Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Original Article

Mediation analysis of chronotype, sleep-related factors, and depressive symptoms among workers: a cross-sectional study: Seo Young Kim, Hyo Jeong Kim, Seong-Sik Cho, Min Young Park, Mo-Yeol Kang; Ann Occup Environ Med 2023;35:e47. Published online November 20, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e47

Abstract Abstract in Korean PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub: Background
This study aimed to examine the impact of chronotype on depressive symptoms and explore the mediating effects of sleep quality, pre-sleep cognitive arousal, and social jetlag in a sample of wage earners.
Methods
A total of 3,917 waged workers were surveyed online in July 2022. Logistic regression and mediation analysis were used to assess the relationship between chronotype (morningness, intermediate, and eveningness) and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire ≥ 5), and the mediating effects of Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale (PSAS). All analyses were adjusted for age, education level, income level, marital status, coffee consumption, alcohol consumption, physical activity, occupation, employment status, and working hours to calculate odds ratios (ORs).
Results
The chronotypes of all the participants were divided into morningness (4.7%), intermediate (93.5%), and eveningness (1.8%). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed an increased risk of depression in the eveningness chronotype (OR: 2.96; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.51, 5.86). Regarding the mediation analysis, ISI mediated 28.44% (95% CI: 16.39–40.5), PSQI for 31.25% (95% CI: 19.36, 43.15), and PSAS-Cognitive Score (PSAS-C) for 23.58% (95% CI: 10.66, 36.50) of the association between chronotype and depressive symptoms. However, social jetlag did not significantly mediate this relationship. (percentage mediated = 0.75%, 95% CI: −3.88, 5.39)
Conclusions
Evening chronotypes exhibit an increased risk of depressive symptoms, which ISI, PSQI, and PSAS-C partially mediated. This suggests that interventions to improve sleep quality and maintain adequate sleep habits may effectively prevent and treat depression in employees with an eveningness chronotype.; 직장인의 크로노타입이 우울 증상에 미치는 영향과 수면 관련 요인의 매개 분석
목적
본 연구는 국내 임금 근로자를 대상으로 크로노타입이 우울 증상에 미치는 영향과 수면의 질, 수면 전 인지적 각성, 사회적 시차 등의 매개 효과에 대해 분석하고자 한다.
방법
2022년 7월 온라인 설문조사를 통해 모집한 만 19세 이상의 임금 근로자 3917명을 대상으로 분석을 시행하였다. 로지스틱 회귀분석으로 성별을 층화하여 크로노타입 (아침형, 중간형, 저녁형)과 우울증상 간의 관계를 살펴본 후, 매개효과 분석을 통해 불면척도, 수면의 질, 수면 전 각성 척도, 사회적 시차의 각각의 우울 증상에 대한 매개 효과를 계산했다. 모든 분석은 연령, 교육수준, 소득, 결혼 여부, 동거인 여부, 커피, 흡연, 음주, 신체활동, 직종, 고용형태, 근무 시간을 보정하였다.
결과
참가자는 아침형(4.7%), 중간형(93.5%), 저녁형(1.8%)으로 나뉘었다. 인구사회학적 특성 및 업무 관련 요인을 통제한 다중 로지스틱 회귀분석 결과, 저녁형 그룹에서 우울증상 오즈비는 2.95 (95% 신뢰구간: 1.51–5.86)로 아침형 그룹에 비해 높게 나타났다. 매개 분석 결과에서 불면 척도는 28.44% (95% 신뢰구간 16.39–40.5), 수면의 질은 31.25% (95% 신뢰구간 19.36–43.15), 수면 전 인지적 각성척도은 23.58% (95% 신뢰구간 10.66–36.50)를 매개하였다. 그러나 사회적 시차는 매개 효과가 0.75% (95% 신뢰구간 -3.88–5.39)로 유의하지 않은 것으로 나타났다.
결론
본 연구 결과에 따르면 저녁형 크로노타입을 가진 근로자들이 아침형 근로자보다 우울증상의 위험도가 증가하는 것으로 나타났으며, 이에 대한 매개 효과 분석에서는 불면 척도, 수면의 질과 수면 전 인지적 각성이 우울 증상을 부분적으로 매개하는 것으로 나타났다. 이는 저녁형 크로노타입 근로자들과 같은 우울증의 상대적 고위험군에서 수면의 질을 개선하고 수면 습관을 적절히 유지하도록 개입하는 것이 우울증의 예방 및 치료에 효과적일 수 있음을 시사한다.

