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Original Article
Association between sudden work recall and psychological health issues: a cross-sectional analysis of the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey
Dong-Woo Kim, June-Hee Lee, In-Ho Lee, Kyung-Jae Lee
Ann Occup Environ Med 2025;37:e33.   Published online September 8, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e33
AbstractAbstract AbstractAbstract in Korean PDF
Background
The impact of global integration has led to an increase in non-standard work patterns, threatening workers' health. Psychological health problems, such as anxiety and fatigue, negatively affect workers' health and safety. Sudden work recall, a situation where workers are asked to return to work under unpredictable circumstances, is associated with uncertainty. Research on the relationship between sudden work recall and anxiety and fatigue is limited, and this study aims to investigate this relationship among Korean workers.
Methods
The study used data from the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey. To analyze the pure effects of sudden work recall, the final sample was limited to 15,702 non-shift workers with a ‘good’ subjective health status. The presence of sudden work recall was categorized into three frequency groups: “several times a month,” “rarely,” and “never.” Anxiety and fatigue were each categorized into "yes" or "no" responses. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed.
Results
After adjusting for demographic and occupational characteristics, the odds ratio (OR) for anxiety in the 'several times a month' group was 4.066 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.787–5.931), indicating a significantly higher risk. Conversely, the OR for the 'rarely' group was 1.363 (95% CI: 0.921–2.017), which was not statistically significant. A similar pattern was observed for fatigue: the 'several times a month' group had a significantly higher risk (OR: 1.875; 95% CI: 1.490–2.359), but the 'rarely' group (OR: 0.955; 95% CI: 0.750–1.215) did not.
Conclusions
The relationship between sudden work recall and psychological health may not be a simple linear one. The results suggest that only a high frequency of sudden work recall is associated with an increased risk of anxiety and fatigue. Therefore, it is necessary to establish appropriate measures and to conduct additional research in this area.
돌발적 업무 복귀 요청과 심리적 건강 문제의 연관성 : 제 6차 근로환경조사를 이용한 단면 분석
목적
세계화로 인한 비정형적 근무 형태의 증가는 노동자의 건강을 위협하고 있습니다. 특히 불안과 피로와 같은 심리적 건강 문제는 삶의 질과 안전에 부정적인 영향을 미칩니다. 본 연구는 예측 불가능한 상황에서 갑자기 업무에 복귀하라는 요청을 받는 ‘돌발적 업무 복귀 요청’이 한국 노동자의 불안 및 피로와 어떤 연관성을 가지는지 조사하고자 합니다.
방법
본 연구는 제6차 근로환경조사 자료를 활용했으며, 돌발적 업무 복귀 요청의 순수한 영향을 분석하기 위해 교대 근무자와 주관적 건강 상태가 ‘보통’ 이하인 근로자를 제외한 총 15,702명을 최종 분석 대상으로 선정했습니다. 돌발적 업무 복귀 요청의 빈도에 따라 ‘없음’, ‘드물게’, ‘한 달에 여러 번’으로 범주를 나누었으며, 다중 로지스틱 회귀분석을 통해 돌발적 업무 복귀 요청과와 불안 및 피로 간의 연관성을 분석했습니다.
결과
인구통계학적 및 직업적 특성을 보정한 후, ‘한 달에 여러 번’ 돌발적 업무 복귀를 경험한 그룹은 불안(OR: 4.066, 95% CI: 2.787–5.931)과 피로(OR: 1.875, 95% CI: 1.490–2.359)의 위험이 유의미하게 높았습니다. 반면, ‘드물게’ 경험한 그룹은 불안(OR: 1.363, 95% CI: 0.921–2.017)과 피로(OR: 0.955, 95% CI: 0.750–1.215) 모두에서 통계적으로 유의미한 연관성이 나타나지 않았습니다.
결론
돌발적 업무 복귀 요구와 불안 및 피로의 관계는 단순히 선형적이지 않으며, 높은 빈도로 경험할 때만 유의미한 위험 증가와 관련이 있음을 시사합니다. 돌발적인 업무 복귀 요청이 신체적 및 정신적 장애를 유발할 수 있는 가능성에 대한 연구는 제한적이며, 이러한 문제를 예방하기 위한 대책이 충분히 발전되지 않았습니다. 따라서 돌발적 업무 복귀와 관련된 근로자 건강 보호 및 예측 가능한 근무 환경 조성 분야에서 적절한 대책을 수립하고 추가적인 연구를 수행할 필요가 있습니다.
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Cohort Profile
Occupational and Environmental Health Screening Cohort of Yangsan Korea (OEC-YK): 2012–2023
Dongmug Kang, Eun-Soo Lee, Se-Yeong Kim, Youngki Kim, Youn Hyang Lee, Yoon-Ji Kim
Ann Occup Environ Med 2025;37:e32.   Published online September 5, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e32
AbstractAbstract AbstractAbstract in Korean PDF
The Occupational and Environmental Health Screening Cohort of Yangsan Korea (OEC-YK) was established to monitor long-term health outcomes in workers and environmental high-risk citizens through systematic periodic health examinations. The cohort integrates 623,402 examination instances from 105,768 participants at Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital (2012–2023), encompassing general health checkups, occupational exposure surveillance, cancer screenings, and others including asbestos-related surveillance. Examination types included general health examination (32.4%), cancer screening (20.6%), special health examination (16.2%), night-shift work examination (16.0%), chronic disease screening (4.8%), pre-placement examinations (2.1%), and asbestos-related surveillance (3.6%). At baseline, 59.0% were male and 75.5% were aged between 20 and 59 years. Follow-up rates reached 35.0% at 1 year, 31.9% at 2 years, and 3.2% at 11 years. Notably, the inclusion of systematic asbestos examinations, combined with a national asbestos job exposure matrix, allows detailed study of long-latency occupational diseases. This large-scale longitudinal dataset supports exposure-disease linkage analysis, job-exposure integration, and time-series modeling of worker health trajectories in Korea.
양산 지역 직업 환경 건강검진 코호트(OEC-YK) : 2012-2023년
양산 지역 직업환경건강검진 코호트(Occupational and Environmental Health Screening Cohort of Yangsan Korea, OEC-YK)는 체계적이고 주기적인 건강검진을 통해 근로자와 환경적 고위험군 시민의 장기적인 건강 영향을 모니터링하기 위해 구축되었다. 본 코호트는 2012년부터 2023년까지 양산부산대학교병원에서 수행한 105,768명의 수검자로부터 수집한 623,402건의 검진 자료를 통합하였으며, 여기에는 일반건강검진, 직업적 노출 감시, 암 검진과 석면 관련 감시를 포함한 기타 사항이 포함되었다. 검진 유형으로는 일반건강검진(32.4%), 암검진(20.6%), 특수건강검단(16.2%), 야간 교대근무 작업자 건강진단(16.0%), 만성질환 검진(4.8%), 배치 전 건강진단(2.1%), 석면 관련 건강검진(3.6%) 등이 포함되었다. 기초 조사 시점에서 남성이 59.0%였고, 20세에서 59세 사이의 연령대가 75.5%를 차지하였다. 추적 관찰률은 1년 시점 35.0%, 2년 시점 31.9%, 11년 시점 3.2%에 도달하였다. 특히, 국가 단위 석면 직업 노출 매트릭스(Job Exposure Matrix)와 연계된 체계적인 석면 건강검진의 도입은 잠복기가 긴 직업성 질환에 관한 정밀한 연구를 가능하게 한다. 이러한 대규모 종단자료는 한국에서의 직업성 노출과 질병 간의 연관성 분석, 직업-노출 정보 통합, 근로자의 건강 경과에 대한 시계열 분석 등을 수행할 수 있는 유용한 자원을 제공한다.
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Original Article
Association of weight and dietary habits with high blood mercury levels in Korean adolescents: data from the KoNEHS cycle 4, 2018-2020
Ji Hoon Kim, Minju Jung, Jaewon Mun, Dong-Jae Seo, Jong-Han Leem, Shin-Goo Park, Dong-Wook Lee, Hyung Doo Kim, Hwan-Cheol Kim
Ann Occup Environ Med 2025;37:e5.   Published online February 21, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e5
AbstractAbstract AbstractAbstract in Korean PDFSupplementary Material
Background
Humans are exposed to mercury primarily in its highly toxic form, methyl mercury, which is known to have adverse effects on various organs and systems. The negative impact of mercury exposure on the growth, development, and mental health of children, from infancy to adolescence, is well-documented. However, there are no internationally standardized safe limits for mercury exposure. This study investigated the impact of dietary habits and higher body mass index (BMI) on blood mercury levels in adolescents.
Methods
This study analyzed the data from the 4th Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) 2018–2020. The focus was on 825 middle and high school students aged 13–18 years, whose blood mercury levels were measured. A survey on dietary and lifestyle habits was also conducted. Blood mercury levels were categorized by geometric median values, and associations with overweight status and seafood consumption were examined using a generalized linear model.
Results
The geometric mean blood mercury level for the entire sample was 1.37 μg/L, with levels of 1.31 μg/L in normal-weight individuals and 1.43 μg/L in overweight individuals, showing a statistically significant difference between the two groups. After adjusting for other variables, blood mercury levels were significantly associated with overweight status (estimate: 0.084; p = 0.018; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.015–0.153), consumption of large fish and tuna more than once a week (estimate: 0.18; p = 0.001; 95% CI: 0.077–0.284), and consumption of fish once a week or more (estimate: 0.147; p = 0.004; 95% CI: 0.043–0.250).
Conclusions
In adolescents, a higher BMI and an increased consumption of large fish, tuna, and fish were associated with higher blood mercury levels. Notably, a stronger association was found between large fish consumption and blood mercury levels in the overweight group. These findings suggest the need to moderate seafood consumption and establish more proactive mercury exposure standards for adolescents.
한국 청소년에서 체중 및 식습관과 높은 혈중 수은 농도의 연관: KNHANES 제4기 데이터, 2018-2020
목적
수은은 독성이 강한 형태인 메틸 수은의 상태로 인간에게 주로 노출된다. 메틸 수은은 발달 및 정신건강측면을 포함한 인체 전반에 독성 영향이 있지만 현재 국제적으로 표준화된 수은 노출 기준이 없다. 특히나 영유아나 청소년은 발달이 아직 이루어지지 않아 성인에 비해 더 수은 노출의 위험도가 높다. 본 연구에서는 청소년의 식습관이나 과체중 여부가 혈중 수은 노출에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다.
방법
본 연구는 국립환경과학원에서 발간하는 제4기 국민환경보건 기초조사(2018-2020)를 활용하였다. 제4기 대상 중 혈중 수은 농도가 측정 된 13-18세의 중, 고등학생 825명을 대상으로 하였고 식습관이나 생활 습관에 대한 개인 설문을 활용하였다. 혈중 수은 농도 중위 값을 기준으로 구분하여 과체중 여부를 구분하여 각종 해산물 식습관과 혈중 수은 농도와의 연관성을 로지스틱 회귀 모델을 사용하여 조사하였고, 이 후 전체 연구 대상자를 대상으로 연관성을 조사하였다.
결과
전체 표본의 기하평균 혈중 수은 농도는 1.37 µg/L로, 정상체중 군은 1.31 µg/L, 과체중 군은 1.43 µg/L로 나타났으며, 두 군 간에 통계적으로 유의미한 차이가 있었다. 다른 변수들을 조정한 후, 혈중 수은 농도는 과체중 상태(추정값: 0.084; p-value: 0.018; 95% 신뢰구간[CI]: 0.015-0.153), 주 1회 이상 대형어류와 참치 섭취(추정값: 0.18; p-value: 0.001; 95% CI: 0.077-0.284), 주 1회 이상 어류 섭취(추정값: 0.147; p-value: 0.004; 95% CI: 0.043-0.250)와 유의미한 관계가 있었다.
결론
청소년에서 높은 BMI와 대형어류, 참치, 어류 섭취가 높은 혈중 수은 농도와 관련이 있었다. 특히, 과체중 그룹에서는 대형어류 섭취와 혈중 수은 농도 간의 강한 연관성이 발견되었다. 이 결과는 청소년을 위한 해산물 섭취 절제와 더 적극적인 수은 노출 기준 설정이 필요함을 시사한다.

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  • Association between complex exposure to cadmium and mercury and atopic dermatitis in elementary school students: analysis using data from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) Cycle 4
    Kiook Baek
    Central European Journal of Public Health.2025; 33(1): 3.     CrossRef
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Original Article
Association between multiple jobs and physical and psychological symptoms among the Korean working population
Seok-Yoon Son, Jin-Young Min, Seung-Woo Ryoo, Baek-Yong Choi, Kyoung-Bok Min
Ann Occup Environ Med 2024;36:e21.   Published online August 6, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2024.36.e21
AbstractAbstract AbstractAbstract in Korean PDFSupplementary Material
Background

The prevalence of multiple job-holding (MJH) is expected to show an upward trend among Korean workers, yet its potential impact on workers’ health remains poorly discussed. This study aimed to explore the association between MJH and experience of physical and psychological symptoms in various aspects among active Korean workers and to identify its differences depending on workers’ gender.

Methods

We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study among South Korean workers aged 15–59 using data from the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey. The final study sample comprised 34,175 participants. MJH status and symptoms, such as musculoskeletal pain, headache or eyestrain, fatigue, insomnia, and anxiety, were measured by self-reported data. Logistic regression analyses were performed on the total sample and gender-stratified groups, with adjustments for the sociodemographic and occupational characteristics of the participants.

Results

One hundred thirty-five men and 103 women were defined as multiple job-holders (MJHers) among the study sample. When adjusted for sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, MJHers suffered more events of headache or eyestrain (odds ratio [OR]: 1.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23–2.78) and anxiety (OR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.05–3.79). Gender-stratified analyses with adjustment showed that among women workers, MJH was associated with musculoskeletal pain (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.02–3.34), headache or eyestrain (OR: 2.53, 95% CI: 1.37–4.67), fatigue (OR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.29–4.40), insomnia (OR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.04–3.57), and anxiety (OR: 2.83, 95% CI: 1.11–7.20).

Conclusions

We found a significant association between MJH and various symptoms. Women MJHers were revealed to be a more vulnerable population than their men counterparts. Further research should account for the social context of MJH, and appropriate monitoring and intervention for maintaining the well-being of MJHers are needed.

한국인 근로자 집단에서의 다중직업종사와 육체적, 정신적 증상 간 연관성
목적
한 근로자가 동시에 두 개 이상의 직업을 가지는 행위인 ‘다중직업종사’ 현상은 한국인 근로자들 간 그 비중이 점차 증가할 것으로 전망된다. 그러나, 다중직업종사가 근로자의 다양한 육체적, 정신적 증상에 미칠 수 있는 영향에 대한 논의는 부족한 실정이다. 이에, 본 연구에서는 한국인 근로자 집단을 대상으로 하여 다중직업종사와 근로자의 건강 간 연관성을 다양한 관점에서 탐구하였다. 나아가 이러한 연관성이 근로자의 성별에 따라 관찰되는 차이에 대하여 확인하였다.
방법
본 연구는 제6차 근로환경조사 자료를 활용한 단면 연구로, 만 15세 이상 59세 이하인 한국인 근로자 34,175명을 대상으로 수행되었다. 다중직업종사 상태 및 육체적, 정신적 증상으로서 근골격계 통증, 두통 및 눈의 피로, 전신피로, 불면 및 불안의 유무는 자가 보고된 자료로 확인하였다. 연구대상 집단 전체 및 각 성별 집단을 대상으로, 근로자들의 인구사회학적 특성 및 직업 특성을 보정한 로지스틱 회귀분석을 시행하였다.
결과
연구대상 집단 중 135명의 남성과 103명의 여성이 다중직업종사자로 정의되었다. 인구사회학적 특성 및 직업 특성을 보정한 분석 결과 다중직업종사자에서 두통 및 눈의 피로 (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.23-2.78)와 불안 (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.05-3.79)의 위험이 더 큰 것으로 나타났다. 성별을 통한 층화 후 분석 결과 여성 근로자 집단에서 다중직업종사는 근골격계 통증 (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.02-3.34), 두통 및 눈의 피로 (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.37-4.67), 전신피로 (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.29-4.40)와 불안 (OR 2.83, 95% CI 1.11-7.20) 간 유의한 연관성을 보였다.
결론
본 연구에서 다중직업종사와 근로자의 다양한 증상 간 유의한 연관성이 있음을 확인하였다. 다중직업종사의 건강 영향은 여성 근로자 집단에서 보다 저명한 것으로 나타났다. 후속 연구는 다중직업종사 현상에 대한 사회적 맥락을 보다 고려해야 할 것이다. 또한 다중직업종사자들의 건강 유지를 위한 모니터링 및 중재가 적절히 수행되어야 함을 제안한다.

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  • Association Between Precarious Employment and Cognitive Decline: A Longitudinal Study of Middle-Aged and Older Workers in Korea
    Seong-Uk Baek, Jin-Ha Yoon
    Journal of General Internal Medicine.2025; 40(10): 2292.     CrossRef
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Original Article
Relationship between the use of hair products and urine benzophenone-3: the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 4
Siyoung Kim, Seong-yong Cho, Seongyong Yoon, Daehwan Kim, Hyun Woo Park, Jisoo Kang, Sung Woo Huh
Ann Occup Environ Med 2024;36:e20.   Published online August 6, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2024.36.e20
AbstractAbstract AbstractAbstract in Korean PDFSupplementary Material
Background

Benzophenone-3 is a type of ketone with 2 benzene rings attached to a carbonyl group (C=O) and one benzene ring attached to a hydroxyl group (-OH). As an endocrine-disrupting chemical, benzophenone-3 is known to be associated with reproductive, developmental, thyroid, and endocrine toxicities. Benzophenone-3 is commonly used in hair products, cosmetics, and ultraviolet (UV) filters because of its characteristic property to absorb UV light. This study aims to investigate the association between the use of hair products and urine benzophenone-3 using the data from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 4 (2018–2020), which represents the Korean population.

Methods

Using the KoNEHS cycle 4 survey, the data of 3,796 adults aged ≥ 19 years were analyzed. Based on the 75th percentile concentration of urine benzophenone-3, the participants were divided into the low- and high-concentration groups. Chi-square test was conducted to analyze the association of urine benzophenone-3 with distribution of general characteristics, use of personal care products, consumption of marine foods, and use of plastic products as the variable. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for the high-concentration group of urine benzophenone-3 based on the use of hair products.

Results

Women with < 6 times or ≥ 6 times of hair product usage had significantly higher adjusted ORs compared to those who did not use hair products. The calculated ORs were 1.24 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12–1.38) for women with < 6 times of usage and 1.54 (95% CI: 1.33–1.79) for women with ≥ 6 times of usage.

Conclusions

This study revealed the association between the use of hair products and the concentration of urine benzophenone-3 in the general Korean population.

제4기 (2018-2020) 국민환경보건 기초조사를 이용한 헤어제품사용과 요중 벤조페논-3(benzophenone-3)과의 관계
목적
벤조페논-3은 2개의 벤젠고리가 카르보닐기(C=O)에 결합된 케톤 형태로 이루어져 있으며, 한개의 벤젠고리에 히드록시기(-OH)가 결합된 형태를 가지고 있다. 벤조페논-3은 내분비계교란화합물(Endocrine disrupting chemical)로서 생식독성, 발달독성, 갑상선 및 내분비계 독성 등을 가지고 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 벤조페논-3은 자외선을 흡수하는 특성이 있어, 헤어제품(hair product), 화장품, 자외선차단제 등에 사용된다. 본 연구에서는 대한민국 인구집단를 대표하는 국민환경보건기초조사(KoNEHS) 4주기(2018-2020)의 데이터를 이용하여 헤어제품 사용과 요중 벤조페논-3과의 연관성을 확인하고자 한다.
방법
KoNEHS 4주기의 데이터에서 19세 이상 성인 3,796명의 참가자를 분석하였다. 요중 벤조페논-의 75번째 백분위 수 농도를 기준으로 저농도군과 고농도군으로 나누었다. 연구대상의 요중 벤조페논- 3농도와 일반적 특성, 개인 및 위생용품사용, 해양생물 섭취, 플라스틱용품사용 간의 분포 및 평균을 비교하기 위하여 독립 t-검정과 χ2 테스트를 실시하였다. 헤어제품에 대한 요중 벤조페논-3 대한 승산비(ORs)는 일반적 특성, 개인 및 위생용품사용, 해양생물 섭취, 그리고 플라스틱용품 사용을 보정한 후 로지스틱 회귀분석을 사용하여 계산하였다.
결과
본 연구에서는 여성에서 헤어제품 ‘주 6회 미만 사용군’과 ‘주 6회 이상 사용군’은 ‘사용안함군’에 비해 요중 벤조페논-3 고농도군에 속할 OR 값이 증가하였다. 계산된 OR값은 ‘주 6회 미만 사용군’ 1.24(95% CI: 1.12-1.38), ‘주 6회 이상 사용군’ 1.54 (95% CI: 1.33-1.79)이었다.
결론
본 연구를 통해서 헤어제품 사용과 요중 벤죠페논-3과의 연관성을 확인할 수 있었다.

