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BACKGROUND@#To combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many countries have used contact tracing apps, including Japan's voluntary-use contact-confirming application (COCOA). The current study aimed to identify industry and workplace characteristics associated with the downloading of this COVID-19 contact tracing app.@*METHODS@#This cross-sectional study of full-time workers used an online survey. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations of industry and workplace characteristics with contact tracing app use.@*RESULTS@#Of the 27,036 participants, 25.1% had downloaded the COCOA. Workers in the public service (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-1.45) and information technology (aOR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.20-1.58) industries were more likely to use the app than were those in the manufacturing industry. In contrast, app usage was less common among workers in the retail and wholesale (aOR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.76-0.99) and food/beverage (aOR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.70-0.94) industries, but further adjustment for company size attenuated these associations. Workers at larger companies were more likely to use the app. Compared with permanent employees, the odds of using the app were higher for managers and civil servants but lower for those who were self-employed.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Downloading of COCOA among Japanese workers was insufficient; thus, the mitigating effect of COCOA on the COVID-19 pandemic is considered to be limited. One possible reason for the under-implementation of the contact tracing app in the retail and wholesale and food/beverage industries is small company size, as suggested by the fully adjusted model results. An awareness campaign should be conducted to promote the widespread use of the contact tracing app in these industries.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , COVID-19/prevention & control , Contact Tracing/methods , Cross-Sectional Studies , Industry/classification , Japan/epidemiology , Mobile Applications/statistics & numerical data , SARS-CoV-2 , Smartphone , Workplace/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
Chronic disease rates have become more prevalent in the modern American workforce, which has negative implications for workplace productivity and healthcare costs. Offering workplace health interventions is recognized as an effective strategy to reduce chronic disease progression, absenteeism, and healthcare costs as well as improve population health. This review documents intervention and evaluation strategies used for health promotion programs delivered in workplaces. Using predetermined search terms in five online databases, we identified 1,131 published items from 1995 to 2014. Of these items, 27 peer-reviewed articles met the inclusion criteria; reporting data from completed United States-based workplace interventions that recruited at-risk employees based on their disease or disease-related risk factors. A content rubric was developed and used to catalogue these 27 published field studies. Selected workplace interventions targeted obesity (n=13), cardiovascular diseases (n=8), and diabetes (n=6). Intervention strategies included instructional education/counseling (n=20), workplace environmental change (n=6), physical activity (n=10), use of technology (n=10), and incentives (n=13). Self-reported data (n=21), anthropometric measurements (n=17), and laboratory tests (n=14) were used most often in studies with outcome evaluation. This is the first literature review to focus on interventions for employees with elevated risk for chronic diseases. The review has the potential to inform future workplace health interventions by presenting strategies related to implementation and evaluation strategies in workplace settings. These strategies can help determine optimal worksite health programs based on the unique characteristics of work settings and the health risk factors of their employee populations.
Subject(s)
Absenteeism , Cardiovascular Diseases , Chronic Disease , Efficiency , Health Care Costs , Health Promotion , Motivation , Motor Activity , Obesity , Occupational Health , Risk Factors , WorkplaceABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to increase knowledge regarding the dangers associated with tobacco use, and decrease secondhand smoke exposure and tobacco use behaviors with an antitobacco messaging campaign among rural, medically underserved, blue-collar workers. METHODS: A quasiexperimental study was conducted with employees at two worksites. One worksite received the intervention, which consisted of nine different antitobacco messages. Baseline and follow-up surveys were conducted at each worksite to assess change in knowledge and behavior; the data were compared across the two worksites. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-two and 243 participants completed baseline and follow-up surveys at the intervention and comparison sites, respectively. A statistically significant difference was seen over time between the worksites on knowledge of the dangers of tobacco (p < 0.0001); the mean knowledge score increased at the intervention site, but remained unchanged at the comparison site. In general, nonsmokers at both worksites appeared to try to decrease exposure to secondhand smoke over the follow-up period. Repeated measures analysis indicated that there were no differences in motivation to quit (p = 0.81), interest in quitting (p = 0.40), thinking about quitting (p = 0.53), or several tobacco-use behaviors over time among smokers at the intervention and comparison worksites. There were slight increases over time in the proportion of smokers who do not allow smoking in their homes/vehicles at the intervention worksite, although not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Participants at the intervention worksite increased their knowledge regarding the dangers of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure. Among current tobacco users, the intervention appeared to increase family rules regarding secondhand smoke exposure in their homes and vehicles.
