Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health

Original Articles

Assessing COVID-19 Vulnerability Among HIV-positive Men Who Have Sex With Men in Korea: The Role of Vaccination and Sexual Behaviors: Minsoo Jung; J Prev Med Public Health. 2024;57(4):370-378. Published online June 24, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.24.196

1,750 View
179 Download

Abstract Summary PDF: Objectives
Comorbidities increase susceptibility to severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, but limited information has been published regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and COVID-19 co-infections. This study explored the relationships among socioeconomic characteristics, sexual behaviors, and COVID-19 infection rates among Korean men who have sex with men (MSM) who are also living with HIV.
Methods
Data were collected through a web survey aimed at members of the largest gay portal site in Korea, supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (n=1005). The primary independent variables included COVID-19-related vaccinations and sexual behaviors. The dependent variable was the incidence of COVID-19 infection among respondents during the pandemic. For statistical analysis, hierarchical multiple logistic regression was performed, controlling for potential confounding variables.
Results
Model I indicated that older MSM were less likely to contract COVID-19 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96 to 0.99). Model II demonstrated that HIV-positive MSM were nearly twice as likely to be infected with COVID-19 compared to their HIV-negative counterparts (aOR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.14 to 3.41). Furthermore, even after accounting for COVID-19 vaccination status in model III, HIV-positive MSM continued to show a higher risk of infection (aOR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.12 to 3.35).
Conclusions
The findings of this study indicate that HIV-positive MSM are at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19, even when their vaccination status is considered. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize the prevention of COVID-19 infections in HIV-positive individuals by administering appropriate antiretroviral therapy and ensuring adherence to public health guidelines.; Summary

Korean summary
이 연구는 한국의 HIV 양성인 남성 동성애자(MSM)가 코로나-19 백신접종을 했어도 HIV 음성인 MSM에 비하여 COVID-19에 감염될 위험이 더 높다는 것을 보여주었다. 이러한 결과는 항레트로바이러스 요법의 준수나 촉진과 더불어 이들 취약 계층을 위한 COVID-19 예방조치 강화와 맞춤형 공중보건 전략의 필요성을 강조한다.

Key Message
This study found that HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in Korea are at a heightened risk of contracting COVID-19 compared to HIV-negative individuals, even when vaccination status is accounted for. This finding underscore the necessity of targeted public health strategies, including the promotion of adherence to antiretroviral therapy and the reinforcement of COVID-19 prevention measures for this vulnerable population.

Determinant Factors of Mortality in Pre-elderly and Elderly Patients With COVID-19 in Jakarta, Indonesia: Thresya Febrianti, Ngabila Salama, Inggariwati , Dwi Oktavia; J Prev Med Public Health. 2023;56(3):231-237. Published online May 31, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.23.008

2,384 View
149 Download
1 Web of Science
1 Crossref

Objectives
This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality in pre-elderly and elderly individuals in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Methods
We employed a case-control study design, utilizing secondary data from the Epidemiology Surveillance, Immunization Prevention, and Disease Control Sections of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Health Office, collected from December 2020 to January 2021. The study included 188 cases and an equal number of controls. Cases were COVID-19 patients confirmed to have died, as reported by hospitals and communities and subsequently verified by healthcare workers. Control subjects were patients who completed a 14-day isolation period and had been officially declared recovered by healthcare professionals. The dependent variable was the mortality of COVID-19 patients in the January 2021 period. The independent variables consisted of demographic data (age and sex), clinical symptoms (cough, runny nose, anosmia, diarrhea, headaches, abdominal pain, muscle pain, and nausea/vomiting), and comorbidities (hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes). Multivariate analysis was conducted using multiple logistic regression.
Results
The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed several factors associated with COVID-19 fatalities in Jakarta: age of 60 years or older (odds ratio [OR], 4.84; 95% CI, 3.00 to 7.80), male (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 2.41 to 3.68), dyspnea (OR, 3.93; 95% CI, 2.04 to 7.55), anosmia (OR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.46), and heart disease (OR, 4.38; 95% CI, 1.04 to 18.46).
Conclusions
The control and prevention of COVID-19 among elderly individuals require particular vigilance. When a COVID-19 case is detected within this demographic, prompt treatment and medication administration are crucial to mitigate the presenting symptoms.