Citations

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  • Environmental disease monitoring by regional Environmental Health Centers in Korea: a narrative review
    Myung-Sook Park, Hwan-Cheol Kim, Woo Jin Kim, Yun-Chul Hong, Won-Jun Choi, Seock-Yeon Hwang, Jiho Lee, Young-Seoub Hong, Yong-Dae Kim, Seong-Chul Hong, Joo Hyun Sung, Inchul Jeong, Kwan Lee, Won-Ju Park, Hyun-Joo Bae, Seong-Yong Yoon, Cheolmin Lee, Kyoung
    The Ewha Medical Journal.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Association between exposure to VOCs mixture and impaired renal function in Korean adults
    Seong-Uk Baek, Jin-Ha Yoon
    American Journal of Epidemiology.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • The Exposure Status of Environmental Chemicals in South Korea: The Korean National Environmental Health Survey 2018–2020
    Sooyeon Hong, Ok-Jin Kim, Sun Kyoung Jung, Hye Li Jeon, Suejin Kim, Jihyon Kil
    Toxics.2024; 12(11): 829.     CrossRef
  • 4,014 View
  • 238 Download
  • 3 Web of Science
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Original Article
Relationship between crustacean consumption and serum perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 4
Sung Woo Huh, Seong-yong Cho, Seongyong Yoon, Daehwan Kim, Hyun Woo Park, Jisoo Kang, Keon Woo Kim
Ann Occup Environ Med 2024;36:e12.   Published online April 19, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2024.36.e12
AbstractAbstract AbstractAbstract in Korean PDF
Background

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are non-aromatic organic compounds, whose hydrogen atoms in the carbon chain substituted by fluorine atoms. PFASs exhibit developmental toxicity, carcinogenicity, hepatotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity, and hormone toxicity. PFASs are used in the production of disposable food packages, aircraft and automobile devices, cooking utensils, outdoor gear, furniture and carpets, aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), cables and wires, electronics, and semiconductors. This study aimed to determine the association between crustacean consumption and serum PFASs.

Methods

Adult participants (2,993) aged ≥ 19 years were extracted from the 4th cycle data of the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS). Based on the 50th percentile concentrations of serum PFASs, participants were divided into the low-concentration group (LC) and the high-concentration group (HC). General characteristics, dietary factors, coated product usage, and personal care product usage, an independent t-test and χ2 test were analyzed. The odds ratio (OR) of serum PFAS concentration against crustacean consumption was estimated via logistic regression analysis adjusting for general characteristics, dietary factors, coated product usage, and personal care product usage.

Results

The OR for the HC of serum PFASs was higher in individuals with ≥once a week crustacean consumption than in those with < once a week crustacean consumption. Estimated ORs were perfluorohexanesulfonic acid 2.15 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.53–3.02), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) 1.23 (95% CI: 1.07–1.41), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDeA) 1.42 (95% CI: 1.17–1.74) in males, and perfluorooctanoic acid 1.48 (95% CI: 1.19–1.84), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid 1.39 (95% CI: 1.27–1.52), PFNA 1.70 (95% CI: 1.29–2.26) and PFDeA 1.43 (95% CI: 1.32–1.54) in females.

Conclusions

This study revealed the association between the crustacean consumption and concentrations of serum PFASs in general Korean population.

제4기(2018-2020) 국민환경보건 기초조사 자료를 이용한 갑각률 섭취와 혈청 괍불화화합물(PFAS)과의 관계
목적
과불화화합물은 탄소 사슬에 결합 되어 있는 수소 원자가 불소 원자로 대체된 비방향족 유기 화합물이다. PFAS 는 발달 독성, 발암성, 간 독성, 생식 독성, 면역 독성, 신경 독성 및 호르몬 독성 등을 가진다. PFAS는 일회용 식품 포장, 항공, 자동차, 조리기구, 아웃도어 용품, 가구 및 카펫, 수성막포, 케이블 및 배선, 전자 및 반도체 생산에 사용된다. 본 연구에서는 국가를 대표하는 조사인 한국 국민환경보건 기초조사(KoNEHS) 4주기의 데이터를 사용하여 갑각류 섭취와 혈청 PFAS노출과의 연관성을 확인하려고 한다.
방법
KoNEHS 4주기의 데이터에서 19세 이상 성인 2,993명의 참가자를 분석하였다. 혈청 PFAS 의 50번째 백분위 수 농도를 기준으로 저농도군과 고농도군으로 나누었다. 연구대상의 혈청 PFAS 농도와 일반적 특성, 식이요인, 코팅용품 사용, 미용제품 사용간의 분포 및 평균을 비교하기 위하여 독립 t-검정과 χ2 테스트를 실시하였다. 갑각류 섭취에 대한 혈청 PFAS의 승산비는 일반적 특성, 식이요인, 코팅용품 사용, 미용제품 사용을 보정한 후 로지스틱 회귀분석을 사용하여 계산하였다.
결과
본 연구에서는 갑각류 주1회이상 섭취군은 주1회미만 섭취군에 비해 혈청 PFAS 고농도군에 속할 OR 값이 증가하였다. 남성에서는 PFHxS 2.15(95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.53-3.02), PFNA 1.23(95% CI; 1.07-1.41), PFDeA 1.42(95% CI; 1.17-1.74), 여성에서는 PFOA 1.48(95% CI; 1.19-1.84), PFOS 1.39(95% CI; 1.27-1.52), PFNA 1.70(95% CI; 1.29-2.26), PFDeA 1.43(95% CI; 1.32-1.54) 이었다.
결론
갑각류 섭취 횟수가 많을수록 혈청 PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFDeA) 농도가 증가하였다.

Citations

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  • Environment-wide association study of five per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFASs) exposure pathways in Korean adolescents from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2018–2020)
    Soonsu Shin, Dajeong Ham, Sanghyuk Bae
    Chemosphere.2025; 373: 144161.     CrossRef
  • Environmental disease monitoring by regional Environmental Health Centers in Korea: a narrative review
    Myung-Sook Park, Hwan-Cheol Kim, Woo Jin Kim, Yun-Chul Hong, Won-Jun Choi, Seock-Yeon Hwang, Jiho Lee, Young-Seoub Hong, Yong-Dae Kim, Seong-Chul Hong, Joo Hyun Sung, Inchul Jeong, Kwan Lee, Won-Ju Park, Hyun-Joo Bae, Seong-Yong Yoon, Cheolmin Lee, Kyoung
    The Ewha Medical Journal.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Presence of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in brain samples of marine mammals from the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf, Canada
    Nejumal Kannankeril Khalid, Amira Aker, Stéphane Lair, Sébastien Sauvé
    Environmental Science: Advances.2025; 4(10): 1599.     CrossRef
  • Association between exposure to VOCs mixture and impaired renal function in Korean adults
    Seong-Uk Baek, Jin-Ha Yoon
    American Journal of Epidemiology.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • The Exposure Status of Environmental Chemicals in South Korea: The Korean National Environmental Health Survey 2018–2020
    Sooyeon Hong, Ok-Jin Kim, Sun Kyoung Jung, Hye Li Jeon, Suejin Kim, Jihyon Kil
    Toxics.2024; 12(11): 829.     CrossRef
  • 3,590 View
  • 223 Download
  • 4 Web of Science
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Original Article
The impact of alcohol consumption on hearing loss in male workers with a focus on alcohol flushing reaction: the Kangbuk Samsung Cohort Study
Jaehong Lee, Youshik Jeong, Jihoon Kim, Seonghyeon Kwon, Eunhye Seo, Jinsook Jeong, Woncheol Lee
Ann Occup Environ Med 2024;36:e1.   Published online January 22, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2024.36.e1
AbstractAbstract AbstractAbstract in Korean PDFSupplementary Material
Background

Despite hearing loss being a prevalent chronic condition, estimated to nearly 20% of the global population by the World Health Organization, the specific association with individual lifestyle factors, particularly alcohol consumption, remains unclear. In South Korea, approximately 80% of the population engages in alcohol consumption, with a notably high prevalence among males, indicating a high-risk drinking pattern. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the correlation between alcohol consumption and hearing loss in male workers, as well as to analyze additional variables such as alcohol flushing reaction, with the intention of improving worker health.

Methods

The study was conducted from January 2012 to December 2019, targeting 114,114 participants who visited Kangbuk Samsung Hospital Total Healthcare Centers. Data were collected through pure-tone audiometry tests and alcohol-related questionnaire, and statistical analysis was performed using Cox regression analysis. Based on previous studies indicating a potential protective effect of light drinking on hearing loss, this group was designated as the reference. Additionally, stratified analyses were conducted based on the presence of alcohol flushing reaction and different working hours.

Results

The hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for hearing loss was higher in the heavy drinking group (1.23 [1.11–1.37]) compared to the moderate drinking group (1.09 [0.98–1.20]). Stratified analyses revealed a significantly elevated the hazard ratio of hearing loss in groups with alcohol flushing reaction compared to those without this factor.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that moderate or heavy alcohol consumption in male workers can increase the risk of hearing loss, particularly in those with alcohol flushing reaction. These findings underscore the importance of addressing alcohol-related factors concerning hearing health among male workers.

알코올 안면홍조 중심으로 살펴본 남성 근로자에서 음주습관이 청력손실에 미치는 영향: 강북삼성 코호트연구
목적
청력손실은 세계보건기구(WHO)가 인구 20% 가까이로 그 유병률을 추정할 만큼 흔한 만성질환임에도 불구하고 개인의 생활습관 요인, 특히 음주에 따른 연관성은 아직 명확하게 밝혀진 바 없다. 한국건강증진개발원에 따르면 대한민국의 음주 인구는 80%에 육박하며 남성의 고위험 음주율이 특징적으로 높았다. 따라서 우리는 청력손실과 관련된 근로자 건강 증진을 도모하고자 남성 근로자에서 음주습관 및 청력손실 간 연관성 평가 및 알코올 안면홍조 추가 변수 분석을 수행하였다.
방법
연구는 2012년 1월부터 2019년 12월 사이 강북삼성병원 종합건강검진센터에 방문한 114,114명의 수검자들을 대상으로 이루어졌다. 순음청력검사 및 음주 설문으로 데이터를 수집하였고 통계 분석은 Cox 회귀분석을 실시하였다. 과거 연구들에서 가벼운 음주가 오히려 청력손실에 보호효과를 나타내었으므로 해당 그룹을 참조(reference)로 지정하였다. 추가적으로 알코올 안면홍조 여부에 따른 층화분석을 시행하였다.
결과
청력손실의 위험비(95% 신뢰구간)는 중간 음주 그룹 1.09(0.98-1.20)에 비해 대량 음주 그룹이 1.23(1.11-1.37)로 더 높았다. 층화분석에서는 알코올 안면홍조가 있는 음주 그룹에서의 청력손실 위험비가 그렇지 않은 음주 그룹보다 유의하게 높은 경향을 보였다.
결론
우리는 연구를 통해 남성 근로자들에서 중간 또는 대량 음주는 청력손실의 발생 위험을 높일 수 있고, 특히 알코올 안면홍조가 있는 남성 근로자들은 그 위험도가 더 증가함을 밝혀낼 수 있었다.

Citations

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  • Prevalence of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss among Truck Drivers: a Cross-Sectional Study in Lucknow
    Anupam Mehrotra, Sheo P. Shukla, Arvind K. Shukla, Manish K. Manar, Shivendra K. Singh, Monica Mehrotra
    Noise and Health.2025; 27(124): 72.     CrossRef
  • 6,668 View
  • 209 Download
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Original Article
Relationship between the use of plastics in refrigerator food storage and urine phthalate metabolites: the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 3
Jisoo Kang, Seong-yong Cho, Seongyong Yoon
Ann Occup Environ Med 2023;35:e53.   Published online December 27, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e53
AbstractAbstract AbstractAbstract in Korean PDF
Background

Plastics are high-molecular-weight materials composed of long carbon chains. They are prevalent in daily life, present in various items such as food containers and microwavable packaging. Phthalates, an additive used to enhance their flexibility, are endocrine-disrupting chemicals. We utilized the data from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 3, representing the general South Korean population, to investigate the relationship between the use of plastics in refrigerator food storage and phthalate exposure.

Methods

We assessed 3,333 adult participants (aged ≥ 19 years) including 1,526 men and 1,807 women, using data from KoNEHS cycle 3. Using the 75th percentile concentration, urine phthalate metabolites were categorized into high and low-concentration groups. χ2 test was conducted to analyze variations in the distribution of each variable, considering sociodemographic factors, health-related factors, food intake, the use of plastics, and the concentration of urine phthalate metabolites as the variables. To calculate odds ratios (ORs) for the high-concentration group of urine phthalate metabolites based on the use of plastics in refrigerator food storage, logistic regression analysis was conducted.

Results

In men, the use of plastics in refrigerator food storage had significantly higher adjusted ORs compared to those using the others. The adjusted ORs were calculated as follows: mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) had an OR of 1.35 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.72), mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) had an OR of 1.48 (95% CI: 1.16–1.88), mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP) had an OR of 1.32 (95% CI: 1.04–1.66), ∑di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (∑DEHP) had an OR of 1.37 (95% CI: 1.08–1.74) and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) had an OR of 1.44 (95% CI: 1.13–1.84).

Conclusion

The concentrations of urine phthalate metabolites (MEHHP, MEOHP, MECPP, ∑DEHP, and MnBP) were significantly higher in men who used plastics in refrigerator food storage compared to those using the others.

제3기(2015-2017) 국민환경보건 기초조사 자료를 이용한 냉장고 식품보관 시 플라스틱을 사용하는 경우와 요중 프탈레이트 대사체간의 관계
목적
플라스틱은 긴 탄소 사슬로 구성된 고분자 물질로 일상생활에서 식품용기, 전자레인지용 포장용기 등 다양한 곳에서 사용되고 있다. 프탈레이트는 플라스틱의 유연성을 증가시키는 가소제로 사용되는데, 이는 내분비계 장애물질로 알려져있다. 본 연구에서는 우리나라 인구를 대표하는 자료인 국민환경보건 기초조사 3기를 이용하여 가정내 냉장고 식품보관 시 플라스틱을 사용하는 경우와 요중 프탈레이트 대사체와의 연관성을 조사하였다.
방법
본 연구는 국민환경보건 기초조사 3기에서 3,333명의 19세 이상 성인을 연구 대상자로 선정하였다. (남자: 1,526명 여자: 1,807명) 요중 프탈레이트 대사체는 75th percentile값을 기준으로 요중 프탈레이트 대사체 고농도군과 저농도군으로 정의하였다. 사회인구학적 요인, 건강행태 요인, 식이요인과 플라스틱 사용, 요중 프탈레이트 대사체 농도간의 분포를 분석하기위해 χ2-test를 사용하였다. 또한 로지스틱 회귀분석을 사용하여 가정내 냉장고 식품보관 시 플라스틱을 사용하는 경우와 요중 프탈레이트 대사체 고농도군에 속할 OR값을 계산하였다.
결과
남성에서 가정내 냉장고 식품보관시 플라스틱을 사용하는 경우 플라스틱을 사용하지 않는 경우보다 요중 프탈레이트 대사체 농도가 높았다. 플라스틱을 사용하는 경우 MEHHP의 고농도군에 해당될 adjusted ORs은 1.35(95%CI: 1.05-1.72), MEOHP 1.48(95%CI: 1.16-1.88), MECPP 1.32(95%CI: 1.04-1.66), ∑DEHP 1.37(95%CI: 1.08-1.74), MnBP 1.44(95%CI: 1.13-1.84)으로 조사되었다.
결론
남성에서 가정내 냉장고 식품 보관 시 플라스틱을 사용하는 경우는 플라스틱을 사용하지 않는 경우보다 요중 프탈레이트 대사체(MEHHP, MEOHP, MECPP, ∑DEHP, MnBP) 농도가 높았다.

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    Exposure and Health.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
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    Scientific Reports.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
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Original Article
The relationship between fatigue and sickness absence from work
Minsun Kim, Jiho Kim, SeongCheol Yang, Dong-Wook Lee, Shin-Goo Park, Jong-Han Leem, Hwan-Cheol Kim
Ann Occup Environ Med 2023;35:e32.   Published online August 10, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e32
AbstractAbstract AbstractAbstract in Korean PDF
Background

Although many studies have been conducted on worker fatigue and sickness absence, the association between fatigue and sickness absence is unclear in Korean workers. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of worker fatigue on future sickness absence.

Methods

The study was conducted on workers who received medical check-ups at a university hospital for two consecutive years (2014–2015). During check-ups in the first year, the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) was used to assess fatigue levels, and during check-ups in the second year, sickness absence was surveyed to determine whether they had been absent from work due to physical or mental illness during previous 12 months. The χ2 test was used to analyze relationships between sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, fatigue levels, and sickness absence. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated by logistic regression analysis controlled for confounding factors.

Results

A total of 12,250 workers were included in the study, and 396 (3.2%) workers experienced more than one day of sickness absence during the study period. Adjusted ORs for sickness absence were 3.35 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.64–4.28) in the moderate-fatigue group and 6.87 (95% CI: 4.93–9.57) in the high-fatigue group versus the low-fatigue group. For men in the moderate- and high-fatigue groups, adjusted ORs for sickness absence were 3.40 (95% CI: 2.58–4.48) and 8.94 (95% CI: 6.12–13.07), and for women in the moderate- and high-fatigue groups, adjusted ORs for sickness absence were 2.93 (95% CI: 1.68–5.10) and 3.71 (95% CI: 1.84–7.49), respectively.

Conclusions

Worker fatigue is associated with sickness absence during the following 12 months, and this association appears to be stronger for men than women. These results support the notion that sickness absence can be reduced by evaluating and managing work-related fatigue.

근로자의 피로와 질병 결근의 연관성
목적
근로자의 피로와 질병 결근에 관한 많은 연구가 이루어졌으나, 한국 근로자의 피로와 질병 결근의 연관성은 불분명합니다. 본 연구는 근로자의 피로가 미래의 질병 결근에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위해 수행되었습니다.
방법
본 연구는 2년 연속(2014년-2015년) 대학병원에서 건강검진을 받은 근로자들을 대상으로 실시되었습니다. 첫번째 2014년 건강검진에서는 피로 심각도 척도를 이용하여 피로도를 평가했고, 다음해인 2015년 건강검진에서는 같은 근로자를 대상으로 지난 12개월 간 신체적 질환 또는 정신적 질환으로 인한 결근한 적이 있는지를 조사했습니다. χ2 분석으로 사회인구학적 특성과 직업적 특성, 피로도와 질병 결근의 연관성을 분석하였습니다. 오즈비는 교란 요인들을 통제 후 로지스틱 회귀 분석을 통해 측정되었습니다.
결과
연구 대상에는 총 12,250명의 근로자가 포함되었으며, 12개월 동안 396명(3.2%)의 근로자가 하루 이상의 질병 결근을 하였습니다. 질병 결근에 대한 조정된 오즈비는 낮은 피로 그룹에 비해 중간 피로 그룹에서 3.35 (95% CI: 2.64-4.28), 고피로 그룹에서 6.87 (95% CI: 4.93-9.57)였습니다. 남성의 질병 결근에 대한 조정된 오즈비는 중간 피로 그룹에서 3.40 (95% CI: 2.58-4.48), 고피로 그룹에서 8.94 (95% CI: 6.12-13.07)였으며, 여성의 질병 결근에 대한 조정된 오즈비는 중간 피로 그룹에서 2.93 (95% CI: 1.68-5.10), 고피로 그룹에서 3.71 (95% CI: 1.84-7.49)이었습니다.
결론
근로자의 피로는 이후 12개월 동안의 질병 결근과 관련이 있으며, 이 연관성은 여성보다 남성에게 더 강한 것으로 보입니다. 이러한 결과는 업무 관련 피로를 평가하고 관리함으로써 질병 결근을 줄일 수 있다는 개념을 뒷받침합니다.

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    Crystal Lee, Jeong Su Oh
    Nucleic Acids Research.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
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Original Article
Incidence rates of injury, musculoskeletal, skin, pulmonary and chronic diseases among construction workers by classification of occupations in South Korea: a 1,027 subject-based cohort of the Korean Construction Worker’s Cohort (KCWC)
Seungho Lee, Yoon-Ji Kim, Youngki Kim, Dongmug Kang, Seung Chan Kim, Se-Yeong Kim
Ann Occup Environ Med 2023;35:e26.   Published online July 24, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e26
AbstractAbstract AbstractAbstract in Korean PDFSupplementary Material
Background

The objective of this study is to investigate the differences in incidence rates of targeted diseases by classification of occupations among construction workers in Korea.

Methods

In a subject-based cohort of the Korean Construction Worker’s Cohort, we surveyed a total of 1,027 construction workers. As occupational exposure, the classification of occupations was developed using two axes: construction business and job type. To analyze disease incidence, we linked survey data with National Health Insurance Service data. Eleven target disease categories with high prevalence or estimated work-relatedness among construction workers were evaluated in our study. The average incidence rates were calculated as cases per 1,000 person-years (PY).

Results

Injury, poisoning, and certain other consequences of external causes had the highest incidence rate of 344.08 per 1,000 PY, followed by disease of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue for 208.64 and diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue for 197.87 in our cohort. We especially found that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was more common in construction painters, civil engineering welders, and civil engineering frame mold carpenters, asthma in construction painters, landscape, and construction water proofers, interstitial lung diseases in construction water proofers.

Conclusions

This is the first study to systematically classify complex construction occupations in order to analyze occupational diseases in Korean construction workers. There were differences in disease incidences among construction workers based on the classification of occupations. It is necessary to develop customized occupational safety and health policies for high-risk occupations for each disease in the construction industry.

