Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Jae Yong Park

5 Articles

Relationship between Blood Lead Concentration and Neurobehavioral Function of Children: Kwang Seub Park, Jae Yong Park, Joon Sakong; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2009;21(2):131-142. Published online June 30, 2009; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2009.21.2.131

OBJECTIVES
To evaluate effects of lead on the central nervous system of children by measuring blood lead concentration, computerized neurobehavioral function and intelligence of elementary school students.
METHODS
The study was conducted with 208 elementary school students living in the vicinity of Pohang Industrial Complex in October and November, 2005. Data on demographic characteristics, living environments and lifestyle habits were collected from subjects.
RESULTS
Blood lead levels of elementary school students ranged from 0.76-4.97 microg/dl, which is below the 10 microg/dl recommended level of CDC. The blood lead levels were similar with those reported in other domestic and international studies. Neurobehavioral tests revealed that most third grade students reacted slowly and their speed declined in simple reaction time (p<0.05), choice reaction time (p<0.05), symbol digit substitution (p<0.01), finger tapping speed nondominant hand (p<0.05) as blood lead levels increased. Sixth grade students demonstrated significance in test performance, and displayed blood lead levels of 2.00-4.00 microg/dl. Results of intelligence testing showed significantly low performance in IQ (p<0.05), vocabulary ability (p<0.05), reasoning ability (p<0.05), mathematical ability (p<0.05) and perception ability (p<0.05) among third grade students who displayed high levels of blood lead concentration. Sixth grade students showed significantly low performance in vocabulary ability (p<0.05) at high level of blood lead concentration. The difference in mean IQ scores between the group with blood lead level of < or =2.00 microg/dl and the group with blood lead level > or =3.00 microg/ dl was 3.21 in third grade students and 4.28 in sixth grade students. Low academic achievement was observed among third grade students (p<0.05) and six grade students (p<0.05) as the average blood lead level increased. Correlation analysis on the association of blood lead concentration with neurobehavioral tests revealed a positive correlation between blood lead levels and reaction time of choice reaction time and symbol digit substitution in third grade students. A positive correlation was observed between blood lead levels and reaction time of symbol digit substitution and finger tapping speed in sixth grade students. There was a negative correlation between blood lead levels and reasoning ability of third grade students (r=-0.247) and vocabulary ability of six grade students (r=-0.255).
CONCLUSION
There have been few studies on the effects of blood lead on the central nervous systems of children in Korea. The study supports the findings of earlier studies that blood lead has an impact on children. However, the study did not confirm significant association of blood lead concentration with each neurological and motor test conducted for this study due to a small sample size and relatively low blood lead levels of elementary school students. Further studies using a similar assessment methods would be helpful to evaluate the effects of low blood lead levels on the central nervous systems of children.

Citations

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Association of heavy metal complex exposure and neurobehavioral function of children
Minkeun Kim, Chulyong Park, Joon Sakong, Shinhee Ye, So young Son, Kiook Baek
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
The association between lead concentration in the blood and neurobehavioral performance of children
Dae-Seon Kim, Seungchul Ahn, Seungdo Yu, Eun-Hee Lee
Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences.2012; 4(2): 87. CrossRef
Evaluation of reliability of computerized neurobehavioral tests in Korean children
Kyeong-Soo Lee, Man-Joong Jeon, Tae-Yoon Hwang, Chang-Yoon Kim, Joon Sakong
NeuroToxicology.2012; 33(5): 1362. CrossRef

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A Model Study on Medical Utilization of Workers with Non-Occupational Diseases : An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior: Chang Hyun Han, Jae Yong Park, Sin Kam, Sung Ah Kim, Ki Soo Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(4):284-297. Published online December 31, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.4.284

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This study was carried out to examine the factors influencing the behavioral intention and behavior of workers with non-occupational diseases when utilizing medical facilities, using the theory of planned behavior (TPB).
METHODS
The first TPB questionnaire was administered to 3,116 subjects during workers'periodic health examinations at one health examination institute, between September and December in 2000. An investigation of the medical facilities utilization was also conducted by administering a second survey to the 354 subjects (11.4%) adjudged to be workers with non-occupational diseases from the results of the health examination.
RESULTS
The medical utilization rate within one month was 41.5%. To investigate the overall relationship between variables, the authors conducted a linear structural equation model analysis, based on the theory of planned behavior. The attitude toward behavior and the subjective norm both positively influenced the behavioral intention (T> or = 2.0). The perceived behavioral control and behavioral intention both positively influenced the behavior (T> or = 2.0) CONCLUSIONS: To improve the medical utilization by workers found to have diseases as a result of their health examination, the implementation of an intervention program will be necessary to increase the behavioral intention and perceived behavioral control, and care givers must pay more attention to eventually converting behavioral intention into actual behaviors.

