BACKGROUND: We aimed to examine the cross-sectional association between occupational class and self-reported low back pain (LBP) in a representative sample of the Japanese general population. METHODS: We used anonymized data from a nationwide survey (31,443 men and 35,870 women aged ≥ 20). Occupational class variables included working status, occupation, employment status, and company size (number of employees). Covariates included age, socio-economic status, lifestyle, and comorbidities. Poisson regression models stratified by gender were used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for self-reported LBP. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-reported LBP was 11.7% in men and 14.2% in women. After adjustment for covariates and mutual adjustment for all occupational class variables, among both genders, agricultural/forestry/fishery workers and non-workers had a significantly higher prevalence of self-reported LBP: APR (95% CI) of agricultural/forestry/fishery was 1.36 (1.08-1.70) in men and 1.59 (1.30-1.93) in women; that of non-workers was 1.42 (1.18-1.70) in men and 1.23 (1.08-1.40) in women. Among men, non-regular employees were more likely to have self-reported LBP than regular employees: APR (95% CI) was 1.25 (1.07-1.46) in part-timers and casual staff and 1.18 (1.03-1.35) in other types of non-regular employees. Moreover, compared to men working at companies with ≥ 100 employees, men working at companies with 30-99 employees had a significantly higher prevalence of self-reported LBP (APR 1.17; 95% CI, 1.03-1.34). Among women, professionals and technicians (1.26; 1.11-1.43) and sales workers (1.22; 1.04-1.43) had a significantly higher prevalence of self-reported LBP than clerks. Neither employment status nor company size was associated with self-reported LBP in women. After stratified analyses by age group, similar patterns were observed in participants aged 20-64, but not in those aged ≥ 65. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that self-reported LBP is highly prevalent among agricultural/forestry/fishery workers and the unemployed, regardless of gender, and that there are also gender differences in the association of occupational class factors with self-reported LBP. It is necessary, therefore, to take preventive measures against LBP based on gender and occupational class factors in Japan.
Adult ; Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Employment/statistics & numerical data* ; Female ; Humans ; Japan/epidemiology* ; Low Back Pain/epidemiology* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases/epidemiology* ; Occupations/statistics & numerical data* ; Prevalence ; Self Report ; Sex Distribution

BACKGROUND: The number of patients with depressive symptoms worldwide is increasing steadily, and the prevalence of depression among caregivers is high. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the effects of individuals' caregiving status with respect to their family members requiring activities of daily living (ADLs) assistance on depressive symptoms among those aged 45 or over. METHODS: Data were collected from the 2006-2016 using the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging surveys. Participants were categorized into three groups based on their caregiving status with respect to family members requiring ADL assistance: whether they provided the assistance themselves, whether the assistance was provided by other caregivers, or whether no assistance was required. We analyzed the generalized estimating equation model and subgroups. RESULTS: A total of 3744 men and 4386 women were included for the analysis. Men who cared for family members requiring ADL assistance had higher depressive symptoms than those with family members who did not require ADL assistance. Among women, participants who had family members requiring ADL assistance that they themselves or others were providing had higher depressive symptoms than those without family members requiring ADL assistance. Subgroup analysis was conducted based on age, job status, regular physical activities, participation status in social activities, and the number of cohabiting generations. CONCLUSIONS The study results indicated higher depressive symptoms among those with family members requiring ADL assistance and those who care for such family members themselves. This suggests that an alternative to family caregiving is necessary, especially for the elderly, regardless of caregiver sex.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Caregivers ; psychology ; statistics & numerical data ; Depression ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Employment ; statistics & numerical data ; Family ; Female ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Republic of Korea ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate influences on employment preparation in dental hygiene students. METHODS: A self-reported questionnaire was completed by 386 dental hygiene students in South Korea from November 1 to 30, 2016. For data analysis, the study used independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis, and regression analysis among others. RESULTS: Students with higher grades tended to have major satisfaction, instruction participation, and employment preparation (P < 0.001). Higher parental monthly income was related to higher major satisfaction (P < 0.001). Employment preparation was significantly positively related to major selection motive, major satisfaction, and instruction participation. CONCLUSIONS: In order to encourage dental hygiene students to prepare for employment, it is necessary to create a better academic environment and develop a variety of employment preparation education programs. I think that the active interest of the country, society, school, and family will have a positive impact on employment preparation.
Education ; Employment ; Humans ; Korea ; Oral Hygiene ; Parents ; Statistics as Topic