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Original Article

Association between exposure to violence, job stress and depressive symptoms among gig economy workers in Korea: Min-Seok Kim, Juyeon Oh, Juho Sim, Byung-Yoon Yun, Jin-Ha Yoon; Ann Occup Environ Med 2023;35:e43. Published online October 30, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e43

Abstract Abstract in Korean PDF PubReader ePub

Background

Gig workers, also known as platform workers, are independent workers who are not employed by any particular company. The number of gig economy workers has rapidly increased worldwide in the past decade. There is a dearth of occupational health studies among gig economy workers. We aimed to investigate the association between exposure to violence and job stress in gig economy workers and depressive symptoms.

Methods

A total of 955 individuals (521 gig workers and 434 general workers) participated in this study and variables were measured through self-report questionnaires. Depressive symptoms were evaluated by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 when the score was greater than or equal to 10 points. The odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was calculated using multivariable logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, working hours, education level, exposure to violence and job stress.

Results

19% of gig economy workers reported depressive symptoms, while only 11% of general workers reported the depressive symptoms. In association to depressive symptoms among gig economy workers, the mainly result of odds ratios for depressive symptoms were as follows: 1.81 for workers type, 3.53 for humiliating treatment, 2.65 for sexual harassment, 3.55 for less than three meals per day, 3.69 for feeling too tired to do housework after leaving work.

Conclusions

Gig economic workers are exposed to violence and job stress in the workplace more than general workers, and the proportion of workers reporting depressive symptoms is also high. These factors are associated to depressive symptoms. Furthermore, the gig workers associated between depressive symptoms and exposure to violence, job stress.

한국 긱경제 근로자에서 폭력 및 직무 스트레스 노출과 우울 증상관의 연관성
목적
긱경제 근로자 또는 플랫폼 근로자는 특정 회사에 고용되지 않은 독립적인 근로자들을 말한다. 긱경제는 그 규모가 커지고 있고, 종사하는 근로자들도 많아지고 있으나, 긱경제 노동자들의 산업 보건 연구가 부족한 실정이다. 우리는 긱경제 근로자에서 폭력 노출과 직무 스트레스에 노출되는 것이 우울 증상과 연관성이 있는지 조사하는 것을 목표로 했다.
방법
총 955명(긱 근로자 521명, 일반 근로자 434명)이 본 연구에 참여하였으며, 우울 증상은 PHQ-9(Patient Health Questionnaire-9) 점수가 10점 이상일 때로 평가하였다. 폭력 노출과 직무 스트레스는 자기보고식 설문지를 이용하여 측정하였다. 연령, 성별, 근무시간, 교육수준을 보정한 다변량 로지스틱 회귀분석을 이용하여 Odds Ratio, 95% Confidence Interval를 산출했다.
결과
긱 근로자의 19%가 우울 증상을 보고한 반면, 일반 근로자의 11%만이 우울 증상을 보고했습니다. 긱경제 근로자의 우울상과 관련하여 우울상 Odds ratio의 주요 결과는표3에서 ‘긱경제 근로자’ 1.89, ‘굴욕적 처우 경험’ 3.53, ‘성희롱 경험’ 2.65, ‘하루 세 끼 미만의 식사’ 3.55, ‘퇴근 후 집안일을 하기엔 너무 피곤함’ 3.69로 나타났다.
결론
긱경제 근로자는 일반 근로자에 비해 직장 내 폭력과 직무스트레스에 더 많이 노출되고, 우울 증상을 호소하는 근로자의 비율도 높다. 이러한 요인은 우울 증상과 관련이 있다. 더욱이, 긱경제 근로자들은 우울 증상과 폭력 노출, 직업 스트레스와 관련이 있다.

