• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.57-67
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of care workers' knowledge of elderly oral health, education on elderly oral healthcare and behavioral needs, awareness of elderly oral healthcare, and actual practices in elderly oral healthcare. Furthermore, it explores the mediating effects of elderly oral healthcare education and behavioral needs on the relationship between awareness and practice. Methods: Data were collected from October 11 to December 29, 2023, from 172 certified care workers employed in nursing hospitals and other workplaces. For analyzing the data, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and hierarchical regression were conducted using SPSS Statistics 21.0. Results: Elderly oral health knowledge, education and behavioral needs, awareness, and practice were significantly higher among: those aged 51 years and older, female, primarily working in nursing hospitals, with a total career span of 10 years, higher job satisfaction, in organizations prioritizing elderly oral healthcare, and with superior education in elderly oral health. Elderly oral healthcare education and behavioral needs had partial mediating effects on the relationship between care workers' awareness and practice of elderly oral healthcare. Conclusions: The current practices and challenges in care workers' oral healthcare for the elderly will be analyzed, and recommendations and strategies for improving practices will be formulated.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6389-6392
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• 2013

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the ten most frequent cancers in Turkey. We here examined knowledge about cervical cancer in relation to Papanicolaou (Pap) testing among female primary health care workers in Hatay, a city is located in the south of Turkey. Materials and Methods: The study was completed on 261 women healthcare workers who were or had been sexually active and who accepted to participate to the study. The participants gave verbal informed consent and thereafter questionnaires prepared by the investigators were administered by personal interview. Results: Only 30.3% (n=79) of the participants regularly had a gynecologic examination. While 87.4% (n=228) of the participants reported that they had already heard about the Pap smear test, only 45.2% (n=118) had undergone this test. It was determined that had undergone an average of $1.66{\pm}0.89$ times (1-4) within the last five years. Some 56.0% (n=117) of the participants were well informed about the Pap smear test (p<0,001) and 81.1% (n=63) of the participants who regularly had gynecological examinations (p<0,001) had this test. Conclusions: For the early diagnosis of the cervical cancer, regularly having a Pap smear test is crucial. Healthcare workers should also demonstrate sensitivity about this issue. We think that the importance of the issue should be re-highlighted by organizing in-service training for female primary healthcare workers. Studies are warranted to determine the psychosociological factors that cause individuals to not have the test.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.123-136
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• 2024

This study aimed to assess the mobility and thermal comfort of personal protective equipment (PPE) among female healthcare workers, taking into account wearers' physique and PPE protection levels. A total of 16 participants (age: 26.3 ± 8.3 y, height: 161.5 ± 7.3 cm, body weight: 57.1 ± 11.0 kg, BMI: 21.9 ± 3.6), representing diverse body types, underwent four PPE conditions: L (Low_Plastic gown ensemble), M (Medium_Tyvek 400), H (High_Tyvek 800J with Powered Air Purifying Respirator [PAPR]), and E (Extremely high_Tychem 2000 with PAPR, Bib apron, and Chemical-resistant gloves). The mobility protocol consisted of 10 different tasks in addition to donning and doffing. The 10 tasks were repeated twice at an air temperature of 24.3 ± 0.1℃, 59±4%RH. Findings revealed a disproportionate relationship between PPE protection and wearer discomfort. Significant differences in clothing microclimate and total sweat rate were observed between the lowest (L) and highest (E) protection levels (p < 0.01), while distinctions among medium levels were inconclusive. Subjective evaluations favored conditions H and L over M and E (p < 0.05), indicating reduced heat, and humidity, increased comfort, and lower exertion. Instances of mobility discomfort, specially in the small body type group, underscored the need for a suitable PPE size system for Korean adult female medical workers. Furthermore, enhancements in gloves, shoe cover, and PAPR hood designs are essential for improving ease of movement and preventing hindrance.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2549-2554
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• 2016

Background: Early detection remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control in terms of outcome and survival. Thus far the only breast cancer screening method proven effective is mammography. The awareness of female health care workers (HCW) about breast cancer prevention is of vital importance, as their beliefs and behavior may have a major impact on other women. This study was designed to assess mammography screening uptake among female healthcare workers at primary healthcare centers, and to identify the primary motivators and barriers that affect uptake results. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study design was used to assess mammography screening by 299 female healthcare workers who completed a self-administered questionnaire that assessed demographics, screening uptake, motivators and barriers. Results: The mean age was 46 years (within age of risk). The majority (95.1%) demonstrated adequate knowledge about breast cancer and mammography screening and 50% of the participants reported having at least one mammogram; however only 21% of them had regularly scheduled mammograms. The most frequent reported motivator was the perceived benefit that early detection of breast cancer is important for its management (89.6%), followed by the belief that mammography can detect breast cancer before its symptoms appear (84.4%). On the other hand, the most frequent barrier reported was being busy (46.7%), followed by the lack of perceived susceptibility (41.5%). Conclusions: Mammography screening was found to be sub-optimal in a population of HCW's with 50 % stating that they received a mammogram at least once, and a minority reported regular screening. There is a pressing need for educational programs aimed at removing the barriers that limit compliance with recommendations for mammography screening, and to emphasize the importance of early detection in breast cancer treatment. Ensuring the availability and accessibility of screening services, particularly for healthcare workers within their work settings are other important factors that would improve the acceptance and compliance for mammography screening programs.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.126-137
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in gender related to health status, occupational environment, occupational safety and health and hazardous chemicals use of migrant workers in Korea. Method: The survey was conducted in clinics that provided free healthcare services for migrant workers. Of the 413 respondents, 66.3% were males and 33.7% were females. Result: In the case of male migrant workers, many worker were not fluent in Korean, had illegal status in the country, and had moved jobs frequently. There were many cases in which migrant workers worked in small-scale enterprises and worked long hours. Job stress score was high for many workers and they dealt with heavy materials and risky machines. Many workers had not received proper occupational health and safety education and those that were previously injured had repeated injuries. Among the female migrant workers, many worker received low salary and shift work was common. Many worker complained of gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal illnesses and treated toxic substances. Conclusion: As a result, it will be necessary to focus on the strategies for decreasing occupational injuries from physical risk factors for males and from chemical risk factors for female migrant workers.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.172-179
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• 2018

Background: Insufficient training in infection control and occupational health among healthcare workers (HCWs) in countries with high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) burdens requires attention. We examined the effectiveness of a 1-year Certificate Program in Occupational Health and Infection Control conducted in Free State Province, South Africa in an international partnership to empower HCWs to become change agents to promote workplace-based HIV and TB prevention. Methods: Questionnaires assessing reactions to the program and Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills, and Practices were collected pre-, mid-, and postprogram. Individual interviews, group project evaluations, and participant observation were also conducted. Quantitative data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Qualitative data were thematically coded and analyzed using the Kirkpatrick framework. Results: Participants recruited (n = 32) were mostly female (81%) and nurses (56%). Pre-to-post-program mean scores improved in knowledge (+12%, p = 0.002) and skills/practices (+14%, p = 0.002). Preprogram attitude scores were high but did not change. Participants felt empowered and demonstrated attitudinal improvements regarding HIV, TB, infection control, and occupational health. Successful projects were indeed implemented. However, participants encountered considerable difficulties in trying to sustain improvement, due largely to lack of pre-existing knowledge and experience, combined with inadequate staffing and insufficient management support. Conclusion: Training is essential to strengthen HCWs' occupational health and infection control knowledge, attitudes, skills, and practices, and workplace-based training programs such as this can yield impressive results. However, the considerable mentorship resources required for such programs and the substantial infrastructural supports needed for implementation and sustainability of improvements in settings without pre-existing experience in such endeavors should not be underestimated.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.77-84
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• 2024