한국 건설업 종사자의 손상, 근골격계 질환, 피부, 호흡기 및 만성질환의 건설 직종에 따른 발생률: 한국 건설업 종사자 코호트(KCWC) 의 1027명 대상자 기반 세부 코호트 분석
목적
본 연구의 목적은 한국 건설업 종사자에 있어 주요 질환의 건설 직종별 발생률 차이를 알아보는 것이다.
방법
한국 건설업 종사자 코호트(KCWC)의 대상자 기반 세부 코호트로 총 1,027명의 건설업 종사자가 1:1면접설문조사를 통해 입적되었다. 직업적 노출요인으로 직종은 크게 건설산업환경과 직무 두 가지 축으로 분류되었다: 직업적 노출(설문조사) 자료와 국민건강보험공단 청구 맞춤형 자료를 연계하여 질환의 평균 발생률을 분석하였다. 주요 질환은 건설업 종사자에서 유병률이 높거나 업무 관련성이 있을 것으로 추정되는 11개의 대상 질환을 평가하였다. 질환별 평균 발생률은 1,000인년당 발병 사례수(명)으로 계산하였다.
결과
손상, 중독 및 외인에 의한 특정 기타 결과가 1,000인년당 344.08명으로 가장 높은 발생률을 보였고, 그 다음으로 근골격계 및 결체조직의 질환이 1,000인년당 208.64명, 피부 및 피하조직 질환이 1,000인녕당 197.87명 순으로 높았다. 특히, 만성 폐쇄성 폐질환이 건축 도장공, 토목 용접공, 토목 형틀목공에서 타 직종에 비해 상대적으로 높은 발생률을 보였고, 천식은 건축 도장공, 조경, 건축 방수공에서, 간질성 폐질환은 건축 방수공에서 상대적으로 높은 발생률을 보였다.
결론
본 연구는 한국 건설업 종사자의 주요 직업성 질환 및 호발 질환 등을 복잡한 건설산업의 직종을 체계적으로 분류하여 분석한 최초의 연구로 연구진들은 건설업 종사자의 질환별 발생률에 있어 직종별 차이를 확인하였다. 건설 산업에서 각 질환별 고위험 직종별로 맞춤형 산업안전보건정책 개발이 필요하다.

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  • Occupational disease monitoring by the Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center: a narrative review
    Dong-Wook Lee, Inah Kim, Jungho Hwang, Sunhaeng Choi, Tae-Won Jang, Insung Chung, Hwan-Cheol Kim, Jaebum Park, Jungwon Kim, Kyoung Sook Jeong, Youngki Kim, Eun-Soo Lee, Yangwoo Kim, Inchul Jeong, Hyunjeong Oh, Hyeoncheol Oh, Jea Chul Ha, Jeehee Min, Chul
    The Ewha Medical Journal.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • A systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence and demographic risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in construction workers
    Weiner Santos, Alejandro Lorente, Carmen Rojas, Rui Isidoro, Ana Dias, Gonzalo Mariscal, Ahmed Hamdy Zabady, Rafael Lorente
    Frontiers in Public Health.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Work Performance Among Workers without Disabilities after Industrial Accidents: A Longitudinal Study
    Chong Min Hong
    The Open Public Health Journal.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
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Original Article
Correlation of commute time with the risk of subjective mental health problems: 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS)
Hyo Choon Lee, Eun Hye Yang, Soonsu Shin, Seoung Ho Moon, Nan Song, Jae-Hong Ryoo
Ann Occup Environ Med 2023;35:e9.   Published online May 11, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e9
AbstractAbstract AbstractAbstract in Korean PDF
Background

Studies conducted so far on the link between commute time and mental health among Koreans remain insufficient. In this study, we attempted to identify the relationship between commute time and subjective mental health using the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS).

Methods

Self-reported commute time was divided into four groups: ≤ 30 (group 1), 30–60 (group 2), 60–120 (group 3), and > 120 minutes (group 4). Subjective depression was defined as a score of 50 points or less on the WHO-5 well-being index. Subjective anxiety and fatigue were defined as answering ‘yes’ to the questionnaire on whether they had experienced it over the past year. The analysis of variance, t-test, and χ2 test was used to analyze the differences among the characteristics of the study participants according to commute time, depression, anxiety, and fatigue. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for depression, anxiety, and fatigue according to commute time were calculated using multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for sex, age, monthly income, occupation, company size, weekly working hours, and shift work status.

Results

Long commute times showed increased ORs and graded increasing trends for depression, anxiety, and fatigue. The ORs for depression increased significantly in group 2 (1.06 [1.01–1.11]), group 3 (1.23 [1.13–1.33]), and group 4 (1.31 [1.09–1.57]) compared to group 1 (reference). The ORs for anxiety increased significantly in group 2 (1.17 [1.06–1.29]), group 3 (1.43 [1.23–1.65]) and group 4 (1.89 [1.42–2.53]). The ORs for fatigue increased significantly in group 2 (1.09 [1.04–1.15]), group 3 (1.32 [1.21–1.43]), and group 4 (1.51 [1.25–1.82]).

Conclusions

This study highlights that the risk of depression, anxiety, and fatigue increases with commute time.

통근 시간과 주관적 정신건강문제 위험의 상관관계 : 제6차 한국근로환경조사
목적
한국인들의 통근 시간과 정신 건강의 관계에 대해 지금까지 수행된 연구는 매우 부족하다. 본 연구에서는 제6차 한국근로환경조사 자료를 이용하여 통근 시간과 주관적 정신건강의 관계를 규명하고자 하였다.
방법
자가 보고된 통근 시간은 30분 이하(1군), 30분-60분(2군), 60분-120분(3군), 120분 초과(4군)의 4개 그룹으로 분류하였다. 주관적 우울은 WHO-5 웰빙 지수 50점 이하인 경우로 정의하였다. 주관적 불안과 피로는 지난 1년간 이러한 증상을 경험한 적이 있는지에 대한 설문지에 '그렇다'고 대답한 경우로 정의하였다. 분산분석, T-검정 및 카이-제곱 검정을 사용하여 출퇴근 시간, 우울, 불안, 피로에 따른 연구 참여자들의 특성 차이를 분석하였다. 성별, 연령, 월 소득, 직업, 회사 규모, 주당 근로 시간, 교대근무 상태를 보정한 다변량 로지스틱 회귀모형을 이용하여, 통근 시간에 따른 우울, 불안, 피로에 대한 오즈비와 95% 신뢰구간을 산출하였다.
결과
긴 통근 시간은 우울, 불안, 피로에 대한 오즈비 증가 및 점진적인 상승 추세를 보여주었다. 우울에 대한 오즈비는 2군(1.06[1.01-1.11]), 3군(1.23[1.13-1.33])과 4군(1.31[1.09-1.57])에서 1군(참조군)에 비해 유의하게 증가하였다. 불안에 대한 오즈비는 2군(1.17[1.06-1.29]), 3군(1.43[1.23-1.65])과 4군(1.89[1.42-2.53])에서 유의하게 증가했다. 피로에 대한 오즈비는 2군(1.09[1.04-1.15]), 3군(1.32[1.21-1.43])과 4군(1.51[1.25-1.82])에서 유의하게 증가했다.
결론
본 연구는 출퇴근 시간이 증가함에 따라 우울증, 불안, 피로의 위험이 증가한다는 것을 강조한다.

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  • Study on the influence of commuting time on workers' health status and its mechanism
    Yu Gan, Jing Zhang
    Journal of Transport & Health.2025; 41: 102010.     CrossRef
  • Association between commute time and loneliness: An analysis based on 2023 Seoul survey data
    Baek-Yong Choi, Ji-Hyeon Lee, Seok-Yoon Son, Seung-Woo Ryoo, Jin-Young Min, Kyoung-Bok Min
    Journal of Transport & Health.2025; 43: 102059.     CrossRef
  • Six years of car driving experience: impact of psychological status, sleep, fatigue and quality of life in female drivers in Saudi Arabia: an online survey study
    Thamir Al-khlaiwi, Dena S. Alsuhaibani, Hoor K. Aloraini, Jana I. Alhazmi, Razan A. Almohanna, Sara A. Alsheikh, Turkia A. Alsheik, Norah Alrashoud, Muhammad Iqbal
    BMC Public Health.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
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  • 51 Download
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Original Article
Relationship between visual display terminal working hours and headache/eyestrain in Korean wage workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: the sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey
Gayoung Kim, Seong-yong Cho, Jinseok Kim, Seongyong Yoon, Jisoo Kang, Si young Kim
Ann Occup Environ Med 2023;35:e8.   Published online May 9, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e8
AbstractAbstract AbstractAbstract in Korean PDF
Background

Prolonged use of visual display terminal (VDT) can cause eyestrain, dry eyes, blurred vision, double vision, headache and musculoskeletal symptoms (neck, shoulder, and wrist pain). VDT working hours among workers have greatly increased during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between VDT working hours and headache/eyestrain in wage workers using data from the sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) (2020–2021) conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We analyzed the sixth KWCS data of 28,442 wage workers aged 15 years or older. The headache/eyestrain that occurred in the last year was assessed. The VDT work group included workers who use VDT always, almost always, and three-fourth of the working hours, while the non-VDT work group included workers who use VDT half of the working hours, one-fourth of the working hours, almost never, and never. To analyze the relationship between VDT working hours and headache/eyestrain, the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using logistic regression analysis.

Results

Among the non-VDT work group, 14.4% workers experienced headache/eyestrain, whereas 27.5% workers of the VDT work group experienced these symptoms. For headache/eyestrain, the VDT work group showed adjusted OR of 1.94 (95% CI: 1.80–2.09), compared with the non-VDT work group, and the group that always used VDT showed adjusted OR of 2.54 (95% CI: 2.26–2.86), compared with the group that never used VDT.

Conclusions

This study suggests that during the COVID-19 pandemic, as VDT working hours increased, the risk of headache/eyestrain increased for Korean wage workers.

코로나 19 유행 시기의 임금근로자에서 영상표시단말기(VDT) 작업시간과 두통/눈피로의 연관성: 제 6차 근로환경조사(KWCS)
목적
영상표시단말기(VDT)를 장시간 사용하면 눈의 피로, 안구 건조, 시야 흐림, 복시, 두통 및 근골격계 증상(목, 어깨 및 손목 통증)을 유발할 수 있다. 코로나19의 유행 동안 근로자들의 VDT 근로시간이 크게 증가했다. 본 연구는 코로나19 유행 시기에 실시된 제6차 KWCS(2020-2021) 자료를 활용하여 임금근로자의 VDT 근로시간과 두통/눈피로의 연관성을 조사하고자 하였다.
방법
본 연구는 15세 이상 임금근로자 28,442명을 대상으로 제6차 KWCS 자료를 분석하였다. 두통/눈피로는 지난 1년 동안 발생 여부로 확인하였다. 근무시간 내내, 거의 모든 근무시간, 근무시간 3/4 동안 VDT를 사용할 경우 VDT 작업군으로 분류하였고, 근무시간 절반, 근무시간 1/4, 거의 없음, 전혀 사용하지 않는 경우 VDT 비작업군으로 분류하였다. VDT 근무시간과 두통/눈피로의 관계를 분석하기 위해 로지스틱 회귀분석을 이용하여 승산비(OR)와 95% 신뢰구간(CI)을 계산하였다.
결과
본 연구는 15세 이상 임금근로자 28,442명을 대상으로 제6차 KWCS 자료를 분석하였다. 두통/눈피로는 지난 1년 동안 발생 여부로 확인하였다. 근무시간 내내, 거의 모든 근무시간, 근무시간 3/4 동안 VDT를 사용할 경우 VDT 작업군으로 분류하였고, 근무시간 절반, 근무시간 1/4, 거의 없음, 전혀 사용하지 않는 경우 VDT 비작업군으로 분류하였다. VDT 근무시간과 두통/눈피로의 관계를 분석하기 위해 로지스틱 회귀분석을 이용하여 승산비(OR)와 95% 신뢰구간(CI)을 계산하였다.
결론
본 연구는 코로나19 세계적 유행 기간 동안 VDT 근로시간이 증가함에 따라 한국 임금근로자의 두통/눈피로 위험이 증가함을 시사한다.
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Original Article
Risk assessment of heavy metals in tuna from Japanese restaurants in the Republic of Korea
Seong-Jin Bae, Kyu-Sik Shin, Chulyong Park, Kiook Baek, So-Young Son, Joon Sakong
Ann Occup Environ Med 2023;35:e3.   Published online February 9, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e3
AbstractAbstract AbstractAbstract in Korean PDFSupplementary Material
Background

Studies on the risk of mercury (Hg) in Korean fishery products focus primarily on total Hg levels as opposed to methylmercury (MeHg) levels. None of the few studies on MeHg in tuna investigated tuna from Japanese restaurants. Few have evaluated lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) in tuna. Thus, this study aimed to conduct a risk assessment by evaluating heavy metal concentrations in tuna from Japanese restaurants.

Methods

Thirty-one tuna samples were collected from Japanese restaurants in the Republic of Korea. They were classified according to region and species. The concentration of heavy metals in the samples was analyzed using the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Food Code method. The rate of exceedance of maximum residue levels (MRLs) and the risk compared to the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) set by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (%PTWI) were evaluated for risk assessment.

Results

The mean of MeHg, Pb, Cd and As concentrations were 0.56 ± 1.47 mg/kg, 33.95 ± 3.74 μg/kg, 14.25 ± 2.19 μg/kg and 1.46 ± 1.89 mg/kg, respectively. No sample exceeded the MRLs of Pb and Cd, but 9.7% of the samples exceeded the MRL of MeHg. The %PTWIs of MeHg, Pb, Cd and As were 4.2037, 0.0162, 0.0244 and 1.1627, respectively. The %PTWI of MeHg by age group and sex was highest among men aged 19–29 years (10.6494), followed by men aged 30–49 years (7.2458) and women aged 19–29 years (4.8307).

Conclusions

We found that 3 out of 31 samples exceeded the MRL of MeHg. The %PTWI of MeHg showed significant differences based on age and sex, and the value was likely to exceed a safe level depending on individuals’ eating behaviors. Therefore, improved risk management for MeHg is required.

한국의 일식집 유통 참치의 중금속(4종) 위해성평가
목적
국내 수산물의 수은에 관한 위해성 연구는 주로 메틸수은이 아닌 총 수은을 대상으로 이루어졌다. 소수의 참치의 메틸수은에 대한 연구들 중 일식점 유통 참치에 대한 연구는 없었다. 참치의 납, 카드뮴 및 비소에 대한 연구도 거의 이루어지지 않았다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 일식점 유통 참치의 중금속 농도를 평가하여 위해성평가를 실시하고자 하였다.
방법
참치는 한국의 일식집에서 총 31개의 시료가 수집되었다. 지역과 참치의 종에 따라서 분류하였다. 시료의 중금속 농도는 식품의약품안전처의 식품공전에 따라 분석했다. 위해성평가를 위해서 식품의 잔류허용기준을 초과하는 비율과 FAO/WHO합동식품첨가물 전문가위원회가 설정한 잠정주간섭취허용과 비교한 위험도(%PTWI)를 산출하였다.
결과
메틸수은, 납, 카드뮴 및 비소 농도의 기하평균은 각각 0.56 ± 1.47 mg/kg, 33.95 ± 3.74 μg/kg, 14.25 ± 2.19 μg/kg 및 1.46 ± 1.89 mg/kg이었다. 납과 카드뮴의 경우 잔류허용기준을 초과하는 시료가 없었으나 메틸수은의 경우 시료의 9.7%가 초과했다. 메틸수은, 납, 카드뮴 및 비소의 %PTWI는 4.2037, 0.0162, 0.0244 및 1.1627이었다. 메틸수은의 %PTWI는 19-29세의 남성, 30-49세의 남성, 19-29세의 여성 순으로 높았으며, 그 값은 10.6494, 7.2458, 4.8307이었다.
결론
총 31개의 시료 중 3개에서 메틸수은의 잔류허용기준을 초과하는 것으로 나타났다. 메틸수은의 %PTWI는 연령과 성별에 따라 상당한 차이를 보였고, 그리고 그 값은 섭취행태에 따라서 안전 수준을 초과할 가능성을 보였다. 따라서, 메틸수은에 대한 개선된 안전성 관리 방안이 필요할 것으로 보인다.

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  • Association Between Heavy Metals Exposure and Elevated High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein: Mediating Role of Body Mass Index
    Seong-Uk Baek, Jin-Ha Yoon
    Biomolecules.2025; 15(11): 1491.     CrossRef
  • Metal Load of Potentially Toxic Elements in Tuna (Thunnus albacares)—Food Safety Aspects
    József Lehel, Zita Papp, András Bartha, Péter Palotás, Rita Szabó, Péter Budai, Miklós Süth
    Foods.2023; 12(16): 3038.     CrossRef
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Original Article
Relationship between shellfish consumption and urinary phthalate metabolites: Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 3 (2015-2017)
Jisoo Kang, Seong-yong Cho, Jinseok Kim, Seongyong Yoon, Jong-min An, Gayoung Kim, Si young Kim
Ann Occup Environ Med 2023;35:e2.   Published online February 6, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e2
AbstractAbstract AbstractAbstract in Korean PDF
Background

Phthalates are endocrine disrupting chemicals that are widely used in the production of items of daily life such as in polyvinylchloride plastics, insecticides, and medical devices. This study aimed to determine the association between phthalate exposure and shellfish consumption using data from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 3 (2015–2017), which is a nationally representative survey.

Methods

In this study, we analyzed the KoNEHS cycle 3 data of 3,333 (1,526 men and 1,807 women) adults aged more than 19 years. Data related to the variables of sociodemographic factors, health-related behaviors, dietary factors, seafood consumption frequency, and urinary phthalate metabolites concentrations were collected. The concentrations of urinary phthalate metabolites of all the participants were divided into quartiles to define high and low concentration groups based on the 75th percentile concentration. A χ2 test was conducted to analyze the distribution of independent variables. To analyze the relationship between shellfish consumption and phthalate exposure, the odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using logistic regression analysis.

Results

Total adults with shellfish consumption frequency of over once a week showed the following adjusted ORs for high concentrations of the following metabolites compared with the group that consumed shellfish once a week or less: 1.43 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–2.06) for mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP), 1.43 (95% CI: 1.01–2.03) for mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP), 1.57 (95% CI: 1.10–2.24) for ∑di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (∑DEHP), 2.01 (95% CI: 1.46–2.77) for mono-carboxyoctyl phthalate (MCOP), 1.56 (95% CI: 1.11–2.18) for mono-carboxy-isononly phthalate (MCNP), and 2.57 (95% CI: 1.85–3.56) for mono (3-carboxypropyl) phthalate (MCPP).

Conclusions

The concentrations of urinary phthalate metabolites (MEOHP, MECPP, ∑DEHP, MCOP, MCNP, and MCPP) were higher in adults with a higher frequency of shellfish consumption.

국민환경보건 기초조사 제3기(2015-2017) 자료를 이용한 조개류 섭취와 요중 프탈레이트 대사체간의 관계
목적
프탈레이트(phthalate)는 내분비계 장애물질(endocrine disrupting chemicals, EDCs)로서, 일상생활에서 가소제, 살충제, 의료기기 등으로 광범위하게 사용되고 있다. 프탈레이트는 해양 생태계에서 널리 발견되며, 조개류는 해양생태계오염의 대표적인 지표로 사용된다. 현재까지 해양 생태계의 프탈레이트의 오염에 대한 다양한 연구가 수행되고 있으나 국내에서 프탈레이트 노출과 조개류 섭취와 관련된 연구는 아직 이루어진 바가 없다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 우리나라 인구를 대표하는 자료인 국민환경보건 기초조사 제3기(2015-2017) 자료를 이용하여 요중 프탈레이트 대사체와 조개류 섭취와의 연관성을 분석하고자 했다.
방법
본 연구는 국민환경보건 기초조사 제3기(2015-2017) 자료를 이용하여 만 19세 이상 성인 3,333명(남자1,526명과 여자1,807명)을 대상으로 진행하였다. 사회인구학적 변수 및 건강행태 관련 변수 및 식이 요인과 해산물의 섭취 빈도, 요중 프탈레이트 대사체 농도를 변수로 두어 각 변수 간의 분포 차이를 분석하였다. 로지스틱 회귀분석을 사용하여 조개류 섭취빈도에 따라 요중 프탈레이트 대사체 고농도군에 속할 OR값을 계산하였다.
결과
조개류 섭취의 경우 주 1회 초과군에서 MEOHP의 고농도군에 해당될 adjusted ORs은 1.43(95%CI: 1.01-2.06), MECPP 1.43(95%CI: 1.01-2.03), ∑DEHP 1.57(95%CI: 1.10-2.24), MCOP 2.01(95%CI: 1.46-2.77), MCNP 1.56(95%CI: 1.11-2.18), MCPP 2.57(95%CI: 1.85-3.56)으로 조사되었다.
결론
성인에서 조개류 섭취 빈도가 많을수록 요중 프탈레이트 대사체(MEOHP, MECPP, ∑DEHP, MCOP, MCNP, MCPP) 농도가 높았다.

Citations

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  • Filling gaps in population estimates of phthalate exposure globally: A systematic review and meta-analysis of international biomonitoring data
    Jonathan M. Acevedo, Linda G. Kahn, Kristyn A. Pierce, Vittorio Albergamo, Anna Carrasco, Robbie S.J. Manuel, Marissa Singer Rosenberg, Leonardo Trasande
    International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health.2025; 265: 114539.     CrossRef
  • Urinary phthalate metabolites and heart rate variability: A panel study
    Ziqian Zhang, Miao Liu, Lei Zhao, Linlin Liu, Wenting Guo, Jie Yu, Huihua Yang, Xuefeng Lai, Xiaomin Zhang, Liangle Yang
    Environmental Pollution.2023; 330: 121760.     CrossRef
  • Microplastics induced inflammation and apoptosis via ferroptosis and the NF-κB pathway in carp
    Tianchao Xu, Jie Cui, Ran Xu, Jingwen Cao, Meng-yao Guo
    Aquatic Toxicology.2023; 262: 106659.     CrossRef
  • Relationship between the use of plastics in refrigerator food storage and urine phthalate metabolites: the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 3
    Jisoo Kang, Seong-yong Cho, Seongyong Yoon
    Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
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Original Article
Occupational factors affecting the decline in pulmonary function among male farmers using occupational pesticide in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Sooyeon Lee, Jiyoung Han, Seung Hee Woo, Soo-Jin Lee
Ann Occup Environ Med 2022;34:e42.   Published online December 8, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e42
AbstractAbstract AbstractAbstract in Korean PDF
Background

Occupational pesticide exposure is a potential risk for respiratory health effects. Most clinical studies on pesticide exposure were related to acute exposure, and only a few studies on chronic exposure have been conducted. This study investigated the chronic respiratory health status and the chronic effects of occupational pesticide exposures of farmers in Gyeonggi-do.