Citations

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Higher anxiety level and associated work-related factors of delivery workers in South Korea: from the 6th Korean working conditions survey
Sungjin Park, June-Hee Lee
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health.2024;[Epub] 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

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Original Article

Association between discrimination in the workplace and insomnia symptoms: Suhwan Ju, Seong-Sik Cho, Jung Il Kim, Hoje Ryu, Hyunjun Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2023;35:e25. Published online July 23, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e25

Abstract Abstract in Korean PDF PubReader ePub: Background
In Korea, little research has focused on the relationship between discrimination in the workplace and sleep health. Thus, this study aims to investigate the association between such discriminatory experiences and insomnia, a common sleep disorder, using Korean employees’ data.
Methods
This study used data from the 6th Korea Working Conditions Survey. Discrimination experiences due to age, ethnic background, nationality, race, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, educational level, hometown, and employment status were investigated. The Minimal Insomnia Symptom Scale estimated insomnia symptoms. The association between discrimination experience and insomnia symptoms were analyzed using survey-weighted logistic regression analysis.
Results
Based on experiences of discrimination over the past 12 months, insomnia symptoms were associated with discrimination experience due to religion (odds ratio [OR]: 3.70; 95% confidential interval [CI]: 1.58–8.69), sex (OR: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.87–3.37), age (OR: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.88–2.81), hometown (OR: 2.07; 95% CI: 1.44–2.97), employment status (OR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.37–2.10), and educational level (OR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.31–2.14). Furthermore, the prevalence of insomnia symptoms increased with the number of discrimination experiences.
Conclusions
In this study, discrimination experiences due to religion, sex, age, hometown, employment status, and educational level were significantly associated with insomnia symptoms. Furthermore, as the number of discrimination experiences increased, so did the prevalence of insomnia. Preventing workplace discrimination may improve workers’ sleep health.; 직장에서의 차별 경험과 불면증 증상 간의 연관성
목적
한국에서 차별 경험과 수면 장애 간의 연관성에 대한 연구가 거의 없었다. 따라서, 이 연구의 목적은 직장에서의 차별 경험과 불면증 증상의 연관성을 조사하는 것이다.
방법
이 연구는 제6차 근로환경조사의 자료를 활용하였다. 나이, 출신민족, 국적, 인종, 성, 종교, 장애, 성적 지향성, 학벌, 출신 지역, 고용 형태 등 총 11개 종류의 차별에 대한 경험 유무를 조사하였다. 수면 장애는 minimal insomnia symptom scale (MISS)을 사용하여 불면증 증상의 유무를 조사하였다. 둘 사이의 연관성을 평가하기 위해 가중치를 이용한 로지스틱 회귀분석을 사용하였다.
결과
종교(odds ratio [OR], 3.70; 95% confidential interval [CI], 1.58–8.69), 성 (OR, 2.51 ; 95% CI, 1.87–3.37), 나이 (OR, 2.30 ; 95% CI, 1.88–2.81), 출신 지역 (OR, 2.07 ; 95% CI, 1.44–2.97), 고용 형태 (OR, 1.69 ; 95% CI, 1.37–2.10), 학벌 (OR, 1.67 ; 95% CI, 1.31–2.14)에 대한 차별 경험과 불면증 증상 간의 연관성이 확인되었다. 또한, 경험한 차별의 종류가 많을수록 불면증 증상의 유병률이 증가하는 경향이 확인되었다.
결론
이 연구에서 직장에서의 종교, 성별, 나이, 고향, 고용상태, 교육수준에 대한 차별 경험과 불면증 증상 간의 연관성이 확인되었다. 직장에서의 차별을 예방함으로써 근로자들의 수면 건강을 향상시킬 수 있을 것이다.

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Original Article

Relationship between chronotype and depressive symptoms among newly hired hospital nurses in the Republic of Korea: Semi Lee, Han-Na Jung, Jia Ryu, Woo-Chul Jung, Yu-Mi Kim, Hyunjoo Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2022;34:e32. Published online October 31, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e32

Abstract Abstract in Korean PDF PubReader ePub

Background

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between chronotype and depressive symptoms to provide grounded knowledge in establishing nurses’ health promotion strategies.

