93
Views
2
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Article

Work-related infectious diseases among Korean workers compensated under the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Law, 2006–2011

, , , , &
Pages 344-351 | Published online: 03 Dec 2013
 

Abstract

Background: Korea has no surveillance system for work-related infectious disease. However, these diseases are compensated by the Korea Workers’ Compensation & Welfare Service (KCOMWEL).

Objectives: To understand the nature and distribution of compensated occupational infectious diseases in Korea.

Methods: We used the KCOMWEL electronic database to analyze compensated cases of work-related occupational infectious disease. We reviewed and confirmed diagnoses excluding denied claims, secondary infections, dermatoid diseases, duplicated cases and those with missing information. We calculated the distribution of work-related infectious disease in Korea by occupation, calendar year, gender, age, and employment duration, as well as the annual compensated claim rates (per million).

Results: We included 1,062 compensated cases of work-related infectious disease. The most common was scrub typhus (n = 567, 53·4%), followed by tuberculosis (n = 227, 21·4%), viral hepatitis (n = 55, 5·2%), and viral influenza (n = 53, 5·0%). A sudden increase in scrub typhus was observed in 2009. Unskilled laborers, including short-term contract workers in public sectors, were most commonly affected by these diseases, followed by health care professionals.

Conclusions: Workers employed in forestry care in the public sectors and in hospitals were most vulnerable to infections. Proper surveillance systems to monitor infectious diseases among vulnerable working groups and improved prevention measures are needed.

No acknowledgements

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.