Summary

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Tuberculosis Coinfection among COVID-19 Patients: Clinical Presentation and Mortality in a Tertiary Lung Hospital in Indonesia
Heni Muflihah, Fajar A. Yulianto, Rina, Edi Sampurno, Astri Ferdiana, Santun B. Rahimah
The International Journal of Mycobacteriology.2024; 13(1): 58. CrossRef

Antenatal Care Services and Incidence of Low Birth Weight: A Comparison of Demographic and Health Surveys in 4 ASEAN Countries: Miftahul Arsyi, Besral Besral, Milla Herdayati, Revati Phalkey; J Prev Med Public Health. 2022;55(6):559-567. Published online November 13, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.22.316

4,336 View
194 Download
4 Web of Science
4 Crossref

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Objectives
This study aimed to assess the effect of complete coverage and content of available antenatal care (ANC) on the incidence of low birth weight (LBW) in 4 countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Methods
Measures of complete coverage and content of ANC services included the frequency of ANC visits and the seven service components (blood pressure measurement, iron supplementation, tetanus toxoid immunization, explanations of pregnancy complications, urine sample test, blood sample test, and weight measurement). The complete coverage and content of ANC services were assessed as high if more than 4 ANC visits and all seven components were delivered. Multivariable logistic regression with complex survey designs was conducted using Demographic Health Survey data from the 4 ASEAN countries in question from 2014 to 2017.
Results
The proportion of LBW infants was higher in the Philippines (13.8%) than in Indonesia (6.7%), Cambodia (6.7%), or Myanmar (7.5%). Poor ANC services were associated with a 1.30 times higher incidence of LBW than a high level of complete coverage and content of ANC services (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 to 1.52). In addition, the risk of LBW was higher in the Philippines than in other countries (aOR, 2.25; 95% CI, 2.01 to 2.51) after adjusting for mothers’ demographic/socioeconomic factors, health behaviors, and other factors.
Conclusions
In sum, complete coverage and content of ANC services were significantly associated with the incidence of LBW in Indonesia, Cambodia, and Myanmar. The Philippines did not show statistically significant results for this relationship, but had a higher risk of LBW with poor ANC.

Summary

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Synergistic associations of antenatal care visits and iron-folic acid supplementation with low birth weight: a pooled analysis of national surveys from six south Asian countries
Vishnu Khanal, Sangita Bista, Shiva Raj Mishra
BMC Public Health.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
The association of Chinese and American antenatal care utilization indices with birth outcomes
Haibo Zhou, Yi Yang, Peihan Chi, Haoyue Cheng, Xialidan Alifu, Yiwen Qiu, Ye Huang, Libi Zhang, Diliyaer Ainiwan, Yan Zhuang, Hui Liu, Zhi Chen, Yunxian Yu
Frontiers in Public Health.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Effect of the enhancing nutrition and antenatal infection treatment (ENAT) intervention on birth weight in Ethiopia: a cluster randomized controlled trial
Y Mekonnen, E Wolde, A Bekele, Z Mehari, S Abebe, T Hagos, Y Tadesse, T Taye, G Asire, T Nigatu, S Kumar, S Girma, M Salasibew
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Compliance with the World Health Organization’s 2016 prenatal care contact recommendation reduces the incidence rate of adverse birth outcomes among pregnant women in northern Ghana
Leticia Achangebe Akum, Eunice Amina Offei, Mary Rachael Kpordoxah, Daudi Yeboah, Abdul-Nasir Issah, Michael Boah, Sanjoy Kumer Dey
PLOS ONE.2023; 18(6): e0285621. CrossRef

A Cross-Sectional Study on gamma-GTP and its Related Factors in Male Workers.: Keon Yeop Kim, Sin Kam, Jong Hyun Lee, Young Ae Ha, Kyung Eun Lee; Korean J Prev Med. 2002;35(2):169-174.

