Recent State and Future Scope of Occupational Health in Japan

Defining the Roles and Functions of Occupational Health Nurses in Japan

The purposes of this study were to obtain descriptive information about the job duties and tasks of Japanese occupational health nurses and to compare the roles and functions of occupational health nurses in the United States and Japan. A modified version of a job analysis survey developed by the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses was used to collect data. The findings indicated 62% of Japanese occupational health nurses perform direct care roles, approximately half perform educating or advising and consulting roles, and approximately 40% perform management roles. Details related to specific tasks and differences in nurses with varying preparation also are presented. Although there were many similarities in the types of tasks performed by nurses in Japan and the United States, the proportion of time devoted to specific tasks in the two countries varied. These results support the need for developing an educational system to enhance occupational health nursing practice in Japan. The information derived from the study provides a knowledge base that can be used to provide guidance and direction to the content of occupational health nursing programs.

A review of statutory medical examinations in Asian-Pacific countries

BACKGROUND

statutory medical examinations (SME) are practiced worldwide to promote workers' health. We reviewed SME legislation and enforcement in the rapidly industrializing Asia-Pacific, compared these with laws in Europe and America, and identified areas for further development.

METHODS

information on SME in 13 Asian-Pacific countries was collected by a questionnaire survey of occupational health (OH) experts from each country, supplemented by a literature and Internet search.

RESULTS

SME laws were diverse throughout the Asia-Pacific, and were either selective or comprehensive, depending on the countries' legal systems. Common problems included manpower shortage, high costs and lack of awareness of SME. This resulted in poor compliance, which was broadly associated with the level of socio-economic development.

CONCLUSIONS

educating the public on OH issues would address compliance problems, as would the training and efficient deployment of OH professionals. The development of management systems and regional standards would encourage a harmonized approach towards SME.

Prevalence of physical activity among the working population and correlation with work-related factors: results from the first German National Health Survey

This paper investigates levels of engagement in physical activity (PA) among the total German working population and for specific subgroups. The first national health survey for the Federal Republic of Germany was conducted from October 1997 to March 1999. The following study is based on a representative net sample of 3,323 employed persons aged 18 to 69. Bivariate methods and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the relationship between PA and workplace and occupational factors in addition to social and lifestyle-specific correlates. Four out of 10 gainfully employed persons (39.2%) do not engage in sport. Those with physically strenuous jobs and frequent overtime work are significantly less likely to engage in leisure-time PA. Non-manual workers, and younger, unmarried workers are particularly likely to have an active lifestyle. Our study population did not correspond to the popular image of the recreational athlete as an abstinent, "ascetic" individual: The subgroups of non-smokers and teetotalers contained significantly fewer athletes than the corresponding reference groups. The present paper is the first to publish representative data on PA in the working population since German reunification in 1990. The data show that workers with a high risk of morbidity are those least likely to engage in leisure-time PA (manual workers with below-average educational qualifications from lower socioeconomic groups). The significant accumulation of socially depriving living conditions and lifestyle deficits among inactive subjects shows that one-off preventive measures intended to motivate sporting activity are likely to be ineffective in these subgroups of the population. We therefore advocate continuous exercise programs near the workplace involving exercise training suited to the particular occupation, dietary advice, relaxation techniques and occupational medical care.

Present state of dental health knowledge, attitudes/behaviour and perceived oral health of Japanese employees

The aim of this survey was to assess the present state of dental health knowledge, attitudes/behaviour and perceived oral health of Japanese employees. A 60-item questionnaire was used in a dental health project in the work place. The subjects comprised 77,845 employees, 76 per cent of whom reported delaying a dental visit until they had toothache, with about 60 per cent delaying even when they discovered a decayed tooth. The majority did not regard decayed teeth as a disease and only a minority reported regular dental visits. About three quarters reported bleeding gums on brushing, although more than half had never been taught professionally how to clean their teeth and less than 5 per cent flossed daily. More than half believed that false teeth were inevitable in old age, and that their teeth were getting worse despite daily brushing. About 70 per cent of the employees thought that it was impossible to prevent gum disease with toothbrushing alone, and nearly half believed a toothpaste with fluoride was effective in preventing periodontal disease. Reorientation of oral health care in Japan, therefore, is urgently needed and dental services have to be provided for the implementation of systematic oral health promotion for employees in the workplace.