Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Research Article

The current condition of the workers’ general health examination in South Korea: a retrospective study: Young Joong Kang, Jun-Pyo Myong, Huisu Eom, Bowha Choi, Jong Heon Park, Eun-A L Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2017;29:6. Published online March 7, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-017-0157-0

Background

Business owners in the Republic of Korea must take part in the workers’ general health examination. However, there have been few formal analyses of the uptake of this examination by employees. In the present study, we examined the rates of participation in medical examinations according to age group, health insurance type, and enterprise size, and then compared these results with those of the national general health screening. Furthermore, we determined the distribution of patients with abnormal results for diabetes and hypertension, and outlined the significance and history of domestic health examinations.

Methods

We started by comparing participation rates extracted from the among health examination data of the National Health Insurance Service from 2006–2013 by sex, age, insurance type, and enterprise size of workplace health insurance beneficiaries (i.e., those whose insurance is provided by their workplace). In addition, we analyzed the prevalence rates of abnormal results for hypertension and diabetes, and explored the history and significance of health examinations in the Republic of Korea.

Results

The overall participation rate in the primary health examination in 2006 was 56%, and this increased to 72% in 2013. However, the rates of the secondary screening did not increase much. Among workplace policyholders (i.e., those whose insurance is provided by their workplace), the participation rates of workers in enterprises with less than 50 employees were lower than were those in enterprises with 50 or more employees. Notably, the rates and odds ratios of patients with abnormal results for diabetes and hypertension were relatively high, particularly among those working in smaller enterprises.

Conclusions

Although the workers’ general health examination has been replaced with the national general health screening, it remains necessary to ensure uniform health management services among all workers in the Republic of Korea. This can, in turn, promote occupational health and improve working conditions throughout the Republic of Korea.

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Erratum to: The current condition of the workers’ general health examination in South Korea: a retrospective study
Young Joong Kang, Jun-Pyo Myong, Huisu Eom, Bowha Choi, Jong Heon Park, Eun-A L Kim
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2017;[Epub] CrossRef

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Research Article

Participation inequality in the National General Health Examination based on enterprise size: Young Joong Kang, Jong Heun Park, Huisu Eom, Bohwa Choi, Seyoung Lee, Ji-Won Lee, Jun-Pyo Myong; Ann Occup Environ Med 2017;29:3. Published online February 22, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-017-0159-y

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Background

Health examinations are performed so that diseases can be identified and treated earlier. Several studies have evaluated the determinants of participation in health examinations including cancer screening, but few have evaluated the relationship between the size of the enterprise and their participation in Workers’ General Health Examinations (WGHE). The aim of the present study was to estimate the association of WGHE participation with the size of the enterprise and the type of policyholder.

Methods

The eligible population from 2006 through 2013 was extracted from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database. The population size ranged from 14–17 million. After adjustment for age and gender, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the odds ratios of participating in the WGHE (by age group) based on the type of policyholder (reference: public officers) and the size of the enterprise (reference: enterprise size ≥300 employees), respectively.

Results

Workers employed at enterprises with <50 persons were less likely to participate in WGHEs than those employed at enterprises with ≥300 persons. After policyholders were stratified by type (non-office workers vs. public officers), a disparity in the WGHE participation rate was found between the different types of policyholders at enterprises with <50 employees (reference: those employed at enterprises with ≥300 employees); the odds ratios for subjects in their 40s and 50s were 0.2–0.3 for non-office workers vs. 0.8–2.0 for public officers.

Conclusion

Workplace policyholders at small enterprises comprised a vulnerable group less likely to participate in WGHEs. Efforts should be made to raise the WGHE participation rate among the vulnerable employees belonging to small enterprises, as well as among their dependents.

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Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub] CrossRef

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Research Article

Factors Associated with Metabolic Syndrome and Related Medical Costs by the Scale of Enterprise in Korea: Hyung-Sik Kong, Kang-Sook Lee, Eun-shil Yim, Seon-Young Lee, Hyun-Young Cho, Bin Na Lee, Jee Young Park; Ann Occup Environ Med 2013;25:23-23. Published online October 21, 2013; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/2052-4374-25-23

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Objectives

The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MS) and to analyze the relationship between the risk factors of MS and medical cost of major diseases related to MS in Korean workers, according to the scale of the enterprise.

Methods

Data was obtained from annual physical examinations, health insurance qualification and premiums, and health insurance benefits of 4,094,217 male and female workers who underwent medical examinations provided by the National Health Insurance Corporation in 2009. Logistic regression analyses were used to the identify risk factors of MS and multiple regression was used to find factors associated with medical expenditures due to major diseases related to MS.

Result

The study found that low-income workers were more likely to work in small-scale enterprises. The prevalence rate of MS in males and females, respectively, was 17.2% and 9.4% in small-scale enterprises, 15.9% and 8.9% in medium-scale enterprises, and 15.9% and 5.5% in large-scale enterprises. The risks of MS increased with age, lower income status, and smoking in small-scale enterprise workers. The medical costs increased in workers with old age and past smoking history. There was also a gender difference in the pattern of medical expenditures related to MS.