65,535 View
82 Download

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVE
To investigate gamma-Glutamyltransferase (gamma-GTP) and its related factors in male industrial workers. METHOD: Five hundred and forty male workers without heart disease, diabetes mellitus, renal disease, hepatitis, and other liver diseases were surveyed in October 1998. Blood samples were collected to test for gamma-GTP, total-cholesterol and fasting blood glucose. A self-administered questionnaire survey on life style was also done. RESULTS: The total geometric mean value of gamma-GTP was 30.6 U/L. According to a univariate analysis: age, BMI(body mass index, kg/m2), alcohol consumption, current smoking, stress, diastolic blood pressure, and blood total cholesterol were significantly associated with gamma-GTP(p<0.05). From a multiple regression analysis: BMI, alcohol consumption, current smoking, diastolic blood pressure and total-cholesterol were significantly related to gamma-GTP(p<0.05). Coffee consumption was negatively related to gamma-GTP, but not significantly. CONCLUSION: We recommend that a change in health behavior (i.e. reducing alcohol intake, controlling BMI and not smoking) is necessary to decrease gamma-GTP in male workers.; Summary

Using Tobit Regression Analysis to Further Understand the Association of Youth Alcohol Problems with Depression and Parental Factors among Korean Adolescent Females.: Jorge Delva, Andrew Grogan Kaylor, Emily Steinhoff, Dong Eok Shin, Kristine Siefert; J Prev Med Public Health. 2007;40(2):145-149.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.2007.40.2.145

4,976 View
65 Download
7 Crossref

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This study characterized the extent to which youth depressive symptoms, parental alcohol problems, and parental drinking account for differences in alcoholrelated problems among a large sample of adolescent females. METHODS: The stratified sample consists of 2077 adolescent females from twelve female-only high schools located in a large metropolitan city in the Republic of Korea. Students completed a questionnaire about alcohol use nd alcohol problems, their parents' alcohol problems, and a number of risk and protective factors. Data were analyzed using tobit regression analyses to better characterize the associations among variables. RESULTS: Almost two-thirds of students who consume alcohol had experienced at least one to two alcohol-related problems in their lives and 54.6% reported at least one current symptom of depression, with nearly one-third reporting two depressive symptoms. Two-thirds of the students indicated that at least one parent had an alcoholrelated problem, and that approximately 29% had experie nced several problems. Results of tobit regression analyses indicate that youth alcohol-related problems are positively associated with depressive symptoms (p<0.01) and parent drinking problems (p<0.05). Parental drinking is no longer significant when the variable parental attention is added to the model. Decomposition of the tobit parameters shows that for every unit of increase in depressive symptoms and in parent drinking problems, the probability of a youth experiencing alcohol problems increases by 6% and 1%, respectively. For every unit of increase in parental attention, the probability of youth experiencing drinking problems decreases by 5%. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents evidence that alcoholrelated problems and depressive symptoms are highly prevalent among adolescent females. Although a comprehensive public health approach is needed to address drinking and mental health problems, different interventions are needed to target factors associated with initiation of alcohol problems and those associated with increased alcohol problems among those who already began experiencing such problems.

Summary

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Impact of the Friendly Schools whole‐school intervention on transition to secondary school and adolescent bullying behaviour
Donna Cross, Therese Shaw, Melanie Epstein, Natasha Pearce, Amy Barnes, Sharyn Burns, Stacey Waters, Leanne Lester, Kevin Runions
European Journal of Education.2018; 53(4): 495. CrossRef
Parenting and Youth Psychosocial Well- Being in South Korea using Fixed-Effects Models
Yoonsun Han, Andrew Grogan-Kaylor
Journal of Family Issues.2013; 34(5): 689. CrossRef
Alcohol and tobacco use among South Korean adolescents: An ecological review of the literature
Jun Sung Hong, Na Youn Lee, Andrew Grogan-Kaylor, Hui Huang
Children and Youth Services Review.2011; 33(7): 1120. CrossRef
Tobit Model for Outcome Variable Is Limited by Censoring in Nursing Research
Kuan-Chia Lin, Su-Fen Cheng
Nursing Research.2011; 60(5): 354. CrossRef
The Relationship of Weight‐Related Attitudes With Suicidal Behaviors in Korean Adolescents
Jun‐Su Kim, Kayoung Lee
Obesity.2010; 18(11): 2145. CrossRef
The Difficulty of Maintaining Positive Intervention Effects: A Look at Disruptive Behavior, Deviant Peer Relations, and Social Skills During the Middle School Years
John E. Lochman, Karen L. Bierman, John D. Coie, Kenneth A. Dodge, Mark T. Greenberg, Robert J. McMahon, Ellen E. Pinderhughes
The Journal of Early Adolescence.2010; 30(4): 593. CrossRef
Longitudinal tobit regression: A new approach to analyze outcome variables with floor or ceiling effects
Jos Twisk, Frank Rijmen
Journal of Clinical Epidemiology.2009; 62(9): 953. CrossRef

A Case-Control Study on the Relationship between Obesity and Female Colorectal Cancer.: Aesun Shin, Hachung Yoon, Keun Young Yoo; Korean J Prev Med. 2002;35(2):147-152.

