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Body surface area (BSA) is an important parameter in the conduct of human exposure studies and in clinical processes in children. The aim of this paper was to compare seven BSA formulas and to find out which of these formulas is appropriate for use with Korean children. Body surface area was calculated according to age, age-group and BMI-group using the height and weight data of Korean children (n = 4899) ages 1 to 18 from Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2012-2014). We used the formulas of Banerjee and Bhattacharya (1961), Fujimoto and Watanabe (1969), US EPA (1985), Gehan and George (1970), Boyd (1935), Haycock et al (1978) and Mosteller (1987). The average values of the seven formulas were calculated and used as norm values for comparison. All predictions showed a strong positive correlation with the overall average BSA values. Overestimations were observed on the calculations of Gehan and George (1970), US EPA (1985) and Boyd (1935) formulas. Banerjee and Bhattacharya (1961) and Fujimoto and Watanabe (1969) values showed underestimations and the largest error size of 0.027 m for all ages. BSA estimates of Mosteller (1987) and Haycock et al (1978) were found to be closer to the overall average BSA values with the least error size of 0.004 m. Mosteller's formula is recommended for use in the conduct of human exposure studies and in clinical practice among Korean children, although Haycock et al formula is appropriate for children from 1 to 2 years old.

The business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in the Philippines is expanding rapidly, producing a high employment rate. However, it also causes concerns about the occurrence of workrelated health problems among workers. This study was conducted to measure the prevalence of occupational health outcomes of call center workers from five companies in the Philippines and to determine the likelihood of their occurrence based on personal and work-related variables. We conducted an online survey answered by 227 call center workers. Descriptive statistics were expressed in percentages, arithmetic means, and standard deviations. Differences in symptoms in terms of sex and age-group were determined by chi-squared tests. Confounding effects of personal and occupational variables were computed through logistic and multiple regression analyses. The most prevalent forms of occupational health problems were back pain (96%), headache (96.5%), neck pain (93%), and insomnia (93%). We also found that among the personal and occupational variables, smoking and drinking predicted the occurrence of the symptoms for neck pain, headache, insomnia, and other health complaints. Our findings are crucial in strengthening policies and regulations, promoting a healthier working environment, and preventing fast-paced turn-over of workers in the BPO industry in the Philippines.

With its offer of competitive compensation and attractive employment permit system (EPS), South Korea has recently experienced an influx of migrant workers. There has been a concomitant rise in the concerns about the health and safety of migrant (especially undocumented) workers as well. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of work-related health and safety problems among Filipino migrant workers and determine the relationship between migration status and occupational health and safety (OHS) problems. We conducted a survey of 116 Filipino migrant workers, both legal and undocumented. We utilized the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS), Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), and a validated health and safety questionnaire to assess the various forms of occupational health problems they face. A focus group discussion (FGD) was also conducted to cross-validate information from the questionnaire. Descriptive data were presented in percentages, mean, and standard deviation (SD). Chi-squares tests and logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the degree of association between variables (P < 0.05). Among the eight subscales of KOSS, inadequate social support (2.48), organizational injustice (2.57), and lack of reward (2.52) were experienced by workers. There was a 44.83% prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) with the arm/elbow having the highest rate, followed by the shoulder and low back regions. Inadequate social support and discomfort in organizational climate and overall MSDs prevalence showed significant relationships with migration status (P < 0.05). A significant relationship between migration status and some of the OHS problems faced by Filipino migrant workers in Korea was observed. In this study, undocumented workers were seen to be more vulnerable to stressors as compared to those employed legally.