Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Young Su Ju

12 Articles

A Case of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in an Equipment Maintenance Worker Exposed to Lead: In Ki Yoon, Hyoung Jun Lim, Young Su Ju, Se Jin An, Young Jun Kwon; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(2):195-205. Published online June 30, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.2.195

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease involving the upper and lower motor neuron of the brain and spinal cord, leading ultimately to death due to respiratory failure in most cases. The etiology of ALS is currently unknown, but several studies show that lead exposure might be one of the potential environmental causes of ALS. In this perspective, we introduce a case involving an ALS patient exposed to lead while maintaining mechanical equipment in a waste treatment plant.
METHODS
The patient was interviewed and his medical records were investigated to confirm the final diagnosis of ALS. The results of his health examination and working environment measurement were reviewed in order to evaluate the relation of his work with ALS. We also performed an analysis of lead concentration from samples taken from his workplace when we visited the plant to survey the work environment.
RESULTS
Based on the patient's clinical information, work environment, relatively high level of blood lead concentration, and several studies proposing the occupational relationship between lead and ALS, his ALS may possibly have been caused by lead exposure at his workplace.
CONCLUSIONS
Given the recent situation where the causal association between lead exposure and ALS is still unclear, this case report could be used as a basis to support the relevance of lead exposure with ALS, and to help improve the health and work environment of other workers who are likely to be exposed to lead.

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The Effect of Socio-Economic Factors on Occupational Injuries in Korea: A Time Series Analysis: Ye Won Bang, Hyoung June Im, Young Jun Kwon, Seong Sik Cho, Tae Kyung Lee, In Ki Yoon, Young Su Ju; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2011;23(4):397-406. Published online December 31, 2011; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2011.23.4.397

OBJECTIVES
We performed a time series analysis in order to identify the relationship between the occupational injury rate and socio-economic factors, and through this predict the occupational injury occurrence rate.
METHODS
We reviewed 168 sets of monthly data. For the statistical analysis, we used the economic index data provided by Statics Korea and the occupational injury index provided by the Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service gathered from 1994 to 2007. We performed a correlation analysis to find relationship between the occupation injury rate and economic factors. Using the correlation analysis result, we used time series analysis for the data in order to find out the association between occupational injuries and socio-economic indicators. We performed time series analysis to find out association occupation injury rate with socio-economic factors. In addition we ran a prediction occupational injury rate for 2008 and compared the result to the actual value.
RESULTS
The factors associated with occupational injuries were the daily worker index (b=0.394, p<0.0001), the mechanical index (b=-0.023, p=0.0043), the manufacturing operation index (b=0.152, p<0.0001), the workers compensation coverage expansion (b=1.189, p=0.015), the IMF index (b=-2.05, p<0.0001), and the after IMF index (b=-1.565, p=0.01). The daily worker index, manufacturing operation index, and workers compensation coverage expansion had an effect that increased the occupational injury rate. Conversely, the mechanical index and IMF variable tended to decrease the occupational injury rate.
CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that the daily worker index, manufacturing operation index, workers compensation coverage expansion, and IMF variables are related factors in regards to occupational injury.

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Business Cycle and Occupational Accidents in Korea
Dong Koo Kim, Sunyoung Park
Safety and Health at Work.2020; 11(3): 314. CrossRef
The Prediction of Industrial Accident Rate in Korea: A Time Series Analysis
Eunsuk Choi, Gyeong-Suk Jeon, Won Kee Lee, Young Sun Kim
Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing.2016; 25(1): 65. CrossRef

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A Case of Kienbock's Disease from Repetitive Contact Stress: Chul Ju Kim, Young Su Ju, Hyoung June Im, Yae Won Bang, Young Jun Kwon; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2011;23(3):343-349. Published online September 30, 2011; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2011.23.3.343