Methods

The subjects of this study were 493 newly hired nurses working in 2 general hospitals within the university from September 2018 to September 2020. Sociodemographic and work-related characteristics were collected from a medical examination database and a self-reported questionnaire. These included sex, age, marital status, living situation, education level, alcohol consumption, physical activity, prior work experience before 3 months, workplace, and departments. To analyze the associations between the chronotype and depressive symptoms, multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs).

Results

Among participants, 9.1% had depressive symptoms and 16.4% had insomnia. The subjects are divided into morningness (30.2%), intermediate (48.7%), and eveningness (21.1%). The multiple logistic regression analysis controlling for age, living status, education level, alcohol consumption, physical activity, workplace, prior work experience before 3 months, and insomnia, revealed that the OR of depressive symptoms in the eveningness group was 3.71 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.50–9.18) compared to the morningness group, and the R² value was 0.151. It also can be confirmed that insomnia symptoms have a statistically significant effect on depressive symptoms (OR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.03–4.52).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that evening-type nurses are more likely to have depression than morning-type nurses. We should consider interventions in a high-risk group such as the evening type nurses to reduce depressive symptoms in nurses.

신입 간호사에서 일주기리듬 유형과 우울 증상의 관련성
목적
이 연구는 간호사의 건강증진 전략 수립에 기초 지식을 제공하기 위해 일주기리듬 유형(크로노타입)과 우울 증상의 관련성을 살펴보기 위해 수행되었다.
방법
연구대상은 2018년 9월부터 2020년 9월까지 2개 대학병원에 근무하는 신입간호사 493명이었다. 사회인구학적 특성과 업무관련 특성은 건강검진 데이터베이스와 자기보고식 설문지를 통해 성별, 연령, 결혼 여부, 생활 상황, 교육 수준, 음주, 신체 활동, 3개월 내 업무 경험, 직장 및 부서 등에 대한 정보를 수집하였다. 일주기리듬 유형과 우울 증상 간의 연관성을 분석하기 위해 연령, 생활수준, 학력, 음주, 신체활동, 직장, 직장경력, 불면증 등을 통제한 다중 로지스틱 회귀 분석을 수행하였다.
결과
참가자의 9.1%가 우울 증상이 있었고, 16.4%가 불면 증상이 있었다. 일주기리듬 유형은 아침형(30.2%), 중간형(48.7%), 저녁형(21.1%)으로 구분하였다. 앞서 언급한 혼란 변수를 모두 통제한 다중 로지스틱 회귀분석 결과 저녁시간 집단의 우울 증상의 오즈비는 3.71(95% C.I. 1.50- 9.18) 아침형 그룹과 비교하여 R 제곱값은 0.151이었다. 또한 불면증 증상도 우울 증상에 통계적으로 유의한 영향을 미치는 것을 확인하였다 (OR = 2.16(95% C.I. 1.03-4.52)).
결론
우리 연구는 저녁형 간호사가 아침형 간호사보다 우울증에 걸릴 확률이 더 높다는 점을 시사한다. 간호사의 우울 증상을 줄이기 위해 저녁형 일주기리듬유형을 가진 간호사와 같은 고위험군에 대한 개입을 고려해야 한다.

Citations

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Relationship between mid-sleep time and depression, health-related quality of life, and sleep deprivation in the 2018 Korea Community Health Survey
Mee-Ri Lee, Sung Min Jung, Seung Hee Choi, Hyeonji Hwang, Youngs Chang, Young Hwangbo
Chronobiology International.2024; 41(1): 1. CrossRef
Factors associated with chronotype, job burnout, and perceived stress among nurses in Chinese tertiary hospitals: A multicenter cross-sectional study
Lijun Li, Xingxing Wang, Jian Zhou, Min Liu, Sha Wang, Yi Zhou, Yuxuan Li, Yue Kang, Jianfei Xie, Andy S. K. Cheng
Chronobiology International.2024; 41(7): 1058. CrossRef
Is evening chronotype associated with higher alcohol consumption? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Rafaela Sirtoli, Gabriel Dionisio Gotardo Mata, Renne Rodrigues, Vicente Martinez-Vizcaíno, José Francisco López-Gil, Camilo Molino Guidoni, Arthur Eumann Mesas
Chronobiology International.2023; 40(11): 1467. CrossRef
Mediation analysis of chronotype, sleep-related factors, and depressive symptoms among workers: a cross-sectional study
Seo Young Kim, Hyo Jeong Kim, Seong-Sik Cho, Min Young Park, Mo-Yeol Kang
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2023;[Epub] 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

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub

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.

