Survey on Health behaviors, Work-related Health Problems, and Accidents of Live-line Workers / 한국직업건강간호학회지

Purpose@#The purpose of this study is to identify health behaviors, work-related health problems, and accidents of live-line workers. @*Methods@#The questionnaires were administered to 150 live-line workers in 150 workplaces.A total of 150 questionnaires were collected and 130 were used. Data were analyzed for frequency and percentage by SAS Version 9.3. @*Results@#In terms of eating habits, 62.3% were in the regular-group. Smoking status was 61.5% of smokers and drinking status was 87.7% in the drinking-group. Body mass index was 42.9% for obesity. Most of the workers had problems with sleep. Among the work-related health problems were 98.2% for “upper limb muscle pain”, 92.7% for “back pain”, and 97.2% for “body fatigue”. Among the work-related accidents were 91.7% for “cutting”, 88.4% for “excessive movement”, and 88.3% for “falling”. @*Conclusion@#Safety technology development and effective and efficient work equipment must be used to improve the safety and health of live-line workers. In addition, it is necessary to thoroughly supervise and provide active support for the risk factors and health management to the working environment of live-line workers.

Occupational Accident Compensation Insurance Coverage and Occupational Accidents for Special-type Delivery Workers

Purpose@#The purpose of this study is to analyze occupational accident compensation insurance coverage and occupational accidents incidence for special-type delivery workers. @*Methods@#The data for occupational accident compensation insurance coverage and occupational accidents from 2012 to 2017 were analyzed through descriptive statistics. @*Results@#Rates of occupational accident compensation insurance coverage of special-type delivery workers decreased gradually from 43.4% in 2012 to 28.5% in 2016, and 29.0% in 2017. Rates of occupational illnesses death per ten thousand workers increased gradually from 2.1‱ in 2013 to 3.1‱ in 2016, and 8.6‱ in 2017. All occupational illness deaths were due to cerebro-cardiovascular diseases. Road traffic accidents and slips accounted for the largest proportion of occupational accidents. @*Conclusion@#Special-type delivery workers have a high risk of industrial accidents, so it is necessary to raise industrial accident insurance coverage and provide professional and systematic occupational safety and health services.

Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Coverage and Industrial Accidents among Concrete Mixer Truck Drivers / 한국직업건강간호학회지

Purpose@#This study aimed to analyze industrial accident compensation insurance coverage and industrial accidents among concrete mixer truck drivers. @*Methods@#Original data on industrial accidents from 2012 to 2017 were analyzed through descriptive statistics. @*Results@#Industrial accident compensation insurance coverage was 44.6% in 2017. Most concrete mixer truck drivers were affiliated with small businesses. A total of 61 industrial accidents occurred in 2012, 65 in 2014, and 80 in 2017. The major types of industrial accident were falls, slips, and crushes. @*Conclusion@#Because concrete mixer truck drivers are at high risk for industrial accidents, industrial accident compensation insurance coverage and industrial accident prevention should be strongly enforced.

The Impacts of Workplace Discrimination and Violence on Depressive Symptoms among Korean Employees / 한국직업건강간호학회지

Purpose@#This study explored the association between workplace discrimination and violence and depressive symptoms among Korean employees. @*Methods@#Data were obtained from the 4th Korean Working Condition Survey of 2014, which included 21,902 Korean employees. Depressive symptoms were measured using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index questionnaire scales. @*Results@#A statistically significant relationship between workplace discrimination and workplace violence was found, and these two variables were also associated with depressive symptoms. After adjusting for variables such as sociodemographic characteristics, physical risk, and psychosocial working environment, workplace discrimination (OR=1.22, p<.001) and workplace violence (OR=1.69, p<.001) were both significantly associated with depressive symptoms. @*Conclusion@#This study indicates that to promote employees’ psychological health, systems and programs to prevent workplace discrimination and violence are needed. Development of these systems and programs should consider employees’ experiences of workplace discrimination and workplace violence, sociodemographic characteristics, physical risk, and psychosocial working environments.

The Impacts of Nurses' Working Environment on Health Problems / 한국직업건강간호학회지

Purpose@#The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of work environment on health problems of nurses. @*Methods@#The subjects of the study were 395 nurses who were wage workers among KWCS (Korean Working Conditions Survey) respondents in 2014. The work environments were measured by the KWCS questionnaire. @*Results@#48.5% of the 395 nurses had health problems. The prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases (34.7%) was the highest among all health problems. The ergonomic work environment was significantly related to musculoskeletal disorders, headache and eye strain, and fatigue. In addition, the increase in work-individual interface area was significantly related to fatigue. @*Conclusion@#The work environment of nurses affects health problems. It is therefore important to develop strategies that improve the health problems of nurses by reducing ergonomic and psycho-social risk factors.