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
Kienbock's disease, which is characterized by osteonecrosis of the lunate bone, causes progressive chronic pain and dysfunction of the hand and wrist. Even though occurrence of the disease was reported approximately 100 years ago and it is suspected to be work-related to some degree, the etiology has not been clearly discribed and the disease has rarely been considered as an occupation-related disease. As such, we submit this case as the first report of Kienbock's disease in Korea, with clinical findings, x-ray, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and strain index results along with a literature review.
METHODS
The patient was carefully interviewed and her medical records were properly reviewed by the authors with her consent. The authors also visited her factory work site to inspect and videotape the working environment and to conduct an ergonomic evaluation with a strain index.
RESULTS
Excessively repeated contact stress was found to be concentrated on her right hand and the environment was discovered to be hazardous from an ergonomic standpoint. The literature review revealed that heavy loads on the hand might be related to the cause or deterioration associated with Kienbock's disease. ; therefore, it is very likely that her disease is related to her work.
CONCLUSIONS
There is much evidence to suggest that heavy workloads involving hand and wrist intensive tasks may cause and worsen Kienbock's disease. However, to date epidemiologic studies clarifying the etiology of the disease have not been sufficiently reported. Therefore, further research focusing on the etiology and prevention of the disease are required. In addition, practical guidelines for hand and wrist intensive tasks are needed to prevent disease development and worsening.

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Influencing Factors in Approving Cerebrovascular and Cardiovascular Diseases as Occupational Disease in Seoul: Tae Kyung Lee, Soo Geun Kim, Jong Uk Won, Tae Won Jang, Seong Sik Cho, Young Su Ju, Young Jun Kwon, Hyoung June Im; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2010;22(3):262-270. Published online September 30, 2010; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2010.22.3.262

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This study was performed to analyze the factors that affected the decision making process in approving workers' compensation claims for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases cases that occurred just before refoming approval standards of Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act on 1 July 2008 and to provide fundamental information in preparing better standards.
METHODS
We examined 283 claims cases involving cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases that occurred between 1 January, 2006 and 31 December, 2007 and collected data based on the worker's compensation records from 3 Seoul Regional Centers of the Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service. We analyzed the approval rates and odds ratios according to the general characteristics, injury information, past medical histories, and work related information using chi-square or univariate logistic regression. In addition, we identified the factors affecting the approval using multivariate logistic regression.
RESULTS
Overall, 101 of the 283 cases were approved and approval rate was 35.7%. Approval rates differed significantly according to type of disease, survival, accident site, accident time, the presence of associated disease and overwork (p-value <0.05). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis with adjusted for age and sex, approval rate of death cases with associated disease was lower than cases without associated disease (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.12~0.42). Approval rate of cases occurred in worksite was higher than others (OR 4.81, 95% CI 2.22~10.40). Cases of accepted overwork had a higher approval rate significantly than cases of not accepted (OR 28.53, 95% CI 9.74~83.52).
CONCLUSION
Factors in approving cases of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease as cases involving occupational disease included conditions of overwork, high rate of accidents in the workplace and the presence of associated disease. It is necessary to investigate further behaviors of work and chronic work-related stress.

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The effect of long working hours on cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease; A case‐crossover study
Kyong‐sok Shin, Yun kyung Chung, Young‐Jun Kwon, Jun‐Seok Son, Se‐hoon Lee
American Journal of Industrial Medicine.2017; 60(9): 753. CrossRef

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Factors Related to Occupational Injuries and Health Problems for Some Female Workers in Non-standard Employment: Woo Jin Park, Hyoung June Im, Jong Uk Won, Sang Baek Koh, Young Su Ju, Jae Hoon Roh, Sang Yong Oh, Young Jun Kwon, Chang Kook Hwang, Jung Wook Lim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2009;21(4):301-313. Published online December 31, 2009; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2009.21.4.301