Subject(s)
Humans , Follow-Up Studies , Motivation , Smoke , Smoking , Thinking , Tobacco Smoke Pollution , Tobacco Use , Tobacco Use Cessation , Nicotiana , WorkplaceABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Targeting consumers who consume lunches at their worksite cafeterias would be a valuable approach to reduce sodium intake in South Korea. To assess the relationships between socio-demographic factors, consumer satisfaction, attitudes, barriers and the frequency of sodium-reduced meal intake. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We implemented a cross-sectional research, analyzing data from 738 consumers aged 18 years or older (327 males and 411 females) at 17 worksite cafeterias in South Korea. We used the ordinary least squares regression analysis to determine the factors related to overall satisfaction with sodium-reduced meal. General linear models with LSD tests were employed to examine the variables that differed by the frequency of sodium-reduced meal intake. RESULTS: Most subjects always or usually consumed the sodium-reduced meal (49%), followed by sometimes (34%) and rarely or never (18%). Diverse menus, taste and belief in the helpfulness of the sodium-reduced meal significantly increased overall satisfaction with the sodium-reduced diet (P < 0.05). We found importance of needs in the following order: 1) 'menu diversity' (4.01 points), 2) 'active promotion' (3.97 points), 3) 'display of nutrition labels in a visible location' (3.96 points), 4) 'improvement of taste' (3.88 points), and 5) 'education of sodium-reduction self-care behaviors' (3.82 points). CONCLUSION: Dietitians could lead consumers to choose sodium-reduced meals by improving their taste and providing diverse menus for the sodium-reduced meals at worksite cafeterias.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Consumer Behavior , Diet , Korea , Least-Squares Analysis , Linear Models , Lunch , Lysergic Acid Diethylamide , Meals , Nutritionists , Self Care , Sodium , WorkplaceABSTRACT
Current analysis compares anthropometric indexes of obesity, blood pressure and static muscle strength among workers who exercised or did not exercise themselves on the workplace. Three hundred and fifty-four workers, of whom 178 did not perform any physical exercises and 176 who did, were evaluated by means of a query on their participation in workplace exercises during the last 30 days. Their systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was measured; height, body mass and waist circumference (WC) were taken; four static muscle strength tests (right and left handgrip strength, scapular strength and lumbar strength) were performed. The Shapiro Wilk test revealed asymmetry in the data presented as median and interquartile variance. Mann-Whitney test was used to compare data between the two groups. Results did not reveal any difference for body mass index (BMI), WC, SBP, DBP and mean blood pressure (MBP) between the groups. However, greater performance was an asset for all participants in workplace exercises for all static strength tests. There is evidence that workers who performed workplace exercises may increase muscle strength without any changes in BMI, WC and blood pressure.
