Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Original Article

The Relationship between Job Stress and Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Migrant Workers: Min Heui Jo, Kyoo Sang Kim, Sun Wung Lee, Tae Gyun Kim, Hyang Woo Ryu, Mi Young Lee, Yong Lim Won; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2009;21(4):378-387. Published online December 31, 2009; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2009.21.4.378

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the musculoskeletal symptoms of migrant workers. We focused on the relationship between job stress and musculoskeletal symptoms.
METHOD
A questionnaire was administered to 502 migrant workers who visited NGO migrant worker centers located in Gyung-gi province. A structured, self-reported questionnaire was administered to participants in order to capture the following information: sociodemographics, health factors including past medical history, work related characteristics, job stress, and musculoskeletal symptoms. The job stress questionnaires were used according to KOSS-26 and musculoskeletal symptoms were measured using KOSHA Code H-30-2003. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to assess the relationship between risk factors which included job stress, and musculoskeletal symptoms.
RESULTS
The prevalence rate of musculoskeletal symptoms in survey subjects was 35.1%. Other than job stress factors, past medical history was the only factor that had a statistical relationship to musculoskeletal symptoms (P<0.01). In the domains of job stress, physical environment (OR 1.62, 95% CI: 1.03~2.54), job demand (OR 2.43, 95% CI: 1.46~4.03), job insecurity (OR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.03~2.47), occupational climate (OR 2.30, 95% CI: 1.27~4.19) were most likely experience musculoskeletal symptoms.
CONCLUSION
The job stress factor appeared to correlate more with musculoskeletal symptoms than with sociodemographics or other factors. Hence, in order to prevent migrant worker's musculoskeletal symptoms, we believe that intervention in job stress (physical environment, job demand, job insecurity, occupational climate) is necessary.

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Barriers to Performing Stretching Exercises Among Korean‐Chinese Female Migrant Workers in Korea
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Workplace Health & Safety.2012; 60(7): 313. CrossRef
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Musculoskeletal Disorder Symptoms and Related Factors among Male Workers in Small-scale Manufacturing Industries
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Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society.2012; 13(9): 4025. CrossRef
Job stress and musculoskeletal diseases
Dong Mug Kang, Young Ki Kim, Jong Eun Kim
Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2011; 54(8): 851. CrossRef

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Original Article

The Relationship between Job Stress and Depressive Symptoms in Migrant Workers in Kyung-gi Province in Korea: Sun Wung Lee, Kyoo Sang Kim, Tae Gyun Kim, Hyang Woo Ryu, Mi Young Lee, Yong Lim Won, Yoon Hee Song; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2009;21(1):76-86. Published online March 31, 2009; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2009.21.1.76

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
To investigate the mental health status of migrant workers. We focused on the relationship between depressive symptoms and job stress. METHEOD: A questionnaire was administered to 488 migrant workers who visited NGO migrant worker centers located in Kyung-gi province. A structured, self-reported questionnaire was used to assess each responder's sociodemographics, work related characteristics, health behaviors, past medical history, job stress and depression symptoms. The job stress questionnaire was used according to KOSS-26 and depression symptoms were measured using CES-D, which was translated into Korean. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to assess the relationship between risk factors included job stress and depression symptoms.
RESULTS
The prevalence of depression symptoms in survey subjects was 25.2%, but the prevalence of non-Chinese nationalities and illegal workers were 32.1% and 32.8%, respectively. Adjusting for confounding factors, job stress (OR 2.55, 95% CI=1.30-4.99) had a statistical meaningful relationship with depression symptoms. Among job stress domains, physical environment (OR 2.97, 95% CI=1.59-5.53), job demand (OR 2.33, 95% CI=1.26-4.32) and occupational climate(OR 3.10, CI=1.49-6.48) were most likely to experience depression symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of depressive symptoms among the study subjects was similar to the prevalence among the general population in Korea, but higher than that among the Korean workers. In particular, the prevalence among non-Chinese and illegal workers was higher. However, the job stress factor appeared to have a more direct correlation with depressive symptoms than the sociodemographic factors of nationality or residential status. Hence, in order to prevent depressive symptoms of the migrant workers, we believe that intervention on job stress is necessary.

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Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
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Journal of Health Informatics and Statistics.2022; 47(2): 139. CrossRef
Effects of changes in occupational stress on the depressive symptoms of Korean workers in a large company: a longitudinal survey
Jaehyuk Jung, Inchul Jeong, Kyung-Jong Lee, Guyeon Won, Jae Bum Park
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
Acculturation Stress and Health Promotion Behaviors of the Korean Chinese Elderly Immigrants Living in Korea
Xianglan Jin, Misoon Song
Perspectives in Nursing Science.2016; 13(2): 70. CrossRef
Moderating Effect of Stress Coping Strategies on the Relationship between a National Statistics Office Workers' Occupational Stress and Mental Health
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Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association.2015; 54(4): 587. CrossRef
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Hyeonkyeong Lee, Hyunmi Ahn, Arlene Miller, Chang Gi Park, Sun Jung Kim
Journal of Occupational Health.2012; 54(3): 206. CrossRef

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Original Article

The Status and Characteristics of Industrial Accidents for Migrant Workers in Korea Compared with Native Workers: Sun Wung Lee, Kyoo Sang Kim, Tae Woo Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2008;20(4):351-361. Published online December 31, 2008; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2008.20.4.351