2,500 View
72 Download

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
A hospital-based case-control study was conducted to evaluate the role of obesity in the development of colorectal cancer. METHODS: Three hundred and twenty four histologically confirmed female colorectal cancer cases and 26,998 non-cancer controls were selected from patients invited to the Aichi Cancer Center, Nagoya, Japan between 1989 and 1995. Information concerning demographic factors, medical history, family medical history, reproductive factors and dietary factors were obtained from self-administered questionnaires and medical records. The effects of weight and body mass index to colorectal cancer were examined using multiple logistic regression to control for other risk factors. RESULTS: There was no significant association between female colorectal cancer and obesity. Heavier weight adjusted for height or body mass index did not increase the risk of colorectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that there is no associa-tion between colorectal cancer risk and obesity in women.; Summary

Incidence of Female Breast Cancer in a Defined Area in Korea.: Keun Young Yoo, Sue Kyung Park, Joo Hon Sung, Dong Young Noh, Kuk Jin Choe; Korean J Prev Med. 1998;31(4):592-603.

2,176 View
22 Download

Abstract PDF: This study was conducted to estimate incidence rate of female breast cancer in a defined area of Chungchongbuk-do in Korea. The presumptive breast cancer cases were selected from two different sources, i.e., medical utilization database of the National Health Insurance Corporation and the database from the National Cancer Registry. Medical students visited each hospital where the presumptive cases had been treated as a breast cancer patient, and made a dictation of medical record of each patient based on the claims stored in the Insurance Corporation from January to December 1995. The diagnoses in the claims included one of the following diagnostic codes; ICD-9 174-175(malignant neoplasms of the breast), 233(carcinoma in situ of the breast and genito-urinary system)or ICD-10 C50(malignant neoplasms of the breast), D05(carcinoma in situ of the breast and genito-urinary system). Each case has been confirmed as having a breast cancer by a breast surgeon through a medical record review. Age-standardized incidence rate of female breast cancer to the Korean population was estimated to be 10.5(95%confidence interval : 8.1-12.9)per 100,000 persons in 1995. Age-standardized rate to the world population was 9.8 per 100,000 persons, and the truncated rate for ages 35-64 was 27.2 per 100,000 persons. Validity of these estimates is discussing in comparison with previous methods of incidence estimation in Korea.; Summary

Effect of Therapeutic Exercises on Shoulder Dysfunction in VDT-related female Office Workers.: Soon Seok Choi, Kui Won Jeong, Sang Hwa Urm, Soo Jin Jeong, Jong Tae Lee, Jin Ho Chun, Chae Un Lee, Ki Taek Pae; Korean J Prev Med. 1998;31(2):228-239.

2,317 View
23 Download

Abstract PDF: Visual display terminal(VDT) is popular in majority of office in modern countries. Musculoskeletal pain due to repetitive work with VDT is a serious industrial accident at present. In recent studies, shoulder pain in VDT users is the most common problem in Korea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of exercises on shoulder dysfunction in VDT-related female office workers. Of the l19 patients with shoulder dysfunction, 32 patients entered into the study. 16 patients(Group I) were not prescribed exercises, other 16 patients (Group II) performed throughout the specific shoulder exercises such as pendular exercises(forward, backward and circumduction) and sidelying external rotation exercises with weights. After 3 months of exercises, the two groups were compared in term of the pain rating scale, disability questionnaire score and range of motion score. The results were summarized as follows ; l. The pain rating scale in Group I before and after 3 months were not differenced significantly(p value=0.784) and in Group II, the scale before and after exercises were differenced significantly(p value=0.0005). 2. The disability, questionnaire scores in Group I before and after 3 months were not differenced significantly(p value=0.437) and in Group II, the scores before and after exercises were differenced significantly(p value=0.0002). 3. The ROM scores of the affected shoulder in Group I before and after 3 months were not differenced significantly(p value=0.876) and in Group II, the scores before and after exercises were differenced significantly(p value=0.0017). In conclusion, that the specific shoulder exercises on shoulder dysfunction in VDT-related female office workers are encouraged.; Summary

Drug Abuse Status and Its Determinants of Male High School Students in Taegu.: Jung Rak Nam, Sin Kam, Jae Yong Park, Chang Hyun Han, Young Ae Ha; Korean J Prev Med. 1996;29(3):451-470.

