Contract Employment Experiences of Visiting Nurses at Public Health Centers in the Metropolitan Area: Focused on Employment Type and Treatment

Purpose@#This study was conducted with a focus group interview that drew out experiences, limitations, and difficulties in the workplace according to the employment conditions of visiting nurses in the public health centers. @*Methods@#A total of 12 visiting nurses are those working in the public sector in Seoul and Gyeonggi province who were willing to participate in the interview. Analysis categories and coding were divided into three categories: compensation system, occupational status, and opinions to improve their treatment. Using the content analysis method, the current working status and compensation system of visiting nurses were described. @*Results@#The main themes derived from the significant statements of visiting nurses were ‘Ten years of frozen salary system’, ‘Full-time workers of their own league’, ‘Excluded from performance benefits’, ‘Every visiting nurses are virtually precarious’, ‘Experience of exclusion and discrimination’, and ‘Reasons and barriers to be a full-time worker’. All of the visiting nurses working in the community insisted on having equal treatment for work of equal value. Visiting nurses in the public health sector wanted to be set to the same payment system and the fair allowance system as well. It is necessary to continuously seek solutions to the problems left in insisting on the civil service of visiting nurses. @*Conclusion@#Visiting nurses who were working in a precarious job position felt job insecurity, and experienced discrimination, alienation, and exclusion. Legal and institutional reform is needed to improve the treatment of visiting nurses.

Occupational Status and Job Stress of Visiting Nurses for Public Health Services in Some Areas of the Capital During the COVID-19 Pandemic / 한국직업건강간호학회지

Purpose@#This study investigated the occupational status and job stress of visiting nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. @*Methods@#Participants were 151 visiting nurses working in the public health services in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. The study was conducted using a structured online questionnaire. @*Results@#The average age of the visiting nurses was 49.5 years. A occupational period was 38.4% of the participants had worked for a period of 6-10 years and 34.5% of them had worked for a period of 11 years or more. In terms of employment type, 74.8% had permanent contracts and 13.9% had fixed terms. 93.4% of nurses were working on COVID-19-related work; and 57.6% of them were working more than 50% of their work. Each visiting nurse provided health services for a total of 436.4 cases on average and the per day count was 14.3 cases. The service was provided through home visits or phone consultations. The results of the job stress were relationship conflict (60.92±20.72), job demand (59.05±14.10), job autonomy (57.83±14.63), job instability (45.25±27.37), organizational system (44.97±17.21), workplace culture (42.71±18.00), and inadequate compensation (35.29±18.14). There was a significant difference in job stress according to the proportion of COVID-19 work was ‘workplace culture’ (p=.023), Job autonomy (p=.053) and Inappropriate compensation(p=.054). @*Conclusion@#In order to provide a stable working environment for visiting nurses and effective public visiting health services during unexpected circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to promote progressive policies and systemic improvements.

Women's Health Status Working at Traditional Marketplaces and Their Needs for Public Health Care Services

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to analyze health status of women working in traditional marketplace and their needs for public healthcare services. METHODS: A descriptive survey of 500 women working at three traditional marketplaces was conducted. RESULTS: street vendors' health status were much poorer than store merchants'. Furthermore, psychosocial factors like job stress and depression were increased in street venders. Thus, the public healthcare programs required by them included exercise programs (28.2%) and health checkup (26.8%). In addition, 31.2% of the participants reported that they needed visiting nursing care services. The rate of occupational health and safety or employment insurances was as low as 10.8%. CONCLUSION: Effective interventions including psychosocial factors for women workers at traditional marketplaces need to be developed based on these results. Also, it is recommended that public health care services such as outreach services and visiting nursing care services for women working at traditional marketplaces be provided. Furthermore, institutional provisions such as insurances for protecting these vulnerable groups' health are needed.