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to examine certain factors associated with occupational injuries and health problems for some female workers in non-standard employment.
METHODS
We enrolled 754 female workers that were selected from 1,040 people who had agreed to be surveyed as part of a group or company in either the Seoul and the Kyonggi area. We performed univariate logistic regression on survey data and again performed multivariate logistic regression on those variables that were statistically significant.
RESULTS
In this study, the overall incidence of occupational injury for all workers was 12.5%. The incidence rates by position were as follows: 12.9%(insurance saleswoman), 7.4%(telemarketer), 9.2%(visiting teacher), 22%(golf caddy). The most frequent complaint was lower back pain(12.8%) in insurance saleswomen, voice symptoms(37%) in telemarketers, knee and ankle symptoms(33.8%) in golf caddies, and voice symptoms(14.4%) in visiting teachers. The factors related to occupational injuries included job type, and age. The factors related to health problems were job type, psychosocial stress, accident risk, and social support. The percentage of the cases that occurred without fringe benefits including social welfare was 30.4%, and the percentage of "paid out of the person's own pocket" of ways to arrange costs of accidents was 32.5%.
CONCLUSIONS
In this study, some female workers in non-standard employment had relatively high level of occupational injuries, accompanied by various health problems. In these occupational classes, the conditions for social insurance and social welfare were poor. It is necessary to expand the application of social insurances including industrial accident compensation insurance. Regardless of job category, psychosocial stress and social support were statistically significant for many symptoms. We believe that measurement of these factors is necessary. In the future, additional studies are required with the use of objective methods for additional job categories.

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The Effect of Job Demands, Job Resources, and Musculoskeletal Complaints on Presenteeism Among the Dependent Self-employment Workers in Korea
Jiyun Kim, Sookja Choi
Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine.2022; 64(9): 719. CrossRef
Golfsport als Beruf – eine arbeitsmedizinische Bestandsaufnahme
E. M. Wanke, A. C. Melander, D. A. Groneberg
Zentralblatt für Arbeitsmedizin, Arbeitsschutz und Ergonomie.2020; 70(3): 130. CrossRef
Irregular menstruation according to occupational status
Yeunhee Kwak, Yoonjung Kim
Women & Health.2018; 58(10): 1135. CrossRef
Health Status and Affecting Factors related to Job among Korean Women Employees
Eun-Young Hong, Sang-Dol Kim
Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society.2012; 13(9): 4107. CrossRef

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The PTSD Symptom and Related Factors among the Residents after Samsung-Hebei Spirits Oil Spill: Seongsik Cho, Tae Kyung Lee, Jeong Min Kim, Ye Won Bang, Narae Hong, Hyoung June Im, Young Jun Kwon, Yong Cho, Jae Yong Moon, Young Su Ju; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2009;21(3):235-245. Published online September 30, 2009; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2009.21.3.235

Abstract PDF

BACKGROUND
The purpose of the study was to estimate the mental health problems and other related factors in residents that experienced the Samsung-Hebei spirits oil spill by surveying PTSD symptoms.
METHOD
Trained interviewers performed direct interviews of the residents approximately 70 days after the oil spill. We investigated PTSD symptoms through PTSD Symptom Scale Interview Version (PSS-I). To determine those factors related to PTSD symptoms, the following factors were determined as part of the survey: gender, age, occupation, duration of cleanup activity, monthly income and amount of debt. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze all factors.
RESULTS
Of the 318 residents investigated, 56.6% of the subjects had PTSD symptoms related to the spirits oil spill (about 70 days post spill). With regard to occupation, those subjects answering fishery (POR:3.05) and commerce (POR:4.24) as their occupations experienced higher PTSD symptoms than residents answering farming as their occupation. Residents who answered that they had debt over 10 million KRW (POR:2.61) were more vulnerable to PTSD symptoms compared to residents without debt; residents with acute physical symptoms were vulnerable (POR:5.11) to PTSD symptom compared to residents without acute physical symptoms. The results of multiple logistic analysis, including the cleanup activity, age, gender, occupation, acute physical symptoms and amount of debt in the model suggest that only cleanup activity increased PTSD symptoms. The subjects who had engaged in cleanup activities for longer periods of time had more PTSD symptoms and an additional dose-response relationship.
CONCLUSION
Many residents in Samsung-Hebei spirits oil spill area had PTSD symptoms. This suggests that there were serious mental health problems among the residents, who might require specific social supports and psychiatric interventions as a result of the oil spill.

