BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is known to be the significant reason for absenteeism and can develop long-term disability. So the airline authorities have made an effort to reduce the incidence of LBP by applying their physical standards. As a LBP Prevention Program, Airline A has provided health education, counseling and physical examinations. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between LBP and physical characteristics, age and work duration, and this result will provide basic information for improving the LBP Prevention Program. METHOD: The subjects were the 585 flight attendants who had undergone regular physical check-ups with Airline A Medical Center from October 2000 to September 2001. We reviewed their absence records and physical characteristics, age and work duration. These data were analyzed statistically by the t-test and Lositic regression. RESULT: The LBP history group accounted for 18% of the study group. The male LBP history group had the more thin waist than the no history group. There were no differences (P<0.05) between LBP and other male and female physical characteristics. The age and work duration of male LBP history group was lower than the no history group (P<0.05). But the female comparison revealed that only the work experience in the LBP history group was lower than the No history group (P<0.05). Waist, age, work duration was analyzed statistically by logistic regression. Only female's work experience was significant. The fewer work experience was the more LBP. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest LBP is associated with work experience rather than physical characteristics. This is the first step toward improving a LBP Prevention Program for the cabin crew. It will be useful to conduct another review to assess various other reasons, such as psychosocial job factors, duration of work disability and muscle strength, related to LBP.
Absenteeism ; Counseling ; Female ; Health Education ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Low Back Pain* ; Male ; Muscle Strength ; Physical Examination

To define the factors related to health promotion behavior in aircrew of an airline, this study as a covariance structural analysis applied and tested PRECEDE model. In using the PRECEDE model, the purpose of this study was to assess by phase factors that influence health promotion of aircrews and to test the relationship between health promotion related factors and those of PRECEDE model. The data was collected for one month in April of 2001 using self-questionarire and medical records. The data of 218 subjects were analyzed. For general characteristics and each assessment SPSS 10.0 Win Program was used for analysis LISREL 8.12 Win Program was used to test model. 1. Application of PRECEDE model For health promotion of aircrew, PRECEDE model was applied. For epidemiological assessment, elevated serum total cholesterol was chosen. Smoking, drinking, exercise and diet were defined as behavior factor. Job stress and stress factors in aviation were defined as environmental factor. Predisposing factors were regular lifestyle habits(sleep time, dietary habits with three meals per day, breakfast and snack), health related self efficacy, perceived benefit, perceived barrier. Reinforcing factors, the social support network among peers was assessed. Duty depending on the type of work situation, either domestic or international and the number of days spent in a rural city or overseas were used as enabling factors. 2. Testing of the model The total of nine theoretical variable to test its validity was used. Exogenous variable were enabling factors of work situation. Endogenous variables were reinforcing factor of social support network, predisposing factor of regular lifestyle, self efficacy, perceived benefit and perceived barrier. Out of 16 hypothetical paths using such factors, only four were supported. In order to modify the model, 5 paths were added after eliminating of 4 and as a result 9 out of total 17 were supported. Direct Effects With the PROCEDE model, reinforcing factors had significant effect on predisposing factors [Regular lifestyle habits (beta21=8.728, t=2.742), self efficacy (beta31=7.461, t=2.947), perceived benefit (beta41=3.967, t=2.679), perceived barrier (beta51=-3.550, t=-2.955)]. Even after modifying the model in order to improve fitness reinforcing factors had significant direct effects on predisposing factors [Regular lifestyle habits (beta21=0.020, t=2.428), self efficacy (beta31=9.636, t=2.427), perceived benefit(beta41=4.425, t=2.229), perceived barrier (beta51=4.212, t=-2.451)]. Perceived barrier had significant direct effects on health problem (beta85=0.171, t=2.979). Perceived barrier had significant direct effects on environmental factor (beta75=0.035, t=2.257). Perceived benefit had significant direct effects on behavior factor (beta64=0.391, t=2.755). Indirect Effect Regular lifestyle habits had significant indirect effects on Endogenous variable [Self efficacy (effect coefficient=0.191, t=9.004), perceived benefit (effect coefficient=0.087, t=4.576), behavior factor (effect coefficient=1.108, t=2.703), perceived barrier (effect coefficient=-0.083, t=-5.130), environmental factor (effect coefficient=-0.007, t=-2.579), health problem (effect coefficient=-0.016, t=-3.138)]. Social support network had significant indirect effects on health problem (effect coefficient=-0.823, t=-2.083). In conclusion this study supports the PRECEDE model by Green (1980) and this was useful in health promotion model of aircrew. Therefore, in order to improve health problem related to hyperlipidemia in aircrew, behavior modification though peer support should be promoted initially and then, programs that emphasize increasing perceived benefit and decreased barrier should be promoted. Finally, modifying health behavior to promote regular lifestyle and decrease health problems is encouraged.
Aviation ; Behavior Therapy ; Breakfast ; Causality ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; Drinking ; Food Habits ; Health Behavior ; Health Promotion* ; Hyperlipidemias ; Life Style ; Meals ; Medical Records ; Self Efficacy ; Smoke ; Smoking

BACKGROUND: Number of people who suffer from obesity tends to increase throughout the world. The obesity may cause various illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, arteriosclerosis etc. However, obesity can be prevented by diet and weight control. This study is to find the relationship between severity of obesity and amount of blood cholesterol which is closely related to hypertension. There are two ways to indicate the severity of obesity; body mass index and waist hip ratio. Especially, the latter is favored for abdominal obesity. The goal of this study is to find out which method is more closely related to the serum total cholesterol. METHODS: From Oct. 1st 2000 to Sept. 30th 2001, the experiment is based on 585 people who are flight attendants in the A airline company. This study measured body mass index, waist hip ratio and serum total cholesterol against sex, age, height, and weight. We analyzed the data by t-test, analysis of covariance, Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression analysis. As a result, we will study the correlation between serum total cholesterol and age, sex, height, and weight by defining the serum total cholesterol as a dependent variable and any other variables that affect changes in the serum total cholesterol as independent variables. RESULTS: The 585 flight attendants (78 male and 507 female)were statistically analyzed. The average serum total cholesterol (ASTC) was significantly higher for male; ASTC of male was 175.67+/-30.23 and that of female was 166.37+/-25.57 (P=.011). ASTC was peak at the age group of 30s for male (177.97+/-30.54 , P=.0443), but female did not have much difference between the age group of 20s and that of 30s (166.33+/-24.54, 166.34+/-29.26, P=0.880). As a result from analyzing the relationship among the variables. ASTC and waist hip ratio were positively related for both male and female. Moreover, body mass index and waist hip ratio were also positively related for both genders. However, the relationship between ASTC and waist hip ratio for male was more closely related than for female (P=.033). CONCLUSION: Age, body mass index and waist hip ratio are positively related for both genders. Therefore, an appropriate exercise and a diet control for ages are necessary as getting older in order to prevent disease caused by obesity. Besides, serum total cholesterol for male was higher for 30s than 20s. Thus, especially, male within the age group of 30s should be alert to the obesity carefully with performing exercise regularly and diet control by lowering the intake of fat and alcohol.
Arteriosclerosis ; Body Mass Index* ; Cholesterol* ; Diet ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Linear Models ; Male ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Waist-Hip Ratio*

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) in The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) pilots, and to investigate the factors related to occupational exposure. METHODS: For 720 pilots who visited aeromedical center, ROKAF for general health screening from January, 2001 to August, 2002, HBsAg and anti-HBs were tested using passive hemagglutination and passive hemagglutination, respectively. If HBsAg results had been positive or vague, we performed confirmation test by ASAN Easy Test(R) HBs kit. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of HBsAg and Anti-HBs was 1.8% and 49.4%, respectively. HBsAg positivity was 0.0% in 20-24 years, 0.8% in 25-29 years, 1.1% in 30-34 years, 4.4% in 35-39 years, 1.5% in 40-44 years, 5.4% in 45-49 years, 5.3% in 50-54 years and significantly different below and above thirties (P=0.024). The prevalence of HBsAg in pilots was not different with general adults. Anti-HBs positivity was 100.0% in 20-24 years, 43.9% in 25-29 years, 57.1% in 30-34 years, 50.0% in 35-39 years, 62.1% in 40-44 years, 50.0% in 45-49 years, 73.7% in 50-54 years and significantly increased with age (44.2% in twenties, 53.6% in thirties, 58.9% in more than 40) (P=0.005). The pilots susceptible to HBV infection who were negative in both HBsAg and anti-HBs were found in 49.0% of entire subjects. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBs in pilots was lower than in general adults. The pilots tendered to be more susceptible to HBV infection than general adults. Hepatitis B vaccine should be integrated into pilot health programmes.
Adult ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Hemagglutination ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens* ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Occupational Exposure ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea

BACKGROUND: At present, there is close correlation between health status and lifestyle. Personal lifestyle has influence on health, disease, disorder and early death. Health promotion elements are nutrition, exercise, body weight, alcohol drinking, smoking, stress and so forth. These elements are important on physical and psychosocial well being. A good physical and psychosocial status can increase a personal ability of psychosocial activities. This study surveyed to assess healthy behaviors and to encourage pursuing more health promotion. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 91 pilots and 90 ground staffs in A-Airlines and the period of survey was from march, 2002 to June, 2002. This survey used Wilson's Fantastic Lifestyle Assessment and this assessment was designed to assess healthy behaviors. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaire including 12 items (.relationship of family and friends, activity, nutrition, smoking, toxin, alcohol drinking, sleep, seatbelt, stress, personality, insight, career satisfaction). These data were analyzed statistically by t-test. RESULTS: Mean score of this assessment is 39.16 in pilot, 31.99 in ground staff. Pilot had better healthy behaviors than ground staff in the aspect of all 12 items. Especially, Pilot had better healthy behaviors than ground staff in the aspect of relationship of family and friends, activity, nutrition, smoking, alcohol drinking (drunken amount), sleep, stress, personality, insight, career satisfaction. There were statistically significance (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In comparing pilot and ground staff were significant difference except drug, seatbelt, frequency of drinking, which means that pilot had better healthy behaviors than ground staff. The result suggests that medical services supply pilots with more thorough and frequently periodic health education. In the future, the role of medical team needs to give a continuous health education of pilots and also, ground staff.
Alcohol Drinking ; Body Weight ; Drinking ; Friends ; Health Education ; Health Promotion* ; Humans ; Life Style ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effect of an in-house work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) preventive programs in a telephone directory assistance workplace. METHODS: The subjects (N=177) were divided into four groups (nonparticipants, 41; preventive exercise, 31; self-physical therapy, 40; both, 65) by program participation type. The results of WMSDs program were obtained by questionnaire, which consisted of upper extremities'(neck, shoulder, arm, hand) symptom prevalence, self-rating symptom severity, and before-after symptom change between 1995 and 1998 data and workers'satisfaction by program participation. RESULTS: The prevalence of symptoms related WMSDs was only reduced in neck region of nonparticipants, other groups not in significant. The pain scale (5-likert) of each region was significantly decreased in neck, arm and hand of nonparticipants. In other groups, there was no significant change in the prevalence of WMSDs. The change of visual analogue scale was decreased by 21.7% in self-physical therapy group (p=0.043). The subjects mostly were satisfied with this in-house programs. Above all, preventive exercise and both program groups showed content over 80%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of before-after symptoms change was not inconsistent, but subjects were showed high satisfaction about the preventive programs. In attempts to improve the WMSDs related symptoms, the best results will be achieved with ongoing in-house preventive programs practice and periodic outcomes assessments.
Arm ; Hand ; Neck ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Prevalence ; Shoulder ; Telephone* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is an important etiological factor in development of pep-tic ulcer. Eradication of H. pylori improves the cure rate of peptic ulcer and decreases the recurrence rate of these disease. However, the eradication success results have proven variable, and the factors influencing effec-tiveness of therapy are unclear. We performed this study to know treatment behavior for the eradication of H. pylori in peptic ulcer. METHODS: We studied 214 patients retrospectively from medical records. All visited depart-ment of family medicine in one university hospital from August 1997 to May 2001 and were confirmed H. pylori infection by a positive Compylobacter like organism (CLO) test. Of 214 patients studied, 181 patients were treat-ed omeprazole 20 mg bid, amoxicillin 1 g bid, clarithromycin 500 mg bid daily for 7-14 days. CLO test or his-tology or urea breath test were used to determine H. pylori eradication at 4 weeks later after eradication treat-ment. RESULTS: Only 52 of 188 patients who took a eradication treatment were confirmed of the presence of eradication at 4 weeks later after treatment. The success rate of H. pylori eradication was 94.9%. Ulcer stage after therapy was improved. CONCLUSION: Our retrospective study showed that only 28.7% patients were con-firmed of the presence of eradication, but overall eradication rate of confirmed patients was 94.9%.
Amoxicillin ; Breath Tests ; Clarithromycin ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Omeprazole ; Peptic Ulcer* ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Ulcer ; Urea

BACKGROUND: ROKAF (Republic of Korea Air Force) Pilots are required to maintain optimal health status because of their job characteristics and importance as core forces. Their optimal health status can be achived by prac-ticing good health behavior. Therefore, this study tries to analyze the pilots' health behaviors for last 1 month and latest 12 hours before flight respectively, and to examine factors related to health behavior. The goal is to provide data for the development of more efficient nursing interventions. METHODS: In this study, 200 Air Force pilots was interviewed from Oct. 1 to Oct. 15, 2001. by the use of a structured questionnaire. Collected data was analyzed using SPSS Windows Version 10.0 for descriptive statistics, x2-test, Spearman's rho correlation. RESULTS: ROKAF Pilot's have good drinking and smoking habits and their alcohol drinking, smoking, dietary habits, sleeping hours is related to their Self-efficacy, perceived barrier, family support. Also, their before flight health behavior was not different largely their casual health behavior. CONCLUSION: In order to promote ROKAF Pilot's health status, programs should be designed according to age, aircraft types and marriage conditions, and strategies that enable to increase health behavior self-efficacy and to decrease perceived barrier should be employed.
Aircraft ; Alcohol Drinking ; Drinking ; Food Habits ; Health Behavior* ; Humans ; Korea ; Marriage ; Nursing ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The relaxed G-tolerances of 16 female cadets of ROKAF academy and 19 male privates were compared. The relaxed G-tolerance level was measured as visual endpoint (gray out or loss of peripheral light loss) during G-force raise steadily at 0.1 G/s. The G-stimulations were repeated twice with the interval of 30 s for 4 days (female cadets, 9 a.m.; male privates, 10 a.m.). The correlation between the relaxed G-tolerance level and their physical factor (height, sitting height, weight and lean body mass) and muscle strength (power of abdomen, back and thigh) was investigated. The average value of the relaxed G-tolerance levels of female cadets for 4 days was significantly higher than the one of male privates (4.23 +/-0.60, n=111; 4.04 +/-0.64, n=92; student 's t-test, P<0.05). However, the training effect of 4 days was not seen in either female cadet or male private group. The weight and lean body mass have significant positive correlation with the relaxed G-tolerance level. Also, the peak torque of thigh muscle have a strong positive correlation with it, but the endurance ratio does not.
Abdomen ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle Strength ; Thigh ; Torque

To study on the left ventricular contractility and the cardiac vector of fighter pilots, 56 pilots and 15 normal cadets were selected and they were divided into six groups by flight time (hours). To evaluate the left ventricu-lar contractility of subjects, R amplitude of chest V1 , V5 , V6 lead were recorded by ECG, and R-Z interval were recorded by ICG (impedance cardiography). And, to evaluate the cardiac vector of subjects, mean QRS vec-tor of I, II, V2 , V6 lead were recored by ECG. Results of this study are following, 1) Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were decreased against flight time. 2) Sv1 +Rv5 was decreased against flight time; Sv1 +Rv5 was 27.8 mm in 50 hr Group that is the longest among the group, and 23.7 mm in 2,000 hr Group that is the shortest among the groups. V6 /V5 was no significant difference among the groups. 3) R-Z interval was decreased against flight time; R-Z interval was 166.8 X10(-3) sec in 50 hr Group that is the longest among the group, and 154.4 X10(-3) sec in 2,000 hr Group that is the shortest among the groups. 4) In frontal plan, the range of QRS vector axis was +57.3 degrees ~ +78.2 degrees that was deviated to left of body center according to the flight time. In horizon-tal plan, the range of QRS vector axis was -29.6 degrees ~ +47.2 degrees that was deviated to back of body center according to the flight time. In both plan, the amplitude of QRS vector was tend to decreasing against the flight time. Results of this study indicate that the cardiac function of fighter pilots was doubted to degenerate or weaken. Conclusionally, fighter pilots have to increase their cardioventricular fitness by the aerobic training and other methods.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Blood Pressure ; Electrocardiography ; Thorax