가습기살균제 건강모니터링 설문조사 개선을 위한 국내ㆍ외 사회적 재난 경험 이후 건강모니터링 설문조사에 대한 고찰

A Review of Domestic and International Health Monitoring Questionnaires for Physical and Mental Health after Social Disasters: Implications for the Humidifier Disinfectant Case Survey in Korea

Background: Considerable evidence suggests that exposure to humidifier disinfectants could affect physical and mental health, including the development of various respiratory diseases. Objectives: We aimed to improve the questionnaires that were used in previous humidifier disinfectant-related health monitoring surveys. Methods: For this study, we reviewed health monitoring questionnaires from South Korean and international surveys conducted to monitor the health of populations who experienced specific social disasters. Results: Based on a total of seven South Korean or international surveys (Humidifier disinfectant case, HDC; Sewol-Ferry sinking accident, SFSA; Daegu subway fire disaster, DSFD; Hebei Spirit accident, HSA; September 11 attacks, 9/11 attacks; Gulf long-term follow-up study, GuLF study; and Tohoku Medical Megabank project, TMM project), the composition of physical and mental health-related questions was generally different among surveys, particularly regarding mental health and target generation. The health monitoring questionnaire for the HDC survey should be further developed considering mental health concerns such as depression and quality of life, as well as physical health, including infectious, musculoskeletal, and pregnancy and delivery-related diseases. Conclusions: The health monitoring questionnaires in the ongoing HDC survey should be improved to better target specific age groups and include mental health assessments. Repeated responses in the same individuals and generational change during the survey should also be considered.