2,361 View
22 Download

Abstract PDF: To identify the drug abuse status and its determinant factors in high school boys in Taegu, the study was performed from April to May, 1995. Study population were selected by cluster sampling method and total 5,665 students replied to the self-administered questionnaire survey(2,207 in academic high school, 3,458 in business high school). The major findings were as follows; The proportion of drinking, smoking experience was 55.0%, 45.8%, respectively, and the proportion of current drinker, current smoker was 27.2%, 27.5%. The drinking, smoking experience rate of second grade students was higher than first grade and it was higher in business high school boys. The proportion of a stimulant, a hallucinogen, hemp leaf cigarets experience was 3.2%, 1.6%, 0.1%, respectively. Drug abuse had significant association with home environment(lower economic status, frequent move, death of father or mother, apart from family), parents environment(parents' indifference, parents' drinking and smoking, etc.), school life(lower school grades, intimate friend's drug abuse, etc.), generous attitude to drug abuse, higher level of stress. Students who replied that the law prohibited immature person(students) from drinking and smoking showed lower drug abuse rate. In multiple logistic regression analysis, second grade students, business high school students, parents' indifference, lower school grades, intimate friend's drug abuse, no recognition of the fact that the law prohibits high school students from drinking and smoking, generous attitude to drug abuse, higher level of stress were significantly related with alcohol abuse and smoking. Other drugs abuse were related with above factors. On consideration of above findings, to prevent students from drug abuse, we have to try together in house, school, and society.; Summary

The Relationship between Change in Obesity Indices and Change in Serum Lipids in Adult Male Workers.: Young Ae Ha, Byung Yeol Chun, Sin Kam, Sung Kook Lee, Min Hae Yeh; Korean J Prev Med. 1996;29(3):439-450.

1,914 View
20 Download

Abstract PDF: This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between change in obesity indices and change in serum lipids in adult male workers. Two-hundred-eight adult male workers of an industry in Taegu city were followed-up from 1991 to 1995. Height, weight, circumferences of hip and waist, blood pressure were measured and serum lipids were analysed. Data on life style were obtained using self-administered questionnaires. Mean differences of anthropometric measurements between 1991 and 1995 were as follows; 1.63kg in weight, 3.61cm in waist circumferences, 4.23cm in hip circumferences, 0.52kg/m2 in BMI and -0.021 in WHR. Those of lipids were as follows; 15.09mg/dl in total cholesterol, 20.43mg/dl in triglyceride, 9.40mg/dl in HDL-cholesterol, 2.87 in MI-index(p<0.01) and 350mg/dl in LDL-cholesterol. The changed value of BMI and Katsura index were strongly correlated with that of total cholesterol(r=0.174, p<0.05), the changed value of BMI correlated with that of triglyceride(r=0.374, p<0.01) and the changed value of weight correlated with that of MI index(r=-0.173, p<0.05). The changed value of WHR was significantly correlated with that of total cholesterol(r=0.162, p<0.05), however, was not significantly correlated with HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and MI index. The changed value of weight, BMI and Katsura index were correlated with that of triglyceride(r=0.262, p<0.01; r=0.267, p<0.01; r=0.258, p<0.01) and the changed value of MI index(r=-0.143, p<0.05; r=-0.158; r=-0.144, p<0.01), adjusting the pattern of change in life style. The changed values of HDL-cholesterol and MI index between 1991 and 1995 in low WHR group were significantly higher than those in high WHR group(p<0.05, p<0.01), adjusting the baseline value of them. Similar pattern was observed when considering Katsura index. When stratifying by BMI value of 1991, in low BMI group, the changed value of HDL-cholesterol and MI index showed the same pattern as above, however the of triglyceride was statistically higher in obese group than in non obese group(p<0.05). In conclusion BMI might be a better indicator to predict serum lipids change than other obesity indices.; Summary

A Survey on Health Behavior of Male Workers in Steel Industry.: Eun Hee Ha, Hyun Sul Lim, Cha Hyung Wie, Jung Ok Kwak; Korean J Prev Med. 1996;29(1):113-132.

