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Susumu Oda

Publications and source records attributed to Susumu Oda.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

[Fatigue estimation of visual display terminal (VDT) workers by physiological data--preliminary study of a new computer program for VDT work analysis].

The methods for assessing VDT workload based on individual capabilities are necessary to evaluate general fatigue by VDT work. We have developed a new computer program for assessing data entry performance of each individual. Four healthy male volunteers conducted a data entry task at their own pace using this program under a controlled environment. They performed the task for 30 minutes twice with 10 minutes rest between them. As a result, the average number of inputs was 133.2 characters/min in the first task and 129.1 characters/min after taking the rest. The error rate was 8.6% and 10.6% in each task. This program was useful to evaluate their data entry performance. We also reported our concern with a drop in nasal skin temperature that was observed during these VDT tasks.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Effect of the Training Program at Occupational Health Training Center (OHTC) on the attitude of occupational health residents].

University of Occupational and Environmental Health (UOEH) conducts three courses in postgraduate education of occupational health (OH). Graduates of UOEH who have already received a basic education in OH can participate in any course and are trained to play an appropriate role as an occupational physician (OP). We operate the training program to provide practical knowledge and skills as well as to encourage interest in occupational health and to promote a further understanding of the role of the OP. In this study we evaluated changes in attitude of participants and the effectiveness of our program by an anonymous questionnaire. The subjects were all 19 participants of the 3-month program conducted between September 2003 and February 2004 as a part of the postgraduate education following several years of clinical experience. They were expected to be occupational physicians with a clinical specialty. The data were collected from questionnaires handed out at the beginning and the end of the program. The questionnaire included 8 items on the attitude toward occupational health. The subjects answered the questions according to a scale of 1 to 7. Data analysis was performed using the unpaired t-test by SPSS. The results suggested that our training program had a positive effect on trainees. Interest in occupational practice (P < 0.05) and willingness to act as a full-time occupational physician in a large company (P < 0.05) increased significantly. When considering the positive correlation between willingness to act as an OP and interest in a field that has some overlap between the speciality and occupational health, it was thought that developing a vision as an OP with respect to their career was important for training. However, in some clinical fields it may be difficult to define a relationship between the clinical speciality and occupational health. Understanding the role of an OP (P < 0.05) and self-confidence in playing an appropriate role as an OP (P < 0.05) also showed significant improvement. On the other hand, fourteen of the trainees (74%) did not have enough confidence to play a role as an OP even after completion of the program. In this study, the questionnaire we used was anonymous and did not include items concerning various attributes of the subjects. Therefore it was not possible to analyze changes of attitude at the individual level. We recognize the need to improve the program and are preparing a new version of the educational program with emphasis on understanding company organization activities and practical skills for problem solving. Opportunities to consider association between clinical speciality and occupational health are also included in this new version. We hope that the new program will further encourage trainees.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2004

[Significance of working environment improvement based on determination of source of harmful substance--example of an endoscope syringe room using glutaraldehyde].

Because a worker complained of irritated eyes and throat due to glutaraldehyde (GA) in an endoscope syringe room, the automated endoscope washers and GA liquid stored in reserve were isolated in a separate room. A ventilation system was installed in this room, and the packing of the automated endoscope washers was changed. However, since the obnoxious smell of GA still remained in the endoscope syringe room, we had to determine the source of the smell. A plastic bucket with a cap was found to be filled with GA for disinfection of the endoscope apparatus. GA had evaporated when dispersed around the bucket, resulting in the obnoxious smell. The plastic bucket was replaced with a different type of container. Moreover, GA from the separate room did not affect the concentration of GA in the working area because the separate room for the automated endoscope washers had twice the ventilation volume proposed by the guidelines of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates of the USA and the Healthcare Engineering Association of Japan. Consequently, we reconfirmed the significance of working environment improvement after clarifying the source of the harmful substance.

Disinfectants↗
PubMed2003

Genetic polymorphisms of tobacco- and alcohol-related metabolizing enzymes and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.

The effect of genetic polymorphisms for glutathione S-transferase ( GST) M1, GSTT1, GSTP1-1( GSTP1), cytochrome P450 2E1 ( CYP2E1) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 ( ALDH2) on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was observed in 78 Japanese patients with HCC and 138 non-cancer hospital controls. We found a positive association between cumulative amounts of alcohol consumption (>/=600,000 ml in a lifetime) and the risk of HCC (OR=4.52, 95% CI 2.39-8.55). However, cigarette smoking was not significantly related to the risk of HCC (OR=1.23, 95% CI 0.57-2.68). The allelic frequencies of GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1, CYP2E1and ALDH2of HCC patients were not significantly different from those of controls when odds ratios were only adjusted for age and gender except for any 2 alleles of ALDH2in drinkers (OR=2.53, 95% CI 1.21-5.31). However, the frequency of any C2 alleles of CYP2E1and any 2 alleles of ALDH2were significantly higher than those of controls (OR=5.77, 95% CI 1.24-27.39, OR=9.77, 95% CI 1.63-58.60) when covariates including viremia were selected by using stepwise logistic regression analysis. We conclude that habitual alcohol drinking is likely to lead to an increased risk of HCC, and any C2alleles of CYP2E1as well as any two alleles of ALDH2were also associated with an increased risk of HCC.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Actual situation of medical checkups carried out by Industrial Health Organizations in Japan--manpower and service].