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
To analyze the status and characteristics of the industrial accidents of migrant workers with comparison to those of native workers.
METHODS
The industrial accident rate of migrant workers was estimated by the annual number of industrial accidents divided by the total number of annual labor population multiplied by the annual admission rate of industrial accident insurance. The characteristics of industrial accidents for total migrant workers were assessed and compared with those of total native workers (from 2004 to 2006). In addition, we compared the industrial accidental characteristics of the 7,210 native workers and the 458 migrant workers employed in the Incheon area who received compensation from the industrial accident insurance in 2006.
RESULTS
In 2004, 2005 and 2006, the total annual industrial accident rates of the migrant workers were 0.93%, 0.90%, and 1.06%, the injury accident rates were 0.90%, 0.86%, and 1.00%, the number of injury deaths per 10,000 persons were 2.29, 2.22, and 2.39, and the disease rates were 0.011%, 0.014%, and 0.027%, respectively. As for the cause of injury, rolled/jammed and cutting-type injuries were more prevalent in the migrant workers. With the standardization of job category, industry size and work tenure, the rolled/jammed-type injury was still significantly more prevalent in the migrant workers.
CONCLUSIONS
Even considering the exclusion of the possible missing numbers of the submission of industrial accident cases, and the numbers of workplaces not registered for industrial accident insurance, the publicized statistics confirm the higher industrial accident rate of migrant workers compared to ative workers. Especially, the injury death rate was 2.2 times higher for migrant workers than for native workers in 2006. In addition, the remarkably lower occupational disease rate of the migrant workers compared to that of the native workers, suggested that numerous cases of disease were not reported. Finally, the lack of communication and former education that usually lead to the most prevalent injury type, i.e., the rolled/jammed type, supported our conclusion that the migrant workers were in need of more education regarding workplace safety.

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Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2012; 33(1): 34. CrossRef
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I never expected to be a disabled person in another country: the stories of migrant workers with acquired disabilities in Korea
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Disability & Society.2011; 26(5): 553. CrossRef
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Original Article

The Health Status Including Biologic Exposure Indices of Migrant Workers: Based on 2005 Special Health Examination Data: Yoon Hee Song, Kyoo Sang Kim, Sun Wung Lee, Sun Haeng Choi; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2008;20(2):63-73. Published online June 30, 2008; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2008.20.2.63

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
To investigate the general health status and severity of exposure to hazardous agents - with a focus on heavy metals - of migrant workers utilizing the 2005 Special Health Examination data.
METHODS
With data from the 2005 Special Health Examination, we examined the biologic exposure indices and several major clinical exam items of 25,086 migrant workers in the whole country in comparison with those of 19,616 native Korean workers in Kyunggi-do province. Of these we chose homogeneous samples from the same 3 health service centers in Kyunggi-do. (native workers:19,616, migrant workers:1,886) to be more precise.
RESULTS
The results from the samples of the 3 centers were as follows. Blood lead (natives: 6.09 microgram/dl migrants: 8.37 microgram/L) and cadmium (natives: 0.29 microgram/dl, migrants: 0.36 microgram/L) were higher in the migrant workers than in the native Korean workers, whereas the biologic exposure indices of organic solvents were higher in the native workers. As for major clinical exam items, the liver battery was worse in the natives with incidence of abnormal AST/ALT level (natives: 8.1/6.8% migrants: 5.7/5.4%, p-value<0.01 for AST). Anemia was more prevalent in the migrant workers (natives: 9.0% migrants: 11.0%, p-value<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Migrant workers in Korea are more frequently or more severely exposed to a hazardous working environment containing heavy metals. However, we were not able to explain the results for the exposure indices or organic solvents, and such an explanation will require further study in the future.

Citations

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International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(20): 13450. CrossRef

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3 Crossref

Original Article

The Stress Level According to the Working Status in the Migrant Workers: Myung Hee Lee, Chung Yill Park, Jung Wan Koo, Hyeon Woo Yim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1997;9(2):309-319. Published online June 30, 1997; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1997.9.2.309

Abstract PDF

The number of foreign workers, which has increased since 1989, can be classified into industrial trainees and illegal migratory workers. As of January 1995, the official number of foreign workers reached 49,805 according to the Ministry of Labor. But the real number is estimated to be around 100,000 and industrial trainees are 22,583 among them. The stress induced by the culture shock, 3D (dirty, difficult and dangerous) working conditions, and illegal status of the foreign workers is greater than that of regular Korean workers. By using a psychological well-being index (PWI) measuring stress on 144 foreign workers, it was revealed that 68 people experienced "high risk stress", 76 "latent stress", and the average score was 62.8. The overall stress level was very high. Considering the distribution of high risk stress group and latent stress group by socio-demographic factors, the percentage of high risk stress group was higher among workers whose contract periods are less than 2 years than among workers whose contract periods are longer than 2 years. And the percentage of high risk stress group was higher when the number of workers at factory becoming larger, and also higher among workers who can not communicate well than among workers communicate well. After having a multiple stepwise regression analysis to find the socio-demographic factors which influence the PWI score, we found that the PWI score goes higher when the contract period is becoming shorter and the work hours is becoming longer, and these two factors are able to explain the score to the level 16.3%.

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Citations to this article as recorded by

Occupational Characteristics and Health Status of Vietnamese Male Migrant Workers in the Republic of Korea
Ohwi Kwon, Ji-Hun Song, Jeong-Ok Kong, Seong-Won Ma, Young Shin Lee, Joonho Ahn
Safety and Health at Work.2023; 14(3): 267. CrossRef

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1 Crossref

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