Latent Class Analysis of Decompression Sickness Symptoms of Women Divers

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the types of clinical manifestations of decompression sickness among women divers (haenyeos) in Jeju using latent class analysis and to identify factors related to the condition. A total of 527 haenyeos who received their certification in diving fishery from Jeju and were working from 15 March to 31 May 2021 were included in this study. According to the results of the study, the latent classes were classified into type 1, type 2, and mixed symptoms groups (Akaike information criterion (AIC) = 6587.29, Bayesian information criterion (BIC) = 6698.23, sample size-adjusted BIC (saBIC) = 6615.70). For personal characteristics, age (χ2 = 40.31, p < 0.001) and education level (χ2 = 28.15, p < 0.001) showed a significant difference by latent class type. For work-related characteristics, diving experience (χ2 = 29.99, p < 0.001) and break time (χ2 = 9.32, p = 0.011) showed a significant difference by latent class type. The health-related characteristics, menopausal period (χ2 = 40.10, p < 0.001), body mass index (χ2 = 14.80, p = 0.013), and fatigue level (χ2 = 58.23, p < 0.001), showed a significant difference by latent class type. Rather than approaching the management of work-related diseases simply from the work environment perspective, it is important to increase the availability of health professionals who are capable of continuous health monitoring and management of women divers in their workplace.