Intervention Model Development of Health Promotion for Women Workers in Traditional Marketplaces: Using Community based Participatory Action Research / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the intervention model development of health promotion for women workers working in the traditional marketplace, using community capacity building framework. METHODS: Need assessment of the target population, work-related environment investigation, social network group building, and setting health management in the marketplace were performed. Then the interventions including cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal health, and psychological health were conducted. The results were evaluated using NCEP-ATP III(National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III), OWAS, and CES-D. RESULTS: It was found that the intervention program for the vulnerable group in marketplace was appropriate, promoting the improvement of metabolic syndrome and the reduction of pain complaints. Therefore, the intervention framework for health promotion of women workers in the marketplace was developed. Work-related environment assessment also was included in the framework development. Several community capacity building strategies, including developing community resources and promoting partnership, making small social network group, and promoting program participation. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that occupational health nurses and professionals consider the appropriateness of intervention framework development after identifying the needs of women workers' work-related environmental problems.

The Effects of Home Visit Healthcare Using a Complex Program on Community-dwelling Frail Elders' Strength, Frailty, and Depression

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to examine the effects of home visit healthcare using a complex program on community-dwelling frail elders' physical strength, frailty, and depression and to compare the effects among three regions. METHODS: This study was conducted as a quasi-experimental study using one-group pretest-posttest design. A total of 86 subjects were sampled from three regions (metropolis, small city, and rural area). The program was applied for 14 weeks. This program consisted of disease management by a visiting nurse, exercise with a visiting nurse, self exercise, telephone monitoring, health education, counseling, providing handbook, and incentive. Physical strength was measured by balance, upper-limb, and lower-limb muscle strength. Frailty was measured by the Korean Frail Scale and depression was measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale. Paired t-test and ANCOVA were used to analyze the effects. RESULTS: Physical strength, frailty, and depression were significantly improved after applying the complex program. There were not differences among the regions. CONCLUSION: Home visit healthcare using a complex program was effective in improving frail elders' physical strength, frailty, and depression. There were not differences among the regions. Therefore, home visit healthcare using a complex program needs to be expanded to other regions.

Job Competencies and Educational Needs Perceived by New Community Health Practitioners

PURPOSE: This study was performed to identify job competencies and needs for job education perceived by new community health practitioners. METHODS: This study used a qualitative research design. Eight new community health practitioners participated in this study. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: Five job competencies were identified in this study, including primary care, public health management, interpersonal relationship, teaching and counseling, and leadership. The contents of job education that they needed were management of major symptoms and chronic diseases, understanding and prescription of medications, emergency responses and care, management of endemic diseases, planning and management of public health programs, writing official documentsand computer works, and leadership training. The learning methods they preferred were connecting theory and practice, situation- or case-based learning, skill- or practice-based learning, and increased opportunities of clinical practice. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study provided the direction of job education for new community health practitioners. Job education for new community health practitioners needs to consider the job competencies and educational needs identified in this study.

The Effect of Emotional Labor for Job Stress in Bus Drivers / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the association between emotional labor and job stress in bus drivers, as well as to propose management strategies for job stress. METHODS: The study was conducted in February 2013 and involved 182 bus drivers working in the Gyeonggi area. RESULTS: emotional labor was 9.5+/-2.34 on average, and job stress was higher than the median of the same indicator among Korea's workers in the areas of physical environment, job autonomy, and relationship conflicts. Factors that affected job stress was lower if the subjects' Higher values for emotional labor indicated a higher level of job stress. CONCLUSION: To reduce among drivers, the following measures are necessary: increase the comfort of the driver's seat within the vehicle, provide adequate rest between bus headways, provide comfortable in-house rest facilities, and establish physical training spaces to reduce musculoskeletal disorders as well as programs for reducing back pain. In addition, relationship conflicts may be relieved by increasing job autonomy as much as possible, by granting autonomous control of working hours and bus headways, as well as by banning long work hours. Moreover, various club activities, exercise programs, and counseling programs that workers can be involved in together may be beneficial. This study is significant in that it identified the relationship of the bus drivers' emotional labor and job stress, which has previously been ignored as a research topic. Through its results, this study provides baseline data for the preparation of management strategies that can address the job stress of bus drivers.