O objetivo desta pesquisa foi comparar indicadores antropométricos de obesidade, pressão arterial sistêmica e força muscular estática entre trabalhadores que realizam e não realizam ginástica laboral. Trezentos e cinquenta e quatro trabalhadores, dos quais 178 praticavam e 176 não praticavam ginástica laboral, foram submetidos a uma avaliação que constituiu de uma pergunta sobre a participação no programa de ginástica laboral nos últimos 30 dias, verificação das pressões sistólica (PAS) e diastólica (PAD), medidas de estatura, massa corporal, circunferência da cintura (CC) e da realização de quatro testes de força muscular estática (preensão manual direita e esquerda, força escapular e força lombar). O teste de Shapiro Wilk revelou assimetria nos dados que foram apresentados como mediana e variância interquartil e, comparados entre os grupos por meio do teste de Mann-Whitney. Os resultados não revelaram diferenças para o índice de massa corporal (IMC), CC, PAS, PAD e pressão arterial média (PAM) entre os grupos. Por sua vez, foi verificado maior desempenho, favorecendo os participantes de ginástica laboral, em todos os testes de força estática. Há evidências que os trabalhadores que realizam ginástica laboral podem aumentar a força muscular, porém sem alterar o IMC, a CC e a pressão arterial.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Adult , Middle Aged , Exercise , Occupational Health , Workplace , Arterial Pressure , GymnasticsABSTRACT
Introduction: The use of email and website as channels for workplace health information delivery is not fully explored. This study aims to describe the rationale, design, and baseline findings of an email-linked website intervention to improve modifiable cancer risk factors. Methods: Employees of a Malaysian public university were recruited by systematic random sampling and randomised into an intervention (n=174) or control group (n=165). A website was developed for the intervention and educational modules were uploaded onto the website. The intervention group received ten consecutive weekly emails with hypertext links to the website for downloading the modules and two individual phone calls as motivational support whilst the control group received none. Diet, lifestyle, anthropometric measurements, psychosocial factors and stages of change related to dietary fat, fruit and vegetable intake, and physical activity were assessed. Results: Participants were predominantly female and in non-academic positions. Obesity was prevalent in 15% and 37% were at risk of co-morbidities. Mean intake of fats was 31%, fruit was ~1 serving/day and vegetable was <1 serving/day. Less than 20% smoked and drank alcohol and about 40% were physically inactive. The majority of the participants fell into the Preparation stage for decreasing fat intake, eating more fruit and vegetables, and increasing physical activity. Self-efficacy and perceived benefits were lowest among participants in the Precontemplation/Contemplation stage compared to the Preparation and Action/Maintenance stages. Conclusion: Baseline data show that dietary and lifestyle practices among the employees did not meet the international guidelines for cancer prevention. Hence the findings warrant the intervention planned.
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OBJECTIVES: Masked hypertension is associated with metabolic risks and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to identify the frequency of and risk factors of masked hypertension in Korean workers. METHODS: The study was conducted among 121 employees at a hotel in Gyeongju, Korea, from December 2008 to February 2009. We measured blood pressure (BP) both in the clinic and using 24-hour ambulatory BP monitors for all subjects. Hypertension was defined independently by both methods, and subjects were classified into four groups: true normotension, masked hypertension, white coat hypertension, and sustained hypertension. RESULTS: The frequency of masked hypertension in our study group was 25.6%. Compared with true normotension, the factors related to masked hypertension were male gender (odds ratio [OR], 10.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41 to 81.09), aging one year (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.78 to 0.99), clinic BP 120-129/80-84 mmHg (OR, 8.42; 95% CI, 1.51 to 46.82), clinic BP 130-139 / 85-89 mmHg (OR, 12.14; 95% CI, 1.80 to 81.85), smoking (OR, 5.51; 95% CI, 1.15 to 26.54), and increase of total cholesterol 1 mg / dL (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.08). In males only, these factors were clinic BP 120-129 / 80-84 mmHg (OR, 15.07; 95% CI, 1.55 to 146.19), clinic BP 130-139 / 85-89 mmHg (OR, 17.16; 95% CI, 1.56 to 189.45), smoking (OR, 11.61; 95% CI, 1.52 to 88.62), and increase of total cholesterol 1 mg/dL (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.09). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of masked hypertension was high in our study sample. Detection and management of masked hypertension, a known strong predictor of cardiovascular risk, could improve prognosis for at-risk populations.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Age Factors , Blood Pressure , Health Behavior , Hypertension/ethnology , Lipids/blood , Occupational Diseases/ethnology , Occupational Health/statistics & numerical data , Prevalence , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , Risk Factors , Sex Factors , Smoking/adverse effects , Socioeconomic Factors , Stress, Psychological/complications , Workplace/psychologyABSTRACT
