Spontaneous and repeat spontaneous abortion risk in relation to occupational characteristics among working Korean women: a cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative data from Korea

Abstract

BackgroundThe association between spontaneous abortion (SA) and occupational characteristics among working women is not well-studied. This study aimed to assess the risk of SA and occupational factors such as occupational classification, working hours, and work schedules among working Korean women aged > 19 years.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 4078 working women were identified from among 25,534 workers in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys V (2010–2012) database, to obtain data on SA history and the number of SAs. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for SA were calculated using multiple logistic regression models after adjusting for age, education, household income, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity status. The weighted prevalence for the number of SAs was calculated according to occupational characteristics to demonstrate the SA status among working Korean women.ResultsSA occurrence was reported in 5.7% of the study participants. The ORs (95% CIs) for SA were significantly higher in pink-, green-, and blue-collared workers than in white-collared workers. Regarding weekly working hours, compared with ≤50 h spent working, the ORs (95% CIs) for 51–60, 61–70, and > 70 h per week were 1.26 (0.87–1.84), 1.63 (1.04–2.56), and 1.73 (1.10–2.70), respectively. A significantly higher weighted prevalence of repeat SAs was observed in pink- and green-collared workers and in those who worked long hours.ConclusionWe found a significant association between SA, repeat SA, and occupational characteristics among working Korean women.

Health Status, Health-Related Factors and Work Environment in Korean Semiconductor Workers between 1984–2012: A Qualitative Study and a Cross-Sectional Study

“…In the KNHANES, 5.9% of female workers over the age of 19 experienced a spontaneous abortion, and 6.5% of those with shiftwork [27]. However, this does not mean that a significant difference between the groups can be observed.…”

Characteristics of women who dropped out from pregnancy register in Okinawa, Japan: Findings from a retrospective cohort study

“…First, we estimated unadjusted PRs for age group (reference: 25-29 years), pregnancy order (first vs. second or more), past live births (0 vs. ≥1), history of miscarriage (no vs. yes), smoking status (reference: nonsmokers), BMI (reference: 18.5-24.9 kg/m 2 ), alcohol consumption (yes vs. no), and employment status (employed vs. no). Based on the results of several prior studies suggesting factors associated with birth outcomes, including pregnancy loss, 1,4,[7][8][9]12,29 we additionally estimated aPRs for all variables with adjustments for each other.…”

Ergonomic Stressors Among Pregnant Healthcare Workers

“…38 An elevated risk of stillbirth and spontaneous abortion related to physical effort, lifting heavy objects and working for long hours without rest has been observed among nursing assistants, aides and other female employees. [40][41][42] High levels of physical activity during pregnancy increase the demand for oxygen, reducing fetal nutrition supply and putting stress on the endocrine system. Exhaustion, lifting heavy objects, long work hours without rest and high noise levels (>85 decibels) during pregnancy has been linked to low birth weight babies.…”