Citations

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P. Padma Sri Lekha, E.P. Abdul Azeez, Arti Singh, C. V. Irshad
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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;[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
Prevalence of current and former smoking in industrial workers worldwide: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Sohrab Amiri, Seyed Morteza Hosseini
Journal of Addictive Diseases.2021; 39(3): 288. CrossRef

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Research Article

Depressive symptoms among dance artists in South Korea: balance between self- and social identity on job value: Sung-Shil Lim, Jihyun Kim, Seahee Yune, Jin-Ha Yoon; Ann Occup Environ Med 2019;31:e14. Published online July 31, 2019; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2019.31.e14

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub: Background
The balance between self- and social identity on job value of Korean dance artists, considered as performing artists, was measured to investigate the relationship between balance and depressive symptoms.
Methods
Data of 139 dance artists were analyzed for depressive symptoms assessed by their responses to questionnaires from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CESD) translated into Korean. The balance score of each aspect of social identity compared to that of self-identity on job value was measured and classified as lower, equal, or higher. Following a graphical approach, we performed locally weighted scatterplot smoothing algorithm, simple linear regression, and quadric equation regression.
Results
The mean of CESD was highest in the higher balance group and lowest in the lower balance group. There was a linear relationship between balance score and CESD regarding specific audience, unspecified audience, and unspecified public. Balance score showed no association with other aspects of social identity. In the balance score range of 1 or higher, it was associated with CESD with respect to artist colleague, unspecified audience, and unspecified public.
Conclusions
Dance artists should maintain a balance between self- and social identity in job value to prevent depressive symptoms.

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Research Article

Association between organizational justice and depressive symptoms among securities company workers: HyunSuk Lee, KangHyun Um, YoungSu Ju, Sukkoun Lee, Min Choi, Domyung Paek, Seong-Sik Cho; Ann Occup Environ Med 2019;31:e7. Published online June 5, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2019.31.e7

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub

Background

The organizational justice model can evaluate job stressor from decision-making process, attitude of managerial or senior staff toward their junior workers, and unfair resource distribution. Stress from organizational injustice could be harmful to workers' mental health. The purpose of this study is to explore the association between organizational justice and depressive symptoms in a securities company.

Methods

To estimate organizational justice, a translated Moorman's organizational justice evaluation questionnaire (Korean) was employed. Cronbach's α coefficient was estimated to assess the internal consistency of the translated questionnaire. To assess depressive symptoms, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale was used. The link between the sub-concepts of the organizational justice model and depressive symptoms was assessed utilizing multiple logistic regression models.

Results

The risk of depressive symptoms was significantly higher among workers with higher levels of all subcategory of organizational injustice. In the full adjusted model odds ratio (OR) of higher level of procedural injustice 2.79 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.58–4.90), OR of the higher level of relational injustice 4.25 (95% CI, 2.66–6.78), OR of higher level of distributional injustice 4.53 (95% CI, 2.63–7.83) respectively. Cronbach's α coefficient of the Korean version was 0.93 for procedural justice, 0.93 for relational justice, and 0.95 for distributive justice.

Conclusions

A higher level of organizational injustice was linked to higher prevalence of depressive symptoms among workers in a company of financial industry.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Organizational Justice and Health: Reviewing Two Decades of Studies
Laura Cachón-Alonso, Marko Elovainio, Richard Crisp
Journal of Theoretical Social Psychology.2022; 2022: 1. CrossRef
Effects of procedural justice on prospective antidepressant medication prescription: a longitudinal study on Swedish workers
Viktor Persson, Constanze Eib, Claudia Bernhard-Oettel, Constanze Leineweber
BMC Public Health.2020;[Epub] CrossRef

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Research Article

Respiratory symptoms and illnesses related to the concentration of airborne particulate matter among brick kiln workers in Kathmandu valley, Nepal: Seshananda Sanjel, Sanjay N. Khanal, Steven M. Thygerson, William S. Carter, James D. Johnston, Sunil K. Joshi; Ann Occup Environ Med 2017;29:9. Published online March 27, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-017-0165-0

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub

Background

Bricks have been manufactured in Nepal for hundreds of years and are seen as a component of Nepalese sculpture and architecture. Large quantities of hazardous materials including high concentrations of particulate matter are emitted on a daily basis from brick kilns. Exposure to these hazardous materials can lead to adverse consequences on the environment and human health. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of respiratory symptoms/illnesses and the magnitude of respirable and total dust exposures among Nepalese brick kiln workers.