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System of Parametric Modelling and Assessing the Production Staff Utilisation as a Basis for Aggregate Production Planning
Martin Krajčovič, Beáta Furmannová, Patrik Grznár, Radovan Furmann, Dariusz Plinta, Radovan Svitek, Ivan Antoniuk
Applied Sciences.2021; 11(19): 9347. CrossRef
Factors Associated with Cancer Screening Intention in Eligible Persons for National Cancer Screening Program
Rock-Bum Kim, Ki-Soo Park, Dae-Yong Hong, Cheol-Heon Lee, Jang-Rak Kim
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health.2010; 43(1): 62. CrossRef

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A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Mass Screening for Diabetes Mellitus: Kyung Eun Lee, Byung Yeol Chun, Sin Kam, Jae Yong Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):269-281. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.269

Abstract PDF: To evaluate the efficiency of the diabetes mellitus screening program, the records of screening examinations for general workers and official workers at a general hospital in Taegu city were analysed. Six alternatives of the diabetes mellitus screening program were compared in terms of cost-effectiveness. The screening program I which was already used in the examination for general workers, screening program II for official workers, alternative program (A) which was the same method as screening program I without urine sugar test for the second examination in a hospital, a1ternative program (B) with the test for fasting blood sugar (FBS) in a worksite, alternative program (C) with the test for postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) in a worksite, alternative program (D) with the first test for FBS and the second test for PPBS of negatives for FBS test in a worksite, alternative program (E) with the first test for PPBS and the second test for FBS of negatives for PPBS test, and alternative program (F) with the test for urine sugar in a worksite. To compare the cost-effectiveness between alternatives, the cost (Won) per positive detected for diabetes mellitus (cost-effectiveness ratio) was calculated. The cost per positive detected was 37,767 Won for screening program I, 50,441 for screening program II, 37,433 for alternative program (A) , 27,645 for alternative program (B), and if it was assumed that the positive rate for negatives of FBS would be 2.0 %, 28,541 for alternative program (C) , 35,458 for alternative program (D) , 38,488 for alternative program (E) . However, that for alternative program (F) was varied with the positive predictive value (PPV) of urine sugar test for diabetes. The cost per positive detected was lowest(18,689 Won) when PPV was 93 %, whereas, highest (88,106) when PPV was 20 %. The critical value of PPV was 64 %. The alternative program (F) was most efficient when PPV was 64% or more. Considering the prevalence for diabetes mellitus, PPV for urine suger test, and feasibility of screening examination, alternative program (B) will be proved as the most efficient screening program. In conclusion, either program (B) or program (F) will be the most efficient method for screening a large population depending on the positive predictive value of fasting urine suger test.

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Health Care Utilization and Its Determinants of Workers with Non-occupational Diseases: Chang Hyun Han, Sin Kam, Jae Yong Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):282-294. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.282

Abstract PDF

This study was conducted to analyse medical facilities utilization based on predisposing factors, enabling factors and need factors, and effect of these factors on medieal facilities utilization, by applying Anderson's medical care service behavioral model as the most well known medical demand model to 163 available for interview among 246 workers who, as the result of health examination in 1994, were evaluated as the non occupational diseases. The results of this study were summarized as follows. Among variables of predisposing factors, knowledge for disease showed significant relations with the medical utilization, other variables of predisposing factors, such as sex, age, marital status, educational level, number of family members, type of occupation, attitude toward the disease, were not related with the medical utilization. The medical utilization was not related with variables of enabling factors. Among variables of need factors, medical advice of health personnel was significant variable for medical utilization. With multiple logistic regression analysis, the significant variables haying an effect on the medical facllities utilization were the type of occupation and knowledge for the disease among predisposing factors, ana seriousness for the disease and medical advice of health personnel among need factors. In case of the production job, the medical facilitles utilization was higher for the persons with more knowledge for disease and experience of medical treatment guidance. The number of non-occupational diseases detected, but untreated person was 76 (46.6%) of total subjects, mainly because the non-occupational diseases seemed to be a slight disease (55.3%). On consideration of above findings, health education for workers and adequate medical advice by health personnel would be needed for health management of workers with non occupational diseases.

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Effectiveness of workers’ general health examination in Korea by health examination period and compliance: retrospective cohort study using nationwide data
Huisu Eom, Jun-Pyo Myong, Eun-A Kim, Bohwa Choi, Soon Woo Park, Young Joong Kang
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2017;[Epub] CrossRef

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The Response Rate of Follow up Examination and Positive Predictive Value of Screening Items of Workers Aged 30 and Over: Kyung Eun Lee, Jae Yong Park, Byung Yeol Chun; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1990;2(1):13-22. Published online February 28, 1990; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1990.2.1.13

Abstract PDF: No abstract available.

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