Factors affecting the Health Problems of Concrete Mixer Truck Driver / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the level of health problems and the factors that affect health problems for concrete mixer truck divers. METHODS: The questionnaires were administered to 111 drivers in 6 Remicon workplaces located in D city and 7 Remicon workplaces located in K city from September 10 to 28, 2018. A total of 111 questionnaires were collected and 106 were used, excluding 5 incomplete ones. Data were analyzed with frequency, percentage, χ2 test, multiple logistic regression analysis by SPSS/WIN 23.0. RESULTS: The factors affecting subjective health were eating habits, sleeping hours and drinking conditions. The factors that affected chronic diseases were age, eating habits, sleep hours, and drinking conditions. The factors influencing musculoskeletal complaints were work experience, eating habits, and sleep hours. CONCLUSION: The major influencing factors of health problems were eating habits, sleeping hours. This study suggests that it is necessary to run a systematic health care program for the desirable health behaviors in the communities and industrial fields.

Factors affecting the Health Problems of Concrete Mixer Truck Driver / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE@#This study aimed to identify the level of health problems and the factors that affect health problems for concrete mixer truck divers.@*METHODS@#The questionnaires were administered to 111 drivers in 6 Remicon workplaces located in D city and 7 Remicon workplaces located in K city from September 10 to 28, 2018. A total of 111 questionnaires were collected and 106 were used, excluding 5 incomplete ones. Data were analyzed with frequency, percentage, χ2 test, multiple logistic regression analysis by SPSS/WIN 23.0.@*RESULTS@#The factors affecting subjective health were eating habits, sleeping hours and drinking conditions. The factors that affected chronic diseases were age, eating habits, sleep hours, and drinking conditions. The factors influencing musculoskeletal complaints were work experience, eating habits, and sleep hours.@*CONCLUSION@#The major influencing factors of health problems were eating habits, sleeping hours. This study suggests that it is necessary to run a systematic health care program for the desirable health behaviors in the communities and industrial fields.

Regional Factors on the Self-rated Health of Wage Workers

PURPOSE: This study attempted to identify regional disparities of self-rated health among Korean wage workers and to investigate the influencing factors on them. METHODS: The study subjects were 25,069 workers in 16 regions who were extracted from the 2014 Korean Working Condition Survey (KWCS). A multilevel analysis was conducted by building hierarchical data at individual and regional level. RESULTS: In this study, ‘financial autonomy rate’ and ‘current smoking rate’ were identified as regional factors influencing the workers' self-rated health. When the socio-demographic and occupational factors of the workers were controlled, ‘current smoking rate’, a health policy factor, explained the regional disparity of workers' health status. CONCLUSION: We found that the health status of workers can be affected by the health behavior level of the whole population in their residential area. In order to improve the health status of working population and to alleviate their regional health inequalities, it is necessary to strengthen macro and structural level interventions.

Occupational Accident Experience by Working Life Cycle of Korean Workers / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: In this study, we attempted to analyze the occupational accident experience rate by working life cycle of Korean workers considering entrance and turnover in their jobs. The specific goal of this study was to calculate the accident experience rate according to workers' turnover history and previous accident experience. METHODS: We constructed a cumulative data set of 90,338 cases of workers' accident experiences in their jobs from the Fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey. The accident experience rates according to workers' turnover and previous accident experiences were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. RESULTS: In this study, the cumulative accident experience rate of Korean workers was found to be 5.2%. It was confirmed that the accident experience rate of workers increased as the turnover frequencies increased. In addition, we analyzed only the data of the workers who had experienced turnover and found that the accident experience rate after turnover increased about 7.5 times when workers had experienced accidents in the past. CONCLUSION: To prevent occupational accidents in workers, safety strategies should consider a worker's previous job history and injury experiences. It will also be necessary to focus preventive efforts on new and young workers through ongoing monitoring and on-the-job training.

Occupational Accident Experience by Working Life Cycle of Korean Workers / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE@#In this study, we attempted to analyze the occupational accident experience rate by working life cycle of Korean workers considering entrance and turnover in their jobs. The specific goal of this study was to calculate the accident experience rate according to workers' turnover history and previous accident experience.@*METHODS@#We constructed a cumulative data set of 90,338 cases of workers' accident experiences in their jobs from the Fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey. The accident experience rates according to workers' turnover and previous accident experiences were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance.@*RESULTS@#In this study, the cumulative accident experience rate of Korean workers was found to be 5.2%. It was confirmed that the accident experience rate of workers increased as the turnover frequencies increased. In addition, we analyzed only the data of the workers who had experienced turnover and found that the accident experience rate after turnover increased about 7.5 times when workers had experienced accidents in the past.@*CONCLUSION@#To prevent occupational accidents in workers, safety strategies should consider a worker's previous job history and injury experiences. It will also be necessary to focus preventive efforts on new and young workers through ongoing monitoring and on-the-job training.