The Effect of Emotional Labor for Job Stress in Bus Drivers / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the association between emotional labor and job stress in bus drivers, as well as to propose management strategies for job stress. METHODS: The study was conducted in February 2013 and involved 182 bus drivers working in the Gyeonggi area. RESULTS: emotional labor was 9.5+/-2.34 on average, and job stress was higher than the median of the same indicator among Korea's workers in the areas of physical environment, job autonomy, and relationship conflicts. Factors that affected job stress was lower if the subjects' Higher values for emotional labor indicated a higher level of job stress. CONCLUSION: To reduce among drivers, the following measures are necessary: increase the comfort of the driver's seat within the vehicle, provide adequate rest between bus headways, provide comfortable in-house rest facilities, and establish physical training spaces to reduce musculoskeletal disorders as well as programs for reducing back pain. In addition, relationship conflicts may be relieved by increasing job autonomy as much as possible, by granting autonomous control of working hours and bus headways, as well as by banning long work hours. Moreover, various club activities, exercise programs, and counseling programs that workers can be involved in together may be beneficial. This study is significant in that it identified the relationship of the bus drivers' emotional labor and job stress, which has previously been ignored as a research topic. Through its results, this study provides baseline data for the preparation of management strategies that can address the job stress of bus drivers.

Effects of a Health Education Program based on Social Cognitive Theory on the Health Promotion of University Students with Metabolic Syndrome

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate effects of a health education program based on social cognitive theory on university students with risk factors for metabolic syndrome. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were 88 students who had at least 2 risk factors for Metabolic Syndrome (47 students for the experimental and 41 for the control group). The health education program consisted of thirteen sessions. Knowledge regarding smoking and alcohol drinking, self-efficacy and self-esteem were evaluated. t-test, chi2-test, Fisher's exact test, and paired t-test were conducted to analyze the data. SPSS/WIN 19.0 Statistics program was used. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increase in self-efficacy in the experimental group compared to the control group. No significant changes in knowledge and self-esteem were found. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the health education program for university students was partially effective. Further work is required to develop more effective health education programs.

The Effects of Case Management for Clients with Clonorchiasis in Riverside Areas

PURPOSE: In order to lower the infection rate and the reinfection rate of Clonorchiasis in high-risk areas, we performed and analyzed a case management on people with chlonorchisis. METHODS: The data was collected from April 2010 to March 2011. A community health practitioner was selected as a case manager based on our training program. The intervention group had 58 participants with three months of case management and the control group had 144 participants handled with traditional methods. RESULTS: The pre and post-test in the intervention group and the control group showed us improved knowledge of Clonorchiasis, attitudes and behavior toward eating freshwater fish. The results of post-test between the intervention group and the control group showed statistically significant differences in all categories, except a hand-washing category. However, one year after a case management, there was no significant difference in the failure rate of treatment. CONCLUSION: The case management was effective for people infected with Clornorchiasis near riverside areas; however, in order to lower the rates of reinfection and treatment failure, it is necessary to perform continuous monitoring and regular evaluations.

A Study on Health Behaviors by a Risk Level of Metabolic Syndrome among Petty Merchants in Traditional Markets / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the health behaviors by a risk level of metabolic syndrome (MS) among petty merchants in traditional markets. METHODS: The data were collected through questionnaires and physical examination on abdominal circumstance, triglyceride, HDL, blood pressure, and FBS of 177 subjects in S city, Korea. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, chi2-test (or fisher's exact test) and ANOVA using SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. RESULTS: The prevalence of MS was 15.8%, and risk group was 72.9%. The abdominal circumstance and triglyceride levels were higher in MS group than those of the risk group and normal group. The HDL and systolic blood pressure levels were also higher in MS group than those of the normal group. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MS and risk groups was high among petty merchants in traditional markets. However, these merchants did not practice health behaviors nor take institutional health management benefit. Therefore, governmental level community based health management services are requested for them.

The Effect of Thera Band Exercise on Muscle Flexibility, Balance Ability, Muscle Strength in Elderly Women

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of thera band exercise on muscle flexibility, balance ability, muscle strength and self-rated health in elderly women. METHODS: The quasi-experimental research design (one-group pretest-post test) was employed. Participants were recruited in S-city and a total of 14 elderly women completed 15-week thera band exercise. Descriptive statistics, paired t-test and McNemar-test were used in data analysis by SPSS/WIN 12.0. RESULTS: Compared with those before participation, the participants showed higher muscle flexibility, balance ability, and muscle strength after participation in thera band exercise. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study indicated that the 15-week thera band exercise program had a favorable effect on muscle flexibility, balance ability and muscle strength of elderly women. Future research needs to develop combined exercise programs with other types of exercise for the health of elderly women.

