To date, little is known about the effects of factors linked to work-related fatigue on vibration-exposed workers. Thus, the purpose of this study was (1) to assess the effects of vibration exposure time per week and work-related fatigue on workers and (2) to identify factors associated with work-related fatigue caused by long-term exposure to occupational vibration.
This study used data collected from the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey. A total of 34,820 non-vibration-exposed and 10,776 vibration-exposed employees were selected from the data. The χ2 and multiple logistic regression were used to determine the effect of vibration exposure time per week and the effects of factors of work-related fatigue on workers.
The prevalence of work-related fatigue in vibration-exposed workers (30.5%) was higher than that of non-exposed workers (15.9%). The prevalence of work-related fatigue was higher for female and workers with depression, anxiety, and shift work, and those with authority to control their work pace had statistically significantly higher odds than those who did not. The employees who had the authority to control their order of work (odds ratio [OR]: 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81–0.95) and method of work (OR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.82–0.98) had statistically significantly lower odds than those who did not. The OR of work-related fatigue symptoms was highest among employees whose vibration exposure time per week were 30.0%–40.0% (OR: 2.36; 95% CI: 1.96–2.83). Lower OR was observed as vibration exposure time per week decreased.
The results of the present study suggest an association between occupational vibration and work-related fatigue and longer vibration exposure time per week, causing an increased prevalence of work-related fatigue symptoms. Measures to protect workers exposed to occupational vibration from work-related fatigue must be taken.
Female firefighters are exposed to hazardous environmental (chemical and physical) and working (shift work, psychological, and ergonomic factors) conditions that have reported or are suspected of adverse effects on reproductive health. However, no previous studies have reported on pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium outcomes (PCPOs) in female firefighters.
The present study compared hospital admissions for PCPOs, based on 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) codes, among Korean female firefighters with those of the general Korean population. Standardized admission ratios (SARs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.
The study population included 1,766 female firefighters. Total follow-up duration was 9,659 person-years. Compared to the general female population, the female firefighters' SARs were higher in all admissions for PCPOs (SAR, 1.92; 95% CI: 1.79–2.05); pregnancy and abortive outcomes (SAR, 1.56; 95% CI: 1.12–2.12); other maternal disorders predominantly related to pregnancy (SAR, 2.65; 95% CI: 1.99–3.46); maternal care related to the fetus, amniotic cavity, and possible delivery problems (SAR, 2.13; 95% CI: 1.74–2.57); labor and delivery complications (SAR, 1.55; 95% CI: 1.15–2.06); delivery (SAR, 1.94; 95% CI: 1.80–2.08); and complications predominantly related to puerperium (SAR, 4.68; 95% CI: 2.02–9.23).
The results of this study showed high SARs in all and specific subcategories of PCPOs in female firefighters.
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Resilient individuals have a comprehensive ability to adapt to various life circumstances. Psychological resilience predicts an individual’s physiological response to stress. The 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) is a widely used measure to quantify the level of self-perceived resilience. This study examined the psychometric properties of a Korean version of the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (10-item K-CD-RISC) on workers in Gumi, South Korea, exposed to hydrofluoric acid (HF).
The questionnaires included the 10-item K-CD-RISC and Beck Anxiety Inventor (BAI), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised-Korean version (IES-R-K), the Rosen-berg Self Esteem Scale (RSES), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). These were randomly distributed at 237 workplaces near the HF-spill site, in the Gumi 4 complex. The responses of 991 (67.3%) workers were analyzed.
The exploratory factor analysis shown that a single-factor model was consistent with the original design of the 10-item CD-RISC. The scale also demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.95). Scores on the scale reflected different levels of resilience with respect to personal factors (age, gender, marital status, and education and income levels) that are thought to be differentiated. Differences of resilience were also reflected by psychiatric symptoms (anxiety and depression). Moreover, the total score of scale positively correlated with RSES, whereas the IES-R-K, BAI, CES-D, and the PSS negatively correlated with the 10-item K-CD-RISC.
The 10-item K-CD-RISC has good psychometric properties and is applicable for victims exposed to noxious chemical such as HF.
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