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Human health and ecological assessment programs for Hebei Spirit oil spill accident of 2007: Status, lessons, and future challenges
Dawoon Jung, Jung-Ah Kim, Myung-Sook Park, Un Hyuk Yim, Kyungho Choi
Chemosphere.2017; 173: 180. CrossRef

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Prevalence of Baker's Asthma among Workers in an Industrial Bakery: Jeong Min Kim, Young Jun Kwon, Young Su Ju, Hyoung June Im, Tae Kyung Lee, Hye Ryun Kang, Do Myung Paek; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2008;20(3):245-259. Published online September 30, 2008; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2008.20.3.245

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
To determine the prevalence of baker's asthma due to flour dust in an industrial bakery in Korea.
METHODS
Of the 596 active workers, 380 were allocated to a category of either direct exposure (DE) or indirect exposure (IE) to flour dust and completed a modified ISAAC questionnaire. Of the 380 participants, 233 were screened by an occupational physician interview, a skin prick test, and an ELISA for serum-specific IgE antibodies to wheat flour extracts. Selected workers received serial monitoring of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and positive PEFR respondents received a methacholine challenge test. The diagnosis of baker's asthma was confirmed by a specific inhalation challenge with wheat flour extracts.
RESULTS
The prevalence of sensitization to wheat flour and baker's asthma was 21.0% (25.9% DE, 13.3% IE) and 3.2% (5.1% DE, 1.8% IE), respectively. DE had an increased risk of sensitization to wheat flour (OR 2.15, 95% CI = 1.03~4.51). Sensitization to wheat flour and the prevalence of baker's asthma correlated significantly (PR 38.63, 95% CI = 6.14~243.22).
CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate a considerable prevalence of baker's asthma among flourexposed workers in Korea. Future studies will be required to survey the situation in flour mill companies and seek ways to protect the health and socioeconomic position of flour industry workers.

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Occupational Diseases in Korea
Seong-Kyu Kang, Eun A Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S4. CrossRef

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Patient Satisfaction in Workers' Compensation Medical Care: Hwa Pyung Lee, Hyoung June Im, Young Su Ju, Young Jun Kwon, Hee Tae Kang, Jeong Min Kim, Sung Sik Cho, Tae Kyung Lee, Jongwan Yoon; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2007;19(3):204-214. Published online September 30, 2007; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2007.19.3.204

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the patient satisfaction and its influencing factors after medical care for workrelated injuries.
METHODS
A self-reported questionnaire was mailed to 921 workers who had experienced workers' compensation medical care. The data from 335 respondents (response rate was 36.4%) were merged and analysed with the data from the Korea Labor Welfare Corporation (KLWC) which contain other general information of the respondents.
RESULTS
Dissatisfaction with their medical care was reported by 17.3% of the respondents. Overall patient satisfaction (OPS) was highly correlated with the medical treatment process such as hospital facility, medical therapy, surgical therapy, doctor's explanation and physical therapy. However, OPS was negatively influenced by three factors: 1) unsatisfactory hospital care during waiting period before the approval of workers' compensation, 2) forced end of the hospital care by the workers' compensation, and 3) end of the hospital care with no further improvement.
CONCLUSIONS
To improve the satisfaction of patients with work-related injuries, both the practice of medical treatment and also the administrative process of workers' compensation must be reformed. These reforms are needed to improve the quality of workers' compensation medical care and prevent abnormal illness behavior such as inappropriate treatment seeking.

