Trends in Occupational Skin Disease among Korean Workers (2006–2017): Insights Into Declining Prevalence and Demographic Shifts

IF 3.2 3区医学 Q1 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Safety and Health at Work Pub Date : 2025-12-01 Epub Date: 2025-08-30 DOI:10.1016/j.shaw.2025.08.005

Jong-Sun Park , Eun-Kee Park , Hee-Kyoo Kim , Gil-Soon Choi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Occupational skin diseases (OSDs) are among the most common work-related illnesses and impose a significant socioeconomic burden. While improvements in workplace environments have been noted in the Republic of Korea over the past two decades, research investigating long-term trends in OSD prevalence remains limited.

Methods

This study analyzed the 2006–2017 Republic of Korea Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) data to examine temporal trends in self-reported 1-year prevalence of OSDs among Korean workers. OSD was identified based on self-reported skin symptoms and perceived work-relatedness. Sociodemographic, occupational characteristics, and hazardous factor exposure were assessed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and Pearson’s correlation.

Results

The self-reported 1-year prevalence of OSD significantly declined from 5.03% in 2006 to 0.67% in 2017 (p < 0.001). Demographically, the proportion of older workers (≥60 years) among OSD cases increased. OSD remained concentrated in small-scale workplaces and personal protective equipment (PPE)-required occupations. Notably, 1-year OSD prevalence declined among those using PPE and workers informed on occupational safety and health. Industrial shifts were observed, with a growing proportion of cases in primary sectors such as agriculture and forestry, while prevalence declined in manufacturing and construction. Despite these trends, the proportion of OSD cases exposed to high and low temperatures and chemical skin contact increased over time.

Conclusion

Despite self-reported OSD’s overall decline in the Republic of Korea, emerging challenges like increased exposure in vulnerable groups and shifts to higher-risk industries persist. Our findings underscore the need for targeted prevention, continuous monitoring, and robust research to address evolving occupational skin health.

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韩国工人职业性皮肤病的趋势（2006-2017）：对患病率下降和人口变化的见解

背景：职业性皮肤病（OSDs）是最常见的与工作有关的疾病之一，并造成了重大的社会经济负担。虽然大韩民国在过去二十年中注意到工作场所环境有所改善，但调查OSD流行率长期趋势的研究仍然有限。方法：本研究分析了2006-2017年韩国工作条件调查（KWCS）数据，以检验韩国工人自我报告的1年osd患病率的时间趋势。OSD是根据自我报告的皮肤症状和感知到的工作相关性来确定的。采用描述性统计、卡方检验和Pearson相关性对社会人口统计学、职业特征和危险因素暴露进行评估。结果自报告1年OSD患病率由2006年的5.03%显著下降至2017年的0.67% （p < 0.001）。在人口统计学上，老年工人（≥60岁）在OSD病例中的比例增加。OSD仍然集中在小规模工作场所和需要个人防护装备的职业。值得注意的是，在使用个人防护装备和了解职业安全和健康的工人中，1年OSD患病率有所下降。观察到工业转移，农业和林业等初级部门的病例比例增加，而制造业和建筑业的患病率下降。尽管有这些趋势，暴露于高温和低温以及化学皮肤接触的OSD病例的比例随着时间的推移而增加。结论：尽管韩国自我报告的OSD总体上有所下降，但弱势群体暴露增加和向高风险行业转移等新出现的挑战仍然存在。我们的研究结果强调了有针对性的预防、持续监测和强有力的研究来解决不断发展的职业皮肤健康的必要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Safety and Health at Work Social Sciences-Safety Research

CiteScore

6.40

自引率

5.70%

发文量

1080

审稿时长

38 days

期刊介绍： Safety and Health at Work (SH@W) is an international, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary journal published quarterly in English beginning in 2010. The journal is aimed at providing grounds for the exchange of ideas and data developed through research experience in the broad field of occupational health and safety. Articles may deal with scientific research to improve workers'' health and safety by eliminating occupational accidents and diseases, pursuing a better working life, and creating a safe and comfortable working environment. The journal focuses primarily on original articles across the whole scope of occupational health and safety, but also welcomes up-to-date review papers and short communications and commentaries on urgent issues and case studies on unique epidemiological survey, methods of accident investigation, and analysis. High priority will be given to articles on occupational epidemiology, medicine, hygiene, toxicology, nursing and health services, work safety, ergonomics, work organization, engineering of safety (mechanical, electrical, chemical, and construction), safety management and policy, and studies related to economic evaluation and its social policy and organizational aspects. Its abbreviated title is Saf Health Work.