Epidemiology and Health

Original Articles

The association between occupational stress level and health-related productivity loss among Korean employees: Jonghee Chung, Jin-Hyo Kim, Jae Yoon Lee, Hee Seok Kang, Dong-wook Lee, Yun-Chul Hong, Mo-Yeol Kang; Epidemiol Health. 2023;45:e2023009. Published online December 28, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2023009

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Abstract Summary PDF: Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Occupational stress management is particularly important for successful business operations, since occupational stress adversely affects workers’ health, eventually lowering their productivity. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the correlation between occupational stress and health-related productivity loss (HRPL) among Korean workers.
METHODS
In 2021, 1,078 workers participated in a web-based questionnaire survey. HRPL was measured using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire, and occupational stress was measured using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale-Short Form. The occupational stress level was divided into tertiles (low, intermediate, and high), and the low occupational stress group was used as the reference group. Using a generalised linear model, differences in labour productivity loss according to the level of occupational stress were tested after adjusting for demographic characteristics such as age, gender, education level, household income, occupation, and underlying medical conditions.
RESULTS
Non-parametric regression analysis of HRPL according to occupational stress showed a direct association between occupational stress and HRPL. A statistically significant difference was observed in HRPL between participants with intermediate and high occupational stress and those with low occupational stress.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results support the hypothesis that high occupational stress is associated with decreased labour productivity.; Summary

Korean summary
직무스트레스가 건강에 미치는 영향은 잘 알려져 있으나, 노동생산성에 대해 분석한 결과는 그동안 부족하였다. 한국 노동자 1078명을 분석한 결과, 직무스트레스가 낮은 군에 비해서 중등도이거나 높은 경우, 결근이나 프리젠티즘과 같은 건강관련 노동생산성 손실이 약 20%p 정도 높은 것으로 분석되었다.

Key Message
As a result of analyzing 1078 Korean workers, it was revealed that health-related labor productivity losses such as absenteeism and presenteeism were about 20%p higher when occupational stress was moderate or high compared to the low occupational stress group.

The general public’s perspectives on telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea: analysis of a nationwide survey: EunKyo Kang, Hyejin Lee, Ki Jeong Hong, Jieun Yun, Jin Yong Lee, Yun-Chul Hong; Epidemiol Health. 2022;44:e2022020. Published online February 4, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2022020

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
We investigated the awareness, experience, approval, intention to use, and the desired type of telemedicine among Korean general public.

METHODS

From November to December 2020, we conducted an online self-reported survey on awareness, experience, approval, and intent to use telemedicine services among Korean residents aged 20 years or older. A total of 2,097 participants completed the survey.

RESULTS

Of the 2,097 participants, 1,558 (74.3%) were aware of, 1,198 (57.1%) approved of, and 1,474 (70.3%) had the intention to use telemedicine. Participants from regions other than the Seoul metropolitan area and Daegu–Gyeongbuk Province (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02 to 1.63), households with a monthly household income of US$6,000 or more (aOR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.01 to 2.08), participants who had a college/university or associate’s degree (aOR, 1.35. 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.75) or a master’s degree or above (aOR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.20 to 2.50), and housewives (aOR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.64) had higher odds of approval. Elderly participants, those with a chronic disease (aOR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.54), those who had experienced delays of healthcare services (aOR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.27 to 2.96), and those who had experience with telemedicine (aOR, 4.28; 95% CI, 1.69 to 10.82) were more likely to intend to use telemedicine services. Regarding types of telemedicine, teleconsultation between doctors showed the highest approval rate (73.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

In the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, more than 70% of participants had already used or intended to use telemedicine at some point. Groups with a substantial need for telemedicine were more in favor of telemedicine.

Summary

Korean summary
대표성 있는 대상자에 대해 설문조사를 시행하였을 때, 74.3%가 원격의료에 대해 알고 있었다. 코로나19 유행지역, 소득이 높은 군, 대졸자 혹은 그 이상, 주부는 원격의료에 찬성할 가능성이 높았으며만성질환이 있는 고령자, 의료이용에 지연을 겪었던 사람, 원격의료를 이용해 본 사람은 원격의료 사용 의향이 더 높았다.