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Workers’ experiences with compensated sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorder: a qualitative study
Min Choi, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Jinwoo Lee, Hye-Eun Lee, Junsu Byun, Jong Uk Won
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2014;[Epub] CrossRef
A Study on Contributing Factors of Industrially Injured Patients' Satisfaction
Hyun-Joo Lee, Jung-In Kang
Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing.2011; 20(3): 319. CrossRef

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Predictors of Return to Work and Job Retention after Work-Related Injury or Illness: Hee Tae Kang, Hyoung June Im, Yong Kyu Kim, Young Su Ju, Hwa Pyung Lee, Jeong Min Kim, Young Jun Kwon; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(3):221-231. Published online September 30, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.3.221

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This research was conducted to investigate workers'return to work rate after work-related injury or illness and to determine which factors could predict return to work and job retention.
METHODS
From the documents held by the six local branches of the Korea Labor Welfare Corporation(KLWP), 2,464 cases of work-related injury or illness which had telephone numbers were identified from September to December, 2003. Data about the employment status was gained from 921 occupationally injured workers through telephone questionnaire and was merged with the electronic data obtained from KLWP with included information of the workers whose worker's compensation period was ended from 2002 to 2004. Finally the data for 516 workers was analysed by logistic regression using SAS 9.0.
RESULTS
The return to work rate was 50.3% and the job retention rate was 28.3%. Decreased return to work rate was associated with old age, shorter employment duration, longer treatment duration, higher disability grade, lower average wage and manual worker. Decreased job retention rate was associated with a smaller number of employees, shorter employment duration and work in the construction industry.
CONCLUSIONS
This research highlighted the numerous occupationally injured workers who couldn't return to work and the multiple factors that were associated with the return to work or job retention. Based on this and related research, rehabilitation programs which consider the issues of return to work and job retention have to be implemented.

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ICF-Based Job Performance Predictors for South Korean Industrial Accident Workers: Population-Based 3-Year Longitudinal Analysis
Gayeong Eom, Seonjae Been, Haewon Byeon
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(13): 7822. CrossRef
A Study on Occupational Therapy for Adults and Older Adults in Korea Using Big Data: A Systematic Review
Sanghun Nam, Suyeong Bae, Ickpyo Hong
Journal of Health Informatics and Statistics.2022; 47(1): 1. CrossRef
Relationship between workers’ return to work, job retention and income in industrial accidents in Korea: a longitudinal study
Suk Won Bae, Inchul Jeong, Jin-Ha Yoon, Seung Wook Lee, Tae Hyun Kim, Jong-Uk Won
BMJ Open.2021; 11(4): e039948. CrossRef
Changes in Income after an Industrial Accident According to Industry and Return-to-Work Status
Suk Won Bae, Sarah Soyeon Oh, Wha Me Park, Jaehoon Roh, Jong-Uk Won
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2019; 16(14): 2603. CrossRef
Pre-injury job characteristics and return to work among injured workers in South Korea: differences by socio-demographic and injury-related characteristics
Soo Kyung Park, Chung Kwon Lee
Disability and Rehabilitation.2019; 41(6): 691. CrossRef
Impacts of Return-to-Work Type and Period on Job Retention in Workers with Occupational Injuries and Diseases
Inchul Jeong, Jae Bum Park, Hyoung Ryoul Kim, Jin-Ha Yoon, Jong-Uk Won, Jaehoon Roh
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
Prediction of Return-to-original-work after an Industrial Accident Using Machine Learning and Comparison of Techniques
Jongin Lee, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
Income Changes Due to Disability Ratings and Participation in Economic Activities Caused by Industrial Accidents: A Population-Based Study of Data from the Fourth Panel Study of Workers’ Compensation Insurance (PSWCI)
Suk Won Bae, Sehyun Yun, Ye Seol Lee, Jin-Ha Yoon, Jaehoon Roh, Jong-Uk Won
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2018; 15(11): 2478. CrossRef
The effects of individual, occupational, and supportive factors on successful return to work using a structural equation model
Jongin Lee, Min Choi, Sung Hye Park, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Hye-Eun Lee
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2015;[Epub] CrossRef
Statistical analysis of economic activity state of workers with industrial injuries using a competing risk model
Gippeum Doh, Sooyeon Kim, Yang-Jin Kim
Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society.2015; 26(6): 1271. CrossRef
Factors related to the physician and the employer influencing successful return to work in Korea: results from the first panel study of workers’ compensation insurance (PSWCI)
Wanhyung Lee, Jin-Ha Yoon, Jaehoon Roh, Yeong-Kwang Kim, Hongdeok Seok, June-Hee Lee, Jong-Uk Won
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2015;[Epub] CrossRef
Current Situation and Issue of Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance
Inah Kim, Jeongbae Rhie, Jo-Duk Yoon, Jinsoo Kim, Jonguk Won
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2012; 27(Suppl): S47. CrossRef