Japanese Industrial Health Organizations (IHOs) have been taking part in medical checkups for employees in accordance with the law of industrial safety and health in Japan. We carried out a questionnaire survey for each IHO in order to learn the actual number of full-time doctors and their proportion of work time. We sent a questionnaire to 112 IHOs (members of International Federation of Industrial Health Organizations) by mail, of which 77 replied (68.8%). In addition, we carried out an interview survey in 3 IHOs. The actual number of full-time doctors was 0 to 51, about half of IHOs have less than 5 doctors/each. Regarding the proportion of work time, among full-time doctors, half of them take part in general health checkups. About 70% of nurses' work time is taken up doing health checkups. The results revealed that the number and the proportion of work time of full-time doctors depends on the characteristics of the area and the background of the organization, for instance, what kind of hygiene services they provide. Depending on the doctors' work style (e.g. full-time or part-time) and their specialities and experience, their work may be shared. Japanese employers are required to report the number of workers with abnormal findings found by medical checkups to the Labor Standards Office. Many IHOs provide service to employers in filling out their reports. Thus, we also asked each IHO about this service. Forty out of the 77 IHOs (51.9%) answered that they are providing statistical analysis and the filling-out service. They count the number of workers with abnormal findings in each company and helped the employer to fill out the report form. Twenty-nine of those 40 IHOs responded that they decided which findings were "abnormal" by using only items that are set by law. However, 7 IHOs reported the fact that they also add some optional items when making the decision. The prevalence of workers with abnormal findings in annual medical checkups, which is one of the msot important indices of the state of occupational health, should be measured by using an objective definition and by being compatible with future systems of medical checkups for all Japanese workers. Although IHOs are endeavoring to improve their level, it will be difficult, and because of diversities in the way of periodical medical checkups among IHOs, there are still many problems to be solved.

Data Collection↗
PubMed2003

[Coprophilia].

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Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Klismaphilia].

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Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Urophilia].

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Adult↗
PubMed2002

[The present state and forthcoming problems in the work of occupational health physicians engaged in the workplace].

The authors conducted a survey in July 2001 to examine the present state and forthcoming problems facing occupational health physicians (OHPs). The establishments investigated were those which employed 1,000 or more workers and had consulted us for the employment of OHPs. The number of establishments chosen was 1,658. A questionnaire was sent to the division chiefs responsible for the health management of the establishments, and those who supervised the OHPs engaged in the establishments were asked to complete the questionnaire. The questionnaire included items about the attributes of the perspective establishments, the work of OHPs and the personnel management system for the OHPs. Four hundred and forty-seven establishments (27.0%) out a total of 1,658 returned eligible responses for further analysis, and the major results were as follows: First, 79.2% of the manufacturing establishments which responded comprised those which employed 1,000 or more workers, even though the percentage of companies which employ 1,000 or more workers throughout Japan is 62.5%. The percentage of the establishments which employed full time OHPs was 64.2% in secondary industries (mining, constructing and manufacturing), and higher than the 40.8% in tertiary industries (other than farming, forestry, fishing and secondary industries). Second, although OHPs properly coped with the obligatory issues regulated by the related laws, the OHPs who routinely consulted with workers about their work-related health problems were few (36.7%). Third, despite the low percentage of the establishments (23.5%) which had recognized OHPs' work to be part of enterprise management, the budget of the health care section was kept unchanged (55.0%). And, in 49.0% of the establishments, the nomination of OHPs was recognized to be necessary irrespective of the presence of the related laws, and OHPs were expected to cope with the work-related health problems of workers (62.9%). On the other hand, the personnel management system for OHPs was insufficient, and the performance rating for OHPs' activity was prepared for only 50.3% of the establishments. In addition, when the subjects were confined to regular OHPs, they were allowed to attend internal training courses for regular employees in only 25.0% of the establishments. Taking the above into account, the activity of OHPs has to be developed more in tertiary industries. OHPs may also be asked to positively cope with workers' work-related health problems. Simultaneously, the personnel management system for OHPs has to be arranged properly.

Humans↗