Methods

Surveys and pulmonary function tests were conducted on 1,697 farmers in 16 regions of Gyeonggi-do. The structured questionnaire included demographic characteristics, medical history, recent respiratory symptoms and diseases, and work-related conditions, and was conducted through one-on-one interviews. The prevalence of respiratory diseases was compared by the odds ratios (ORs) at 95% confidence intervals (CIs) estimated by logistic regression analysis. Additional multivariate logistic regression analysis was also conducted.

Results

Pesticide work groups showed significant association with an obstructive pattern in the lung function test (unadjusted OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.17–5.52). Selected work-related variables of pesticide exposure were ‘start age,’ ‘cumulative duration,’ ‘mixing pesticides,’ and ‘protection(goggle).’ The obstructive pattern of lung function test showed significant associations with mixing pesticides (OR, 2.30; 95% CI,1.07–5.46), and protection (goggle) use (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.12–0.79).

Conclusions

Mixing two or more pesticides showed a significant association. Wearing goggles can be seen as an indicator of awareness of the protective equipment and proper wearing of protective equipment, and loss of pulmonary function can be prevented when appropriate protection is worn.

한국 경기도 지역의 남성 농업인 폐기능 감소에 영향을 주는 직업적요인들
목적
직업적 농약노출은 호흡기 건강영향에 대해 잠재적인 위험을 갖고 있다. 과거 농약노출에 대한 임상연구는 대부분 급성 농약노출에 대한 것이었다. 이번 연구에서는 농약의 직업적 노출에 대한 만성적 호흡기 건강영향을 조사하며, 농약사용에 있어서 어떤 작업변수가 실제 영향을 미치는지 조사한다.
방법
2013년부터 2015년까지 경기도 16개 지역에서 농작업을 하는 농업인 1697명을 대상으로, 농작업현황과 인구학적 정보를 포함한 구조화된 설문조사를 일대일 대면 인터뷰형태로 실시했으며, 동시에 폐기능검사를 실시하였다. 통계적분석방법은 로지스틱 회귀분석으로 95% 신뢰구간에 대하여 폐기능검사에서의 폐쇄성형태, 제한성형태와 최근 6개월의 호흡기증상의 유병률을 오즈비를 구하여 비교하였다. 농약작업과의 세부관계성을 밝히기 위하여 추가적인 다변량-로지스틱회귀분석을 수행하였다.
결과
농약 작업군에서 폐쇄성패턴과 유의한 연관성을 보였다(오즈비: 2.38, 1.17-5.52). 다변량-로지스틱회귀분석 결과, 농약 사용패턴 중 유의미한 변수는 '누적노출년도', '농약작업 시작나이', '농약 혼합', '보호구착용(고글)'로 나타났으며, 폐쇄성패턴과 농약혼합행태, 보호구착용이 유의한 연관성을 보여주었다.
결론
농약에 노출된 농업인은 폐기능감소에 있어 유의한 기능감소를 보여주었다. 농약관련 변수 중에는 양적인 변수들이 유의한 관련성이 있었으며, 고글착용은 적절한 보호구착용의 지표로 볼 수 있으며, 보호효과가 있었다.

Citations

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  • Small-Scale Farming, Pesticide Exposure, and Respiratory Health: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bolivia
    Maria Teresa Solís-Soto, Jonas Walber, Armando Basagoitia, Ondine S. von Ehrenstein, Katja Radon
    Environments.2025; 12(8): 290.     CrossRef
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    BMC Pulmonary Medicine.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
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Original Article
Transnational ties with the home country matters: the moderation effect of the relationship between perceived discrimination and self-reported health among foreign workers in Korea
Yaena Song, Sou Hyun Jang
Ann Occup Environ Med 2022;34:e18.   Published online July 19, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e18
AbstractAbstract AbstractAbstract in Korean PDF
Background

Little attention has been paid to the relationship between perceived discrimination and self-rated health (SRH) among foreign workers in Korea. Transnational ties with the home country are known to be critical among immigrants, as they allow the maintenance of social networks and support. Nonetheless, as far as we know, no studies have examined the impact of transnational ties on SRH itself and the relationship between perceived discrimination and SRH, which the current study tries to examine.

Methods

Logistic regression analyses were conducted using the 2013 Survey on Living Conditions of Foreign Workers in Korea. Adult foreign workers from different Asian countries (n = 1,370) participated in this study. The dependent variable was good SRH and the independent variable was perceived discrimination. Transnational ties with the home country, as a moderating variable, was categorized into broad (i.e., contacting family members in the home country) vs. narrow types (i.e., visiting the home country).

Results

Foreign workers who perceived discrimination had a lower rate of good SRH than those who did not perceive discrimination. Broad social transnational ties moderated the relationship between perceived discrimination and SRH; narrow social transnational ties did not.

Conclusions

In line with previous studies, an association was found between perceived discrimination and SRH. Broad social transnational ties can be a good source of social support and buffer against the distress of perceived discrimination.

한국거주 외국인 노동자의 차별인식과 주관적 건강과의 관계: 모국과의 초국가적 연계의 조절효과를 중심으로
목적
1990년대 이후 외국인노동자의 숫자는 한국 사회에서 점차 증가하고 있다. 여러 선행연구들에서 연구자들은 차별인식과 주관적 건강이 부(-)의 관계가 있음을 밝혔으나, 한국적 맥락에서 외국인 노동자들의 차별인식과 주관적 건강과의 상관관계를 본 연구는 드물다. 최근 기술의 발전에 따라 이주민들의 모국과의 초국가적 연계(transnational ties with the home country)가 증가하고 있다. 그러나 이러한 초국가적 연계가 차별인식과 주관적 건강과의 상관관계를 조절하는지에 대한 연구는 부재하여, 본 연구에서 고찰해 보고자 한다.
방법
본 연구는 2013년 체류외국인실태조사를 이용하여 1) 차별인식과 주관적 건강과의 상관관계와 2) 모국과의 초국가적 연계의 조절 효과를 로지스틱 회귀분석을 통해 알아본다 (N=1,370). 종속변수는 양호한 주관적 건강(good self-rated health)이었으며, 독립변수는 한국에 거주하는 동안 인식한 차별(perceived discrimination) 여부이다. 조절변수로는 넓은 모국과의 초국가적 연계(모국에 있는 가족이나 친구와 연락하는 빈도)와 좁은 연계(모국 방문 빈도)로 측정되었다.
결과
한국 내에서의 차별인식과 주관적 건강은 부의 관계가 있었다. 모국에 있는 가족이나 친구와의 연락을 통한 넓은 의미의 초국가적 연계는 이 관계를 조절하였으나 모국을 방문하는 좁은 의미의 초국가적 연계는 조절 효과가 없었다.
결론
한국 내에 외국인 노동자에 대한 차별을 줄이는 노력과 더불어 외국인 노동자들이 모국에 있는 가족, 친구들과 초국가적으로 긴밀히 연결되어 이를 통해 사회적 지지를 받을 수 있도록 돕는 정책과 지원이 필요하다.

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    Malvika Behl, John J. S. Harrichand
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    Ji‐won Lee, Hyerim Jo
    Sociological Inquiry.2024; 94(4): 747.     CrossRef
  • Ethnic discrimination, asking for fair treatment, and poor self-rated health: a gender stratified analysis of 13,443 Korean Chinese waged workers in South Korea
    Hayoung Lee, Ji-Hwan Kim, Garin Lee, Hyelin Lee, Mita Huq, Delanjathan Devakumar, Seung-Sup Kim
    International Journal for Equity in Health.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
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    Sou Hyun Jang, Hyojong Song, Juyeon Kim
    Deviant Behavior.2024; : 1.     CrossRef
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    The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific.2024; 52: 101228.     CrossRef
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Original Article
Relationship between workplace violence and work-related depression/anxiety, separating the types of perpetrators: a cross-sectional study using data from the fourth and fifth Korean Working Conditions Surveys (KWCS)
Na-Rae Lee, Sang-Woo Kim, Jae-Han Joo, Jae-Han Lee, June-Hee Lee, Kyung-Jae Lee
Ann Occup Environ Med 2022;34:e13.   Published online June 10, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e13
AbstractAbstract AbstractAbstract in Korean PDFSupplementary Material
Background

Work is an inseparable element of a person’s life, and violence in the workplace has various effects on individual workers and companies. While most studies have focused on specific industries, very few studies have investigated the influence of workplace violence by co-workers. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association between workplace violence and work-related depression/anxiety in various occupations by differentiating the perpetrators of violence as co-workers and clients.

Methods

This study was conducted based on data from the 4th and 5th Korean Working Conditions Surveys (KWCS). The experience of workplace violence was classified in terms of the perpetrator: workplace violence by co-workers and that by clients. Work-related depression and anxiety were assessed using questions about health problems related to depression and anxiety and whether the problems were related to work. Descriptive statistics, χ2 tests, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed using the SPSS 26.0.

Results

After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics (age, education, income, subjective health status) and occupational characteristics (occupation, weekly working hours, type of employment, size of workplace, and shift work), male workers with experience of workplace violence by co-workers were found to be at a higher risk of work-related depression/anxiety (odds ratio [OR], 11.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.65–15.36). The same was confirmed for female workers (OR, 10.89; 95% CI, 7.90–15.02).

Conclusions

Employees who experienced workplace violence from co-workers were found to be more vulnerable to work-related depression/anxiety. Continuous contact between the victim and the perpetrator may occur, and the possibility of a secondary assault can frighten the victim. Appropriate prevention and intervention measures that focus on the perpetrators of violence are needed.

가해자 유형별 작업장 폭력과 업무 관련 우울/불안의 연관성
목적
작업장 폭력은 근로환경에서 타인에게 의도적으로 상해, 사망, 정신적 손상, 발달장애 또는 결핍을 일으키는 행위나 위협을 가하는 것으로, 근로자의 신체적·정신적 건강에 부정적 영향을 미치며 기업의 생산성을 저해한다. 작업장 폭력에 대한 대다수의 연구는 특정 직종에 초점을 맞추고 있어 직장 동료에 의해 내부에서 발생하는 작업장 폭력의 영향이 잘 반영되지 않을 수 있다. 본 연구를 통해 가해자 유형별 업무 관련 우울/불안의 연관성을 비교‧확인하고자 한다.
방법
제 4차 및 제 5차 근로환경조사를 바탕으로, 만 18세 이상 피고용자 55,201 명에서 작업장 폭력에 대한 경험과 그 가해자 및 업무 관련 우울/불안 유무를 분석하였다. SPSS 26.0을 통해 기술통계, 카이제곱검정 및 다중로짓회귀분석을 시행했고, 직장 동료 혹은 고객에 의해 작업장 폭력을 경험한 근로자에서 작업장 폭력을 경험하지 않은 근로자에 비해 업무 관련 우울/불안이 있을 위험에 대한 Odds ratio [OR]를 구하였다.
결과
성별을 막론하여 직장 동료 혹은 고객에 의해 작업장 폭력을 경험한 근로자의 경우 작업장 폭력을 경험하지 않은 근로자에 비해 업무 관련 우울/불안의 빈도가 유의하게 높았다. 작업장 폭력을 경험한 남성 근로자에서 업무 관련 우울/불안에 대한 OR은 가해자가 직장 동료일 경우 11.52 (95% Confidence interval [CI] 8.65-15.36), 고객일 경우 5.06 (95% CI 3.73-6.88)으로 나타났으며, 여성 근로자의 경우에도 마찬가지로 가해자가 직장 동료일 경우 OR 10.89 (95% CI 7.90-15.02), 고객일 경우 OR 4.94 (95% CI 3.77-6.47)로 나타났다.
결론
작업장 폭력을 경험한 근로자는 작업장 폭력 경험이 없는 근로자에 비해 업무 관련 우울/불안의 위험이 더 크다. 작업장 폭력의 가해자가 직장 동료일 경우, 피해자와 가해자가 동일 작업장 내에서 지속적으로 접촉하여 폭력에 대한 반복적인 회상 또는 2차 가해 등이 이루어지기 쉬운 환경이 조성되기 때문에 고객에 의한 작업장 폭력에 비해 업무 관련 우울/불안의 위험이 더 크게 나타날 수 있다. 작업장 폭력의 가해자를 고려한 적절한 예방 및 중재 조치가 필요하며, 해당 분야에 대해 후속 연구가 이루어져야 할 것으로 생각된다.

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    Yifei Pei, Yiping Xiao, Xuan Zhang, Yan'e Lu, Meng Sun, Ran Lyu, Fenglin Cao
    Journal of Clinical Nursing.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
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    Journal of Aging & Social Policy.2025; : 1.     CrossRef
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Original Article
Radiographic hand osteoarthritis in women farmers: characteristics and risk factors
Bohyun Sim, Jaehoo Lee, Chul Gab Lee, Hansoo Song
Ann Occup Environ Med 2022;34:e10.   Published online May 16, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e10
AbstractAbstract AbstractAbstract in Korean PDFSupplementary Material
Background

Repetitive hand use increases the risk of hand osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to investigate characteristics of and risk factors for hand OA in Korean women farmers.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included women farmers resident in Jeollanam-do, Korea. The participants were interviewed, and radiographs were taken of both hands. Radiological hand OA was defined based on the Osteoarthritis Research Society International imaging criteria of joint space narrowing or the presence of osteophytes. The participants were divided into age groups of < 60 and ≥ 60 years. Obesity was defined as body mass index of > 25 kg/m2. Annual working time was divided into < 2,000, 2,000–2,999, and ≥ 3,000 hours. Agricultural working type was divided into rice farming and field farming. Robust Poisson regression was used to identify factors associated with radiographic hand OA, with adjustment for age, obesity, annual working time, and agricultural classification.

Results

A total of 310 participants with a mean age of 58.1 ± 7.6 years, were enrolled. The prevalence of radiologically confirmed OA was 49.0%, with an OA prevalence of 39.4% the interphalangeal joint in the thumb (IP1). The prevalence of OA was higher in the distal interphalangeal joint than in the proximal interphalangeal, metacarpophalangeal, and carpometacarpal joints. The prevalence of OA varied by age, annual working time, and agriculture type.

Conclusions

Korean women farmers have a high prevalence of OA, particularly in the IP1 joints. OA is associated with age, working hours, and agriculture type.

여성농업인에서 영상학적 손관절염의 특징과 관련인자
목적
본 연구에서는 반복적인 손사용이 많아 손관절염 위험이 높은 여성농업인에서 손관절염의 특징과 위험인자에 대하여 알아보고자 한다.
방법
본 연구에서는 반복적인 손사용이 많아 손관절염 위험이 높은 여성농업인에서 손관절염의 특징과 위험인자에 대하여 알아보고자 한다.
결과
대상자의 평균연령은 58.1세, 표준편차 7.6세 였다. 방사선학적 손관절염의 유병률은 개인수준에서 49.0%였으며, 관절별로는 엄지손가락의 지절간관절이 39.4%로 가장 높은 유병률을 나타냈다. 본 연구에서 개인수준의 방사선학적 손관절염과 관련성을 보인 요인은 나이와 작업시간이었다. 특히 엄지손가락 지절간관절의 관절염은 나이와 연간작업시간이외에도 농작업종류와도 관련성을 보여, 밭작업에서 높은 오즈비를 보였다.
결론
엄지손가락의 지절간관절이 가장 높은 유병률을 보였고, 연령이외에도 연간농작업시간, 농작업 종류와 같은 직업적 요인과의 관련성이 확인되었다.

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    Pooja Dhaon, Astha Singh, Kushal Singh, Siddharth Tiwari, Haseeb Khan
    Indian Journal of Rheumatology.2025; 20(2): 130.     CrossRef
  • Effects of regional variations and occupation on hand osteoarthritis: Insights from the research on osteoarthritis/osteoporosis against disability study
    Ichiko Kojima, Kosuke Uehara, Toshiko Iidaka, Rie Kodama, Shigeyuki Muraki, Hiroyuki Oka, Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Toru Akune, Hiroshi Hashizume, Hiroshi Yamada, Munehito Yoshida, Yutaka Morizaki, Kozo Nakamura, Sakae Tanaka, Noriko Yoshimura
    Modern Rheumatology.2025; 35(4): 777.     CrossRef
  • Diagnostic accuracy of history taking, physical examination, and auxiliary examination for thumb osteoarthritis: a systematic review
    Yisha He, Patrick Krastman, Sita M. A. Bierma-Zeinstra, Gerald Kraan, Nina M. Mathijssen, Jos Runhaar
    Annals of Medicine.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
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    Thomas Valerio, Jean-Louis Milan, Benjamin Goislard de Monsabert, Laurent Vigouroux
    Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering.2024; : 1.     CrossRef
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    Yanchao Wang, Wenjun Zhou, Yan Chen, Dong He, Zhen Qin, Zhao Wang, Song Liu, Lei Zhou, Jianwen Su, Chi Zhang
    Frontiers in Genetics.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
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Original Article
Analysis of self-reported mental health problems among the self-employed compared with paid workers in the Republic of Korea
Yongho Lee, Junhyeong Lee, Ui-Jin Kim, Eunseun Han, Seunghon Ham, Won-Jun Choi, Seong-Kyu Kang, Wanhyung Lee
Ann Occup Environ Med 2022;34:e8.   Published online April 8, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e8
AbstractAbstract AbstractAbstract in Korean PDF
Background

As self-employed workers are vulnerable to health problems, this study aimed to analyze mental health problems and sleep disturbances among self-employed workers compared with paid workers in Korea.

Methods

A total of 34,750 workers (23,938 paid workers and 10,812 self-employed workers) were analyzed from the fifth Korean Working Condition Survey, which included 50,205 households collected by stratified sampling in 2017. To compare mental health problems and sleep disturbance among self-employed workers and paid workers, multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results

The odds ratio in self-employed workers compared with paid workers was 1.25 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09–1.42) for anxiety, 1.11 (95% CI: 1.04–1.17) for overall fatigue, 1.11 (95% CI: 1.04–1.20) for difficulty falling asleep, 1.10 (95% CI: 1.02–1.18) for difficulty maintaining sleep and 1.24 (95% CI: 1.16–1.32) for extreme fatigue after waking up.

Conclusions

Self-employed workers in Korea have a higher risk of self-reported mental health problems and sleep disturbances than paid workers. Further studies with a longitudinal design and structured evaluation are required to investigate the causal relationship between health problems and self-employment.

한국 자영업자의 주관적 정신건강 문제 : 제 5차 근로환경조사를 이용하여
목적
자영업자는 고용, 사업체 운영 등에 대한 스트레스를 받고 있으며 자신들의 건강관리에 취약한 것으로 여겨지고 있다. 이 연구는 자영업자들에게 초점을 맞춰 유급근로자들과 비교하여 정신건강 문제와 수면 장애를 분석하는 것을 목표로 하였다.
방법
이 연구는 한국의 5차 근로환경조사 데이터를 바탕으로 23,938명의 유급근로자와 10,812명의 자영업자들을 선택하여 분석을 수행하였다. 정신건강 문제는 ‘우울감’, ‘불안감’, ‘전신 피로’에 대한 설문과 수면 장애는 ‘잠들기가 어려움’, ‘자는 동안 반복적으로 깨어남’, ‘기진맥진함 또는 극도의 피곤함을 느끼며 깨어남’ 설문의 답변을 이용하였다. 자영업자의 정신건강 문제와 수면 장애를 분석하기 위해 다변량 로지스틱 회귀 분석을 시행하였다.
결과
자영업자에서의 ‘불안감’에 대한 보정된 오즈비는 1.25 (95% CI=1.09-1.42), ‘전신피로’는 1.11 (95% CI=1.04-1.17), ‘잠들기가 어려움’은 1.11 (95% CI=1.04-1.20), ‘자는 동안 반복적으로 깨어남’은 1.10 (95% CI=1.02-1.18) 그리고 ‘기진맥진함 또는 극도의 피곤함을 느끼며 깨어남’은 1.24 (95% CI=1.16-1.32)이었다.
결론
본 연구는 유급근로자에 비해 자영업자들의 정신건강 문제와 수면 장애의 위험성이 높은 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 자영업자들의 건강 보호와 증진을 위해 구조화된 설문, 전향적 연구 등의 추가적인 연구와 사회의 관심이 필요하다.

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    International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health.2024; 97(5): 537.     CrossRef
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    Preventive Medicine.2023; 177: 107787.     CrossRef
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Original Article
Association between urinary trans,trans-muconic acid and diabetes: a cross-sectional analysis of data from Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 3 (2015–2017)
Eun Hye Yang, Do Jin Nam, Hyo Choon Lee, Soon Su Shin, Jae-Hong Ryoo
Ann Occup Environ Med 2021;33:e35.   Published online December 6, 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2021.33.e35
AbstractAbstract AbstractAbstract in Korean PDFSupplementary Material
Background

Benzene is a ubiquitous air pollutant that is well known to cause hematopoietic effects in humans including leukemia. Recently, several studies have discussed its non-carcinogenic effects such as diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the association between diabetes and urinary trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA), one of benzene metabolite, using adult data from Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 3 (2015–2017).

Methods

This study analyzed 3,777 adults (1,645 men and 2,132 women) from the KoNEHS cycle 3 (2015–2017). The distribution and fraction of each independent variable were presented separately according to the urinary benzene metabolite levels (t,t-MA quartiles) and diabetes to determine the general characteristics of the subjects. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using logistic regression after stratification by gender and smoking status to identify the association between urinary t,t-MA and diabetes.

Results

Compared with the first quartile (reference), the risk of diabetes significantly increased above the 4th (1.834 [1.107–3.039]) quartile in men and above the 3rd (1.826 [1.095–3.044]) and 4th (2.243 [1.332–3.776]) quartiles in women after adjustment. Stratified analysis based on smoking revealed that the ORs for the 3rd (1.847 [1.146–2.976]) and 4th (1.862 [1.136–3.052]) quartiles in non-smokers and those for the 2nd (1.721 [1.046–2.832]), 3rd (1.797 [1.059–3.050]), and 4th (2.546 [1.509–4.293]) quartiles in smokers were significantly higher.