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Occupational Distribution of Job Stress in Korea: Young Su Ju, Young Jun Kwon, Hee Tae Kang, Yong Kyu Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2003;15(4):422-435. Published online December 31, 2003; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2003.15.4.422

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
Although there is increasing concern about job stress, no published reports have addressed the basic characteristics of job stress (i.e. on various job stress domains), according to the Korean Standard of Job Categories. Therefore, this study was conducted to present epidemiologic data of common Korean workers on job stress domains, by using the self-reported Karasek's Job Content Questionnaire(JCQ.) METHODS: Data were gathered from many workers at various industries for 2 years, as a part of the workers'periodic health examinations, in Kyong-Gi and Kyong-Nam provinces, Korea.
RESULTS
The total respondents were 1,866, male 1,658(88.9%) and female 208(11.1%), from 117 companies. The mean age was 35.05 years old, 1,315(70.4%) were married, 1,578(84.5%) were graduated from high school or above, and 380(20.4%) were managers at workplace. The mean scores of decision latitude, psychological job demand, social support, and job insecurity were 62.56(std 8.28, median 62), 31.45(std 3.83, median 32), 22.49(std 2.58, median 23) and 6.16(std 1.90, median 6), respectively. Construction workers belonged to the high strain group, and administrative managers and computer related experts belonged to the active group.
CONCLUSIONS
To more precisely evaluate job stress according to job categories, data could be gathered from a larger sample and detailed job categories should be adopted. Such a study would form an important foundation for research into job stress in Korea.

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Developing the Path Model defining the Relationship between Construction Worker's Personal Characteristics and Safety Behaviors
Hyeong-Seong Jin, Dong-Eun Lee
Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction.2013; 13(2): 169. CrossRef
The Correlation between Musculoskeletal Pain and Level of Work Stress of Prosthetists and Orthotists
Do-Young Jung, Eun-Kyung Koh, Jun-Hyeok Jang
Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine.2012; 7(4): 515. CrossRef

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A case-crossover study between air pollution and hospital emergency room visits by asthma attack: Hyoung June Im, Sang Yun Lee, Ki Jung Yun, Young Su Ju, Dae Hee Kang, Soo Hon Cho; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(2):249-257. Published online June 30, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.2.249

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This study, using case-crossover design, search a relationship between changing levels of air pollutants and asthma attack in asthma patients.
METHODS
We searched the daily total number of asthmatic patients at hospital' s emergency room in Seoul, Korea by investigating total 49 general hospitals emergency room records. Otherwise, We investigated medical records of asthmatic patients at one of the 49 hospitals we have searched. We investigated addresses that they are living, diagnosis, smoking history, whether respiratory infection or not, medications. We analyzed the data by 1:m conditional logistic regression used when matched case-control study is analyzed. Control periods were chosen by bidirectional paired matching technique 7, 14 days before and after case periods.
RESULTS
the relative risk of asthmatic attack by 100 ppm ozone increase between June and September were 1.348(95 % CI = 1.010~1.619). Between November and February, the relative risk by 100 /m TSP increase, 100ppb sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide were respectively 1.278(1.010~1.619), 1.237(1.019~1.502), 1.285(1.006~1.640). In stratified analysis, the relative risk were significant when the asthmatic patients were children aged 15 years or below, when there were respiratory infection, and when the patients took medications irregularly CONCLUSIONS: There was statistically significant association between ambient levels of air pollutants and asthmatic attack. So, we have to exert our efforts to minimize the air pollution effectively, to protect public health from air pollution.