PURPOSE: To determine effects of job-seeking stress on perimenstrual symptoms of female college students with health and non-health related majors and mediating effects of stress coping styles. METHODS: Data were collected from 189 female college students who were juniors or seniors. This study was conducted using questionnaires on job-seeking stress, perimenstrual symptoms, and stress coping styles. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis using SPSS, version 23.0. Mediation analysis was performed according to the Baron and Kenny method and Sobel test. RESULTS: Job-seeking stress was significantly and positively correlated with perimenstrual symptoms in non-health college students. Passive stress coping styles demonstrated a complete mediating effect on the relationship between job-seeking stress and perimenstrual symptoms of those with non-health related majors (β=0.31, p=.002). Such effect was significant (Sobel test; Z=2.06, p=.039). CONCLUSION: Effects of job-seeking stress on perimenstrual symptoms were mediated by passive stress coping styles of non-health related major students. Based on findings of this study, effective stress cope strategies should be developed considering characteristics of majors to manage perimenstrual symptoms of female college students with high job-seeking stress.
Employment ; Female* ; Humans ; Menstruation ; Methods ; Negotiating* ; Statistics as Topic ; Stress, Psychological

OBJECTIVES: Menopause can have psychological, physical, and vasomotor symptoms along with sexual dysfunction and these symptoms can affect the quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this research was to determine and association the effective factors on QOL among postmenopausal Iranian women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015 on 300 postmenopausal women in Hamadan, Iran. We used the Menopause-Specific QOL questionnaire (MENQOL) for measuring QOL in postmenopausal women. SPSS version 16 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The mean scores of QOL for vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, and sexual domains were 11.65 ± 5.93, 19.36 ± 1.20, 39.12 ± 1.95 and 11.02 ± 5.66, respectively. Higher scores had worse QOL. Using MENQOL scores, our study showed significant differences in QOL based on age, education level, financial status, number of children, employment, and body mass index (BMI). CONCLUSION: Menopause causes a decrease in QOL, which is dependent to age, work, BMI, financial status and number of children variables. Therefore, it is necessary to develop effective intervention programs to improve QOL in postmenopausal women.
Body Mass Index ; Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Education ; Employment ; Female ; Humans ; Iran* ; Menopause ; Quality of Life* ; Statistics as Topic

INTRODUCTIONThe current study aimed to establish the prevalence of internet gaming disorder (IGD) and its association with demographic characteristics, game genre, game use (time spent on gaming), as well as psychological distress, social phobia and well-being among current online gamers in Singapore.

MATERIALS AND METHODSA total of 1251 participants aged 13 to 40 years completed the study which was administered as a web survey. The online questionnaire was designed using QuestionPro, and consisted of 8 sections and 105 questions. The 9-item Internet Gaming Disorder Questionnaire was used to establish the prevalence of IGD in the study. A series of logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between IGD, demographic characteristics and game genre, as well as IGD and psychological distress, social phobia and well-being.

RESULTSThe prevalence of IGD established using a cutoff of 5 among those who were current online gamers was 17.7%. Multiple logistic regressions revealed that those meeting criteria of IGD were more likely to be older, reported an earlier age of onset of playing online games, had primary and secondary education versus tertiary education, were currently students versus being currently employed and played massively multiplayer online role-playing games. Distress and social anxiety were higher while satisfaction with life was significantly lower among those who met criteria for IGD than those who did not meet the criteria.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of IGD and its negative consequences in our sample of current online gamers was significant and point towards the need for further clinical studies and innovative interventions to address the problem.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Behavior, Addictive ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Educational Status ; Employment ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Internet ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Personal Satisfaction ; Phobia, Social ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Prevalence ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Stress, Psychological ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Students ; statistics & numerical data ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Video Games ; Young Adult