Conclusions

We confirmed that urinary t,t-MA is significantly associated with diabetes regardless of gender and smoking status. And further studies are necessary to access the clinical impacts of this findings.

소변 내 뮤콘산 농도와 당뇨의 연관성 : 제 3기 국민환경보건기초조사(2015-2017)를 이용한 단면연구
목적
본 연구는 일반인구집단을 대상으로 환경적인 벤젠 노출과 당뇨와의 연관성을 알아보기 위해 제 3기 국민환경보건기초조사 성인 데이터를 이용하여 벤젠 대사물질 중 하나인 소변 내 뮤콘산의 농도와 당뇨와의 관계를 알아보았다.
방법
제 3기 국민환경보건기초조사 성인 3,777명(남성 1,645명, 여성 2,132명)을 분석하였다. 대상자의 일반적인 특성을 확인하기 위해 각 독립변수의 분포 및 분율을 소변 내 뮤콘산 농도(사분위수)와 당뇨유무에 따라 제시하였다. 소변 내 뮤콘산 농도와 당뇨와의 연관성을 알아보기 위해 성별과 흡연으로 각각 층화 후 로지스틱 회귀분석을 사용하여 오즈비를 구하였다.
결과
보정 후, 남성은 제 4사분위 구간 1.834(1.106-3.039), 여성은 제 3사분위 구간 1.825(1.095-3.044), 제 4사분위 구간 2.241(1.331-3.773)에서 오즈비가 유의하게 증가하였으며, 소변 내 뮤콘산 농도가 증가할수록 당뇨위험이 증가하는 경향성을 보였다. 흡연으로 층화 후 분석한 결과 비흡연자의 경우 제 3분위수 1.847(1.146-2.976), 제 4분위수 1.861(1.135-3.050), 흡연자의 경우 제 2분위수 1.721(1.046-2.832), 제 3분위수 1.796(1.058-3.048), 제 4분위수 2.544(1.509-4.291)가 보정 후 통계적으로 유의하였다.
결론
본 연구에서 벤젠 대사체인 소변 내 뮤콘산 농도가 성별과 흡연 상태에 관계없이 당뇨와 유의하게 관련이 있다는 것을 확인하였으며, 추후 환경적인 벤젠 노출에 대한 당뇨 연관성에 대하여 연구가 필요하다.

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    Seong-Uk Baek, Minseo Choi, Yu-Min Lee, Jin-Ha Yoon
    Exposure and Health.2025; 17(1): 153.     CrossRef
  • Distribution of volatile organic compounds by distance from industrial complexes and potential health impact on the residents
    A Ram Kim, Jin-Hee Bang, Sunghee Lee, Chang Sun Sim, Yangho Kim, Jiho Lee
    International Journal of Environmental Health Research.2024; 34(12): 4202.     CrossRef
  • Association of Urinary Benzene Metabolite and the Ratio of Triglycerides to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: A Cross-Sectional Study Using the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2018–2020)
    Seungju Baek, Eunjung Park, Eun Young Park
    Toxics.2023; 11(12): 985.     CrossRef
  • Exploration of an Area with High Concentrations of Particulate Matter and Biomonitoring Survey of Volatile Organic Compounds among the Residents
    Hyunji Ju, Seungho Lee, Jae-Hee Min, Yong-Sik Hwang, Young-Seoub Hong
    Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2023; 49(6): 344.     CrossRef
  • Association of metabolites of benzene and toluene with lipid profiles in Korean adults: Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2015–2017)
    Soon Su Shin, Eun Hye Yang, Hyo Choon Lee, Seong Ho Moon, Jae-Hong Ryoo
    BMC Public Health.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
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Original Article
The association between direct supervisor's behavior and employee presenteeism in Korean wage workers: findings from the fifth Korean Working Condition Survey
Sung Hee Lee, Joo Hyun Sung, Dae Hwan Kim, Chang Sun Sim
Ann Occup Environ Med 2021;33:e30.   Published online September 24, 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2021.33.e30
AbstractAbstract PDFSupplementary Material
Background

Presenteeism is a phenomenon in which employees go to work, but physical or mental health problems make it impossible for them to properly demonstrate their abilities, and productivity decreases accordingly. Recent studies have considered the behavior of direct supervisors to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of various health-related outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the association between the direct supervisor's behaviors and presenteeism among wage workers in South Korea.

Methods

A total of 25,798 participants from the fifth Korean Working Condition Survey conducted in 2017 were included in the analysis. The behaviors of direct supervisor were assessed by 6 questionnaire items. In this study, the distribution of the scores was categorized into 4 categories (very good, good, bad, and very bad). To assess presenteeism, the corresponding questionnaire item was used. χ2 tests and multiple logistic regression analyses adjusted for general, occupational, and psychosocial factors were performed to determine the association between the behaviors of direct supervisor and presenteeism.

Results

Direct supervisor's behavior were significantly associated with presenteeism. The adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of presenteeism in the good, bad, and very bad groups were 1.297 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.153–1.458), 1.191 (95% CI: 0.941–1.507), and 1.604 (95% CI: 1.184–2.175), compared with the very good group. Associations between presenteeism and the behaviors of direct supervisor were significant in male workers, but not in female workers. For male workers, the aORs of presenteeism in the good, bad, very bad groups were 1.661 (95% CI: 1.425–1.936), 1.445 (95% CI: 1.053–1.982), 2.340 (95% CI: 1.569–3.491), respectively.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the behavior of a direct supervisor can influence the occurrence of presenteeism, particularly in men. The proper management of senior employee's behaviors is necessary to reduce the risk of presenteeism in the workplace.


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  • Reasons behind sickness presenteeism: insights from four national surveys in Latvia
    Svetlana Lakiša, Inese Gobina, Ivars Vanadziņš, Linda Matisāne
    Frontiers in Public Health.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Association Between Sickness Presenteeism and Depressive Symptoms by Occupation and Employment Type During the COVID-19 Pandemic
    Minkoo Kang, Won-Tae Lee, Byungyoon Yun, Jin-Ha Yoon
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  • Sickness Presenteeism among Employees Having Workplace Conflicts—Results from Pooled Analyses in Latvia
    Svetlana Lakiša, Linda Matisāne, Inese Gobiņa, Hans Orru, Ivars Vanadziņš
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(17): 10525.     CrossRef
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Original Article
Association between split shift work and work-related injury and disease absence
Kwon Ko, Jae Bum Park, Kyung-Jong Lee, Inchul Jeong
Ann Occup Environ Med 2021;33:e27.   Published online August 19, 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2021.33.e27
AbstractAbstract PDFSupplementary Material
Background

Shift work (particularly split shifts) has been noted among the working conditions that hinder sustainable work. However, little is known regarding the effects of split shifts on health. This study aimed to investigate the association between split shift work and work-related injury and disease absence.

Methods

This study used data from the fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey and included 4,042 paid shift workers. Shift work type and self-reported work-related injury and disease absence were investigated using a questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between split shift work and work-related absence with rotating shift worker as the reference group.

Results

Of the 4,042 shift workers, 980 (24.3%) were split shift workers. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of split shift for absence due to work-related injury was high at 2.94 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.85–4.68) and the aOR of split shift for absence due to work-related disease was also high at 1.58 (95% CI: 1.09–2.29) compared to rotating shift.

Conclusions

Split shift work leads to an increased risk of absences due to work-related injury and disease.


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Research Article
Characteristics of lumbar disc degeneration and risk factors for collapsed lumbar disc in Korean farmers and fishers
Chaeyoung Hong, Chul Gab Lee, Hansoo Song
Ann Occup Environ Med 2021;33:e16.   Published online May 14, 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2021.33.e16
AbstractAbstract AbstractAbstract in Korean PDFSupplementary Material
Background

Few studies have investigated the risk factors for lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration among hard physical workers involved in heavy lifting. In this study, we aimed to identify the characteristics of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration and evaluate the relationship between collapsed lumbar disc and potential risk factors in farmers and fishers.

Methods

This study included 203 farmers (103 men and 100 women) and 166 fishers (95 men and 71 women) aged 40–69 years who had undergone lumbar magnetic resonance imaging and were enrolled in the Korea Farmer's Knee Cohort and the Jeonnam Fishers' Cohort. We evaluated each of the 5 lumbar discs using the Pfirrmann grading system and classified collapsed lumbar intervertebral disc (cLD) as a case with ≥ 1 grade 5 at any disc level. We investigated potential risk factors, such as gender, age, body mass index (BMI), working hours per day, working months per year, and cumulative heavy lifting working time (CLWT). The odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

Results

The prevalence of cLD was 19.8% (23.7% among fishers, 21.2% among fishers with farming, and 17.2% among farmers). cLD correlated with factors such as age and occupation. Gender, CLWT and the working time matrix were not significantly associated with cLD. The OR of cLD adjusted by gender, age, BMI, and working time matrix was 1.26 (95% CI: 0.69–2.30) for ≥ 5,000 hours CLWT compared to that for < 2,000 hours CLWT. The OR of cLD adjusted by gender, age, BMI, CLWT, and working time matrix was 2.08 (95% CI: 1.06–4.06) for fishers compared to that for farmers.

Conclusions

Heavy lifting did not show a significant association with cLD in farmers and fishers. However, there is possibility that fishers are at a higher risk of lumbar disc collapse than farmers.

한국 농어업인의 요추추간판 퇴행성변화의 특징과 요추추간판붕괴의 위험요인
목적
중량물을 운반하는 육체노동자들의 요추추간판 퇴행성변화의 위험인자에 관한 연구는 많지 않다. 본 연구에서는 농어업인의 요추추간판의 퇴행성변화의 특성을 파악하고, 요추추간판붕괴의 위험 요인을 알아보고자 하였다.
방법
본 연구는 한국농업인무릎관절염코호트에 등록된 농업인과 전남어업인코호트에 등록된 어업인 중 요추 자기공명영상을 촬영하였던 40-69세를 대상으로 하였다. 본 연구대상자수는 농업인 203명 (남성 103명, 여성 100명)과 어업인 166명 (남성 95명, 여성 71명)이다. 연구자들은 Pfirrmann 등급 체계를 사용하여 5개의 요추 디스크를 각각 평가하고 모든 디스크 레벨에서 Pfirrmann 등급 5이상인 경우를 ‘요추추간판붕괴’(디스크간격이 50%미만으로 감소)로 분류했다. 성별, 연령, 체질량지수, 일일 근로 시간, 연간 근로 개월 수, 생애누적들기작업시간과 같은 위험요인을 조사하였고, 이를 보정한 오즈비와 95 % 신뢰구간을 산출하였다.
결과
요추추간판붕괴의 유병률은 19.8%(어업인 23.7%, 농업을 겸업하는 어업인 21.2%, 농업인 17.2%)였다. 요추추간판붕괴는 연령 및 직업과 상관관계가 있었다. 반면, 성별, 생애누적들기작업시간, 일일근로시간과 연간근로개월수로 구성된 근무시간요인은 요추추간판붕괴와 유의한 관련성을 보이지 않았다. 보정된 요추추간판붕괴의 오즈비는 생애누적들기작업시간이 2,000시간 미만인 경우에 비해 5,000시간 이상인 경우 어업인의 경우 1.26 (95 % CI 0.69–2.30)이었다. 반면, 보정된 요추추간판붕괴의 오즈비는 농업인에 비해 어업인의 경우 2.08 (95 % CI 1.06–4.06)이었다.
결론
본 연구에서 중량물들기작업시간은 요추추간판의 붕괴와 유의한 연관성을 보이지 않았다. 그러나 어업인의 경우 농업인보다 요추추간판붕괴가 유의하게 많았다.

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  • Prevalencia de dolor lumbar, nivel de discapacidad y degeneración discal lumbar en trabajadores expuestos a manipulación manual de cargas pesadas
    Blanca Isabel Ramirez, Ivan Leonardo Duque Vera, Jose Hernan Parra Sanchez, Carlos Pardo Trujillo
    Revista de la Sociedad Española del Dolor.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Disorders in Korean Farmers: Survey on Occupational Diseases in 2020 and 2022
    Jinheum Kim, Kanwoo Youn, Jinwoo Park
    Healthcare.2024; 12(20): 2026.     CrossRef
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    Shang Gao, Nianhu Li, Renchang Chen, Youxiang Su, Yun Song, Songlin Liang, Vasiliki Galani
    BioMed Research International.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Radiographic hand osteoarthritis in women farmers: characteristics and risk factors
    Bohyun Sim, Jaehoo Lee, Chul Gab Lee, Hansoo Song
    Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Lumbar Disk Herniation: A Clinical Epidemiological and Radiological Evaluation
    Edona Sopaj Azemi, Sandër Kola, Irena Kola, Marjeta Tanka, Fatmir Bilaj, Erjona Abazaj
    Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences.2022; 10(B): 1588.     CrossRef
  • Population attributable fraction of indicators for musculoskeletal diseases: a cross-sectional study of fishers in Korea
    Jaehoo Lee, Bohyun Sim, Bonggyun Ju, Chul Gab Lee, Ki-Soo Park, Mi-Ji Kim, Jeong Ho Kim, Kunhyung Kim, Hansoo Song
    Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
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Research Article
Relationship between fatigue severity scale and occupational injury in Korean workers
Hyeonwoo Ju, Hwan-Cheol Kim, Sung Wook Jang, Youna Won, Shin-Goo Park, Jong-Han Leem
Ann Occup Environ Med 2021;33:e15.   Published online May 4, 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2021.33.e15
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between fatigue and occupational injury.

Methods

This study was conducted at a university hospital in 2014 and 2015. In 2014, the fatigue severity scale (FSS) was used to evaluate workers' fatigue levels. Later, when the same workers were examined in 2015, a questionnaire survey was conducted to determine whether they had experienced absences or treatment for work-related accidents. The χ2 test was used to analyse the relationship between demographic characteristics, fatigue levels, and occupational injuries. After controlling for confounders, a logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate the odds ratios (ORs).

Results

In 2014, 19,218 workers were screened during health examination and their fatigue level were evaluated using FSS questionnaires. in 2015, workers' occupational injury was evaluated. In result, men in the moderate- and high-fatigue groups, after adjusting for age, smoking and drinking habits, chronic diseases, and occupational factors such as size of company industrial classification and type of work (shift or non-shift), adjusted ORs for hospital treatment due to occupational injury were 1.76 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.39–2.24) and 2.61 (95% CI:1.68–4.06), respectively. Among men in the medium- and high-fatigue groups, the adjusted ORs for absence due to occupational injury were 2.06 (95% CI: 1.52–2.80) and 3.65 (95% CI: 2.20–6.05), respectively. No significant association was observed between fatigue and occupational injury in women.

Conclusions

Male workers with high fatigue levels have a higher risk of experiencing work injuries. This study suggests that active intervention be considered to prevent injuries in workers with high scores on workplace fatigue evaluation scales.


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    Heng Liao, Sha Liao, Yu-Jiao Gao, Xi Wang, Li-Hong Guo, Su Zheng, Wu Yang, Yi-Nan Dai
    World Journal of Psychiatry.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
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    Taj Keshav, Jordan McAdam, Hristina Denic-Roberts, Matthew O. Gribble, Dana L. Thomas, Lawrence S. Engel, Jennifer A. Rusiecki
    Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine.2025; 67(4): e257.     CrossRef
  • Number of side jobs and self-reported occupational injuries or diseases risk among young workers: a cross-sectional study in Japan
    Takahiro Mori, Tomohisa Nagata, Kiminori Odagami, Koji Mori
    Safety Science.2025; 192: 106982.     CrossRef
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    Wei-Cheng Chen, Chi Ming Chia, H. Ping Tserng, Chyi Herng Teh
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    Jun-Yong Choi, Bom Choi, Ojin Kwon, Chang-Seob Seo, Ae-Ran Kim, Hyeun-kyoo Shin, Kibong Kim
    Integrative Medicine Research.2024; 13(1): 101025.     CrossRef
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Research Article
Association between nicotine dependency with occupational injury in Korean men
Sung Wook Jang, Hwan-Cheol Kim, Ji Ho Kim, Min Sun Kim, Youna Won, Hyeonwoo Ju, Hyung Doo Kim, Go Choi, Shin-Goo Park, Jong-Han Leem
Ann Occup Environ Med 2021;33:e14.   Published online May 4, 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2021.33.e14
AbstractAbstract PDFSupplementary Material
Background

The relationship between smoking status or second-hand smoking and occupational injuries has been the subject of considerable study, but few have studied the relationship between nicotine dependence and occupational injuries. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between nicotine dependence and occupational injury among employees at a range of Korean companies.

Methods

Initially, the personal and occupational characteristics and nicotine dependences of workers were measured, and 12 months later a survey was used to determine whether subjects had experienced any occupational injury. This study was conducted in several workplaces on 6,893 male workers in manufacturing and service industries that received health screening at Inha University Hospital in Incheon.

Results

The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of occupational injury in the low, moderate, and high nicotine dependence groups were 1.38 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–1.84), 1.52 (95% CI: 1.10–2.10), and 1.71 (95% CI: 0.92–3.19), respectively. For smokers only, adjusted ORs tended to increase linearly (p for trend < 0.05). When only smokers were included, analysis of continuous FTND (Fagerstrom Test of Nicotine Dependence) scores showed that adjusted OR increased by 1.10 (95% CI: 1.03–1.19) per FTND point. After stratifying the data by working type and working hours per week, the non-shift work group maintained this relationship (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.04–1.24) and OR was higher in the group that works more than 60 hours per week with FTND score as a continuous variable (OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.07–1.44).

Conclusions

The study shows nicotine dependency might affect occupational injury. From a short-term perspective, addressing worker's nicotine dependence by giving an adequate break time or smoking area might reduce work-related injuries.


Citations

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  • Changes in the Health Indicators of Hospital Medical Residents During the Four-Year Training Period in Korea
    Ji-Sung Ahn, Seunghyeon Cho, Won-Ju Park
    Journal of Korean Medical Science.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Impacts of presenteeism on work-related injury absence and disease absence
    Youna Won, Hwan-Cheol Kim, Jiho Kim, Minsun Kim, Seong-Cheol Yang, Shin-Goo Park, Jong-Han Leem
    Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
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Research Article
The association between non-regular work patterns and insomnia among Korean wage workers: the fifth Korean working condition survey
Ho-Yeon Kim, Juho Choi, Hyun-Mook Lim, Chamjin Park, Yun-Chul Hong
Ann Occup Environ Med 2021;33:e9.   Published online March 29, 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2021.33.e9
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

Non-regular workers are steadily increasing on account of improving corporate productivity. They are classified as non-permanent, part-time, or non-typical workers. Non-regular work has a negative impact on workers' physical and mental health. This study analyzed the relationship between non-permanent, part-time and non-typical work and insomnia among Korean wage workers, and investigated the differences and interactions between different work patterns.

Methods

The Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey was used in this study. Non-regular work patterns were classified into 7 types: type 1, sole non-permanent; type 2, sole part-time; type 3, sole non-typical; type 4, part-time-non-typical; type 5, non-permanent-non-typical; type 6, non-permanent-part-time; type 7, all inclusive. Insomnia was measured on a scale from “normal sleep” to “insomnia” based on the 3-item Minimal Insomnia Symptom Scale. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the association between non-regular work patterns and insomnia among wage workers.

Results

After multivariate adjustment, a significantly increased odds ratio (OR) for insomnia was found in types 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of non-regular work patterns compared to regular work patterns. After stratification for shift and night work, the OR of the group with shift and night work was higher than that of the group without shift and night work.

Conclusions

Insomnia was significantly associated with non-regular work patterns. This association was prominent in workers with shifts and night work. This finding suggests that proper work patterns may be needed to reduce the risk of insomnia among Korean wage workers and workers who initially had insomnia should consider these results before placement.


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  • Association of precarious employment with depressive symptoms and insomnia: Findings from the Korean Working Conditions Survey
    Seong-Uk Baek, Jin-Ha Yoon
    Journal of Psychiatric Research.2025; 181: 7.     CrossRef
  • Association between depressive symptoms and employment type of Korean workers: the Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey
    Yun-Jung Yang, Jihye Lee
    BMC Public Health.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Association between single-person household wage workers in South Korea and insomnia symptoms: the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS)
    Yoon Ho Lee, Yong-Jin Lee, Eun-Chul Jang, Young-Sun Min, Soon-Chan Kwon
    Ann Occup Environ Med.2024; 36: e25.     CrossRef
  • Telecommuting-related health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea: a national population-based cross-sectional study
    Seung-Woo Ryoo, Jin-Young Min, Dong-Wook Lee, Baek-Yong Choi, Juho Choi, Ho-Yeon Kim, Kyoung-Bok Min
    BMC Public Health.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
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    Seong-Uk Baek, Jin-Ha Yoon, Jong-Uk Won
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(16): 10051.     CrossRef
  • Health-Related Productivity Loss According to Health Conditions among Workers in South Korea
    Dong-Wook Lee, Jongin Lee, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Mo-Yeol Kang
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2021; 18(14): 7589.     CrossRef
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Research Article
Relationship between job rotation and work-related low back pain: a cross-sectional study using data from the fifth Korean working conditions survey
Ji-Su Shin, Kwanghyun Seo, Hyun-Jeong Oh, MyeongSeob Lim, Hee-Tae Kang, Kyeong-Sook Jeong, Sang-Baek Koh, Sung-Kyung Kim, Sung-Soo Oh
Ann Occup Environ Med 2021;33:e3.   Published online January 28, 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2021.33.e3
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

Job rotation was introduced in various industries as a strategic form of work for improving workers' job skills and health management. This study aims to examine the relationship between job rotation and work-related low back pain (LBP), one of the typical work-related musculoskeletal symptoms of Korean workers.