Worksite health promotion programs have been associated with reductions in health risks but are labor-intensive and costly to implement. Therefore, innovative strategies to provide a cost-effective approach to health education program are needed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a worksite on-line health education program by e-mail on metabolic syndrome risk factors and dietary intakes in male workers with metabolic syndrome. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured and the nutrient intakes were assessed through FFQ. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was adapted from NCEP-ATP III with blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, and Asia-Pacific definition with waist circumference. The education group consisted of 212 male workers and the non-education group of 236 age-matched male workers. The on-line health education program provided 10 sessions by e-mail. After a worksite on-line health education program, systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001) and fasting blood glucose (p < 0.001) were significantly decreased and HDL cholesterol (p < 0.001) was significantly increased in the education group. Intakes of total energy (p < 0.05), carbohydrate (p < 0.05), sodium (p < 0.05) were significantly decreased in the education group, but there were no significant differences in dietary intakes in the non-education group after a worksite on-line health education program. The results indicate that online health education program by e-mail is effective for improving metabolic syndrome risk factors and dietary intakes in male workers and show potential for use in the working setting.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Blood Glucose , Blood Pressure , Cholesterol, HDL , Electronic Mail , Fasting , Health Education , Health Promotion , Risk Factors , Sodium , Waist Circumference , WorkplaceABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to develop a worksite-based, post-examination, health care management system for continuous and systematic management of workers with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and abnormal LFT detected by periodic health examination and to assess the effectiveness such a system as an intervention study. METHODS: Study subjects were selected from workers with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and abnormal LFT according to the selection criteria. The intervention group, but not the control group, received medical treatment of disease, follow up examination, and health education which consisted of information about the disease and the importance of life-style modification through periodic interview using the resources of occupational health service center in the worksite. To assess the effectiveness of this system, we compared follow up examination data from the intervention group with periodic examination data from the worksite control group. RESULTS: In the intervention group a significant reduction trend was recorded for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, postprandial 2 hour glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, AST, ALT, and gamma-GTP, and a rising trend for HDL-cholesterol. Significant group differences ware recorded for fasting blood sugar, postprandial 2 hour glucose, total cholesterol, AST, and ALT. CONCLUSIONS: The worksite-based, post-examination, health care management system was effective for the continuous and systematic management of workers who had abnormal findings detected by periodic health examination.
Subject(s)
Blood Glucose , Blood Pressure , Cholesterol , Delivery of Health Care , Diabetes Mellitus , Fasting , Follow-Up Studies , Glucose , Health Education , Hyperlipidemias , Hypertension , Occupational Health Services , Patient Selection , Triglycerides , WorkplaceABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the effectiveness of a small-scale smoking cessation intervention program conducted annually for ten years in an occupational setting in Japan.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We conducted an annual intervention program promoting smoking cessation in male smokers from 1993 to 2002 in an occupational setting in Hyogo, Japan. Trends in smoking prevalence in this worksite were compared with a control group from two similar worksites of the same company. The intervention program was carried out by medical students (the fourth year of a six-year course) who received training on the protocol prior to the intervention. This protocol consisted of one initial group session, followed by periodical correspondence for two months. Successful cessation of smoking was determined by self-declaration of abstinence for longer than four weeks after intervention, confirmed by an expiratory carbon monoxide concentration of less than nine ppm. Smoking prevalence was determined by a self-administered questionnaire provided at the annual health checkup.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The proportion of smokers who participated in the program was 3.47% on average. Abstinence rates following each intervention ranged from 13.3% to 60.0%, with the prevalence of male smokers at the intervention worksite decreasing from 56.2% in 1993 to 47.0% in 2002. In contrast, the smoking prevalence of the control worksites remained largely unchanged, being 60.2% in 1995 and 57.6% in 2002. At the end of the study, the intervention worksite had a significantly lower prevalence of smokers in either the crude or age-adjusted rate.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A small-scale but repeated smoking cessation intervention program at a worksite can reduce smoking prevalence more efficiently than the natural trends.</p>
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the effectiveness of newly developed materials for providing health-related information to the worksite population, we compared the amount of attention that employees paid to the materials.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Study subjects were 2,361 employees in six companies participating in an intervention program between 2002 and 2003. Three kinds of media were used as tools for providing health information: [1] Point Of Purchase advertising menus (POP menus) were placed on all tables in company restaurants, [2] posters were put on walls and [3] leaflets were distributed at health-related events. One year or more after the introduction of these media, we compared the amount of attention paid to each type of medium.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Amongst the three types of media, the POP menu drew the most attention, although results were not consistent in all gender and company groups. Every piece of information provided by the POP menus was "always" or "almost always" read by 41% of the men and 51% of the women surveyed. The corresponding rate for posters was 30% in men and 32% in women. For leaflets, only 16% of men and 22% of women read almost all of the leaflets. More attention was paid to the POP menu when the sample was women, older, and ate at the company restaurant at least three times a week.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The POP menu may provide health-related information to a broader range of people than posters and leaflets, therefore, it is an effective material for population strategy.</p>
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Objective: To examine the effectiveness of newly developed materials for providing health-related information to the worksite population, we compared the amount of attention that employees paid to the materials. Methods: Study subjects were 2,361 employees in six companies participating in an intervention program between 2002 and 2003. Three kinds of media were used as tools for providing health information: [1] Point Of Purchase advertising menus (POP menus) were placed on all tables in company restaurants, [2] posters were put on walls and [3] leaflets were distributed at health-related events. One year or more after the introduction of these media, we compared the amount of attention paid to each type of medium. Results: Amongst the three types of media, the POP menu drew the most attention, although results were not consistent in all gender and company groups. Every piece of information provided by the POP menus was “always” or “almost always” read by 41% of the men and 51% of the women surveyed. The corresponding rate for posters was 30% in men and 32% in women. For leaflets, only 16% of men and 22% of women read almost all of the leaflets. More attention was paid to the POP menu when the sample was women, older, and ate at the company restaurant at least three times a week. Conclusion: The POP menu may provide health-related information to a broader range of people than posters and leaflets, therefore, it is an effective material for population strategy.
Subject(s)
Health , Population , AttentionABSTRACT
Objective: To examine the effectiveness of a small-scale smoking cessation intervention program conducted annually for ten years in an occupational setting in Japan. Methods: We conducted an annual intervention program promoting smoking cessation in male smokers from 1993 to 2002 in an occupational setting in Hyogo, Japan. Trends in smoking prevalence in this worksite were compared with a control group from two similar worksites of the same company. The intervention program was carried out by medical students (the fourth year of a six-year course) who received training on the protocol prior to the intervention. This protocol consisted of one initial group session, followed by periodical correspondence for two months. Successful cessation of smoking was determined by self-declaration of abstinence for longer than four weeks after intervention, confirmed by an expiratory carbon monoxide concentration of less than nine ppm. Smoking prevalence was determined by a self-administered questionnaire provided at the annual health checkup. Results: The proportion of smokers who participated in the program was 3.47% on average. Abstinence rates following each intervention ranged from 13.3% to 60.0%, with the prevalence of male smokers at the intervention worksite decreasing from 56.2% in 1993 to 47.0% in 2002. In contrast, the smoking prevalence of the control worksites remained largely unchanged, being 60.2% in 1995 and 57.6% in 2002. At the end of the study, the intervention worksite had a significantly lower prevalence of smokers in either the crude or age-adjusted rate. Conclusion: A small-scale but repeated smoking cessation intervention program at a worksite can reduce smoking prevalence more efficiently than the natural trend.
Subject(s)
Smoking , JapanABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study is aimed at showing the effect of work-site health promotion programs for health promoting behavior, cholesterol, and quality of life of middle-aged workers. METHOD: Thirty-one middle-aged workers were the experimental group and thirty-one were the control group. The 8-week work-site health promotion program was given to the experimental group. After this, health promoting behavior, cholesterol and quality of life were measured by questionnaires for the experimental and control groups. Health promotion theory, flexibility and muscle strength, aerobic exercise, nutrition, stress management, cancer prevention and early detection, smoking and alcohol problems, and summary lecture were all included in the 8-week work-site health promotion program. Health promoting behavior was measured by Park's HPBS, cholesterol was measured by enzyme method, and quality of life was measured by Ro's QOL. RESULT: The experimental group showed a higher score of health promoting behavior than the control group. There were no differences on cholesterol and quality of life between the experimental and control groups. CONCLUSION: It is necessary that nurses provide middle-aged workers with work-site health promotion programs to improve health promoting behavior. It's necessary also to re-study this with the pre-post research design.
Subject(s)
Cholesterol , Exercise , Health Promotion , Muscle Strength , Pliability , Quality of Life , Research Design , Smoke , Smoking , Workplace , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to survey worker's demands for worksite medical care and agency's intention for offering worksite medical care in Group Health Service Agency. METHODS: One study subjects were employers, workers and office personnels in 167 factories. They were asked for medical care utilization behavior and worksite medical care demand. 121 employers(72.5%), 145 office personnels(86.8%) and 816 workers(60.5%) answered the questionnaire. The other subjects were doctors, nurses and administrators in 66 Group Health Service Agencies nationwide. They were asked for intention of offering worksite medical care in Group Health Service Agency through the mail survey. 31 doctors(47.0%), 38 nurses(57.6%) and 34 administrators answered the questionnaire. RESULTS: 87 percentage of doctors and 94 percentage of nurses had experiences of being requested to prescribe and laboratory examination. All nurses, 94 percentage of administrators and 76 percentage of doctors thought that it was necessary to give medical treatment at worksite. Also in worksite 85 percentage of employers, 86 percentage of office personnels and 81 percentage of workers answered that they accepted the worksite medical care when it would be given. CONCLUSIONS: Worksite medical care should be permitted because almost of all workers and employers requested worksite medical care, and doctors and nurses in Group Health Service Agency were willing to give worksite medical care and there was necessity to prevent occupational cerebrovascular disease.
Subject(s)
Humans , Administrative Personnel , Health Services , Intention , Postal Service , Surveys and Questionnaires , WorkplaceABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: We evaluated demographic, socioeconomic, smoking-related, other health behavior, and disease factors associated with smoking cessation. METHODS: This study included 5,493 male employees in a steel manufacturing industry, who smoked at health examination underwent in 1998. Quitters were defined as those who had stopped smoking at least one month prior to re-examination in 1999. The information on related factors was collected by self-administered questionnare. RESULTS: At 12 months of follow-up, 1,955 patients (35.6 %) had quit smoking. The quit rate was higher in middle-aged, white collar, and high rank personnels. The quit rate increased with decreasing amount of cigarette, decreasing duration of smoking, and increasing age of starting smoking. There were higher quit rates among smokers who drank less or exercise. However, the existence of disease did not affect the quit rate. CONCLUSION: This study showed that many demographic, socioeconomic, smoking-related and other health behaviors associated with smoking cessation. These results could be of use in the other worksite smoking cessation campaigns to enhance the quit rate.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Follow-Up Studies , Health Behavior , Smoke , Smoking Cessation , Smoking , Steel , Tobacco Products , WorkplaceABSTRACT
This study was aimed to implement and evaluate worksite nutrition counseling for industrial workers with hyperlipidemia in Kyung-buk area. Forty-six subjects consisted of 41 men and 5 women who were diagnosed hyperlipidemia though health examination had their average age, 40.3+/-.0 and half of them were office workers and one third labor workers. Twenty-eight subjects had fatty liver with or without other complications and six had gastric problems. The subjects were interviewed using questionnaires on food habit, food frequency, smoking, drinking and exercise, and they were given nutrition counseling which was continued for 7 months. Desirable food selections were practiced using foods or food models and various written materials individually or as group during lunch times and breaks. After counseling, smoking and drinking were reduced and exercise and food habits were improved. Average levels of initial serum total cholesterol(T-Chol), HDL-cholesterol(HDL-Chol) and triglyceride(TG) were 214+/-4, 45.07+/-.14 and 281+/-3mg/dl respectively and were not changed significantly except 2.30+/-.04mg/dl increase of HDL-Chol(p<0.1) after nutrition counseling. However, subjects who improved their food habits and smoking, drinking and exercise habits had higher tendency to have reduced serum T-Chol and TG levels compared with those who drank less. Food habit score was negatively correlated with serum TG levels(r=-0.378, p<0.01). It is concluded that an efficient and regular nutrition counseling by dietitian at worksite is beneficial for health of industrial workers.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Counseling , Drinking , Fatty Liver , Feeding Behavior , Food Preferences , Hyperlipidemias , Lunch , Nutritionists , Surveys and Questionnaires , Smoke , Smoking , WorkplaceABSTRACT