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Review of Epidemiological Research and Perspectives for Future Environmental Health Progress in Korea
Kyoung-Mu Lee, Moon-Young Park
Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2022; 48(3): 138. CrossRef
Hybrid Deep Learning Algorithm with Open Innovation Perspective: A Prediction Model of Asthmatic Occurrence
Min-Seung Kim, Jeong-Hee Lee, Yong-Ju Jang, Chan-Ho Lee, Ji-Hye Choi, Tae-Eung Sung
Sustainability.2020; 12(15): 6143. CrossRef
Effect of outdoor air pollution on asthma exacerbations in children and adults: Systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis
Pablo Orellano, Nancy Quaranta, Julieta Reynoso, Brenda Balbi, Julia Vasquez, Qinghua Sun
PLOS ONE.2017; 12(3): e0174050. CrossRef

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Quality Assessment of Group Occupational Health Service for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Korea: Sunmean Kim, Soo Hun Cho, Chang Yup Kim, Eun Hee Ha, Yun Chul Hong, Ho Jang Kwon, Mi Na Ha, Sang Hwan Han, Young Su Ju; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(1):71-82. Published online February 28, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.1.71

Abstract PDF

Group occupational health service programme started in 1990 is one of the measures to cope with limited human and financial resources in occupational health. The programme has expanded rapidly to include 52 institutions, private as well as public, all over the country. In spite of its potential impact on health of employees and practice of occupational health in small and medium sized industries, comprehensive evaluation in terms of quality has not been tried. This study has aims to develop the criteria to assess the quality of newly developed group occupational health service programme, and to investigate the quality of institutions, and finally to develop policies for the quality improvement. 1) Criteria development : By defining occupational health services, in particular for small and medium sized industries, as one of the primary health care, followings are included as core elements of qualitative occupational health programme ; accessibility, continuity, comprehensiveness, technical quality, intersectoral collaboration, emphasis on preventive services, community participation, and adequacy. Again each element is divided into five major components of national health system infrastructure developed by the World Health Organization ; development of health resources, organized arrangement of resources, delivery of health care, economic support, and management. In turn, each component is categorized into three aspects of quality assessment, structure, process and outcome. Expert panel selected several criteria for each category to evaluate the programme. Criteria were modified according to each group of interviewees, to produce two sets of questionnaire, one for chief operating officer and another for nurses in the institutions, and the chief operating officer and workers in the workplace. 2) Subject : Of all 52 institutions, 25 voluntarily participated in the survey. At individual institution, chief operating officer and practicing nurses were interviewed in depth. After intensive education for interviewees, every interview was performed with standardized guideline and questionnaire. The quality of the 'Group occupational health service programme' was found to be lower than expected. Especially In continuity, comprehensiveness, technical quality, community participation and adequacy, lower quality in structural aspect was commonly identified throughout all the institutions. Quality in terms of accessibility and continuity highly varied among institutions. To improve quality of the programme, more comprehensive and systematic programme such as accreditation has to be introduced. In addition, human resources, governmental fund and information systems for individual workers are to be developed. As a long range plan, integration of occupational health services into the national health systems and pooling of financial resources and planned allocation should be considered.

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The roles of doctors, nurses, and industrial hygienists in the healthcare management services in Korea: a comparison of the opinions of specialized health management institutions and entrusted enterprises
Bo-Young Jang, Dong-Mug Kang, Young-Ki Kim, Se-Young Kim, Kyung-Sun Ko
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
Relationship between occupational injuries and the provision of safety and health information: data from the 4th Korean working conditions survey
Ju-il Seo, Gab-Sik Shin, Min Gi Kim, Young-Sun Min
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
Practice status of specialized agencies for occupational health management of small- to medium-size enterprises and the factors improving their performance: a cross-sectional survey study
Saerom Lee, Jun-Pyo Myong, Eun-A Kim, Huisu Eom, Bowha Choi, Young Joong Kang
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2017;[Epub] CrossRef
Validation of Performance Indicators for Evaluation of Workplace Health Promotion
Seung Hee Ho, Young Moon Chae
American Journal of Health Promotion.2015; 29(6): 402. CrossRef

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