Analysis of Factors Associated with the Workers' Health Status Using Periodic Health Examination Data by Size of Enterprises

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine whether the size of an enterprise can make a difference to workers' health and to examine those factors, which influence workers' health. The subjects of this study included 26,324 workers employed in manufacturing industry who received medical examinations at the Industrial Health Center at Yonsei University in 1995, 1996 and 1997. Medical examination data were used as a measure of health. Each enterprise was classified by size into three categories: Small scale enterprises (SSE) that employ no more than 50 regular employees; middle scale enterprise (MSE) that employ from 50 to 300 regular employees; and large scale enterprise (LSE) that employ more than 300 regular employees. Health conditions, according to the size of the enterprise, were determined by comparing prevalence rates, and direct standardization methods were used based upon the Korean population, as a standard population, in order to adjust for differences in population structure.

1. The findings of the medical examinations showed that, the prevalence rate in SSEs was higher than in MSEs or LSEs, but that this relationship was reversed after standardizing for sex and age.

2. Logistic regression analysis showed that, although subjects of advanced age, prolonged work history, and male gender had higher risks of disease, the size of the enterprise had no significant effect upon these risks.