BackgroundHealth examinations are performed so that diseases can be identified and treated earlier. Several studies have evaluated the determinants of participation in health examinations including cancer screening, but few have evaluated the relationship between the size of the enterprise and their participation in Workers’ General Health Examinations (WGHE). The aim of the present study was to estimate the association of WGHE participation with the size of the enterprise and the type of policyholder.MethodsThe eligible population from 2006 through 2013 was extracted from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database. The population size ranged from 14–17 million. After adjustment for age and gender, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the odds ratios of participating in the WGHE (by age group) based on the type of policyholder (reference: public officers) and the size of the enterprise (reference: enterprise size ≥300 employees), respectively.ResultsWorkers employed at enterprises with <50 persons were less likely to participate in WGHEs than those employed at enterprises with ≥300 persons. After policyholders were stratified by type (non-office workers vs. public officers), a disparity in the WGHE participation rate was found between the different types of policyholders at enterprises with <50 employees (reference: those employed at enterprises with ≥300 employees); the odds ratios for subjects in their 40s and 50s were 0.2–0.3 for non-office workers vs. 0.8–2.0 for public officers.ConclusionWorkplace policyholders at small enterprises comprised a vulnerable group less likely to participate in WGHEs. Efforts should be made to raise the WGHE participation rate among the vulnerable employees belonging to small enterprises, as well as among their dependents.
BackgroundOur study evaluated the effectiveness of the Workers’ General Health Examination by health examination period and compliance.MethodsA retrospective cohort of the health examination participants in 2006 (baseline year: N = 6,527,045) was used. We identified newly occurring cardio-cerebrovascular disease over 7 years (from 2007 to 2013). After stratification by age, sex, and national health insurance type, we identified 7 years’ cumulative incidence of cardio-cerebrovascular disease by health examination compliance and estimated its relative risk by health examination period and compliance.ResultsThe compliant group presented a lower cumulative incidence of cardio-cerebrovascular disease than the non-compliant group; this result was consistent across sex, working age (40s and 50s), and workplace policyholder. Relative risk of cardio-cerebrovascular disease by health examination period (1 and 2 years) showed statistically significant results in ischemic heart disease for male participants. Of men in their 40s, office workers (over a 2-year period) presented statistically higher relative risk of ischemic heart disease than non-office workers (over a 1-year period: 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.03). However, there were no consistent results in ischemic cerebrovascular disease and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease for men or cardio-cerebrovascular disease for women.ConclusionA 1-year period of Workers’ General Health Examinations in non-office workers had a more significant prevention effect on ischemic heart disease than a 2-year period in office workers among working age (40s–50s) men. It is, however, necessary to consider that prevention of cardio-cerebrovascular disease can be partially explained by their occupational characteristics rather than by health examination period.
Long-term sickness absence is increasing in 27 European member states and Norway. Promoting good health and attendance, instead of penalising absence, has become a growing policy issue (Edwards & Greasley, 2010). As most employees will return to work spontaneously, resources for return to work projects should be focused on the high-risk group for long-term sickness absence.In this project a questionnaire was developed to predict the risk of long-term sickness absence.The development of the questionnaire started with a literature review of the predictive factors for long-term sickness absence, and with a review of existing questionnaires that question longterm sickness absence. The questionnaire will be validated in a pilot study of 10 000 participants. These data will be used to calculate its predictive value and to build a model to predict the risk of long-term sickness absence.The literature study revealed 16 predictors for long-term sickness absence. The most predictive factor is, according to existing research, the patient's expectancy regarding their return to work. As the other factors are not unambiguously strong predictors, the pilot study will explore the predictive value of the complete model and each separate parameter. A new questionnaire was developed based on both reviews and the 16 predictors they revealed. The questionnaire is not specific for a certain illness, nor for use in a specific country.The questionnaire developed in this research will support physicians to assess the risk of long-term sickness absence, and to guide more employees successfully and sustainably back to work. Poster PresentationExposure Assessment Object This study aims to provide a basis for policy to control the reliability of biological monitoring laboratories in occupational health by analysing data on annual biological monitoring. Method We collected the survey requesting the number of data provided in 2014 and 2015, which laboratories participating in proficiency test program on biological monitoring responded to. Statistical data for biological monitoring (2003)(2004) to reveal the current status of biological monitoring practices in the hospitals or occupational health laboratories were extracted from the KOSHA. Result The total number of data of biological markers was up to 2 70 000 cases and 4 70 000 cases in 2013, 2014, respectively. Among them, the most dominant markers with regard to organic solvent exposure were urinary hippuric acid, methylhippuric acid and 2,5-hexanedione with 3 47 000 cases reported for 2 years. As for metal exposure, lead and cadmium in blood were the most frequently checked markers with 1 16 000 cases for 2 years. Among 180 occupational health organisations, 44% of them sent their samples to other laboratories for analysis. The problem of lack of proficiency test data was evident in biological markers including 2,5-hexanedione, N-methylformamide, and trichloroacetic acid, which were analysed in major big laboratories. Strict policy on these laboratories as well as tactics to encourage sma...
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.