Reproductive health diseases among South Korean workers: the propensity score matching approach

Abstract

Background And Aim: To explore the reproductive health problems that may arise from occupational exposure of productive workers’ workplace hazard. Methods: A retrospective investigation was made on the Korean health and Nutrition Examination Survey(KNHANES) of the workers with occupational classification code from 2007 to 2015 for adults ages 20 and 49 years. First, we compared workers classified as workers who KNHANES Korean Standard Classification of Diseases (KCD) reclassification codes 211 to 233 (including diseases such as urogenital system and infertility) and 234 to 244 (including pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium) with those who did not classify reproductive health diseases reclassification codes (211 to 233, 234 to 244). Then, the relationship between reproductive health diseases and heavy metal exposure according to gender was investigated using the propensity score matching method. Results: In consideration of age, gender, body mass index, and occupation, a 1:1 optimal matching method was used to match workers with genital and non-reproductive diseases. Before matching, there were 2,135 men and 3,838 women. After matching, 42 men and 382 women were reproductive health workers, and 42 men and 382 women were non-reproductive health workers. As a result of estimation by the PSM method, there was no significant difference in male reproductive health disease and exposure to lead, mercury, and cadmium, and there was no difference even after matching. There were significant differences in female reproductive health disease and lead and mercury exposure, but lead did not show a significant difference after matching. Also, there was no significant difference between reproductive disease and cadmium exposure before and after matching. Conclusion: It was confirmed that exposure to mercury in female workers was sensitive to reproductive health diseases. Exposure to mercury in the workplace should be more cautious. Keywords: workers, reproductive health disease, Korean health and Nutrition Examination Survey