To evaluate the health risk of the workplace environment of a general hospital toward the hospital workers, a questionnaire survey on the perception of risk at the workplace environment and environmental measurements at 27 locations with 240 workers in the hospital were made from October 25th, 1993 to October 30th, 1994. The results were as follows; 1. By the environmental measurements, 86 workers(36%) were found to be exposed to poor or harmful degree of general illumination, 193 workers(80%) were exposed to poor or harmful local illumination, 34 workers(14%) were exposed to poor or harmful degree of thermal condition and l80 workers(75%) were exposed to poor or harmful noise level, but nobody was exposed to poor or harmful dust and toluene concentration. Also nobody was exposed to poor or harmful level of radiation or anticancer/antibiotic agents. 2. The subjective perceptions on the environmental conditions felt by the workers were different from the objective findings by the environmental measurements. The workers underscored the poor illumination state and overscored the dust concentrations. Also workers oversensitized about the thermal condition, the noise level, the radiation level, the toluene concentration and anticancer/antibiotic agents. 3. The sources of noise were the dialogue(179 workers) and the office instruments(131workers). The sources of dust came from the clothes(108 workers) and the building materials(79 workers). 4. The questionnaire survey showed that the 28 workers were exposed to poor or harmful level of the antibiotics, 10 workers to alkali or acid and 6 workers to drug dust in the pharmacy but the above findings could not be proved by the environmental measurements.
Alkalies ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Dust ; Hospitals, General* ; Lighting ; Noise ; Pharmacy ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Toluene

To find the characteristics of the subjective symptoms and its related factors among the patients with the cervicobrachial syndrome, an interview survey was made toward 137 patients complaining the symptoms in cervicobrachial area out of 313 workers occupied in a microwave-oven assembling factory from December 1993 to February 1994. Results were as follows : 1. The patients were classified by the severity of the syndrome as 6 persons (4.4%) at grade I (the mildest grade), 48 persons (35.0%) at grade II, 47 persons (34.4%) at grade III-1, 11 persons (8.0%) at grade III-2 and 25 persons (18.2%) at grade IV. 2. Only 3.6% of the total patients under the study felt the main symptoms of the cervicobrachial syndrome 36 months before this study, and then the number of patients increased gradually, but the incidence of the syndrome increased suddenly from 25.1% to 74.9% since the factory had elevated the height of the belt conveyer-worktables from 75.0cm to 87.7 cm 13 months before the study. 3. Although the higher percentage of the female workers felt the subjective symptoms including the pain at the neck and shoulder, the discomfort or pain at the back and the discomfort or pain at the wrist or the finger than male workers significantly (p<0.05). The male workers, however, showed more abnormal X-ray findings than the female workers significantly (p<0.05). 4. Between the prevalence of the cervicbbrachial syndrome and the number of actual workers occupied at the factory during last-24 months, a negative correlation (r=-0.508~r=-0.665) was observed. 5. The measured workplace environment of the studied factory (average temperature: 13.3 degrees C, average noise: 78.8 dB, average illumination: 241.4 Lux) was the poorer condition than the recommended level (17degrees C or more, lower than 75 dB and 400 Lux or more). 6. Neither items to check the cervicobrachial syndrome during the entrance and health maintenance examinations nor early treatment program for the syndrome were found, at the factory. In conclusion, the primary cause of the cervicobrachial syndrome of the workers were considered due to their repeated monotonous motions on the neck, the shoulder, the arms and the hands for a long duration (2-3 years) with the uncomfortable working posture under the uncomfortable workplace environments, and the condition got aggravated due to the inappropriated health management program for its secondary prevention.
Arm ; Female ; Fingers ; Hand ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lighting ; Male ; Neck ; Noise ; Posture ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires* ; Secondary Prevention ; Shoulder ; Wrist

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship of serum uric acid to cardiovascular risk factors in Korean male workers. METHODS: We screened 522 male workers at an electrical manufacturing company by a periodic health examination and a questionnaire survey in 2000. We collected data relating to age, smoking status, alcohol drinking status, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, serum lipid, fasting blood glucose and serum uric acid. The data were analyzed using a variety of methods, including ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and multivariate regression analyses, to examine the association between uric acid and cardiovascular risk factors with a cross-sectional study design. RESULTS: The concentration of serum uric acid showed positive associations with BMI, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol; it was also significantly correlated to systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Life-style characteristics, such as smoking and alcohol drinking showed no significant association. From the multivariate regression analyses, BMI, total cholesterol and fasting blood glucose levels were found to be independent positive predictors of uric acid; while age, blood pressure and smoking status give no independent contribution explaining the variability of serum uric acid levels. Conclusions : This study demonstrates that serum uric acid level have a significant association with cardiovascular risk factors, such as BMI, total cholesterol and blood glucose in some Korean male workers.
Alcohol Drinking ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Fasting ; Humans ; Male* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Triglycerides ; Uric Acid*

This study was performed to find the prevalence and the associated risk factors with low back pain(LBP) of the staffs in a university at Kwang-ju city. The data were collected by a questionnaire including SDS(Self-rating depression Scale) battery from September 1st to October 15th, 1996. The results were as follows; 1. The prevalence rate of LBP during lifetime was 73.1%, 53.1% for the last one year, and 23.6% for the last one week. 2. Statistically significant factors related to LBP during lifetime were sex and satisfaction with job. Sex, smoking, alcohol drinking, occupation, work posture, forward bending of trunk and satisfaction with job were selected as significant factors related to LBP during the last one year. The significant determinants related with LBP during the last one week were sex, smoking, alcohol drinking, occupation, forward bending of trunk and satisfaction with job. 3. Through the analysis of self-rating depression scores according to LBP during lifetime were selected to be female(OR=2.63, 95% CI: 1.08~6.40), dissatisfaction with job(OR=2.16, 95% CI: 1.16~4.15), those for the last one year were chosen to be female(OR=2.30, 95% CI: 1.03~5.12), forward bending of trunk(OR=2.18, 95% CI: 1.26~3.79), dissatisfaction with job(OR=1.84, 95% CI: 1.06~3.21), and those for the last one week were female(OR=3.00, 95% CI: 1.17~7.69), forward bending of trunk(OR=2.85, 95% CI: 1.38~5.88). In conclusion, for effective prevention of the LBP at work site, appropriate improvement of work posture and various psychological factors should be considered.
Alcohol Drinking ; Depression ; Gwangju ; Low Back Pain* ; Occupations ; Posture ; Prevalence ; Psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Workplace

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to measure the intake rate of SSBs (sugar sweetened beverages) and examine the relationship between health behavior factors and SSBs intake by adolescents. METHODS: This study used data from the 2016 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, which included 65,528 study participants. SSBs intake frequency was measured by asking respondents if they consumed soda, high-caffeinated beverages, and sugary drinks during the previous week. Type of intake was categorized into three groups according to the number of consumed drinks [SSBs (0): None; SSBs (1–2): 1 or 2 consumed; SSBs (3): 3 consumed]. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine health behaviors that affected SSBs consumption. RESULTS: Increased SSBs intake was significantly correlated with current smoking (OR=2.4, 95% CI=1.82–3.17), current drinking (OR=2.13, 95% CI=1.82–2.51), sedentary time increase (OR=1.31, 95% CI=1.15–1.49), three days or more physical activity per week (OR=1.12, 95% CI=1.02–1.24), < 8 hours sleep (OR=1.6, 95% CI=1.43–1.78), increased internet usage time (OR=1.44, 95% CI=1.25–1.65). CONCLUSIONS: Sugar-sweetened beverages intake by Korean adolescents was associated with health behaviors such as smoking, drinking, sedentary time increase, more physical activity, poor sleeping time, and increased internet use time. Based on these results, it is necessary to recognize the influence of SSBs intake and to intervene to reduce consumption of SSBs.
Adolescent ; Beverages ; Drinking ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Internet ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Motor Activity ; Risk-Taking ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to measure the intake rate of SSBs (sugar sweetened beverages) and examine the relationship between health behavior factors and SSBs intake by adolescents. METHODS: This study used data from the 2016 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, which included 65,528 study participants. SSBs intake frequency was measured by asking respondents if they consumed soda, high-caffeinated beverages, and sugary drinks during the previous week. Type of intake was categorized into three groups according to the number of consumed drinks [SSBs (0): None; SSBs (1–2): 1 or 2 consumed; SSBs (3): 3 consumed]. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine health behaviors that affected SSBs consumption. RESULTS: Increased SSBs intake was significantly correlated with current smoking (OR=2.4, 95% CI=1.82–3.17), current drinking (OR=2.13, 95% CI=1.82–2.51), sedentary time increase (OR=1.31, 95% CI=1.15–1.49), three days or more physical activity per week (OR=1.12, 95% CI=1.02–1.24), < 8 hours sleep (OR=1.6, 95% CI=1.43–1.78), increased internet usage time (OR=1.44, 95% CI=1.25–1.65). CONCLUSIONS: Sugar-sweetened beverages intake by Korean adolescents was associated with health behaviors such as smoking, drinking, sedentary time increase, more physical activity, poor sleeping time, and increased internet use time. Based on these results, it is necessary to recognize the influence of SSBs intake and to intervene to reduce consumption of SSBs.
Adolescent ; Beverages ; Drinking ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Internet ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Motor Activity ; Risk-Taking ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVES: We identified factors associated with any participation and with "good participation" (as assessed by frequency of attendance) in health promotion programs at a public health center in Korea. METHODS: The subjects included 199 women who attended a baseline examination of health promotion programs during the first half of 2009. We collected data by structured interviews and physical examinations. Participation status was quantified by the frequency of attendance to the program. We classified the subjects as non-participants (0) and participants (1+ times), and as poor participants (0-29 times) and good participants (30+ times). RESULTS: Of the 199 subjects, there were 57 (28.6%) non-participants, while 56 (28.1%) were classified as good participants. The factors that significantly affected participation status, as identified by univariate analysis, were personal factors (age, educational level, marital status, religion, living with someone, monthly income), environmental factors (method of access, accessibility of other facilities), body mass index, hypertension, perceived barriers to health, emotional salience, affectionate domain of social support, and depression. Multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that method of access was the most significant factor affecting participation in the health promotion program, and that the factors most highly associated with good participation were emotional salience, hypertension and body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that specific factors determine and enhance participation in health promotion programs offered by public health centers. These factors should be considered during the design and evaluation of health promotion programs that are offered by public health centers.
Body Mass Index ; Depression ; Female ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Marital Status ; Physical Examination ; Public Health

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to identify the relations between the old's participation in voluntary service activities and health-related quality of life. METHODS: The subjects of the study were 318 elderly people aged over 65 years. They were interviewed with the use of a questionnaire from May 1 to June 30, 2012 to collect data. To verify the data collected, this study carried out a linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The health-related quality of life of the elderly who were participating in voluntary service activities was statistically significantly higher than that of those who were not. CONCLUSIONS: This study has meaning in that it discovered that the elderly people's participation in voluntary service activities had a positive effect on their health-related quality of life.
Aged* ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Quality of Life*

In this study, we distinguished urban and rural areas in Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, grasped the characteristics of those areas, and investigated the depression-related factors in Naju-si based on this. This study used Community Health Survey data from 2017 to 2019. To investigate the factors affecting the depression in Naju-si local residents, the odds ratio was calculated using a complex sample logistic regression model. As a result of confirming the factors affecting the prevalence of depression in Naju-si residents, the risk of depression was significantly higher at 1.59 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–2.50) for women, 2.14 (95% CI, 1.20–3.83) for recipients of basic livelihoods, 2.35 (95% CI, 1.46–3.79) for those who did not practice walking, and 2.00 (95% CI, 1.23–3.26) for those who slept less than 5 hours. It is necessary to select high-risk groups as a regional-specific project to resolve the mental health disparities in Naju-si and to intervene in early depression prevention through support for mental health support services.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccinations on deaths of the COVID-19 cases in some elderly long-term care facilities (LTCF) in Gwangju Metropolitan City. Methods: The study subjects were 659 COVID-19 cases in residents of 7 elderly LTCF, Gwangju, from 21 Dec. 2021 to 28 Jan. 2022. The used variables were confirmed dates for COVID-19, demographic characteristics, co-morbidities, presentation of symptoms, death and vaccination related characteristics including type of vaccine, doses and dates. Vaccination status were classified as not vaccinated, partially and fully vaccinated. The associations of vaccination status and deaths of COVID-19 cases were tested by chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The rates of not vaccinated, partially vaccinated and fully vaccinated were 19.4%, 10.2% and 70.4%, respectively. The mortality rate of the cases was 6.4%.The death rate by vaccination status was 16.4% in not vaccinated, 15.4% in partially vaccinated and 2.6% in fully vaccinated, showing a statistically significant difference. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals, CIs) of death compared to fully vaccinated were 7.64 (3.87-16.34) in non-vaccinated, and 6.97 (3.44-14.14) in partially vaccinated. Conclusions COVID-19 vaccination seems to work effectively in preventing deaths of COVID-19 cases of elderly LTCF residents. This finding support that fully vaccinations in high risk group such as elderly LTCF residents is very important for one of strategies of COVID-19 management.