexual attitude in healthcare college students, and also to provide a basis for sexual health education programs to help establish healthy sexual attitudes. METHODS: A survey was conducted with 218 unmarried students attending the healthcare colleges in B and U cities. Data were collected from October 15 to November 10, 2015 and analyzed using Stepwise multiple regression with SPSS PASW 18.0. RESULTS: Mean score for self-esteem was 3.23±0.46 out of 5 and sexual attitude 2.64±0.54 out of 5. Self-esteem and sexual attitude had a negative correlation (r=-.169, p=.012). Among sub-variables of sexual attitude, negative correlations were found between self-esteem and premarital chastity (r=-.207, p=.002), and between self-esteem and homosexual attitudes (r=-.167, p=.013). There were statistically significant differences in sexual attitude according to perceived intimacy with mother (β=-.228, p<.001), year in college (β=.135, p=.047), major (β=.148, p=.023), religion (β=-2.429, p=.016), and homosexual tendencies (β=.139, p=.037). These factors explained 14.6% of the variance in sexual attitude. CONCLUSION: Findings demonstrate the importance of self-esteem for sexual attitudes. This finding should be used in the development of healthcare college students, promotion programs to enhance healthy sexual attitudes.
Delivery of Health Care* ; Education ; Homosexuality ; Humans ; Mothers ; Reproductive Health ; Sexual Behavior ; Single Person

Oxidative stress can cause generation of uncontrolled reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lead to cytotoxic damage to cells and tissues. Recently, it has been shown that transient ROS generation can serve as a secondary messenger in receptor-mediated cell signaling. Although excessive levels of ROS are harmful, moderated levels of ROS are essential for normal physiological function. Therefore, regulating cellular ROS levels should be an important concept for development of novel therapeutics for treating diseases. The overexpression and hyperactivation of NADPH oxidase (Nox) can induce high levels of ROS, which are strongly associated with diabetic nephropathy. This review discusses the theoretical basis for development of the Nox inhibitor as a regulator of ROS homeostasis to provide emerging therapeutic opportunities for diabetic nephropathy.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to construct a management model for patient transfer in a multilevel healthcare system and to predict the effect of counseling with nurses on the patient transfer process. METHODS: Data were collected from the electronic medical records of 20,400 patients using the referral system in a tertiary hospital in Seoul from May 2015 to April 2017. The data were analyzed using system dynamics methodology. RESULTS: The rates of patients who were referred to a tertiary hospital, continued treatment, and were terminated treatment at a tertiary hospital were affected by the management fee and nursing staffing in a referral center that provided patient transfer counseling. Nursing staffing in a referral center had direct influence on the range of increase or decrease in the rates, whereas the management fee had direct influence on time. They were nonlinear relations that converged the value within a certain period. CONCLUSION: The management fee and nursing staffing in a referral center affect patient transfer counseling, and can improve the patient transfer process. Our findings suggest that nurses play an important role in ensuring smooth transitions between clinics and hospitals.
Continuity of Patient Care ; Counseling* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Electronic Health Records ; Fees and Charges ; Humans ; Nursing ; Patient Transfer* ; Referral and Consultation ; Seoul ; Tertiary Care Centers

Purpose: This study aimed to understand the non-contact nursing experiences of clinical nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A qualitative research design applying thematic analysis was used. The participants were purposive sampled from three institutes: a tertiary hospital, a general hospital, and a residential treatment center in Seoul. Data were collected between December 2021 and January 2022 through individual in-depth interviews with 12 clinical nurses. The data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s method to identify the meaning of the participants’ experiences. Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the fields where the participants performed non-contact nursing included intensive care units and isolation wards of hospitals, a residential treatment center, and home cares. Their tasks in non-contact nursing commonly involved remote monitoring using digital devices or equipment, consultation and education. From their experiences performing tasks in these fields, the four theme clusters and nine themes were derived. The four theme clusters are as follows:(1) Confusion of nursing role; (2) Conflict due to insufficient support system; (3) Concern about the quality of nursing; (4) Reflection on the establishment of nursing professionalism. Conclusion This study highlights the necessity for institutionalizing professional nursing areas, nursing education, and practical support by clarifying the purpose and goals of non-contact nursing and developing nursing knowledge through frameworks.

Purpose: This study aimed to understand the non-contact nursing experiences of clinical nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A qualitative research design applying thematic analysis was used. The participants were purposive sampled from three institutes: a tertiary hospital, a general hospital, and a residential treatment center in Seoul. Data were collected between December 2021 and January 2022 through individual in-depth interviews with 12 clinical nurses. The data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s method to identify the meaning of the participants’ experiences. Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the fields where the participants performed non-contact nursing included intensive care units and isolation wards of hospitals, a residential treatment center, and home cares. Their tasks in non-contact nursing commonly involved remote monitoring using digital devices or equipment, consultation and education. From their experiences performing tasks in these fields, the four theme clusters and nine themes were derived. The four theme clusters are as follows:(1) Confusion of nursing role; (2) Conflict due to insufficient support system; (3) Concern about the quality of nursing; (4) Reflection on the establishment of nursing professionalism. Conclusion This study highlights the necessity for institutionalizing professional nursing areas, nursing education, and practical support by clarifying the purpose and goals of non-contact nursing and developing nursing knowledge through frameworks.