Key Message
We conducted an online self-reported survey on awareness, experience, approval, and intent to use telemedicine services among Korean residents aged 20 years or older. In the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, more than 70% of participants had already used or intended to use telemedicine at some point.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

A comparison of the characteristics of adult medicine patients seeking telemedicine consultations versus in-person consultations in a Philippine public hospital
Fatima Ericka S. Vista, Diana R. Tamondong-Lachica
Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings.2024; 37(1): 80. CrossRef
Factors Influencing the Behavioral Intentions and Use Behaviors of Telemedicine in Patients With Diabetes: Web-Based Survey Study
Huige Shao, Chaoyuan Liu, Li Tang, Bian Wang, Hebin Xie, Yiyu Zhang
JMIR Human Factors.2023; 10: e46624. CrossRef

Age-specific effects of ozone on pneumonia in Korean children and adolescents: a nationwide time-series study: Kyoung-Nam Kim, Youn-Hee Lim, Sanghyuk Bae, In Gyu Song, Soontae Kim, Yun-Chul Hong; Epidemiol Health. 2022;44:e2022002. Published online December 28, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2022002

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to estimate the age-specific effects of 8-hour maximum ozone levels on pneumonia in children and adolescents.

METHODS

We performed quasi-Poisson regression analyses for individuals of 0-4 years, 5-9 years, 10-14 years, and 15-19 years of age using nationwide time-series data from the Korea (2011-2015). We constructed distributed lag linear models employing a generalized difference-in-differences method and controlling for other air pollutants.

RESULTS

A 10.0-parts per billion increase in 8-hour maximum ozone levels was associated with a higher risk of hospital admissions due to pneumonia at 0-4 (relative risk [RR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.03) and 5-9 years of age (RR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.08), but not at 10-14 (RR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.04) or 15-19 years of age (RR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.06). The association between ozone and hospital admissions due to pneumonia was stronger in cool seasons (from November to April) than in warm seasons (from May to October), but was similar between boys and girls.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term exposure to ozone was associated with a higher risk of pneumonia at 0-4 years and 5-9 years of age, but not at 10-14 years or 15-19 years of age. Our findings can help identify vulnerable periods, determine the target populations for public health interventions, and establish air pollution standards.

Summary

Korean summary
-어린이와 청소년에서 대기오염물질인 오존에 단기 노출되었을 때 폐렴으로 인한 입원 위험이 증가하는지를 건강보험공단 청구자료를 이용하여 구축한 시계열자료로 분석하였다. -0-4세, 5-9세 군에서는 오존 단기 노출 시 폐렴으로 인한 입원 위험이 증가하였으나 10-14세, 15-19세 군에서는 입원 위험 증가가 관찰되지 않았다.

Key Message
• The effects of ozone levels on hospital admissions for pneumonia were evaluated. • We used quasi-Poisson time-series models and a difference-in-differences method. • Ozone levels increased hospital admissions for pneumonia at ages 0–4 and 5–9 years. • Evidence for the effects of ozone levels on pneumonia was not found at older ages.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Challenges of Air Pollution and Health in East Asia
Xihao Du, Renjie Chen, Haidong Kan
Current Environmental Health Reports.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Intraday exposure to ambient ozone and emergency department visits among children: a case-crossover study in southern China
Jiahong Ren, Lifeng Zhu, Yachen Li, Haiyi Li, Qian Hu, Jian Zhu, Qingyan Zhang, Yunquan Zhang
Environmental Science and Pollution Research.2023; 30(30): 74853. CrossRef

Association between weekly fruit and vegetable consumption and depressive symptoms: results from the Korean Elderly Environmental Panel study: Youjeong Yuk, Chae-Rin Han, Yoonyoung Jang, Yun-Chul Hong, Yoon-Jung Choi; Epidemiol Health. 2021;43:e2021029. Published online April 20, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2021029

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383 Download
5 Web of Science
5 Crossref

Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Although previous studies have investigated the correlation between fruit and vegetable consumption and depression, the results remain inconclusive. The present study aimed to investigate the association between weekly fruit and vegetable consumption and depressive symptoms in elderly Koreans.