Conclusions

Health promotion programs to manage metabolic syndrome should be developed to focus on workers who smoke, drink, and do little exercise in small scale enterprises.

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Original Article

The Relationships between Enterprise-scale Levels, Safety and Health Information Provisions in the Workplace, and the Consequential Attack Rate of Occupational Disease and Injuries: In Kyung Park, Kyung Jong Lee, Soon Young Lee, Jae Beom Park, Kyoung Bok Min; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(3):229-238. Published online September 30, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.3.229

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
We investigated the associations between enterprise-scale levels, the information supplied regarding workplace safety and health, and occupational injury and disease using a nationally representative sample of Korean workers.
METHODS
We used data from the '2006 Working Condition Survey' performed by the Korean Occupational Safety & Health Agency. Demographic variables, employment characteristics, workplace hazards, enterprise-scale levels, information supplied regarding workplace safety and health, and occupational injury and disease were included for the study.
RESULTS
Subjects who had high incomes, or who were male, full-time workers, or shift workers were more likely to provide safety and health information at work, compared to other workers' groups. The larger the enterprise-scale level, the more likely they would offer information on safety and health at work. Workers who worked in small companies, especially those with less than 10 employees, were the most likely respondents to provide safety and health information. In the corresponding logistic regression, the presence of occupational injuries and disease was significantly associated with the provision of health and safety information, the enterprise-scale level had little correlation.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that the provision of health and safety information is a critical factor regarding occupational injuries and disease. Proper safety and health education, even in small companies, may contribute to a decrease in occupational disease and injury.

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Ju-il Seo, Gab-Sik Shin, Min Gi Kim, Young-Sun Min
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub] CrossRef

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Original Article

Application of Participatory Action-Oriented Training (PAOT) to Small and Medium sized Enterprises for Prevention of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders: Seong Yong Yoon, Kuckhyeun Woo, Jinseok Kim, Jay Young Yu, Taesung Choi, Bong Goo Ha, Yongseok Jang, Seong Yong Jo; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2005;17(3):249-258. Published online September 30, 2005; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2005.17.3.249

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was firstly to introduce a Participatory Action-Oriented Training (PAOT) program for the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal diseases (WRMSDs) in Small and Medium sized Enterprises in the Gumi Industrial Zone, and secondly to assess its effect.
METHODS
Two PAOT workshops to prevent WRMSDs were conducted with 39 volunteer participants from 10 companies selected (on a first-come, first-served basis) among 200 small- or medium-sized enterprises in Gumi. These companies had been provided with mandatory occupational health management agency services for Small and Medium sized Enterprises by an occupational medicine clinic. Each workshop consisted of 6 technical sessions and one closing ceremony. At the 1st session, the principles of each action checklist item were explained and an on-site checklist exercise was carried out. The 2nd to 5th sessions presented good example pictures on 4 subjects: material storage and handling, working environment, work organization and work-related welfare. Group discussions were carried out by the participants. In the final 6th session on the implementation of improvement, each participant was asked to present 6 action plans, 3 short-term and 3 long-term, for their own workplace improvement.
RESULTS
Overall, the participants worked out 47 real action plans, 27 short-term and 20 long-term, for improvement of their own workplaces. Three to 6 months after the workshops, through in-person visits to each company, it was confirmed that more than half of these 47 plans had been completed; 25 plans (53.2%) had been completed as planned, 8 (17.0%) were in processing, and 14 (29.8%) had not yet been put into practice.
CONCLUSIONS
The study findings confirmed that the PAOT program holds strong potential as an intervention method to prevent WRMSDs in Small and Medium sized Enterprises, although the final results have not been fully assessed yet.

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Original Article

Symptom prevalence and Primary intervention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and their related factors among manufacturing workers: Hyunjoo Kim, Woo Cheol Jeong; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2005;17(2):116-128. Published online June 30, 2005; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2005.17.2.116