Objectives: Interventions promoting physical exercise and healthy habits in workplaces have been shown to be effective in reducing risk factors for metabolic syndrome. This study was conducted to examine the effects of an individualized conditioning exercise program of IT company office workers with or at higher risk of metabolic syndrome. Methods: A total of 444 IT company office workers with or at higher risk of metabolic syndrome participated in a 3-month conditioning exercise program. Body composition data using bioelectrical impedance analysis and cardiopulmonary data using cardiopulmonary exercise testing from 53 individuals (mean age: 34.8 ± 7.1 years, sex : 21% female, height : 170.4 ± 6.8 cm, weight : 75.2±12.2 kg, body mass index : 25.8±3.3 kg/m²) who have successfully completed pre-test, intervention, and post-test were analyzed. The 12 weeks intervention encompassed: (1) health counseling (2) supervised exercise(endurance-based, aerobic exercise, or circuit training once a week for 50 minutes at heart rate reserve(HRR) of 77-95%) (3) self-directed exercise and biweekly health screening checks. Results: The results indicated a significant decrease in body weight, body fat mass and body mass index, respectively. Moreover, VO₂peak, AT VO₂ and AT Time significantly improved, respectively. Resting blood pressure(SBP/DBP) showed positive changes but were not statistically significant. We observed the correlation between characteristics of participants and rate of changes in cardiopulmonary outcomes of participants, there are no significant correlation. These results indicate positive changes in body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness parameters following individualized conditioning exercise program. Conclusions: Individualized workplace exercise program for preventing metabolic syndrome can lead to improvements in body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-22
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• 2012

This study tires to examine affects that job and socio-psychological stresses of female office workers influence job satisfaction, organization commitment, and leaving intentions. A complete data are collected by conducting a survey with 240 female office workers from 9 medical institutions regarded as almost general hospital in Seoul. It is analyzed that the relation between socio-psychological stress and job satisfaction, organization commitment, and leaving intentions by using t-test; analysis of variance; correlation analysis; principal component analysis; linear structural equation modeling; etc. The results of this study are summarized as following. First, as it was comprehended by specific characteristics of subjects that the female office workers' level of job and socio-psychological stress, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and leaving intention, there were statistically significant distinctions from their age, marital status, presence of children, position in the organization, type of employment, and monthly average income. Second, this study regarded relationship between the female office workers' level of job and socio-psychological stresses, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and leaving intention. Job and socio-psychological stresses were negatively correlated with job satisfaction and organizational commitment, but the stresses were positive with leaving intention. Third, after evaluating effect that 8 features related to the job stress could influence job stress, the most effective valuables were in order to unfairness in organizational structure, workplace culture, inadequate compensation, and relationship conflict. Fourth, when looking at the overall effects of the job and sociopsychological stresses on job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and leaving intention, work autonomy was the most influencing factor of work stress levels. The level of the job stress seemed to be a prevalent impact on the leaving intention and it showed the most negative relationship that path coefficient from leaving intention to organizational commitment and also from organizational commitment to job satisfaction. Based on these findings, it can be defined that the job and socio-psychological stresses strongly influence job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and leaving intention.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 2022

Background: Coal mining is a hazardous industry. The purpose of the study is to identify the nature of occupational injuries and diseases among coal miners and to determine the factors that affect the rate of injury and duration of time loss from work. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using accepted workers' compensation claims data of 30,390 Australian coal miners between July 2003 and June 2017. Results: Musculoskeletal and fracture conditions accounted for approximately 60% of claims in all occupational groups. Cox regression analysis showed that older age and female gender were significant predictors of longer time off work. Injury types and occupations were associated with work time loss: mental health conditions, and machine operators and drivers had significantly longer durations of time off work. Conclusion: Future research can further address how these factors led to longer time off work so that coal industry regulators, employers, and healthcare providers can target interventions more effectively to these at-risk workers.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.613-620
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• 2020

This study aimed to investigate the current state and trends of health literacy research conducted on female marriage immigrant in South Korea over the past 10 years. A total of 107 related studies were searched through the web database, and 10 of them that met the inclusion criteria were finally analyzed. Most of the studies conducted in the healthcare fields such as nursing. Of the 9 studies were descriptive study, and there were no intervention studies. Most of studies involving women from main country of origin such as Vietnam, China, and the Philippines, and many studies conducted convenience sampling of less than 200 subjects from some regions for reasons such as accessibility. As a tool for measuring health literacy, KHLAT was most frequently used. For future research, collaborative research with healthcare fields and other fields through interdisciplinary interaction is necessary, and a circumstance in which field workers actively participate in research should be prepared. In addition, further studies including larger sample and community-based intervention improve health literacy are needed. Finally, efforts to improve the methodological consistency in the application of health literacy tools and to develop standardized instruments are required.