Methods

Respiratory symptoms/illnesses were evaluated by questionnaire among brickfield workers (n = 400) and a referent group of grocery workers (n = 400) in Kathmandu valley. Work zones (WZs): green brick molding (GBM), green brick stacking/carrying (GBS/C), red brick loading/carrying (RBL/C), coal preparation (CP) and firemen (FM) were the similar exposure groups (SEGs) from where personal air samples and interviews were taken. Among brickfield workers, personal monitoring was conducted across SEGs for total (n = 89) and respirable (n = 72) dust during February–March 2015 and March–April 2016. Applying multi-stage probability proportionate to size sampling technique, 16 kilns and 400 brick workers for interview were selected. Proportions, means, medians and ranges were calculated for the demographics, samples and respiratory symptoms/illnesses. One-way ANOVA was applied to compare the significance differences of the level of particulate matter among SEGs. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to evaluate association between respiratory symptoms/illnesses and participants groups, and SEGs among brick kiln workers at 0.05 level. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 21.

Results

Chronic cough (14.3%), phlegm (16.6%) and bronchitis (19.0%) were higher (P < 0.05) among brickfield compared with grocery workers (6.8, 5.8 and 10.8%). Mean respirable (5.888 mg/m³) and total (20.657 mg/m³) dust exposures were highest for red brick loading tasks. The prevalence of chronic cough, chronic phlegm, chronic bronchitis, wheezing and asthma were significantly higher for other WZs workers (p < 0.05) compared with CP; for GBM: 22.9, 34.6, 15.0 and 7.5%; for GBS/C: 13.5, 15.8, 10.0, 8.8 and 7.5%; for RBL/C: 11.1, 17.1, 27.4, 19.0 and 11.9%; for FM: 18.4, 12.5, 28.4, 4.9 and 0.0%; and for CP: 4.9, 6.3, 13.3, 9.3 and 4.0% respectively.

Conclusion

High dust exposures identified in this study may explain the increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms/illnesses among Nepalese brickfield workers, warranting action to reduce exposures.

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Differential Inflammatory Cytokine Elaboration in Serum from Brick Kiln Workers in Bhaktapur, Nepal
Katrina L. Curtis, Ashley Chang, James D. Johnston, John D. Beard, Scott C. Collingwood, James D. LeCheminant, Neil E. Peterson, Andrew J. South, Clifton B. Farnsworth, Seshananda Sanjel, Benjamin T. Bikman, Juan A. Arroyo, Paul R. Reynolds
Diseases.2024; 12(6): 129. CrossRef
Brick kiln pollution and its impact on health: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Laura Nicolaou, Fiona Sylvies, Isabel Veloso, Katherine Lord, Ram K. Chandyo, Arun K. Sharma, Laxman P. Shrestha, David L. Parker, Steven M. Thygerson, Peter F. DeCarlo, Gurumurthy Ramachandran, William Checkley
Environmental Research.2024; 257: 119220. CrossRef
Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding respirable silica exposure and personal protective equipment use among brick kiln workers in Nepal
Chelsea Gaviola, Laura Nicolaou, Arun K Sharma, Ram Chandyo, David Parker, Laxman Shrestha, Santa K Das, Gurumurthy Ramachandran, Steven M Thygerson, Laura Beres, William Checkley
Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2024; 81(6): 287. CrossRef
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Nina Brooks, Debashish Biswas, Sameer Maithel, Sonal Kumar, Mohammad Rofi Uddin, Shoeb Ahmed, Moogdho Mahzab, Grant Miller, Mahbubur Rahman, Stephen P. Luby
Energy Research & Social Science.2024; 117: 103738. CrossRef
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Pooja Kumari, Lisasha Poudel, Laxmi Chaudhary, Bishnu Prasad Choulagai
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Muhammad Arham Parvez, Irfan Ahmad Rana, Adnan Nawaz, Hafiz Syed Hamid Arshad
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Personal Exposure to Fine Particulate Air Pollution among Brick Workers in Nepal
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Research Article