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
To investigate the symptom prevalence and the primary intervention of work-related musculoskeletal diseases(WMSDs) and their related factors among manufacturing workers.
METHOD
A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted on 2,457 workers, at 22 enterprises in Chungnam province, Korea, from September 1 to December 1, 2003. The contents of the questionnaire included general and work-related characteristics, musculoskeletal symptoms and workers' past one-year experience of primary interventions.
RESULTS
1. The overall symptom prevalence of the musculoskeletal diseases was 23.9%. The WMSD symptom prevalences at the neck/shoulder, arm/elbow, hand/wrist and back/leg were 14.8%. 2.7%. 7.3% and 12.0%, respectively. 2. In multivariate analysis, all WMSD symptom prevalences were high in the high workload, high force & high repetitiveness, and 'high job strain' groups. The WMSD symptom prevalence at neck/shoulder was also high in females and the group experiencing low social support from the supervisor. 3. The rates of the primary interventions were as follows : 13.7% for health education, 5.8% for health counselling, 18.8% for preventive exercise, 24.7% for ergonomic intervention, and 9.8% for administrative intervention. 4. In multivariate analysis, the size of the enterprises and the type of occupational health management system(OHMS) were significantly associated with all primary interventions except health counselling(p<0.05). The other individual-level predictive factors were as follows. Those for the health education were male and union presence. Those for the health counselling were older age(> or =40 years), irregular employment, and the active group of Karasek's job strain model. Those for the preventive exercise were male, older age, longer tenure and regular employment. Those for the ergonomic intervention were longer tenure, job of physical force and/or repetitiveness, high job stain and the group experiencing high social support from the supervisor. The predictive factor for the administrative intervention was male (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
To establish an effective strategy for the primary prevention of WMSDs, approaches are needed which consider the individual nature of small and medium sized enterprises. IAlso necessary is to promote the participation of labor and management because the activation of the primary intervention was associated with the type of OHMS and union presence. Moreover the reduction of workload and increased intervention into the high risk group could be effective in the prevention of WMSDs.

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Original Article

Characteristics and Odds Ratio of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders According to Job Classification in Small-to-medium-sized Enterprises: Shin Goo Park, Jong Young Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2004;16(4):422-435. Published online December 31, 2004; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2004.16.4.422

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This study was carried to investigate the prevalence and odds ratio of work related musculoskeletal disorders according to the job classification in small-to-medium-sized enterprises(<300 employee).
METHODS
A questionnaire survey was given to 746 workers in 8 workplaces. 501 workers (67.2%) were finally selected in this study. The workers in the 8 workplaces was divided into 7 jobs. Those were manufacturers(metal), assemblers(appliances), cashiers, packers(cosmetics), garbage collectors, and VDT workers. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios of the musculoskeletal symptoms according to the job classification.
RESULTS
Univariate analysis showed that the significantly related risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms are as follows; age, marital status, gender, work load change, work duration, hours worked per day, job demand, decision latitude, type of job. According to the type of job, the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms were 7.7%(clerks), 24.3%(manufacturers), 30.0%(assemblers), 23.0%(cashiers), 30.4%(packers), 11.9%(garbage collectors), 29.2%(VDT workers). Multiple logistic regression showed that the following significant odds ratios (referenceclerks): 7.32(packers), 5.63(assemblers), 5.11(cashiers), 4.79(VDT workers), 3.11(manufacturers).
CONCLUSION
In small-to-medium-sized enterprises, the job classification was major risk factor for work related musculoskeletal disorders. According to the job classification, the odds ratios of the work related musculoskeletal disorders were different. Considering the odds ratios, the establishment of a prevention program of work related mus-culoskeletal disorders is recommended.

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Original Article

Effects of Sociodemographic Factors on the Stage of Behavior Change Among Employees of Small to Medium Sized Enterprises: Myung Hoi Koo, Hyeon Woo Yim, Chung Yill Park, Kang Sook Lee, Jung Wan Koo; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2002;14(1):85-96. Published online March 31, 2002; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2002.14.1.85

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This research attempts to investigate the relationship between health risk factors and workers'behavioral changes based on individual worker's characteristics to allow the development of more effective health promotion programs in businesses places.
METHODS
A questionnaire survey was conducted with 282 workers employed in small to medium sized enterprises in the Kyong-in area of Korea. The questionnaire was composed of general characteristics, a health risk assessment and an evaluation of the stage of behavior change for health promotion strategy in the workplace.
RESULTS
The health risk assessment revealed that 65.7 % of male workers smoke, 70.5% of male workers do not exercise on a regular basis, 86.1 % of female workers do not exercise at all, and 78.6 % of male workers and 50 % of female workers drink alcohol. In addition, the survey identified that 29.5% of male workers are addicted to excessive drinking, as are 11.1% of female workers. Based on the four stages of behavioral changes that lead to health, the pre-contemplation stage, contemplation stage, action stage, and maintenance stage, 40.5 %, 23.7 %, 12.1 % and 23.7 % of workers are in these stages, respectively, with regards to quitting smoking. As for regular exercises, 18.4 %, 37.6 %, 17.7 %, and 26.3 % of workers belong to each stage, respectively. As for moderation in drinking, 20.9 %, 15.4 %, 10.0 %, and 53.7 % are in each stage, respectively. The rate of health managers in the active stage of quitting smoking is significantly higher than that of general workers. Among the workers who do not exercise on a regular basis, workers over 50 years-old and blue color workers are more common in the precontemplation stage than any other worker groups.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that the stages of behavioral change vary with worker characteristics. An awareness of the effects of the high risk factors is essential for promoting workers'attendance in health promotion programs.

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