Purpose: This study aimed to understand the non-contact nursing experiences of clinical nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A qualitative research design applying thematic analysis was used. The participants were purposive sampled from three institutes: a tertiary hospital, a general hospital, and a residential treatment center in Seoul. Data were collected between December 2021 and January 2022 through individual in-depth interviews with 12 clinical nurses. The data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s method to identify the meaning of the participants’ experiences. Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the fields where the participants performed non-contact nursing included intensive care units and isolation wards of hospitals, a residential treatment center, and home cares. Their tasks in non-contact nursing commonly involved remote monitoring using digital devices or equipment, consultation and education. From their experiences performing tasks in these fields, the four theme clusters and nine themes were derived. The four theme clusters are as follows:(1) Confusion of nursing role; (2) Conflict due to insufficient support system; (3) Concern about the quality of nursing; (4) Reflection on the establishment of nursing professionalism. Conclusion This study highlights the necessity for institutionalizing professional nursing areas, nursing education, and practical support by clarifying the purpose and goals of non-contact nursing and developing nursing knowledge through frameworks.

Purpose: This study aimed to understand the non-contact nursing experiences of clinical nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A qualitative research design applying thematic analysis was used. The participants were purposive sampled from three institutes: a tertiary hospital, a general hospital, and a residential treatment center in Seoul. Data were collected between December 2021 and January 2022 through individual in-depth interviews with 12 clinical nurses. The data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s method to identify the meaning of the participants’ experiences. Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the fields where the participants performed non-contact nursing included intensive care units and isolation wards of hospitals, a residential treatment center, and home cares. Their tasks in non-contact nursing commonly involved remote monitoring using digital devices or equipment, consultation and education. From their experiences performing tasks in these fields, the four theme clusters and nine themes were derived. The four theme clusters are as follows:(1) Confusion of nursing role; (2) Conflict due to insufficient support system; (3) Concern about the quality of nursing; (4) Reflection on the establishment of nursing professionalism. Conclusion This study highlights the necessity for institutionalizing professional nursing areas, nursing education, and practical support by clarifying the purpose and goals of non-contact nursing and developing nursing knowledge through frameworks.

BACKGROUND: Hot tub lung is a hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM); the primary causative agent is Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) post contaminated water exposure. Recently, 2 cases of hot tub lung were found in public bath bodyscrubbers working in Korea. However, the disease causing NTM was not identified in these cases. Here, we reported one case, along with clinical diagnostic approach to occupational medicine throughout worksite investigation. CASE: A 53 year-old woman working in the public bath for 13 months' duration developed shortness of breath. She had been cleaning the locker room, several pools and floors every day, and using scrubbers with detergent and warm water. After examination, the patient was diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis based on high resolution computerized tomography and lung biopsy. Because the Mycobacterium avium was identified in both the patient's sputum and the warm pool, she was diagnosed with hot tub lung due to MAC. CONCLUSION: Hot tub lung due to MAC was confirmed in public bath housekeeper. However, few cases have been reported, even though there are many cases. To prevent damages caused by hot tub lung, general environmental management such as ventilation and cleaning is important for bath operators. Likewise, awareness needs to be increased in workers with potential NTM environmental exposure and in clinicians through education about hot tub lung in order to reduce adverse harm from misdiagnosis and mistreatment of tuberculosis.
Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic ; Baths ; Biopsy ; Detergents ; Diagnostic Errors ; Dyspnea ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Floors and Floorcoverings ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung ; Mycobacterium ; Mycobacterium avium ; Mycobacterium avium Complex ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Occupational Medicine ; Sputum ; Tuberculosis ; Ventilation ; Workplace

BACKGROUND: As indicators of obesity, waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), and adiponectin are well known risk factor for diabetes mellitus. The objectives of this study were to measure the independent association between these obesity indicators and diabetes and to examine the combined effect of these indicators on diabetes in a Korean population. METHODS: The WC, BMI, and serum adiponectin were measured in 6,505 healthy Koreans and were classified into tertile groups for men and women. The independent and combined associations of the obesity indicators with diabetes were measured using logistic regression analyses. Diabetes was defined as fasting serum glucose greater than 126 mg/dL or taking medication. RESULTS: Levels of adiponectin were inversely associated with BMI and WC and directly associated with age and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) cholesterol (P <0.001). After adjusting for age, WC, and other lifestyle factors, low levels of adiponectin were associated with an increased prevalence of diabetes. Further adjustment for HDL cholesterol and triglyceride attenuated this association in both men and women. The best cut-off value of adiponectin in terms of identifying the presence of diabetes was 5.5 /ml with a sensitivity and specificity of 46.7% and 63.9% for men and 9.5 /ml with a sensitivity and specificity of 68.2% and 55.2 for women. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that adiponectin was associated with diabetes. The association was independent of WC and was partly modified by HDL and triglyceride. There were no effect modifications of adiponectin with WC on diabetes.
Adiponectin* ; Blood Glucose ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Fasting ; Female ; Humans ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Obesity ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference