The Korea Nurses' Health Study (KNHS) is the first large-scale prospective cohort study of female nurses that focused on investigating the effects of occupational, environmental, and lifestyle risk factors on the health of Korean women. The study bega...
The Korea Nurses' Health Study (KNHS) is the first large-scale prospective cohort study of female nurses that focused on investigating the effects of occupational, environmental, and lifestyle risk factors on the health of Korean women. The study began in July 2013 using protocols and questionnaires similar to those used for the U.S. Nurses’Health Study 3. More specifically, the first phase of the KNHS (KNHS1) was carried out from 2013 to 2015, followed by the second phase (KNHS2), which started in 2016 and completed in 2019. Inclusion criteria for participants in the first baseline survey were female hospital nurses aged 20 to 45 years, and these 20, 613 participants are continuously involved in the follow-up survey (module 2-7). Separate consent was obtained for the pregnancy modules. Participants between gestation weeks 20–25 were asked to complete the early-pregnancy questionnaire. After 6 weeks of estimated date of delivery (week 46), they were also asked to complete the post-pregnancy questionnaire. Over second wave of KNHS (KNHS 2), Module 5-7 surveys were developed, and questions on sanitary pad were additionally included in module 7. The surveys of KNHS were conducted online via the KNHS website, and with the purpose of enhancing the response rate, mobile platform was developed during KNHS 2. In the second year of KNHS 2, blood sample and toenails were collected from 2,000 participants, which was followed by analysis of collected data and production of various achievements from the research in the third year. Number of participants to survey module 2-7, as of January 18, 2019, stands at 15,734 (module 2), 13,075 (module 3), 11,129 (module 4), 11,620 (module 5), 8,049 (module 6), and 5,012 (module 7). Participant’s blood analysis illustrated that 97.4% of participants had 25-(OH) Vitamin D deficiency, and only 38.1% of the participants were in the normal range for AMH, which evaluates the function of ovary. Metabolic syndrome prevalence rate was 2.9%. BMI did not generate statistical difference in AMH range and 5-(OH) vitamin D deficiency. Nurses working on shifts, compared to the nurses without shift schedule, showed higher DHEA and d-ROM average. Whether the participant works on shift schedule or not also generated statistical difference in terms of depression and subjective health awareness. Most uncomfortable physical symptoms related to period were menstrual pain 33.6%, vulvar pruritus 14.4%, and excessive amount of menstrual blood 13.6%. 89.2% of respondents answered that they use general pad-type sanitary napkin, and that it is mostly for the ease of changing the sanitary pad. Main reason of using cotton sanitary napkin is health (skin trouble, menstrual pain, etc.). Tampons are used as they are comfortable while engaging in physical activities. Most frequently commented menstrual discomforts are menstrual pain, back pain, and fatigue. The study results can be used as basic data in improving health problems for women of child-bearing age, and occupation related health issues for nurses.