2,080 View
20 Download

Abstract PDF: This study was carried out to evaluate the relations among workers' general characteristics, work-related behaviors and health related behaviors in a steel industry with 1,134 workers in Pohang. The results were as follows; 1. The mean age of workers was 50 years old and working duration was 15 years and over. Most of them were married(94 5%) and had studied beyond high school (53.0%). They performed three shift work and most of them(63.0%) had experienced industrial accidents. The frequency of noise and dust exposure was defined by a minimum of 6 hours per day, and workers complained about noise exposure(62.9%) and dust(55.6%). There were current smokers(67.7%), current drinkers(74.3%) and current exercising workers(32.3%) in the industry. The number of cigarette consumption in current drinkers was significantly high (13.6 +/- 8.4 pieces/day) and the alcohol consumption in current smokers was significantly high(l04.5 +/- 113.5 g/wk). And the number of cigarette consumption of exercisers was significantly low and the alcohol consumption of exercisers was higher than non-exercisers. 3. The ratio of current smokers on frequent noise in exposed workers versus non-exposed workers was not significantly high but the current drinkers in frequent noise and dust exposed workers was significantly higher than non--exposed. 4. The normal levels of SGOT workers in non-smokers were significantly higher than in current smokers, and the abnormal levels of LFT(SGOT, SGPT, gamma-GTP workers in nondrinkers were significantly high. The normal levels of SBP and DBP workers in current smokers were not significantly high but were significantly high in non-drinkers. 5. The ratio of current smokers in workers unsatisfied with their job and working condition was higher than non-smokers, but the ratio of current drinkers in workers satisfied with their job and working condition were higher. 6. The significant factors for SGOT and gamma-GTP were age, the drinking amount and BMI. But the only significant factor for r-GTP was BMI. The significant factors for DBP were age, the alcohol consumption and BMI And the significant factors for SBP were age, BMI.; Summary

Performance Ranges of the Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery among Female Workers Occupationally Not Exposed to Neurotoxic Agents in Manufacturing Industries.: Kyung Jae Lee, Se Hoon Lee, Hyoung Ah Kim, Won Chul Lee, Seong Sil Chang, Chung Yill Park, Chee Kyung Chung; Korean J Prev Med. 1995;28(4):911-923.

2,320 View
55 Download

Abstract PDF: With increased use of neurotoxic agents in manufacturing industries, hazardous effects of neurotoxic agents pose significant problems in protecting health of workers who work in these industries. A normal range of neurobehavioral performance is required 10 study hazardous effects of neurotoxic agents among workers. However, such reference for Korean population is not available yet. The objective of this study is to estimate a normal range of neurobehuvioral test performance of female workers in Korea. Data for neurobehavioral test performance developed by the world Health organization were obtained from 165 female workers. Study Subjects, 140 production workers and 25 clerks, who voluntarily participated in this study were not occupationally exposed to neurotoxic agents. The mean age and the mean education years of them were 32 years and 10.9 years, respectively. Santa Ana dexterity, pursuit aiming, digit symbol, simple reaction time, and Benton visual retention tests among the Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery(NCTB) were included in the evaluation. Subjects were interviewed by a trained interviewer for their detailed occupational history. Mean(+/-SD) performance of the participants were: 45.7+/-7.1 and 41.9+/-6.4 in the Santa Ana dexterity test of the preferred and non-preferred hands; 191.9+/-38.6 in correct dot of the pursuit aiming test; 57.7+/-16.0 in the digit symbol test; 274.8+/-44.6 msec in the mean simple reaction time and 70.5+/-69.0 msec in the mean standard deviation of it; and 7.8+/-1.7 in the Benton visual retention test. Most neurobehavioral performance scores were correlated significantly with age and educational level. Educational level was found to be a significant independent variable which was associated with all test scores. Age was significantly associated with scores of pursuit aiming and digit symbol tests.; Summary

A Study on the Manganese Exposure and Health Hazard among Manganese Manufacturing Woman Workers.: Hyun Sul Lim, Ji Yong Kim, Hae Kwan Cheong, Hoe Kyung Cheong; Korean J Prev Med. 1995;28(2):406-420.