Self-resilience as a protective factor against development of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in police officers: Jong-Ku Lee, Hyeon-Gyeong Choi, Jae-Yeop Kim, Juhyun Nam, Hee-Tae Kang, Sang-Baek Koh, Sung-Soo Oh; Ann Occup Environ Med 2016;28:58. Published online October 17, 2016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-016-0145-9

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub

Background

This study was conducted to check whether self-resilience, one of the characteristics known to affect the occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after experiencing traumatic events, could serve as a protective factor for police officers whose occupational factors are corrected.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study in which 112 male police officers in Gangwon Province participated. They visited the Wonju Severance Christian Hospital Occupational Environment Center for medical check-ups from June to December 2015. Their general characteristics were identified using structured questionnaires, and they were asked to fill in the Korean Occupational Stress Scale-Short Form (KOSS-SF). Further, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale-Korean (CD-RI-K), and Impact of Event Scale-Revised-Korean version (IES-R-K) were used to evaluate their job stress, depression, self-resilience, and PTSD symptoms. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to correct their personal, occupational, and psychological factors to analyze the relationship between self-resilience and PTSD symptoms.

Results

Among 112 respondents who experienced a traumatic event, those with low self-resilience had significantly higher rate of PTSD symptoms than those with high self-resilience even after correcting for the covariate of general, occupational, and psychological characteristics (odds ratio [OR] 3.51; 95 % CI: 1.06–19.23).

Conclusions

Despite several limitations, these results suggest that a high degree of self-resilience may protect police officers from critical incident-related PTSD symptoms.

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Rotem Saar-Ashkenazy, Yoav S. Bergman, Omer Ashkenazy, Jonathan Guez
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Milla Arabadjian, Zoe T. Duberstein, Sarah H. Sperber, Kiranjot Kaur, Jolaade Kalinowski, Yuhe Xia, Anaïs Hausvater, Olivia O'Hare, Nathaniel R. Smilowitz, Victoria Vaughan Dickson, Hua Zhong, Jeffrey S. Berger, Judith S. Hochman, Harmony R. Reynolds, Tan
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Mustafa Enes Işıkgöz, Turan Sezan, Abdullah Yüksel
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Kento Yasuhara, Kristina Morreale, Dijonee Talley, Danielle T. Cooper, Michelle Hoy‐Watkins, Kendell L. Coker
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Vanessa Ferreira Monteiro, Simone Souza da Costa Silva
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Hye-Kyung Oh, Cheol Yeung Jang, Mi Suk Ko
Frontiers in Public Health.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
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Xiaorong Mao, Olivia WM Fung, Xiuying Hu, Alice Yuen Loke
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Michael Kahl, Gerd Wagner, Feliberto de la Cruz, Stefanie Köhler, C. Christoph Schultz
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Research Article

Acute Symptoms after a Community Hydrogen Fluoride Spill: Joo-Yong Na, Kuck-Hyun Woo, Seong-Yong Yoon, Seong-Yong Cho, In-Ung Song, Joo-An Kim, Jin-Seok Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2013;25:17-17. Published online September 19, 2013; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/2052-4374-25-17

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub

Objectives

This study was conducted to describe the demographic characteristics, and clinical signs and symptoms of patients who visited a general hospital because of the release of chemically hazardous hydrogen fluoride that occurred on September 27, 2012 in Gumi City, Korea.

Methods

The medical records at 1 general hospital 9 km from the accident site were reviewed using a standardized survey format. There were 1,890 non-hospitalized and 12 hospitalized patients exposed to hydrogen fluoride between September 27 and October 13 2012.

