Influence of combined exposure to perceived risk at work and unstable employment on self-rated health: a comparison of two cross-sectional surveys in Europe and Korea

Influence of combined exposure to perceived risk at work and unstable employment on self-rated health: a comparison of two cross-sectional surveys in Europe and Korea: Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the combined effect of exposure to perceived risk at work and unstable employment on self-rated health in both Korea and the European Union.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

We conducted the analyses using employees data from the third Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) conducted in 2011 and the fifth European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) conducted in 2010.

Participants

Employees of the third KWCS and the fifth EWCS from 35 European countries were the participants of the study.

Primary outcome measures

Employment status was divided into two categories: stable and unstable employment. Perceived risk regarding safety and health at work were assessed. Primary health outcomes were poor or moderate self-rated health. Exposures and health status were assessed via a questionnaire.

Results

Among Korean employees, the OR of poor self-rated health was 2.00 (95% CI: 1.80 to 2.22) for those with perceived risk at work, 1.18 (95% CI: 1.09 to 1.28) for those with unstable employment and 3.22 (95% CI: 2.72 to 3.81) for those with both perceived risk at work and unstable employment. Relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) was 1.03 (95% CI: 0.48 to 1.58). Among European employees, the OR for poor self-rated health was 3.20 (95% CI: 2.93 to 3.49) for those with perceived risk at work, 1.04 (95% CI: 0.97 to 1.13) for those with unstable employment and 3.41 (95% CI: 2.93 to 3.98) for those with both perceived risk at work and unstable employment. The RERI was 0.18 (95% CI: –0.36 to 0.71).

Conclusions

Among Korean employees, a supra-additive interaction between perceived risk at work and unstable employment on poor self-rated health was observed. Conversely, a supra-additive interaction was not observed among European employees.