Methods

We conducted this study using the data of the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS). As the subject of this study, 27,163 wage workers were selected, and classified into three groups according to occupational type (white-collar, service and sales, and blue-collar). In this study, job rotation means to change the work-related activities with other colleagues periodically and work-related LBP was defined as whether there was work-related LBP in the last 12 months. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze the relationship between job rotation and work-related LBP.

Results

Out of 27,163 workers, 2,421 (8.9%) answered that they had job rotation and 2,281 (8.4%) answered that they experienced work-related LBP. According to the results from logistic regression, job rotation was significantly associated with low prevalence of work-related LBP among blue-collar workers (odds ratio [OR]: 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.58–0.88), whereas no significant relationship was observed among white-collar, service and sales groups. In addition, the negative association between job rotation and work-related LBP among blue-collar workers was more pronounced when exposed to ergonomic risk factors (uncomfortable posture OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.64–0.98; heavy work OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.57–0.96; repetitive work OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.60–0.92).

Conclusions

Job rotation was associated with low prevalence of work-related LBP among workers in the blue-collar occupational group in Korea. It is necessary to evaluate the effect of job rotation by occupational type and introduce an appropriate method of job rotation to reduce workers' work-related musculoskeletal symptoms.


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  • Mitigating safety challenges in human-robot collaboration: The role of human competence
    Kyungran Jung, Jae-Suk Yang
    Technological Forecasting and Social Change.2025; 213: 124022.     CrossRef
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    Bin Xu, Xiangnan Liang, Wuguang Liu, BaiTong Wu, Qiuxiang Wang, Gong Kai, Chun Han, Binwen Sun, Bing Dong, Chengyong Dong, Liming Wang
    Hereditas.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
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    Duygu Gulseren
    Safety Science.2022; 156: 105901.     CrossRef
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  • 15 Download
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Research Article
Work-related factors of knee osteoarthritis in Korean farmers: a cross-sectional study
Han Soo Song, Dong Hwi Kim, Gwang Chul Lee, Kweon Young Kim, So Yeon Ryu, Chul Gab Lee
Ann Occup Environ Med 2020;32:e37.   Published online November 13, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2020.32.e37
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

Several studies have reported a high prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee among agricultural workers. We investigated work-related factors that increase the risk of knee OA among Korean farmers.

Methods

Data were extracted from the Jeonnam Center for Farmer's Safety and Health survey, conducted between 2013 and 2015. The sample included 489 farmers (man 240, woman 249). We defined knee OA as radiographic knee OA (≥ Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2) with symptoms (≥ Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis, Korean version score 29.5). We considered covariates such as cumulative squatting working time (CSWT), cumulative heavy lifting working time (CLWT), body mass index (BMI), and history of knee injury. Odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for knee OA and adjusted for relevant covariates.

Results

The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that knee OA was correlated by factors such as sex, age, BMI, history of knee injury, CSWT, and CLWT. Particularly, CSWT > 20,000 hours (OR: 2.83; 95% CI: 1.35–5.92; reference < 10,000 hours) and CLWT > 5,000 hours (OR: 2.62; 95% CI: 1.14–6.06; reference < 2,000 hours) were associated with an increased risk of knee OA after adjustment for covariates.

Conclusions

Squatting posture and heavy lifting associated with farm work might increase the risk of knee OA among Korean farmers.


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  • Temporospatial gait analysis of squat walking using a passive lower extremity exoskeleton
    Jangwhon Yoon
    Applied Ergonomics.2025; 128: 104533.     CrossRef
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    Yuji Endo, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Kazuyuki Watanabe, Koji Otani, Kenichi Otoshi, Hironori Numazaki, Miho Sekiguchi, Mari Sato, Takuya Nikaido, Rei Ono, Shin-ichi Konno, Yoshihiro Matsumoto
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    Hiroharu Kamioka, Hiroyasu Okuizumi, Shuichi Handa, Jun Kitayuguchi, Reiko Machida
    Journal of Rural Medicine.2022; 17(1): 1.     CrossRef
  • The Influence of Obesity on Pain and Function in Knee Osteoarthritis: Comparison of Body Mass Index With Seven Knee Function Scales and Two Pain Scales
    Deniz Gurler
    Cureus.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
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Research Article
Relationship between urinary phthalate metabolites and diabetes: Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 3 (2015–2017)
Do Jin Nam, Yeji Kim, Eun Hye Yang, Hyo Choon Lee, Jae-Hong Ryoo
Ann Occup Environ Med 2020;32:e34.   Published online September 18, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2020.32.e34
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

We aimed to determine relationship diabetes according to urinary phthalate metabolites using adult data from Korean National Environmental Health Survey cycle 3 (2015–2017).

Method

This study was conducted on 3,781 adults aged 19 years and older (1,648 men and 2,133 women) based on KoNEHS cycle 3. Participants' data were analyzed by gender; Relationship between phthalate metabolites in the urine and diabetes was analyzed by dividing the sociodemographic variables, health behavior-related variables, and urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations into quartiles. To determine the relationship between urinary phthalate metabolites and the prevalence of diabetes, the odds ratio (OR) was calculated using logistic regression analysis.

Results

Based on the 1st quartile of each metabolite, the ORs for di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) (4th quartile), mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) (2nd quartile, 3rd quartile and 4th quartile), mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) (4th quartile), mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECCP) (4th quartile), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) (3rd quartile and 4th quartile), mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP) (2nd quartile) and 4th quartile), and mono (3-carboxypropyl) phthalate (MCPP) (3rd quartile and 4th quartile) were significantly higher after the adjustment in men. The ORs for DEHP (2nd quartile, 3rd quartile and 4th quartile), MEHHP (2nd quartile, 3rd quartile and 4th quartile), MEOHP (4th quartile), MECCP (4th quartile), MBzP (4th quartile), and MCPP (4th quartile) were significantly higher after the adjustment in women.

Conclusion

This study investigated relationship between urinary phthalate metabolites and diabetes. The higher urinary phthalate metabolites, the higher the prevalence of diabetes. Further regulation of phthalate may be needed, and further studies are warranted to confirm the association between phthalate concentration and other chronic diseases (such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease).


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  • Inflammation mediates the adverse effects of urinary phthalate exposure on metabolic disease risk: Results from NHANES 2005–2016
    Chenyang Gu, Teng Yao, Chenxian Dong, Zuhai Chen, Wanting Wei, Xiaoju Li, Qiang Niu, Yizhong Yan, Yunhua Hu
    Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.2025; 290: 117577.     CrossRef
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Research Article
Combined effect of emotional labor and job insecurity on sleep disturbance among customer service workers
Sunguk Choi, Kwon Ko, Jae Bum Park, Kyung-Jong Lee, Seungho Lee, Inchul Jeong
Ann Occup Environ Med 2020;32:e33.   Published online September 10, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2020.32.e33
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

Job insecurity and emotional labor are poor job-related factors that are known to cause sleep disturbances in customer service workers. This study investigates the combined effect of emotional labor and job insecurity on sleep disturbance.

Methods

This study used data from the Fifth Korean Working Condition Survey and included 15,147 paid workers who serve customers below 65 years. We re-classified into 6 groups based on whether the degree of emotional labor increased (Rarely/Sometimes/Always) or whether job insecurity (No/Yes) was present. We performed propensity score matching for several covariates and calculated odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for sleep disturbance by logistic regression models using only matched subjects.

Results

Workers exposed to emotional labor and job insecurity had significantly higher risk for 3 dimensions of sleep disturbance (difficulty falling asleep, waking up repeatedly during the sleep, and waking up with feeling of fatigue) (OR [95% CI]: 1.44 [1.22–1.69], 1.18 [0.99–1.40], 1.52 [1.30–1.79] for emotional labor; and 2.00 [1.75–2.29], 2.20 [1.91–2.53], 1.67 [1.45–1.92] for job insecurity). Compared to those who were exposed to both emotional labor rarely and without job insecurity, when workers had both poor job factors, the OR (95% CI) for sleep disturbance for difficulty falling asleep, waking up repeatedly during the sleep, and waking up with feeling of fatigue were 3.05 (2.42–3.86), 2.89 (2.26–3.69), and 2.60 (2.06–3.29), respectively. The relative excess risk due to Interaction of job insecurity and emotional labor was significant only for difficulty falling asleep, but not the other 2 sleep disturbance dimensions.

Conclusions

Customer service workers suffered from severe sleep disturbances according to the existing degree of emotional labor and job insecurity. The combined effect of both could have an additive influence on serious sleep disturbance among customer service workers.


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    Ji Sun Ha, Jin Ah Kim
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    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2020; 17(21): 8019.     CrossRef
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Research Article
Association between sleep duration and impaired fasting glucose according to work type in non-regular workers: data from the first and second year (2016, 2017) of the 7th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination (KNHANE) (a cross-sectional study)
JaeHan Joo, Jae-Gwang Lee, SangWoo Kim, JaeHan Lee, June-Hee Lee, Kyung-Jae Lee
Ann Occup Environ Med 2020;32:e29.   Published online July 30, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2020.32.e29
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

We aimed to find the relationship between sleep duration and impaired fasting glucose according to working type in non-regular workers using the 2016 and 2017 Korean National Health And Nutrition Examination (KNHANE, 7th revision).

Method

In the 1st and 2nd year (2016, 2017) of the 7th KNHANE, 16,277 people participated. Minors were excluded because this study was intended for individuals aged 19 years and older. As this study was based on wage workers, unemployment, self-employed workers, employers, unpaid family workers, and those who have insufficient answers such as unknown or no response were excluded. Regular workers were excluded because this study was intended for non-regular workers. Finally, a total of 2,168 people were included in the survey, except those who had been diagnosed with diabetes, had a fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dL or higher, or taking hypoglycemic agents or receiving insulin injections. To find the relationship between sleep duration and impaired fasting glucose according to work type in non-regular workers, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed by adjusting the general and occupational characteristics after stratification according to work type. All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software (version 26.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Results

In the case of insufficient sleep duration in irregular female workers, the odds ratio (OR) of impaired fasting glucose was statistically insignificant, but in the case of insufficient sleep duration in irregular male workers who have shift work, the odds ratio (OR) of impaired fasting glucose was significantly higher than that of sufficient sleep duration (Model 1, OR: 3.05, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18–7.90; Model 2, OR: 2.81, 95% CI: 1.08–7.29).

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that insufficient sleep duration was associated with an increase in fasting blood glucose levels in non-regular male workers working shifts. This means that non-regular workers are in desperate need for adequate sleep and health care. We hope that our study will help improve the health of non-regular workers and more systematic and prospective follow-up studies will be conducted to further improve the health of non-regular workers.


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  • A Study to Evaluate Association of Sleep Quality with Blood Pressure and Obesity
    Munwar us Salam, Binafsha Manzoor Syed, Husan Bano Channar, Fasiha Shah, Shaneela Khowaja, Rubina Parveen
    Indus Journal of Bioscience Research.2025; 3(3): 702.     CrossRef
  • The Impact of Night Work on the Sleep and Health of Medical Staff—A Review of the Latest Scientific Reports
    Katarzyna Czyż-Szypenbejl, Wioletta Mędrzycka-Dąbrowska
    Journal of Clinical Medicine.2024; 13(15): 4505.     CrossRef
  • Peripheral blood lipid and liver and kidney function test results in long-term night shift nurses: a cross-sectional study in South China
    Yang Zhao, Xunhao Lu, Yanghua Wang, Yiyi Cheng, Qiao He, Rongqi Qin, Wenrui Li, Haizhou Liu, Yuanfang Liu
    Frontiers in Endocrinology.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Unraveling the associations and causalities between glucose metabolism and multiple sleep traits
    Minhan Yi, Quanming Fei, Ziliang Chen, Wangcheng Zhao, Kun Liu, Shijie Jian, Bin Liu, Meng He, Xiaoli Su, Yuan Zhang
    Frontiers in Endocrinology.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Nutritional Biomarkers and Factors Correlated with Poor Sleep Status among Young Females: A Case-Control Study
    Sara AL-Musharaf, Lama AlAjllan, Ghadeer Aljuraiban, Munirah AlSuhaibani, Noura Alafif, Syed Danish Hussain
    Nutrients.2022; 14(14): 2898.     CrossRef
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Research Article
Validation of the Work Engagement Scale-3, used in the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey
Maro Choi, Chunhui Suh, Seong Pil Choi, Chae Kwan Lee, Byung Chul Son
Ann Occup Environ Med 2020;32:e27.   Published online July 16, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2020.32.e27
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the 3-item version of the Work Engagement Scale (WES-3), which is based on the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model and was used in the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS).

Methods

This study used data from the 5th KWCS (n = 50,205), which was conducted in 2017 with a sample of the Korean working population. The survey gathered comprehensive information on working conditions to define workforce changes and the quality of work and life. The reliability and internal consistency of the WES-3 were assessed using the corrected item-total correlation and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the construct validity of work engagement. The convergent validity was assessed using the correlation with the WHO-5 well-being index. Correlations between work engagement and JD-R factors were also calculated.

Results

The Cronbach's alpha for work engagement was 0.776, indicating acceptable internal consistency. The model comprising 3 work engagement and 2 burnout items showed an excellent fit (χ2: 382.05, Tucker-Lewis index: 0.984, comparative fit index: 0.994, root mean square error of approximation: 0.043). The convergent validity was significant (correlation coefficient: 0.42). Correlations with burnout and job demands were negligible, whereas correlations with job resources and job satisfaction were weakly positive.

Conclusions

The results of our study confirm that the WES-3 has acceptable reliability and validity.


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  • Chinese college teachers’ emotional intelligence and mental health: a chain mediation model involving student relationship quality
    Qian Zhang
    Frontiers in Psychology.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Association between constant connectivity to work during leisure time and insomnia: does work engagement matter?
    Seong-Uk Baek, Jin-Ha Yoon, Jong-Uk Won
    Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology.2024; 59(4): 657.     CrossRef
  • Revisitando la Medición del Engagement en el Trabajo: Análisis de las Propiedades Psicométricas del UWES-3
    Clara González-Seda, Ramón Rodríguez-Montalbán, Miguel E. Martínez-Lugo
    Revista Caribeña de Psicología.2024; : e7843.     CrossRef
  • TÜKETİCİLERİN DOĞAL BAL ALGISI VE SATINALMA DAVRANIŞLARINI ETKİLEYEN FAKTÖRLER ÜZERİNE BİR ARAŞTIRMA
    Fatih Bilici
    Uludağ Arıcılık Dergisi.2024; 24(1): 93.     CrossRef
  • Linking job crafting to work engagement: the mediating role of organizational happiness
    Mohammed Yasin Ghadi
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  • The association of job training duration and risk of depression among wage workers: an analysis of the mediating factors
    Dong Geon Kim, Dong Kyu Kim, Kiook Baek
    Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Work engagement measures: A systematic literature review
    Paula Maria Rattis Teixeira, Fernando Cesar Almada Santos
    Universitas Psychologica.2024; 23: 1.     CrossRef
  • Leadership styles as predictors of employee engagement at a selected tertiary institution
    Genevieve Southgate, John K. Aderibigbe, Tolulope V. Balogun, Bright Mahembe
    SA Journal of Human Resource Management.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Association between high emotional demand at work, burnout symptoms, and sleep disturbance among Korean workers: a cross-sectional mediation analysis
    Seong-Uk Baek, Jin-Ha Yoon, Jong-Uk Won
    Scientific Reports.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Validation of the ultra‐short scale for measuring work engagement among social workers in Chinese contexts
    Xuebing Su, Victor Wong, Charlie Yip
    International Journal of Social Welfare.2023; 32(2): 241.     CrossRef
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    Nataliya Nerobkova, Yu Shin Park, Eun-Cheol Park, Suk-Yong Jang
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(14): 8438.     CrossRef
  • How Does the Involuntary Choice of Self-Employment Affect Subjective Well-Being in Small-Sized Business Workers? A Cross-Sectional Study from the Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey
    SangJin Park, Chulyong Park, Joo Hyun Sung
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(2): 1011.     CrossRef
  • Structural Equation Model of Work Situation and Work–Family Conflict on Depression and Work Engagement in Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Drivers
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  • The relationship between self-leadership, the future of human resource management, and work engagement
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    SA Journal of Human Resource Management.2021;[Epub]     CrossRef
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Research Article
Association between change in working time arrangements and sleep disturbance
Ryun Ha, Jae Bum Park, Kyung-Jong Lee, Sunguk Choi, Inchul Jeong
Ann Occup Environ Med 2020;32:e18.   Published online June 18, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2020.32.e18
AbstractAbstract PDFSupplementary Material
Background

Change in working time arrangement (WTA) can be harmful to workers' sleep and health. This study aimed to investigate the association between change in working time arrangement and sleep disturbance.

Methods

This study used data from the Fifth Korean Working Condition Survey and included 33,203 paid workers. We performed a stratified analysis by sex. After dividing the participants into 6 groups based on whether or not they experienced WTA changes, and their weekly working hours (≤40, 41–52, ≥53 hours), we calculated odds ratio (OR) using the weekly working hours ≤40 hours and with no WTA change as the reference group.

Results

Of the 33,203 paid workers, participants who experienced change in working time arrangement had higher prevalence of all three types of sleep disturbance symptoms (difficulty in falling asleep, waking up repeatedly during sleep, and waking up with a feeling of exhaustion and fatigue) in both sexes. Compared to the reference group at 95% confidence interval (CI), the group with change in WTA showed elevated OR values of 1.91 (95% CI: 1.73–2.11), 1.93 (95% CI: 1.74–2.14), 2.47 (95% CI: 2.26–2.71) for male workers; and 1.93 (95% CI: 1.73–2.16), 2.02 (95% CI: 1.80–2.27), 2.24 (95% CI: 2.01–2.50) for female workers, for difficulty in falling asleep, waking up repeatedly during the sleep, waking up with a feeling of exhaustion, and fatigue, respectively.

Conclusions

Workers who experience change in work time arrangement show a high risk of sleep disturbance in both sexes.


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  • Diversity of flexible working time arrangements and workers' health: An analysis of a workers’ panel and linked employer-employee data for France
    Christine Erhel, Mathilde Guergoat-Larivière, Malo Mofakhami
    Social Science & Medicine.2024; 356: 117129.     CrossRef
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Research Article
Longitudinal associations between occupational stress and depressive symptoms
Hyung Doo Kim, Shin-Goo Park, Youna Won, Hyeonwoo Ju, Sung Wook Jang, Go Choi, Hyun-Suk Jang, Hwan-Cheol Kim, Jong-Han Leem
Ann Occup Environ Med 2020;32:e13.   Published online May 7, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2020.32.e13
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

Most of the studies that have examined the association between the sub-factors of occupational stress and depressive symptoms have used cross-sectional data. However, our study has longitudinally measured the occupational stress and depressive symptoms of Korean workers of a semiconductor manufacturing company across six years to intending to investigate the associations between the sub-factors of occupational stress and depressive symptoms using longitudinal data.

Methods

Data collected from the workers of a semiconductor manufacturing company. Out of 1,013 recruited workers, 405 (40.0%) completed the survey questionnaires at 3 and 6-year follow-ups. Occupational stress was measured using a shorter version of the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS), whereas depressive symptoms were assessed using the Korean version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depressive Symptoms Scale (CES-D). The data of male and female participants independently analyzed. Longitudinal associations were analyzed using panel data analysis with fixed effects.

Results

In panel data analysis with fixed effects, job insecurity (B = 0.048, p-value = 0.004) was associated with depressive symptoms among male workers. In female workers, inadequate social support (B = 0.080, p-value < 0.001), job insecurity (B = 0.039, p-value = 0.004), lack of reward (B = 0.059, p-value = 0.004) and discomfort in occupational climate (B = 0.074, p-value < 0.001) were associated with depressive symptoms among female workers.

Conclusions

Temporal changes in the sub-factors of occupational stress were associated with changes in depressive symptoms within the same period. There was a gender difference in occupational stress sub-factors related to depressive symptoms.


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    Xiaoyi Li, Huiqing Chen, Xiqing Liao, Manqi Huang, Xiaoman Liu, Yao Guo, Jiabin Chen, Shuang Li
    WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Exploring subjective well-being in Human-Machine Interaction: A protocol study for mixed-method cross-sectional analysis in manufacturing 5.0 (Preprint)
    Giulia Bassi, Valeria Orso, Silvia Salcuni, Luciano Gamberini
    JMIR Research Protocols.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Association of nature of work and work-related characteristics with cognitive functioning, life satisfaction and depression among Indian ageing adults
    P. Padma Sri Lekha, E.P. Abdul Azeez, Arti Singh, C. V. Irshad
    International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health.2024; 97(8): 833.     CrossRef
  • Job stress and chronic low back pain: incidence, number of episodes, and severity in a 4-year follow-up of the ELSA-Brasil Musculoskeletal cohort
    Fernanda Corsino Lima Hubner, Rosa Weiss Telles, Luana Giatti, Luciana A. C. Machado, Rosane Harter Griep, Maria Carmen Viana, Sandhi Maria Barreto, Lidyane V. Camelo
    Pain.2024; 165(11): 2554.     CrossRef
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    Syed Iqbal, Jennifer Howse, Sophia Banu, Aamir Lateef, Samiyah Khan, Zeshan Barlas, Sana Moon, Nidal Moukaddam, Asim A. Shah
    Psychiatric Annals.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Translation and Initial Validation of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) in Ilokano
    Peejay D. Bengwasan, Allan B. I. Bernardo, Sally I. Maximo
    Psychological Studies.2022; 67(4): 594.     CrossRef
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    Sohrab Amiri, Seyed Morteza Hosseini
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Research Article
The relationship between precarious employment and subjective well-being in Korean wage workers through the Cantril ladder Scale
Go Choi, Shin-Goo Park, Youna Won, Hyeonwoo Ju, Sung Wook Jang, Hyung Doo Kim, Hyun-Suk Jang, Hwan-Cheol Kim, Jong-Han Leem
Ann Occup Environ Med 2020;32:e11.   Published online April 17, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2020.32.e11
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

The global labor market is moving towards increasing job instability. Relatively few studies have examined the relationship between precarious employment and subjective well-being using quantitative scales. We evaluated the association between wage workers' employment status and their subjective well-being through the Cantril ladder scale using Korean Welfare Panel Survey data (KOWEPS).