METHODS

A multiple covariate linear regression analysis was performed using the data of 1,226 elderly individuals ≥ 60 years of age who participated in the Korean Elderly Environmental Panel II study from 2012 to 2014. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Korean version of the Short form Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS-K). Generalized linear mixed-effects models were constructed to analyze the repeated measurements of 305 people who participated in the survey every year.

RESULTS

After adjusting for confounders, SGDS-K scores were negatively associated with the frequency of weekly fruit consumption as follows (β [95% confidence interval; CI]: -0.17 [-0.28 to -0.05], -0.17 [-0.27 to -0.07], -0.42 [-0.54 to 0.29], and -0.33 [-0.44 to -0.21]) for less than 1 time/wk, 1-3 times/wk, 4-6 times/wk, and daily, respectively, compared to no consumption. The SGDS-K scores were also negatively associated with the frequency of vegetable consumption (β [95% CI]: -0.86 [-1.18 to -0.55], -0.18 [-0.35 to -0.01], -0.36 [-0.53 to -0.18], and -0.15 [-0.29 to 0.00]) in the above order, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Fruit consumption was inversely associated with depression levels in a dose-dependent manner. Although there was no dose-response relationship between vegetable consumption and the level of depression, it was negatively associated with SGDS-K scores.

Summary

Korean summary
KEEP-II 데이터를 활용하여 한국 노년층의 주간 과일 및 채소 섭취 빈도와 우울증상 간의 상관관계를 알아보았다. 주중 과일을 섭취하는 빈도와 우울증상의 정도 및 우울증 이환 간에서 음의 상관관계가 있었으며 양반응관계가 나타났다. 채소 섭취 빈도의 경우에는 양반응관계가 나타나지 않았으나 채소 섭취 빈도와 우울증상의 정도 간에 음의 상관관계가 있었다.

Key Message
Weekly fruit consumption frequency was inversely associated with the level of depression in a dose-dependent manner in Korean elderly population who participated in KEEP-II study. Although there was no dose-response relationship between vegetable consumption and the level of depression, vegetable consumption frequency was negatively associated with the level of depression.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Bidirectional associations between dietary diversity and depressive symptoms in Chinese adult women: A retrospective cohort study
Xiaoqian Dong, Ying Li, Xingxing Wang, Yinglong Duan, Min Liu, Sha Wang, Xue He, Pingting Yang, Yaqin Wang, Jianfei Xie, Andy S.K. Cheng
Journal of Affective Disorders.2024; 351: 683. CrossRef
Regional differences in the effects of healthy aging on depressive symptoms: a Korean longitudinal study of aging (2006–2020)
Soo Jin Kang, Jinseub Hwang, Dohyang Kim, Bongjeong Kim
Frontiers in Public Health.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Neuroprotective Effects of Polyphenols—Polyphenols as an Element of Diet Therapy in Depressive Disorders
Anna Winiarska-Mieczan, Małgorzata Kwiecień, Karolina Jachimowicz-Rogowska, Janine Donaldson, Ewa Tomaszewska, Ewa Baranowska-Wójcik
International Journal of Molecular Sciences.2023; 24(3): 2258. CrossRef
Genetic and environmental influences on fruit and vegetable consumption and depression in older adults
Annabel P. Matison, Anbupalam Thalamuthu, Victoria M. Flood, Julian N. Trollor, Vibeke S. Catts, Margaret J. Wright, David Ames, Henry Brodaty, Perminder S. Sachdev, Simone Reppermund, Karen A. Mather
BMC Geriatrics.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Longitudinal correlates of fruit and vegetable consumption with depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults in South Africa
Supa Pengpid, Karl Peltzer
BMC Psychology.2022;[Epub] CrossRef

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