Presenteeism in Clinical Nurses: An Integrative Literature Review / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: This review aimed to integrate the results of studies related to presenteeism in clinical nurses and to suggest directions for future research. METHODS: The search for relevant studies was conducted using six data bases according to predetermined index terms, “nurs*” and “presenteeism.” Thirteen studies that met the inclusion criteria were selected and analyzed. RESULTS: This review found that the conceptual use and scope of presenteeism were not consistent among the studies. Most studies investigated the nurses' health-related variables as the most important factors and reported their positive association with presenteeism. Presenteeism was also found to be associated with job stress, job satisfaction, social support, and organizational culture and had a negative impact on nursing outcomes such as patient safety. CONCLUSION: The research on presenteeism can be used as a way to explain outcomes in the field of nursing where direct measurement of productivity is difficult. Presenteeism is a multidimensional problem, and a theoretical foundation is needed to explain the presenteeism of clinical nurses.

The Impacts of Psychosocial Work Environments on Depressive Symptoms among Korean Registered Nurses / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the association between psychosocial work environments and depressive symptoms among Korean registered nurses. METHODS: The study population of 331 registered nurses was derived from the 2014 Korean Working Condition Survey (KWCS). Depressive symptom was assessed using the WHO-5 wellbeing index. RESULTS: The thirty-five percentage of Korean registered nurses reported the risk for depressive symptom. Korean nurses with higher ‘work-family conflict’ were more likely at the risk of depression almost 1.83 (95% CI 1.04~3.20) times than their counterpart. Higher ‘possibilities for development’ were more likely decrease almost 60% of the risk of depressive symptom. CONCLUSION: Work-family conflict and possibility of development were associated with depressive symptom among Korean registered nurses. We suggest future researches identifying strategies for decreasing work-family conflict and its negative effects.

The Impact of Job Stress on the Patient Safety Nursing Activity among Nurses in Small-Medium Sized General Hospitals / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to examine the impact of job stress on the patient safety nursing activities among nurses. METHODS: The subjects of the study are 258 nurses working at 15 small-medium sized hospitals in D city. Data analysis was done using frequency, percentage, average and standard deviation, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: The job stress scored average 3.67 and patient safety nursing activity scored average 4.35. Job stress was positively associated with patient safety nursing activity. It explains 9.49% of the variance. CONCLUSION: Universal and inevitable job stress among nurses should not exceed optimum level to assure patient safety. So, personal and organizational efforts to manage job stress are needed.

The Association between Psychosocial Work Environment and Depressive Symptoms among Korean Teachers

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the association between psychosocial work environment and depressive symptoms among Korean teachers. METHODS: Data on 235 elementary school teachers and 341 middle and high school teachers was obtained from the 2014 Korean Working Condition Survey. The effect of psychosocial work environment on depressive symptoms was determined by multiple logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 18 % in elementary school teachers and 24 % in middle and high school teachers. When adjusted for demographics and other socio-psychological and environmental factors, ‘social community at work’ served as a protection factor for Korean teachers' depressive symptoms. In addition, ‘cognitive demands’ in elementary school teachers and ‘social support from supervisors’ in middle and high school teachers were found to be predictors of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Interventions to increase ‘social community at work’ and ‘social support from supervisors’, and to decrease ‘cognitive demands’ may be helpful for Korean teachers at risk of depression.

Smartphone Addiction and Depression: The Mediating Effects of Self-esteem and Resilience among Middle School Students

PURPOSE: The aim of this research is to examine the moderating effects of self-esteem and resilience in the relationship between smartphone addiction and depression among middle school students. METHODS: Data were collected from 324 middle school students in D City during the period of July 1st-17th, 2015. Multiple regression analysis, the Baron & Kenny's mediation verification, and Sobel test were conducted to measure the mediating effects of self-esteem and resilience on depression. RESULTS: There were significant correlations among the variables; smartphone addiction, self-esteem, resilience, and depression. Self-esteem had a complete mediating effect(β=-.40, p<.001) in the relationship between smartphone addiction and depression(Sobel test: Z=4.68, p<.001). Resilience had a partial mediating effect(β=-.15, p<.001) in the relationship between smartphone addiction and depression(Sobel test: Z=2.40, p<.001). CONCLUSION: This study suggests to apply self-esteem and resilience in developing nursing intervention programs for adolescent depression caused by smartphone addiction.