1,968 View
18 Download

Abstract PDF: No abstract available.; Summary

Health risks related to shift work among female workers of major manufacturing industries in Korea.: Euichul Shin, Kwang Ho Meng; Korean J Prev Med. 1991;24(3):279-286.

2,133 View
23 Download

Abstract PDF: Much of the working population in developing countries are engaged in shift work now and the number of shift workers is not expected to decrease in the future mostly because the need for continuity of production is increasing. Therefore, the possible effects of shift work on health are of particular interest, and in fact, there have been many epidemiological studies on shift work since the first world war. However, no studies on health effects of shift work have been reported in Korea, and the existing studies in western world have arrived at quite different conclusions mainly because the conditions of work other than shift work, such as age and selection of workers, work environment, and labor conditions also influence the health of workers. This study was firstly carried out in Korea to investigate the health risks related to shift work with 2,093 female workers randomly selected from three major manufacturing industries in proportion to total number of female workers in those industries. Differences of work conditions other than shift work in this study were adjusted by multivariate analysis. Major findings obtained from this study are as follows: 1. There were significant differences between shift and day workers in the distribution of age, type of industry, condition of noise and dust, regularity of mealtime, working position, and working duration. Shift workers tended to be younger, to have shorter working duration, to have more irregular mealtime, to work in standing position, and to work under more noisy and dusty environment than day workers. 2. Univariate analysis showed that shift work increased the Todai Health Index (THI) scores of digestive tract, respiratory tract, and mental instability symptom categories. Shift work also increased days of sickness absence and number of industrial accident per 100 workers per month. 3. Multivariate analysis that adjusted the differences of demographic, occupational and non-occupational health-related working conditions showed that digestive tract symptoms and mental instability symptom scores were significantly higher in shift workers than those in day workers. Based on those study results, it is concluded that the shift work has significant effects on some psychophysiological conditions of the workers and the effects are also influenced by several other personal and working conditions.; Summary

English Abstract

Factors Affecting Re-smoking in Male Workers.: Jin Hoon Yang, Hee Sook Ha, Sin Kam, Ji Seun Lim, Yune Sik Kang, Duk Hee Lee, Byung Yeol Chun; J Prev Med Public Health. 2005;38(2):208-214.

2,549 View
49 Download

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
This study was performed to examine the factors affecting re-smoking in male workers. METHODS: A self-administrated questionnaire survey was conducted during April 2003 to examine the smoking state of 1, 154 employees of a company that launched a smoking cessation campaign in1998. Five hundred and eighty seven persons, who had stopped smoking for at least one week, were selected as the final study subjects. This study collected data on smoking cessation success or failure for 6 months, and looked at the factors having an effect on resmoking within this period. This study employed the Health Belief Model as its theoretical basis. RESULTS: The re-smoking rate of the 587 study subjects who had stopped smoking for at least one week was 44.8% within the 6 month period. In a simple analysis, the resmoking rates were higher in workers with a low age, on day and night shifts, blue collar, of a low rank, where this was their second attempt at smoking cessation and for those with a shorter job duration (p< 0.05). Of the cues to action variables in the Heath Belief Model, re-smoking was significantly related with the perceived susceptibility factor, economic advantages of smoking cessation among the perceived benefits factor, the degree of cessation trial's barrier of the perceived barriers factor, smoking symptom experience, recognition of the degree of harmfulness of environmental tobacco smoke and the existence of chronic disease due to smoking (p< 0.05). In the multiple logistic regression analysis for re-smoking, the significant variables were age, perceived susceptibility for disease, economic advantages due to smoking cessation, the perceived barrier for smoking cessation, recognition on the degree of harmfulness of environmental tobacco smoke, the existence of chronic disease due to smoking and the number of attempts at smoking cessation (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: From the result of this study, for an effective smoking ban policy within the work place, health education that improves the knowledge of the adverse health effects of smoking and the harmfulness of environmental tobacco smoke will be required, as well as counter plans to reduce the barriers for smoking cessation.; Summary

First
Prev
Page of 2
Next
Last

Search