Korean J Occup Health Nurs.  2016 Nov;25(4):277-289. 10.5807/kjohn.2016.25.4.277.

Health Disparities among Korean Workers by Enterprise Size: Using Korean Labor and Income Panel Study (17th)

• Park B
• Choi SJ
• Seo S

• KMID: 2387892
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5807/kjohn.2016.25.4.277

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study aims to investigate the cross-sectional association of company size and self-rated health using representative data on Korean workers.
METHODS
We used the data from 2,884 wage workers collected by Korean Labor and Income Panel Study (17th). The association between company size and self-rated health was analyzed using logistic regression with covariates including demographic characteristics, work environment, job satisfaction, and health-related behaviors.
RESULTS
Odds ratio (OR) for better health status among workers in large-sized company was 1.351 (CI. 1.054~1.731), compared to workers in small-sized company. We performed three separate models stratified by firm size (small, medium, and large companies). Occupation variables showed different effect on health depending on firm sizes. OR for better health of white-color job (referred to blue-color job) was 1.693 in medium-sized company model but it was 0.615 in large company model. OR for better health of the workers working shift work showed 0.606 in large company model but it was not significant in small and medium company models.
CONCLUSION
We found that small-sized company workers have significantly poor self-rated health compared to large-sized firm workers. This study revealed that there exist differences among health related factors depending on firm sizes.

Keyword

Occupational health nursing; Health promotion; Workplace

MeSH Terms

Health Promotion
Job Satisfaction
Logistic Models
Occupational Health Nursing
Occupations
Odds Ratio
Salaries and Fringe Benefits