Health Inequalities Among Korean Employees

BACKGROUND: Social status might be a determinant of occupational health inequalities. This study analyzed the effects of social status on both work environments and health outcomes. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 27,598 wage employees aged 15 years and older from among the Korean Working Condition Survey participants in 2011. Work environments included atypical work, physical risks, ergonomic risks, work demands, work autonomy, social supports, and job rewards. Health outcomes comprised general health, health and safety at risk because of work, the World Health Organization-5 Well-being Index, work-related musculoskeletal disease, and work-related injury. Multivariable logistic-regression models were used to identify the associations between social status and work environments and health outcomes. RESULTS: Employees in the demographically vulnerable group had lower occupational status compared with their counterparts. Low social status was largely related to adverse work environments. Especially, precarious employment and manual labor occupation were associated with both adverse work environments and poor health outcomes. CONCLUSION: Precarious and manual workers should take precedence in occupational health equity policies and interventions. Their cumulative vulnerability, which is connected to demographics, occupational status, adverse work environments, or poor health outcomes, can be improved through a multilevel approach such as labor market, organizations, and individual goals.

Structural Equation Modeling on Smoking Cessation Intention in Male Technical High School Students

PURPOSE: This study was done to develop and test a structural model on smoking cessation intention in technical high school men. The conceptual model was based on the theory of reasoned action and health promotion model. METHODS: From May 29 to April 13, 2015, 413 technical high school students who smoked completed a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed to calculate the direct and indirect effects of factors affecting smoking cessation intention. The SPSS WIN 20.0 and AMOS 21.0 programs were used. RESULTS: The hypothetical model was a good fit for the data. The model fit indices were χ²/df=2.36, GFI=.95, AGFI=.92, NFI=0.97, and RMSEA=.05. Self-esteem had direct and indirect effects on smoking cessation intention. Attitude, subjective norm, and self-efficacy had direct effects on smoking cessation intention. Smoking knowledge and environmental factor had indirect effects on smoking cessation intention. This model explained 87.0% of the variance in smoking cessation intention. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that technical high school students' intention to stop smoking can be improved through an increase in self-esteem, negative environmental factors, attitude toward smoking cessation, subjective norm about smoking cessation, and self-efficacy for smoking cessation.

Infection Control of Hospital Nurses: Cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The 2015 Korean Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreaks resulted in 186 cases, with 8% (15 persons) of these being nurses. This study aimed to examine MERS-CoV infection status of clinical nurses and to evaluate perception for infection control. METHODS: We investigated the MERS-CoV infection status of nurses using MERS-CoV press release data. We examined and analysed perception for Infection control of 121 nurses of the three MERS intensive therapeutic hospitals in July 2015. RESULTS: One to six nurses per hospital in total 8 health care facilities were infected with MERS-CoV. They mainly had short clinical careers and were unaware of infection possibility. The personal and organizational infection control levels that nurses perceive were low and the relationship between two levels was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: For promoting health protection and infectious disease management competency of nurses, it is necessary to prepare institutional system for controlling infectious disease.

The Prediction of Industrial Accident Rate in Korea: A Time Series Analysis / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to predict industrial accident rate using time series analysis. METHODS: The rates of industrial accident and occupational injury death were analyzed using industrial accident statistics analysis system of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency from 2001 to 2014. Time series analysis was done using the most recent data, such as raw materials of Economically Active Population Survey, Economic Statistics System of the Bank of Korea, and e-National indicators. The best-fit model with time series analysis to predict occupational injury was developed by identifying predictors when the value of Akaike Information Criteria was the lowest point. Variables into the model were selected through a series of expertises' consultations and literature review, which consisted of socioeconomic structure, labor force structure, working conditions, and occupational accidents. RESULTS: Indexes at the meso- and macro-levels predicting well occurrence of occupational accidents and occupational injury death were labor force participation rate for ages 45-49 and budget for small scaled work-place support. The rates of industrial accident and occupational injury death are expected to decline. CONCLUSION: For reducing industrial accident continuously, we call for safe employment policy of economically active middle aged adults and support for improving safety work environment of small sized workplace.

The Impacts of Psychosocial Work Conditions on Self-rated Health among Korean Workers / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: Few studies have considered the psychosocial work environment factors in relation to employee health. This study explored the relationship between psychosocial work characteristics and self-rated health among Korean employees. METHODS: The study population of 21,476 employees was derived from the 2014 Korean Work Environment Survey (KWES). Psychosocial work environment was measured by Copenhagen psychosocial questionnaire scales. RESULTS: Among employees at workplaces (n=21,476), 23.3% rated their health as poor. Among 12 indicators of psychosocial work environment characteristics, ‘higher emotional demand’, ‘demands for hiding emotions’, ‘work-family conflict’, and ‘social community at work’ were independently associated with risk of poor self-rated health of Korean employees after adjustment of all sociodemographics, work condition characteristics and physical work environment exposure. In addition, higher ‘possibilities for development’ and ‘social support from supervisor’ were more likely to decrease the risk of poor health. CONCLUSION: We suggest that psychosocial work environment is an important determinant of employees' health. The study results provide a good starting point for developing intervention and strategies for health improvement.