In Korea, the practice of nutrition education program at the worksite has not yet been implemented, especially for the workers who are at risk for health. Accordingly, the worksite nutrition program, education, and nutrition counseling are necessary. In this study, the worksite nutrition program was developed from June, 1997 to May, 1998. For this program, we surveyed the workers' age and the levels of education, income and physical activity. We developed the proper dietary intake questionnaire to evaluate the employees' nutritional status and the nutrition index which is a simple tool to assess nutrient intakes of the employees at the worksites. To demonstrate the validity of the developed nutritional assessment tools, the CAN(Computer Aided Nutritional) program and Hyunmin system developed by the Korean Nutrition Society and the Korean Dietetic Association respectively, were used as references. The result of the validity test for the dietary assessment method that we have been developed revealed that the method was valid showing no significant difference among the various methods. However, the carbohydrate intake measured by the CAN program was higher than those of others. The validity test results for the nutrient index method showed that there was no significant difference among the methods, except the carbohydrate intake measured by the Hyunmin system was lower that those of others. As a result, we concluded that the dietary assessment methods that we had been developed, were valid method to measure the nutrient intakes of the employees at the worksites.
Subject(s)
Counseling , Education , Korea , Motor Activity , Nutrition Assessment , Nutritional Status , Surveys and Questionnaires , WorkplaceABSTRACT
This study was conducted to evaluate the workers' health conditions, nutritional status, food habits, and their needs for the nutrition programs at the worksite. Three hundred and fifty one(men 260, women 91) employees from 11 companies in urban area were recruited for the study. The results of this study were as follows : The average consumption of nutrients in the subjects' diets were found to be deficient such as total energy, calcium, iron, vitamin A and B2. More than 42% of the subjects have at least one of the chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes mellitus, anemia, hypercholesterolemia, liver disease, and hypertension. Most subjects did not recognize their own blood cholesterol levels, blood pressure, or blood sugar level. Nutrition knowledge scores of the subjects were very low, which was only 52.4%. It should be noted that weight problems and other health problems of the employees at the worksite were frequently found among the employees who had relatively low nutrition knowledge scores. The nutrition programs for prevention of the obeses, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus, stress, and smoking were urgently needed by the subjects. Many subjects also wanted the nutrition education programs for their family.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Anemia , Blood Glucose , Blood Pressure , Calcium , Cholesterol , Chronic Disease , Diabetes Mellitus , Diet , Education , Feeding Behavior , Hypercholesterolemia , Hypertension , Iron , Korea , Liver Diseases , Nutritional Status , Obesity , Smoke , Smoking , Vitamin A , WorkplaceABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to develop, implement and evaluate a nutrition education program for middle aged men at a worksite. To be read easily, induce interest, and selected at need, seven 6-page leaflet aets were developed, which was the most preferable from chosen by the subjects. The contents of leaflet set were [Changing life style], [Good food habit],[Weight control and diet],[Cardiovascualr disease and diet], [Alimentary disease and diet],[Diaabetes and diet],and [Liver disease and diet]. Nutrition education was provided for 61 middle aged men(30 professors, 31 office workers) at a worksite from 40 mins to one hour. And the level of nutrition knowledge and nutrition attitude were tested to evaluate the effects of the nutrition education program with a developed leaflet set before and after nutrition education. After the nutrition deucation. the nutrition knowledge score had increased significantly at p<0.001, from average 9.3 point to 11.4 point. The level of nutrition knowledge was increased significantly at p<0.001, and the prevalence of misconceptions and the uncertainty of knowledge were decreased significantly at p<0.05. There was a significant difference between professors and office workers both before and after the program. Also, there was a significant increase in the attitude about nutrition score after the program and this means that the subjects were flexibly more open minded about nutrition than before(from 39.9 point, at p<0.001). The difference in the nutrition attitude score between professors and office workers was not significant both before and after the nutrition deucation. The developed leaflet set was evaluated very positively in understanding, interest, timing, and usage by the subjects.