Methods

This study used KOWEPS data. A total of 4,423 wage workers were divided into permanently employed workers, temporarily employed workers and daily employed workers. The relationship between precarious employment and subjective well-being was analyzed by multiple linear regression adjusted for potential confounding factors.

Results

The more unstable the employment status, the lower the subjective well-being, which can be expressed by the Cantril ladder scale. The mean score of both temporarily employed and daily employed workers were statistically significantly lower (B = −0.454, p < 0.001; B = −0.994, p < 0.001, respectively) than permanently employed workers. This appeared to be the same when occupational and sociodemographic factors were adjusted (B = −0.153, p = 0.002 for temporarily employed, B = −0.610, p < 0.001 for daily employed).

Conclusions

The more unstable the employment status, the lower the subjective well-being score according to the Cantril ladder scale.


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  • Employment Quality: A Social Determinant of Health and Well-Being in a Changing Labor Market in Korea
    Julie Vanderleyden, Hyojin Seo, Christophe Vanroelen, Deborah De Moortel
    Social Indicators Research.2025; 176(2): 733.     CrossRef
  • Living in Limbo: Exploring the Lived Experience of University Post-Graduates with Precarious Jobs in Iran and Effects on Their Well-Being
    Aida Navabi, Sara Makki Alamdari, Nooh Monavvary, Abu Fakhri
    Sociological Research Online.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Interaction between old age and precarious employment on poor mental well‐being in workers: Evidence from a nationally representative sample in Korea
    Seong‐Uk Baek, Yu‐Min Lee, Jong‐Uk Won, Jin‐Ha Yoon
    International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • The relationships between precarious employment, having a calling, and occupational well-being among young nurses: a cross-sectional study
    Tanja Pesonen, Anu Nurmeksela, Marja Hult
    BMC Health Services Research.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Individual Employment Choices, Higher Education and Subjective Well-Being—Empirical Analysis Based on CGSS2021 Data
    曦煜 梁
    Advances in Education.2023; 13(10): 7806.     CrossRef
  • Increased risk of sleep problems according to employment precariousness among paid employees in Korea
    Seong Chan Gong, Sungjin Park
    American Journal of Industrial Medicine.2023; 66(10): 876.     CrossRef
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    Leszek Sułkowski, Mateusz Rubinkiewicz, Andrzej Matyja, Maciej Matyja
    Medicina.2023; 59(6): 1106.     CrossRef
  • Associations between precarious employment and smoking and regular exercise: Results from a Korean longitudinal panel study from 2005 to 2020
    Seong-Uk Baek, Jin-Ha Yoon, Jong-Uk Won
    Preventive Medicine.2023; 168: 107420.     CrossRef
  • Predictors of subjective well-being in Korean men and women: Analysis of nationwide panel survey data
    Inmyung Song, Hye-Jae Lee, José Antonio Ortega
    PLOS ONE.2022; 17(2): e0263170.     CrossRef
  • Association between Precarious Employment and Smoking and Regular Exercise: Results from Nationally Representative Surveys from 2005 to 2020
    Seong-Uk Baek, Jin-Ha Yoon, Jong-Uk Won
    SSRN Electronic Journal .2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
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    Robert Szydło, Sylwia Wiśniewska, Małgorzata Ćwiek
    Sustainability.2020; 13(1): 60.     CrossRef
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Research Article
Relationship between seafood consumption and bisphenol A exposure: the Second Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS 2012–2014)
Yeji Kim, Minkyu Park, Do Jin Nam, Eun Hye Yang, Jae-Hong Ryoo
Ann Occup Environ Med 2020;32:e10.   Published online March 5, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2020.32.e10
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

This study aimed to identify the relationship between exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and seafood consumption using a nationally representative data of the general Korean population.

Methods

This study was conducted on 5,402 adults aged 19 years and older (2,488 men, 2,914 women) based on the second Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2012–2014). We stratified the data according to gender and analyzed urinary BPA concentrations in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, health behavior, dietary factor, and seafood consumption. In the high and low BPA exposure groups, the odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using logistic regression analysis according to the top 75th percentile concentration.

Results

In men, large fish and tuna and other seafood categories had significantly higher ORs before and after adjustment in the group who consumed seafood more than once a week than in the group who rarely consumed seafood, with an adjusted value of 1.97 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12–3.48) and 1.74 (95% CI: 1.10–2.75), respectively. In the shellfish category, the unadjusted OR was 1.61 (95% CI: 1.00–2.59), which was significantly higher in the group who consumed seafood more than once a week than in the group who rarely consumed seafood. However, the OR after adjusting for the variables was not statistically significant. In women, the frequency of seafood consumption and the concentration of urinary BPA were not significantly associated.

Conclusions

BPA concentration was higher in men who frequently consumed large fish and tuna, shellfish and other seafood in this study.


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  • Occurrence and profiles of bisphenol A and its analogues in marine shrimps from Tianjin and their implications for human exposure
    Siyu Yang, Weiyi Jin, Chunhai Gao, Yeqing Jia, Xinghua Li, Jianping Li, Yi Zhang
    Journal of Food Composition and Analysis.2025; 137: 106852.     CrossRef
  • Bisphenol A Biomonitoring after Sealant Placement: A Prospective Cohort Study in Schoolchildren
    V. Supornsilchai, L. Sutthirat, I. Kaewkamnerdpong, C. Jantarat, N. Sakorn, W. Nosoongnoen, T. Chaiboonyarak, L. Samaranayake, S. Wacharasindhu, T. Porntaveetus
    JDR Clinical & Translational Research.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Relationship between the use of hair products and urine benzophenone-3: the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 4
    Siyoung Kim, Seong-yong Cho, Seongyong Yoon, Daehwan Kim, Hyun Woo Park, Jisoo Kang, Sung Woo Huh
    Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Relationship between shellfish consumption and urinary phthalate metabolites: Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 3 (2015-2017)
    Jisoo Kang, Seong-yong Cho, Jinseok Kim, Seongyong Yoon, Jong-min An, Gayoung Kim, Si young Kim
    Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Endocrine disrupting chemicals: A promoter of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
    Yajie Chen, Yang Wang, Ziqiang Cui, Wenpeng Liu, Baowang Liu, Qiang Zeng, Xin Zhao, Jian Dou, Jinglin Cao
    Frontiers in Public Health.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Relationship between the use of plastics in refrigerator food storage and urine phthalate metabolites: the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 3
    Jisoo Kang, Seong-yong Cho, Seongyong Yoon
    Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Bisphenol S Impairs Oestradiol Secretion during In Vitro Basal Folliculogenesis in a Mono-Ovulatory Species Model
    Claire Vignault, Véronique Cadoret, Peggy Jarrier-Gaillard, Pascal Papillier, Ophélie Téteau, Alice Desmarchais, Svetlana Uzbekova, Aurélien Binet, Fabrice Guérif, Sebastien Elis, Virginie Maillard
    Toxics.2022; 10(8): 437.     CrossRef
  • Cross-Sectional Association of Urinary Bisphenol A and Vaccine-Induced Immunity against Hepatitis B Virus: Data from the 2003–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
    Jun Young Uhm, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(3): 1103.     CrossRef
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Research Article
Mercury concentration in shark meat from traditional markets of Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
Han Cheol Heo, Yeon Hee Lim, Young Seok Byun, Joon Sakong
Ann Occup Environ Med 2020;32:e3.   Published online January 2, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2020.32.e3
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

Although unusually high levels of blood mercury have been reported in the North Gyeongsang Province (Gyeongsangbuk-do), mercury contents from shark meat distributed in this region have not been assessed yet. Thus, this study aims to identify the hazard by evaluating the mercury contents of the shark meat sold in the traditional market of Gyeongsangbuk-do.

Methods

The shark meat in the form of muscle meat was obtained from 15 traditional markets of Gyeongsangbuk-do in the summer and winter of 2013. Out of 105 samples in total, 49 were collected in the summer and 56 in the winter. The total mercury concentration was measured by the combustion-gold amalgamation method using an automatic mercury analyzer (Milestone DMA-80, Milestone).

Results

The average mercury concentration of shark meat was 2.29 ± 1.77 µg/g, ranging between 0.06–8.93 µg/g with a geometric mean of 1.44 µg/g, which is higher than those reported in many countries. The mercury concentration in 77 of 105 shark meat samples exceeded 1 µg/g. Mercury concentration ranged between 0.09–8.93 µg/g (geometric mean: 1.45) in the summer and 0.06–6.73 µg/g (geometric mean: 1.48) in the winter.

Conclusions

Shark meat sold in the market contained a substantial amount of mercury. This suggests that it is difficult to reduce mercury intake by simply strengthening the standard level of mercury concentration in shark meat. Therefore, it is need to communication and awareness programs with consumers about hazardous effects of mercury inherent in shark meat.


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  • Assessment of heavy metals concentration and health risk in four species of Persian Gulf sharks in Hormozgan Province
    Hassan heidarieh, Amin Gholamhosseini, Siyavash Soltanian, Marzieh Heidarieh, Mahdi Banaee, Nima Shiry
    Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology.2025; 87: 127581.     CrossRef
  • Monitoring of Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury Levels in Seafood Products: A Ten-Year Analysis
    Luisa Garofalo, Marcello Sala, Claudia Focardi, Patrizio Pasqualetti, Daniela Delfino, Francesca D’Onofrio, Barbara Droghei, Francesca Pasquali, Valentina Nicolini, Flavia Silvia Galli, Paola Scaramozzino, Alessandro Ubaldi, Katia Russo, Bruno Neri
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  • Metallic Makos: Metal and Metalloid Levels and Human Health Risks Arising from the Consumption of Shortfin Makos (Isurus oxyrinchus) from Southeastern Brazil
    Júlia Vianna de Pinho, Isabel Quental Willmer, Amanda Pontes Lopes, Regina Fonsêca, Tatiana Dillenburg Saint’Pierre, Patricia Charvet, Acácio Ribeiro Gomes Tomas, Rachel Ann Hauser-Davis
    Biological Trace Element Research.2025; 203(10): 5401.     CrossRef
  • Analysis of shark meat consumption patterns among young and middle-aged women in Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, using community health survey data
    Soyoung Son, Junmin Seong, Chulyong Park, Kiook Baek, Joon Sakong
    Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2025; 37: e26.     CrossRef
  • Association of Blood Mercury Level with Liver Enzymes in Korean Adults: An Analysis of 2015–2017 Korean National Environmental Health Survey
    Jin-Wook Chung, Dilaram Acharya, Jitendra Kumar Singh, Joon Sakong
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2023; 20(4): 3290.     CrossRef
  • Increase of blood mercury level with shark meat consumption: A repeated-measures study before and after Chuseok, Korean holiday
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  • Mercury cycling in Australian estuaries and near shore coastal ecosystems: Triggers for management
    William Maher, Frank Krikowa, Michael Ellwood, Detlev Helmig, Ruoyu Sun
    Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene.2020;[Epub]     CrossRef
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Research Article
The exposure level of environmental harmful substances related to the secondhand smoke in Korean non-smoker adults: data from the second Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS 2012–2014): a cross-sectional study
Sang Woo Kim, Sung Won Jung, Jae-Gwang Lee, Jae Han Joo, June-Hee Lee, Kyung-Jae Lee
Ann Occup Environ Med 2019;31:e30.   Published online October 15, 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2019.31.e30
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

We aimed to find the exposure level of environmental harmful substances related to the secondhand smoke (SHS) using a nationally representative data of the general population in Korea.

Methods

Total 3,533 people were included in this study. We compared the proportion exceeding 95 percentile of the concentrations of harmful substances by sex according to SHS exposure. 16 kinds of substances related to tobacco smoke were analyzed including heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, and environmental phenol. For 16 kinds of substances, the odds ratios (ORs) for exceeding 95 percentile of each harmful substance were calculated by multiple logistic regression according to SHS exposure. Age, education level, marital status, body mass index, drinking, and exercise were adjusted as covariates. Cotinine level was additionally adjusted to increase reliability of our results.

Results

SHS was associated with high exposure of mercury, methylhippuric acid, fluorene, and cotinine. In women, SHS was associated with mercury, methylhippuric acid, fluorene, and cotinine, while in men, it was associated with cotinine. After adjusting covariates, ORs of blood mercury, methylhippuric acid and hydroxyfluorene in the exposed gruop were greater than that in the non-exposed group. Especially in female, methylhippuric acid and hydroxyfluorene showed consistent result.

Conclusions

Our finding demonstrates that SHS is related to several harmful substances. Therefore, to reduce the health effects of SHS, it is necessary to educate and publicize the risk of SHS. Future studies are necessary to more accurately analyze factors such as exposure frequency, time, and pathway of SHS.


Citations

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  • Exposure to Environmental Chemicals from Environmental Tobacco Smoking in Korean Adolescents
    Jung-Eum Lee, Ah-Reum Jo, Sunho Lee, Wanhyung Lee
    Toxics.2025; 13(7): 546.     CrossRef
  • Sleep duration mediates the association between heavy metals and the prevalence of depression: an integrated approach from the NHANES (2005–2020)
    Qingsong Mao, Xiaoyi Zhu, Yuzhe Kong
    Frontiers in Psychiatry.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Joint association of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure with depression in adults
    Miaomiao Jiang, Hui Zhao
    Environmental Research.2024; 242: 117807.     CrossRef
  • The Exposure Status of Environmental Chemicals in South Korea: The Korean National Environmental Health Survey 2018–2020
    Sooyeon Hong, Ok-Jin Kim, Sun Kyoung Jung, Hye Li Jeon, Suejin Kim, Jihyon Kil
    Toxics.2024; 12(11): 829.     CrossRef
  • Environmental tobacco smoke exposure is associated with increased levels of metals in children’s saliva
    Lisa M. Gatzke-Kopp, Jenna L. Riis, Hedyeh Ahmadi, Hillary L. Piccerillo, Douglas A. Granger, Clancy B. Blair, Elizabeth A. Thomas
    Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology.2023; 33(6): 903.     CrossRef
  • Passive smoking exposure and the risk of hypertension among non-smoking adults: the 2015–2016 NHANES data
    Onoja Matthew Akpa, Akinkunmi Paul Okekunle, Jeffery Osahon Asowata, Babatunde Adedokun
    Clinical Hypertension.2021;[Epub]     CrossRef
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Research Article
Association of discrimination and presenteeism with cardiovascular disease: the Fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey
Kyusung Kim, Sung-il Cho, Domyung Paek
Ann Occup Environ Med 2019;31:e28.   Published online October 11, 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2019.31.e28
AbstractAbstract PDFSupplementary Material
Background

Discrimination is a representative social determinant of health. Presenteeism is defined as presenting to work despite of illness and is an indicator of group health. We investigated the association of discrimination and presenteeism with cardiovascular disease using Korean data.

Methods

This study used the fourth Korea Working Conditions Survey (2014) data of 27,662 wage workers (employees). Presenteeism and discrimination related to age, sex, education, birth region, and employment type were ascertained. Self-reported cardiovascular disease was also assessed using the survey questionnaire. General and occupational characteristics found to be significant in univariate analyses were entered into a multivariate logistic regression analysis of the association of discrimination and presenteeism with cardiovascular disease. We also calculated the odds ratios of multiple discriminations and/or presenteeism for cardiovascular disease.

Results

In the univariate analyses, sex, age, education, monthly income, employment type, occupation, hours worked per week, workplace scale, and shift work were significantly associated with cardiovascular disease. A multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for general and occupational characteristics showed that discrimination and presenteeism were significantly associated with cardiovascular disease. Finally, the association with cardiovascular disease was strongest when both multiple discriminations and presenteeism were present.

Conclusions

Discrimination and presenteeism are associated with cardiovascular disease, and this association was stronger in the presence of multiple types of discrimination and presenteeism.


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  • The Status of Presenteeism Among Clinical Nurses in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
    Xiang Zeng, Kun Wang, Ya Le Guo, Zhao lan Wang, Jun Wen Li
    Evaluation & the Health Professions.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • The effect of occupational coping self-efficacy on presenteeism among ICU nurses in Chinese public hospitals: a cross-sectional study
    Jijun Wu, Yuxin Li, Qin Lin, Jiquan Zhang, Zhenfan Liu, Xiaoli Liu, Xian Rong, Xiaoli Zhong
    Frontiers in Psychology.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Sickness Presenteeism in Shift and Non-Shift Nurses: Using the Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey
    Ari Min, Minkyung Kang, Hye Chong Hong
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2021; 18(6): 3236.     CrossRef
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Research Article
Emotional labor and job types of male firefighters in Daegu Metropolitan City
Sung Kyu Park, Han Cheol Heo, Joon Sakong, Man Joong Jeon
Ann Occup Environ Med 2019;31:e25.   Published online September 26, 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2019.31.e25
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

Research on the emotional labor of firefighters is actively being carried out, but studies that analyze emotional labor separately by job types, working departments, and other conditions of firefighters are insufficient. The purpose of this study is to investigate the difference in emotional labor level between departments and other conditions of firefighters.

Methods

A total of 287 Korean firefighters were included for analysis. The demands of emotional labor and emotional damage were measured using the Korean Emotional Labor Scale. To analyze the conditions and factors affecting the emotional labor level of the firefighters, logistic regression analysis was performed using the emotional labor high risk group as a dependent variable.

Results

The average score of overall emotional labor level of the firefighters was 47.2 ± 17.3, and the prevalence of high risk firefighters with emotional labor was 27.1%. It was found that the emergency medical service and administration departments showed a higher prevalence of high risk emotional labor firefighters than did other departments. The result of multiple logistic regression analysis for the high risk emotional labor firefighters showed that the adjusted odds ratio of emergency medical service department compared to the reference group (the rescue department) was 2.89 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–8.24).

Conclusions

Among the firefighters, the emergency medical service department is a high risk factor for emotional labor. Therefore, education and prevention training on emotional labor should be more thorough before work shifts.


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  • Global prevalence and associated factors of sleep disorders and poor sleep quality among firefighters: A systematic review and meta-analysis
    Amir Hossein Khoshakhlagh, Saleh Al Sulaie, Saeid Yazdanirad, Robin Marc Orr, Hossein Dehdarirad, Alireza Milajerdi
    Heliyon.2023; 9(2): e13250.     CrossRef
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    Xiao Chen, Xiongliang Xiao, Arpit Bhardwaj
    Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience.2022; 2022: 1.     CrossRef
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Research Article
Korean translation and validation of the Workplace Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment (PERMA)-Profiler
Seong Pil Choi, Chunhui Suh, Jae Won Yang, Byung Jin Ye, Chae Kwan Lee, Byung Chul Son, Maro Choi
Ann Occup Environ Med 2019;31:e17.   Published online August 13, 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2019.31.e17
Correction in: Ann Occup Environ Med 2024;36(0):e26
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

No tool is available for the multidimensional measurement of workplace well-being among Korean workers. In this study, the Workplace Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment (PERMA)-Profiler, a multidimensional workplace well-being measure, was translated into Korean, and its validity and reliability were assessed.

Methods

The Workplace PERMA-Profiler, including the positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment domains, was translated according to international guidelines. The questionnaires included the Workplace PERMA-Profiler, Mental Health Continuum-Short Form, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey, Psychosocial Well-being Index-Short Form, and Korean Occupational Stress Scale-Short Form. A total of 316 Korean workers completed a web-based survey with adequate response. Cronbach's alpha values were calculated to assess scale reliability, and correlational and confirmatory factor analyses were used to assess validity.

Results

Cronbach's alpha values for the Korean Workplace PERMA-Profiler ranged from 0.70 to 0.95. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the 5-factor model had a marginally acceptable fit [χ2(80) = 383.04, comparative fit index = 0.909, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.881, root mean square error of approximation = 0.110, and standardized root mean square residual = 0.054]. The 5-factor PERMA domains were correlated positively with work engagement and mental well-being in life, and negatively with burnout, occupational stressors, and stress responses. These results showed that the Workplace PERMA-Profiler has good convergent and divergent validity.

Conclusions

The Korean version of the Workplace PERMA-Profiler had good reliability and validity. It might be used as an indicator or evaluation tool for positive mental health interventions in the workplace.