The Effect of Thera Band Exercise on Muscle Flexibility, Balance Ability, Muscle Strength in Elderly Women

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of thera band exercise on muscle flexibility, balance ability, muscle strength and self-rated health in elderly women. METHODS: The quasi-experimental research design (one-group pretest-post test) was employed. Participants were recruited in S-city and a total of 14 elderly women completed 15-week thera band exercise. Descriptive statistics, paired t-test and McNemar-test were used in data analysis by SPSS/WIN 12.0. RESULTS: Compared with those before participation, the participants showed higher muscle flexibility, balance ability, and muscle strength after participation in thera band exercise. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study indicated that the 15-week thera band exercise program had a favorable effect on muscle flexibility, balance ability and muscle strength of elderly women. Future research needs to develop combined exercise programs with other types of exercise for the health of elderly women.

Clonorchis Sinensis Infection Experience in Residents Living in Riverside Areas

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to describe clonorchis sinensis infection experience in high risk populations living in riverside areas. The research question was "How do local residents perceive Clonorchiasis and how are they infected with the parasite". METHODS: Qualitative data were collected by focus group interviews with 16 participants from January to February, 2009. All the interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by the content analysis method. RESULTS: Five main categories were conceptualized, which were "lacking in understanding of Clonorchiasis," "culture of the rural community," "life style," "recovering experience from infection" and "change of health behavior." CONCLUSION: The result of this study indicates that residents are infected with Clonorchiasis through interaction between individual and group risky factors. Therefore, it is important to develop effective health education programs on both individual and group levels to prevent infection with Clonorchiasis.

Development of an Intervention List for Family Nursing Care

PURPOSE: This study aimed to classify nursing interventions by developing a list of interventions for family nursing care. METHODS: A new intervention list was confirmed after the researchers' discussion and professional consult. All possible interventions were re-organized. RESULTS: Five grand categories were identified, which include health education, providing direct nursing care, utilization and referral of community resources, reinforcing family resources, and stress management. The category of health education consists of anticipatory guidance, training and education, providing information, and consult and motivation. The category of providing direct nursing care consists of identifying problem, providing technical nursing, providing family tailored nursing care, family contract, monitoring or evaluation, and collaboration with experts. The utilization and referral of community services includes utilization of health care facilities, utilization of social welfare facilities, use of neighbors, friends, and relatives, connecting to professionals or supporting groups, and utilization of other sources. Reinforcing family resources includes reinforcing economic resources, reinforcing physical resources, and reinforcing human resources. Stress management includes reorganization of perception, resolving conflicts, division of role, preparing communication strategies, time management, creating familiarity, supporting spirituality, and developing sense of humor. CONCLUSION: This study provides useful resources to promote nursing activities by identifying possible family nursing interventions.

Job Stress and Job Satisfaction of Workers' Compensation Case Managers / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore job stress, job satisfaction and their relationship among Workers' Compensation Case Managers. METHOD: 137 Workers' Compensation Case Managers (89 case workers and 48 nurses) responded to a self-administered questionnaire. The data were collected in october, 2006 and analyzed using t-test and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient with SPSS WIN 14.0 program. RESULT: The mean score of job stress of nurses was 2.60 which was higher than that of the Korean female workers'. The mean score of job satisfaction was 2.30. The significant inverse correlation between job stress and job satisfaction was found (P<.01). In regard to the 7 items, the significant inverse correlations were found in lack of reward, interpersonal conflict, organizational system, insufficient job control, and occupational environment. CONCLUSION: The result indicated that the Workers' Compensation Case Managers have higher occupational stress and lower job satisfaction. To improve their job satisfaction, it is necessary to reinforce reward, organizational system, job autonomy, and cooperative occupational environment.