Results

Among the 12 hospitalized patients, 11 were discharged within 1 week and the other was hospitalized for 10 days. The chief complaints were respiratory symptoms such as hemoptysis and shortness of breath, gastrointestinal symptoms, neurologic symptoms, sore throat, and lip burn.

The number of non-hospitalized patients exhibited a bimodal distribution, peaking on the first and twelfth days after the accident. Their chief complaints were sore throat (24.1%), headache (19.1%), cough (13.1%), and eye irritation (9.2%); some patients were asymptomatic (6.2%). Patients who visited the hospital within 3 days (early patients) of the spill more often had shortness of breath (27.0%) and nausea (6.3%) as the chief complaints than patients who visited after 3 days (late patients) (3.5% and 2.6%, respectively). However, cough and rhinorrhea were more common in the late patients (14.0% and 3.3%, respectively) than in the early patients (5.0% and 0.0%, respectively). Patients who were closer to the accident site more often had shortness of breath and sputum as the chief complaints than patients who were farther away. The mean serum calcium concentration was 9.37 mg/dL (range: 8.4–11.0 mg/dL); none of the patients had a decreased serum calcium level. Among 48 pulmonary function test results, 4 showed decreased lung function. None of the patients had abnormal urine fluoride levels on the eighth day after exposure.

Conclusions

Patients hospitalized due to chemical hazard release of hydrogen fluoride had acute respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurologic health problems. Non-hospitalized patients have acute symptoms mainly related to upper respiratory irritation.

Citations

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Original Article

Occupational Risk Factors Associated with Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Public Workers: Sei Kyun Noh, Ju Hwan Choi, Dong Hoon Shin, Mi Young Lee, In Sung Chung; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(4):410-419. Published online December 31, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.4.410

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to examine the occupational risk factors associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in public workers.
METHODS
In November 2010, 544 participants anwered a survey that included questions on the participants' general characteristics, job-related factors, health-related behaviors, and psychosocial stress. We measured the relationship of risk factors to musculoskeletal symptoms using a logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS
After adjusting for general characteristics, factors associated with occupational musculoskeletal symptoms were gender (OR=2.858, 95% CI=1.701~4.801), unnatural posture (OR=2.386, 95% CI=1.308~4.354), psychosocial stress (OR=4.051, 95% CI=1.336~12.282) and sleep quality (OR=1.672, 95% CI=1.052~2.660).
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that psychosocial stress levels and physical environment (especially in professions requiring an unnatural posture) are related to musculoskeletal symptoms in public workers.

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Original Article

The Assessment of Pulmonary Function in Dental Technicians: Kyoung Han Kim, Jong In Lee, Min Choi, Jun Pyo Myong, Yong Sang Park, Tae Won Jang, Jung Wan Koo; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(4):356-364. Published online December 31, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.4.356

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
Dental technicians are exposed to various toxic materials in the workplace. The objectives of this study were to assess the pulmonary function of dental technicians and to evaluate the association between work-related factors and pulmonary function of dental technicians.
METHODS
Study subjects were 209 dental technicians in the Korean Dental Technologist Association. A self-report questionnaire including general characteristics, respiratory symptoms, and work-related characteristics was conducted on study subjects, and a pulmonary function test (PFT) was done. Study subjects were classified into two groups(normal and abnormal pulmonary function) based on the pulmonary function test (PFT).
RESULTS
43 subjects (20.6%) among 209 subjects had abnormal pulmonary function. After adjusting for general characteristics such as age, sex, past medical history, familial history, and smoking status, the odds ratio for work duration (per year) was 1.42(95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14~1.83). After adjusting for general and work-related characteristics, the odds ratio for work duration (per year) was 1.48(95% CI 1.18~1.92).
CONCLUSIONS
Dental technicians are exposed to hazardous materials, which might lead to abnormal pulmonary function. A long work duration could increase exposure time, thereby increasing the chance for abnormal pulmonary function. Therefore, pulmonary function tests should be carried out periodically in dental technicians to ensure their pulmonary health.

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Original Article

Association between Job-related Factors and Musculoskeletal Symptoms in University Hospital Healthcare Workers: Yoonbum Choi, Soo Jin Lee, Jae Chul Song, Kyu Jung Bae, Hwanjin Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(3):217-228. Published online September 30, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.3.217

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