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    Aynur Karabacak Çelik
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    Xiao Qing Zeng, Hong Li Yan, Yue Qin Qian, Yong Qi Li, Jie Yang, Yan Lin Gong, Yi Liu, Li Jing Chen, Jing Wu, Jing Chu
    Frontiers in Psychiatry.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • The Chinese version of the PERMA profiler: a validity and reliability study
    Yueqin Qian, Hongli Yan, Xiaoqing Zeng, Yongqi Li, Jie Yang, Lei Zhang, Yi Liu, Yanlin Gong, Jing Wu, Jing Chu
    BMC Psychology.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
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    Tse-Wei Wu, Hung-Yi Chuang, Chia-Pin Lin, Fa-Chen Lin, Chen-Cheng Yang, Watanabe Kazuhiro, Norito Kawakami
    Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine.2025; 67(4): 293.     CrossRef
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    Freddy S. Kau, Aden-Paul Flotman
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    Sadaf Basharat, Dieuwer ten Braak, Ingunn Størksen
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    BMC Public Health.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
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    Yi-Zi Nie, Xu Zhang, Ning-Wei Hong, Chao Zhou, Qian-Qian Huang, Shu-Yan Cao, Chen Wang
    Acta Psychologica.2024; 246: 104248.     CrossRef
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    Victoria Cabrera, Stewart I. Donaldson
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  • Does Changing a Scale’s Context Impact Its Psychometric Properties? A Comparison Using the PERMA-Profiler and the Workplace PERMA-Profiler
    Sean P. M. Rice
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    Madeline Lagina, Cyril Grum, Gurjit Sandhu, Allison L. Ruff
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    Current Psychology.2024; 43(8): 7511.     CrossRef
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    Alexandra J. Bratty, Nicole C. Dennis
    Current Psychology.2024; 43(18): 16514.     CrossRef
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    Ana Lucía Rodríguez-Leudo, Elena Navarro-Astor
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    Wei Zhang, Kieran Balloo, Anesa Hosein, Emma Medland
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    Sae Eun Lee, Ji Yoon Kim, Kyu-Hye Lee
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    E.N. Volkova, N.A. Rudnova, A.M. Kalimullin
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    Thainá Ferraz de Carvalho, Sibele Dias de Aquino, Jean Carlos Natividade
    Current Psychology.2023; 42(3): 1828.     CrossRef
  • A magyar nyelvű PERMA Jóllét Profil kérdőív megbízhatóságának és érvényességének vizsgálata
    Balázs András Varga, Attila Oláh, András Vargha
    Mentálhigiéné és Pszichoszomatika.2022; 23(1): 33.     CrossRef
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    O.M. Isaeva, A.Y. Akimova, E.N. Volkova
    Psychological Science and Education.2022; 27(4): 24.     CrossRef
  • An Assessment of the Reliability and Validity of the PERMA Well-Being Scale for Adult Undergraduate Students in an Open and Distance Learning Context
    Ishmael Magare, Marien Alet Graham, Irma Eloff
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  • PERMA-Profiler: the Approbation of the Russian Version
    O.M. Isaeva, A.Y. Akimova, E.N. Volkova
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  • Toward a More PERMA(nent) Conceptualization of Worker Well-Being?
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Research Article
The association between dependent self-employment and self-reported depression/anxiety and sleep disorder in South Korea
Guyeon Won, Jae Bum Park, Kyung-Jong Lee, Ryun Ha, Seungho Lee, Inchul Jeong
Ann Occup Environ Med 2019;31:e13.   Published online July 29, 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2019.31.e13
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

Dependent self-employment is precarious employment, which can be vulnerable to mental health problems. This study aimed to investigate the association of dependent self-employment with depression, anxiety, and sleep disorder in South Korea.

Methods

This study used data from the Fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey and included 32,691 paid workers. Dependent self-employment and self-reported depression/anxiety, and sleep disorder were investigated using a questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between dependent self-employment and mental health problems.

Results

Of the 32,691 paid workers, 2,371 (7.3%) were dependent self-employed workers. The odds ratio (OR) of dependent self-employment for self-reported depression/anxiety was 1.78 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29–2.45) and the OR of dependent self-employment for self-reported sleep disorder was 1.26 (95% CI: 1.01–1.59) compared to other paid workers.

Conclusions

Dependent self-employment is related to an increased risk of self-reported depression/anxiety and sleep disorder in South Korea.


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  • Mental Health Problems of Self-Employed Workers: A Systematic Review of Potential Moderators
    Hao Wen, Yun Gao
    Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work.2025; 22(2): 207.     CrossRef
  • Assessing student satisfaction with university policies related to in-person classes in the era of COVID-19: a case study from Korea
    Sungyo Jung, Yoojin Cho, Jinhyun Kwon, Yeram Yang, Jaewon Lee, Sungkyoon Kim
    Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Factors Affecting Subjective Well-Being in Workers at Small-Sized Enterprises: A Cross-Sectional Study from the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey
    SangJin Park, Mi-Ji Kim, Joo Hyun Sung
    Yonsei Medical Journal.2025; 66(8): 511.     CrossRef
  • Association between precarious employment and the onset of depressive symptoms in men and women: a 13-year longitudinal analysis in Korea (2009–2022)
    Seong-Uk Baek, Jong-Uk Won, Yu-Min Lee, Jin-Ha Yoon
    Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Inequality in Mortality and Cardiovascular Risk Among Young, Low-Income, Self-Employed Workers: Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study
    Byungyoon Yun, Heejoo Park, Jaesung Choi, Juyeon Oh, Juho Sim, Yangwook Kim, Jongmin Lee, Jin-Ha Yoon
    JMIR Public Health and Surveillance.2024; 10: e48047.     CrossRef
  • Association and interaction effect of shift work and the risk for obstructive sleep apnea on diabetes mellitus in middle-aged Korean workers
    Kyusung Kim, Hi-Ju Kim, Seunghyun Lee, Wanhyung Lee
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    Seong-Uk Baek, Jin-Ha Yoon
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    Lei Zuo, Xia Chen, Mingliang Liu, Shan Dong, Li Chen, Guangzhen Li, Zhiyu Zhai, Long Zhou, Haiyan Chen, Yuan Wei, Liping Shi, Guang Hao
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    SangJin Park, Chulyong Park, Joo Hyun Sung
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    Seong-Uk Baek, Sung-Shil Lim, Sehyun Yun, Won-Tae Lee, Min-Seok Kim, Jin-Ha Yoon, Jong-Uk Won
    Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
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    Peter A. Creed, Michelle Hood, Eva Selenko, Shi Hu, Louella Bagley
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    Chunhui Suh, Laura Punnett
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Research Article
Association between depression and cardiovascular disease risk in general population of Korea: results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2016
Jinho Song, Tae Hwan Koh, One Park, Daeil Kwon, Seonghoon Kang, Kyeongmin Kwak, Jong-Tae Park
Ann Occup Environ Med 2019;31:e10.   Published online June 20, 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2019.31.e10
AbstractAbstract PDFSupplementary Material
Background

Depression is considered as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and associated with changes in individuals' health status that might influence CVD risk. However, most studies have scrutinized this relationship on a rather narrower and specific study population. By focusing on general population of Korea, we sought to inspect the association of depression with CVD risk and cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods

The data from the first year (2016) of the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was used. Participants were classified by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score as such: normal group (PHQ-9 score 0–4), mild depression (MD) group (PHQ-9 score 5–9) and moderate and severe depression (MSD) group (PHQ-9 score 10–27). General linear model was used to analyze differences and the trend of mean CVD risk according to depression level. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) were calculated by logistic regression to identify the association between depression and cardiovascular risk factors after adjusting for age.

Results

Mean CVD risk of MSD group was higher than that of normal group (p < 0.05). There was a tendency of CVD risk to increase as depression worsened (p < 0.01). Among men, MSD group was associated with current smoking (AOR, 2.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.78–4.97), taking antihypertensive medications (AOR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.26–4.66), increased fasting blood sugar (> 125 mg/dL; AOR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.25–4.50) and taking diabetes medications (AOR, 3.08; 95% CI, 1.65–5.72). MD group was associated with current smoking (AOR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.18–2.17). Among women, MSD group was associated with high body mass index (≥ 25 kg/m2; AOR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.11–2.32), large waist circumference (≥ 85 cm; AOR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.12–2.37), current smoking (AOR, 5.11; 95% CI, 3.07–8.52) and taking diabetes medications (AOR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.68–4.08). MD group was associated with current smoking (AOR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.18–2.93).

Conclusions

We suggest that depression is associated with increased risk for CVD occurrence in general population of Korea.


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  • A Potential Role for MAGI-1 in the Bi-Directional Relationship Between Major Depressive Disorder and Cardiovascular Disease
    Priyanka Banerjee, Khanh Chau, Sivareddy Kotla, Eleanor L. Davis, Estefani Berrios Turcios, Shengyu Li, Zhang Pengzhi, Guangyu Wang, Gopi Krishna Kolluru, Abhishek Jain, John P. Cooke, Junichi Abe, Nhat-Tu Le
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    Stephanie A. Hooker, Patrick J. O'Connor, JoAnn M. Sperl-Hillen, A. Lauren Crain, Kris Ohnsorg, Sheryl Kane, Rebecca Rossom
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    Shinuk Kim
    BMC Geriatrics.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
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    Zeying Qin, Songli Mei, Tingting Gao, Leilei Liang, Chuanen Li, Yueyang Hu, Xinmeng Guo, Cuicui Meng, Jianping Lv, Tongshuang Yuan, Junsong Fei, Qian Tong, Yang Yang
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    Jeonghyeon Kim, Seamon Kang, Haeryun Hong, Hyunsik Kang, Ju-Hyoung Kim, Sang-Koo Woo
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    姗姗 郭
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Research Article
Comparison of risk-assessment tools for cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) in male shipyard workers: a cross-sectional study
Jea Chul Ha, Jun Seok Son, Young Ouk Kim, Chang Ho Chae, Chan Woo Kim, Hyoung Ouk Park, Jun Ho Lee, Young Hoo Shin, Hyun Woo Park
Ann Occup Environ Med 2019;31:e4.   Published online May 23, 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2019.31.e4
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

Periodic revision of assessment tools is essential to ensure risk assessment reliability and validity. Despite the recent revision of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) 2018, there is no evidence showing that the revision is superior to other cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs) risk-assessment tools for workplace health management. We conducted a comparative analysis using the Framingham risk score (FRS) as a gold standard to identify the most relevant CVDs risk-assessment tool for workplace health management.

Methods

We included 4,460 shipyard workers who had undergone a workers' health examination during January–December 2016. Risk levels for CVDs were calculated based on the FRS, KOSHA 2013, KOSHA 2017, KOSHA 2018 (2 methods), National Health Screening Program health risk appraisal (NHS HRA) 2017, and NHS HRA 2018. Study participants were categorized into low-risk, moderate-risk, or high-risk groups. Sensitivity, specificity, correlation, and agreement of each risk-assessment tool were calculated compared with the FRS as a gold standard. For statistical analyses, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and the linearly weighted kappa coefficient were calculated.

Results

Sensitivity of the risk assessments was highest in the KOSHA 2018 (health risk appraisal [HRA]). The FRS showed correlation coefficients of 0.354 with the KOSHA 2013, 0.396 with the KOSHA 2017, 0.386 with the KOSHA 2018, 0.505 with the KOSHA 2018 (HRA), 0.288 with the NHS HRA 2017, and 0.622 with the NHS HRA 2018. Kappa values, calculated to examine the agreement in relation to the KOSHA 2013, KOSHA 2017, KOSHA 2018, KOSHA 2018 (HRA), NHS HRA 2017, and NHS HRA 2018 with the FRS, were 0.268, 0.322, 0.352, 0.136, 0.221, and 0.559, respectively.

Conclusions

The NHS HRA 2018 risk calculation method is a useful risk-assessment tool for CVDs, but only when appropriate classification criteria are applied. In order to enhance the risk-group identification capability of the KOSHA guideline, we propose to apply the classification criteria set in this study based on the risk group definition of the 2018 Korean Society of Hypertension guidelines for the management of hypertension instead of the current classification criteria of the KOSHA 2018.


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    Yunrae Cho, Dong Geon Kim, Byung-Chan Park, Seonhee Yang, Sang Kyu Kim
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Research Article
The association between long working hours and marital status change: middle-aged and educated Korean in 2014–2015
Hyunil Kim, Byung-Seong Suh, Won-Cheol Lee, Han-Seur Jeong, Kyung-Hun Son, Min-Woo Nam, Hyeong-Cheol Kim
Ann Occup Environ Med 2019;31:e3.   Published online May 1, 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2019.31.e3
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

We investigated the association between long workhours and marital status change from married to divorced or separated status that might have bad health effects.

Methods

A total of 40,654 participants with married status in 2014 were followed up in 2015. Weekly workhours were categorized into four groups: ≤ 40, 41–52, 53–60, and > 60 hours per week. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between groups of workhours and marital status change after adjusting for age, total monthly household income, working type, and depression with sex stratification.

Results

The study populations consisted of 8,346 (20.5%) females and 32,308 (79.5%) males. Odd ratios (ORs) of marital status change for females working for more than 60 hours per week was 4.26 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25–14.5), when working less than or equal to 40 hours per week was used as reference in the crude model. ORs of working more than 60 hours per week was 4.57 (95% CI: 1.02–20.5) in female workers when considering age, total household earning per month, working type of daytime, and depression in a dose-response manner. However, for male workers, long workhours were not significantly related to change of marriage status.

Conclusions

Long workhours for more than 60 hours per week had significantly higher risk of divorce or separation in females, but not in males. Further follow-up studies are needed to evaluate long term effects of long workhours on divorce risk.


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Research Article
The role of customer service manual on workplace emotional burden in nationwide cross sectional study
Sehyun Yun, Sung-Shil Lim, Jihyun Kim, Young-Kwang Kim, Jong-Uk Won, Jin-Ha Yoon
Ann Occup Environ Med 2019;31:5.   Published online February 12, 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-019-0285-9
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

We aim to discuss the overall effect of customer service manual (CSM) on service industry workers using Korean Working Condition Survey.

Methods

Out of 50,007 total survey participants, 11,946 customer service workers were included in the current study (5613 men, 6333 women). Answers to survey questions were used to define the use of CSM, emotional burden, emotional dissonance, engaging angry customers and other covariates. Emotional burden included either depressive event or stress level. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of experiencing emotional burden was calculated by logistic regression model. Interaction effect between CSM and engaging angry customer on emotional burden was also estimated.

Results

Out of 11,946 subjects, total of 3279 (27.4%) have experienced emotional burden. OR (95% CI) of experiencing emotional burden was 1.40 (1.19–1.64) in men and 1.25 (1.09–1.44) in women. There was gender difference in interaction effect between the use of CSM and engaging angry customers. In men, OR (95% CI) was 3.16 (1.38–7.23) with additive effect when always engaging angry customers with CSM compared to rarely engaging without CSM, while in women OR (95% CI) was 8.85 (3.96–19.75) with synergistic effect. Moreover, the risk of depressive event increased only in women with OR (95% CI) 2.22 (1.42–3.48).

Conclusions

Our current study highlighted association between emotional burden and CSM in both men and women service workers. Furthermore, women were affected more severely by CSM. The results from current study suggest that CSM should be changed appropriately to benefit workers.


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    Eliana Ruetti, Sofia Pirotti
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Research Article
Relationship between personal care products usage and triclosan exposure: the second Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS 2012–2014)
Minkyu Park, Seyoung Kim, Yeji Kim, Do Jin Nam, Jae-Hong Ryoo, Sinye Lim
Ann Occup Environ Med 2019;31:2.   Published online January 28, 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-019-0283-y
AbstractAbstract PDFSupplementary Material
Background

We aimed to find the exposure level of triclosan (TCS), a known endocrine disruptor, related to the use of personal care products using a nationally representative data of the general population in Korea.

Methods

This study included data of 6288 adults aged 19 years and older (2692 men, 3596 women), based on the Second Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS 2012–2014). The data were divided according to gender. The frequency and proportion of each variable were determined by dividing participants into two groups based on the top 75th percentile concentration of urinary TCS (male: 1.096 μg/g creatinine, female: 1.329 μg/g creatinine). Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using logistic regression analysis for the high TCS exposure and low TCS exposure groups.

Results

Overall, the proportion of participants using personal care products was higher in women than in men. There was a significantly higher proportion of participants in the high TCS exposure group with younger age, higher education and income levels and with more frequent use of fragrance products, hair care products, body cleansers, cosmetics, and antimicrobial agents. In both men and women, ORs tended to increase with increased frequency of use of hair care products, body cleansers, and cosmetics before and after adjustment.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that as the frequency of use of personal care products increases, urine TCS concentration increases. Because TCS is a well-known endocrine disruptor, further studies are needed and explore other health effects with exposure to TCS in general population in Korea.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s40557-019-0283-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.


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Research Article
The association between long working hours and work-related musculoskeletal symptoms of Korean wage workers: data from the fourth Korean working conditions survey (a cross-sectional study)
Jae-Gwang Lee, Guang Hwi Kim, Sung Won Jung, Sang Woo Kim, June-Hee Lee, Kyung-Jae Lee
Ann Occup Environ Med 2018;30:67.   Published online December 3, 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-018-0278-0
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

It has been reported that long working hours are hazardous to the workers’ health. Especially, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have been considered as one of the significant health issues in workplace. The objective of this study was to identify the association between long working hours and work-related musculoskeletal symptoms.

Methods

The analysis was conducted using data from the Fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS). Subjects of this study were 24,783 wage workers and divided into three groups according to the weekly working hours, which were ≤ 40, 41–52 and > 52 h. The relationship between long working hours and work-related musculoskeletal symptoms was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression method after adjusting for general, occupational characteristics including specific working motions or postures and psychosocial factors.

Results

Approximately 18.4% of subjects worked more than 52 h per week and 26.4 and 16.4% of male subjects and 33.0 and 23.4% of female subjects experienced work-related upper and lower limb pains, respectively, over the last 12 months. Moreover, the prevalence of upper and lower limb pain was increased in both genders as the weekly working hours increased. The odds ratios (ORs) of upper limb pain for those working 41–52 h and more than 52 h per week when adjusted for general, occupational characteristics including specific motions or postures and psychosocial factors were 1.36 and 1.40 for male workers and 1.26 and 1.66 for female workers compared to the reference group, respectively. Furthermore, ORs of lower limb pain for the same weekly working hour groups were 1.26 and 1.47 for male workers and 1.20 and 1.47 for female workers, respectively.

Conclusions

Long working hours were significantly related to work-related musculoskeletal symptoms in Korean wage workers and appropriate interventions should be implemented to reduce long working hours that can negatively affect workers’ health.


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Research Article
Relationship between simultaneous exposure to ergonomic risk factors and work-related lower back pain: a cross-sectional study based on the fourth Korean working conditions survey
Jae-Yeop Kim, Ji-Su Shin, Myeong-Seob Lim, Hyeon-Gyeong Choi, Sung-Kyeong Kim, Hee-Tae Kang, Sang-Baek Koh, Sung-Soo Oh
Ann Occup Environ Med 2018;30:58.   Published online September 5, 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-018-0269-1
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

It is well known that ergonomic risk factors and back pain are related. However, few studies have examined the relationship between simultaneous exposure to these risk factors and back pain in a Korean population. We aimed to investigate the relationship between simultaneous exposure to ergonomic risk factors and work-related lower back pain (LBP) based on the fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS).

Method

The fourth KWCS (2014) was used for this study. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to assess relationship between 5 ergonomic risk factors and work-related LBP. We also analyzed the relationship between simultaneous exposure to 2 risk factors and work-related LBP.

Results

All 5 ergonomic risk factors (fatigue-inducing and painful posture; lifting or moving people; dragging, pushing, or moving heavy objects; standing posture; and repetitive hand or arm movements) were significantly correlated with work-related LBP in the severe exposure group (adjusted odd ratios [aOR] 5.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.46–5.83; aOR 1.98, 95% CI 1.62–2.42; aOR 2.09, 95% CI 1.82–2.40; aOR 1.79, 95% CI 1.60–2.01; aOR 2.04, 95% CI 1.82–2.30, respectively). When exposed to 2 risk factors simultaneously, the relationship between exposure and work-related LBP was not greater than exposure to only 1 risk factor in our study (usually exposed to ‘fatigue-inducing or painful posture’ aOR 2.17, 95% CI 2.02–2.34; high exposure to both ‘fatigue-inducing or painful posture’ and ‘dragging, pushing, or moving heavy objects’ aOR 2.00, 95% CI 1.82–2.20).

Conclusions

There was a strong relationship between severe exposure to each ergonomic risk factor and work-related LBP. However, when exposed to 2 ergonomic risk factors simultaneously, the relationship between exposure and work-related LBP was not stronger than when exposed to only 1 risk factor in our study.


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Research Article
An overview of compensated work-related injuries among Korean firefighters from 2010 to 2015
Hyung Doo Kim, Yon Soo An, Dong Hyun Kim, Kyung Sook Jeong, Yeon Soon Ahn
Ann Occup Environ Med 2018;30:57.   Published online September 3, 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-018-0268-2
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background

Although one in two firefighters in South Korea have experienced work-related injuries, there are few studies which show the overview description on work-related injuries and its analysis regarding such causes. Therefore, we aimed to show the overview of compensated work-related injuries in order to serve fundamental data for establishing prevention policies on work-related injuries for Korean firefighters.

Methods

We requested the all claimed work-related injury data of Korean firefighters from 2010 to 2015 to the Korean National Fire Agency (NFA). The data from NFA including 2457 claimed cases was analyzed and we confirmed, 2154 approved work-related injuries for the kinds of job activities, cause of accident and type of injuries. Among 2154 approved cases, we analyzed more variables for the sex, age, and job duration of 1344 compensated cases through served text file on summary of accident.

Results

The Government Employees Pension Service (GEPS) recognized 2154 (87.7%) approved work-related injuries among 2457 claimed cases. The incidence of work-related injuries per 1000 firefighters was 9.8 persons. By region, the incidence of work-related injuries per 1000 firefighters ranged from a maximum of 14.5 to a minimum of 4.0. The most common job activity caused the accident was fire suppression (18.0%), followed by Emergency medical services (EMS) (17.5%) and training (10.7%). The most common cause of these accident was movement imbalance (30.3%), followed by falls (18.9%) and traffic accident (13.4%). In these work-related injuries, sprains and bruises were the most common type of injury (27.2%), and the most commonly injured body site was the upper and lower back (25.3%). Data from identified 1344 firefighters showed that 1264 (94.0%) were male and 80 (6.0%) were female. Age group was the highest in the 40s with 623 cases (46.4%), and job duration was the highest with 650 cases in 5–10 years (48.4%).

Conclusion

In this study, we could obtain the preliminary data necessary to establish preventive measures, including the cause of accident and region with high accident rates. However, the number of applications for compensated injuries was very small compared to the frequency of injuries found in previous studies. The lack of appropriate treatment suggested that many firefighter injuries can become chronic. In this study, we suggest that it is necessary to introduce an injury monitoring system and improve the accessibility of compensated injuries.

Trial registration

CR318031. Registered 20 June 2018.


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