The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of hypertension and identify its contributory factors in the labor force population in Karamay. A total of 2819 adults (55.9% male adults) were interviewed and examined. The overall crude prevalence of hypertension was 32.4%. Among 914 hypertensive patients, 34.8% were aware of their diagnosis, 22.1% received treatment, and 5.6% achieved blood pressure control. Hypertension was significantly correlated with age, overweight/obesity, central obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia in both men and women. In addition, less education, alcohol consumption, and less walking were risk factors for men. Effective hypertension prevention and control programs are urgently needed to decrease the burden of hypertension in this region.
Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Employment ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to examine the factors associated with initiation and continuation of breastfeeding among Korean women in relation to their employment status. METHODS: Data were collected using a web-based self-administered questionnaire from 1,031 Korean mothers living in Seoul with babies younger than 24 months. Demographic characteristics, education on breastfeeding, rooming in, breastfeeding during hospital stay, and breastfeeding knowledge were examined. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with initiation and continuation at 1, 6 and 12 months according to mothers' employment status. RESULTS: Breastfeeding initiation rates were similar regardless of mothers' employment status. Continuation rates decreased for both groups of mothers, but were significantly lower among employed mothers at all duration points. Unemployed mothers who were able to keep their babies in the same room during the hospital stay were more likely to initiate breastfeeding. The factor that was consistently associated with breastfeeding continuation for all duration points among unemployed mothers was whether the mother breastfed during the hospital stay. Higher knowledge scores and having an infant with atopic dermatitis were also associated with breastfeeding continuation at 6 months and 12 months, respectively for unemployed mothers, and receiving education on breastfeeding was associated with 12-month continuation for employed mothers. CONCLUSION: These results emphasize the significant roles of hospitals for breastfeeding initiation and continuation, with rooming-in, initial breastfeeding practice and education during hospital stay as important practices. In addition, for working mothers to continue their breastfeeding, significant support from the workplace is crucial.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Breast Feeding/*statistics & numerical data ; Dermatitis, Atopic/pathology ; *Employment ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Internet ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Mothers/psychology ; Odds Ratio ; Republic of Korea ; Social Support ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Workplace

We aimed to estimate the effects of various risk factors on hearing level in Korean adults, using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We examined data from 13,369 participants collected between 2009 and 2011. Average hearing thresholds at low (0.5, 1, and 2 kHz) and high frequencies (3, 4, and 6 kHz), were investigated in accordance with various known risk factors via multiple regression analysis featuring complex sampling. We additionally evaluated data from 4,810 participants who completed a questionnaire concerned with different types of noise exposure. Low body mass index, absence of hyperlipidemia, history of diabetes mellitus, low incomes, low educational status, and smoking were associated with elevated low frequency hearing thresholds. In addition, male sex, low body mass index, absence of hyperlipidemia, low income, low educational status, smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption were associated with elevated high frequency hearing thresholds. Participants with a history of earphone use in noisy circumstances demonstrated hearing thresholds which were 1.024 dB (95% CI: 0.176 to 1.871; P = 0.018) higher, at low-frequencies, compared to participants without a history of earphone use. Our study suggests that low BMI, absence of hyperlipidemia, low household income, and low educational status are related with hearing loss in Korean adults. Male sex, smoking, and heavy alcohol use are related with high frequency hearing loss. A history of earphone use in noisy circumstances is also related with hearing loss.
Adult ; Alcohol Drinking/*epidemiology ; Causality ; Comorbidity ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Disease Susceptibility ; Educational Status ; Employment/statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Hearing Loss/*diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Hearing Tests/statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Income/statistics & numerical data ; Male ; *Noise ; Occupational Exposure/*statistics & numerical data ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Sex Distribution ; Smoking/*epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Employment ; Employment, Supported ; methods ; Humans ; Mental Disorders ; epidemiology ; rehabilitation ; Prejudice ; Rehabilitation, Vocational ; methods ; Return to Work ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Social Stigma ; Unemployment ; statistics & numerical data