The Influence of Social Support on Job Satisfaction of Migrant Workers / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: In Korea, the number of migrant workers is increasing. However, migrant workers have low job satisfaction due to poor working environment, and insufficient social support. This study aimed to investigate the role of social support for job satisfaction of migrant workers. METHOD: We have analyzed the survey data of 397 migrant workers collected from free clinic for migrant workers located in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do and Chungcheong-do. RESULT: When the migrant workers received monetary and emotional supports from supervisors and colleagues, their job satisfaction turned out to be significantly high. The factors that influence job satisfaction of migrant workers are as follows: involvement in manufacturing industry, over 9 hours of daily sleep, monetary and emotional support from supervisors. Their job satisfaction strongly influenced by these factors. CONCLUSION: Social support will increase job satisfaction of migrant workers and it will subsequently decrease job turnover rate and increase productivity as well as quality of life.

Effects of Community-based Case Management Program for Clients with Hypertension

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze effects of a community-based case management program for clients with hypertension living in the community. METHODS: The research design was a one group pre and post-test design with 30 participants with hypertension who agreed to participate in the 8-12 week case management program provided by case managers from the National Health Insurance Corporation in 2002. Data were collected three times, before and after the case management services, and 6 months later. Outcomes included changes in blood pressure, knowledge of hypertension and daily life practices, including alcohol consumption, smoking, exercise, and medication adherence. RESULTS: Repeated-measures ANOVA and post-hoc tests of means revealed significant differences before and after service for systolic blood pressure, daily life practices (monitoring body weight and BP, low salt and cholesterol and high vegetable diet, and stress-relief practices), and exercise. The goal for medication adherence was attained after service. Significant improvements from baseline to 6 months after service were observed in measures of salt and vegetables in diet. There were no significant differences on hypertension knowledge, alcohol consumption or smoking behavior between before service and after, and at 6 months. CONCLUSION: The findings provide preliminary evidence that case management intervention can have positive outcomes on BP control, daily life practices, exercise, and medication adherence for clients with hypertension. However, additional interventions are needed to sustain long-term effects.

Analysis of Working Time of Nurses in Urban Public Health Center Branches in South Korea.: Focused on Nurses for Visiting Health Service and Chronic Disease Management

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate working time of nurses in urban public health center branch, especially for nurses for visiting health service and chronic disease management. METHOD: Daily note, which was developed by this research team, was distributed to nurses at 7 urban public health center branches to be filled out them for 2 weeks during 2 month from June 2007 to August 2007. We analyzed 121 daily notes recorded by visiting nurses and 65 daily notes written by chronic disease management nurses were analyzed. RESULTS: The total working time for visiting nurses at urban public health center branches was 589.85 minutes per day on the average. They spent 147.13 min in actual visiting nursing services, 149.36 min in documenting, 66.94 in preparing, 77.69 min in transferring, and 11.84 min in referring. The total working time for chronic disease management nurses at urban public health center branches was 582.92 minutes per day on the average. They spent 148.77 min in actual chronic disease management services, 120.62 min in documenting, 42.46 min in group education, 37.38 in preparing, and 10.38 min in referring. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, it is recommended to improve documenting systems and to increase community resources linkage were recommended through the results of this study. The results of this study are expected to be used to plan staffing at urban public health center branches in the future.

A Survey on Elders' Experience in and Preference for a Mentoring Program

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate elders' experience in a mentoring program and preferred characteristics of the program. METHODS: Two hundred and ten elders dwelling in Sungnam-si, Korea participated in the survey from April 1 to May 30, 2008. Using SPSS Win 10.0, descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and t-test were performed. RESULT: About two thirds of the elders had experience as a mentee, and a large number of them reported that it was helpful. Compared to those without, the elders with the mentee experience were more likely to perceive that it is easier to build a mentor-mentee relationship. The most common reason for wanting a mentee experience was loneliness, whereas the most frequent reason for not wanting was feeling a burden when meeting a stranger. Preferred characteristics of a mentoring program differed between the elders who had the mentee experience and those who did not. CONCLUSION: This study concluded that a mentoring program is highly likely to provide psycho-social support to the elderly. Also, a large number of the elders who had never had a mentor-mentee relationship wanted to have it in the future. This study suggests that healthcare professionals include a mentoring program in healthcare services for the elderly, considering preferred characteristics of a mentor-mentee relationship.