Purpose: The objective of this study was to explore the ethical issues faced by occupational health nurses in their daily health activities by conducting a literature review. Methods: After conducting a literature search and applying screening and selection procedures, nine studies were analyzed by the content analysis method. Results: Seven main categories were identified, including: (1) “Dissatisfaction due to not being able to provide support in a fair manner to all staff members”, (2) “Difficulty balancing workplace safety and health obligations with obligations to protect personal rights such as privacy, personal information, and confidentiality”, (3) “Conflict regarding the expertise and necessity of occupational nurses”, (4) “Dilemmas arising from confrontations between corporate management and staff members”. Within the main categories, 26 sub-categories were also identified. Conclusion: These results reveal that a variety of ethical issues arise during the daily work activities of occupational health nurses, and that these issues cause dissatisfaction, difficulties, conflict, and dilemmas.

Objectives: Using the Delphi method this study scrutinized the42 items of a competency scale for occupational health nurses that we developed in 2016, to make it more accurate. Methods: Three questionnaire surveys of 34 occupational health nurses were conducted using the Delphi method. The inclusion criteria were as follows: being a member of the Japan Academy of Occupational Health Nursing; having more than 10 years of practical experience in occupational health nursing or more than 10 years of experience in occupational health nursing practice, education, and research; and being published in journals that cover occupational health nursing. The number of respondents (response rate) to the first questionnaire was 26 (76.5%); for the second, it was 21 (80.8%); and for the third, it was 20 (95.2%). Results: In the first and second surveys, 11 items were revised. The results of the third survey showed a consent rate of 75% or less for six items. A discussion among researchers with reference to these results produced the following proposals: (1) 11 items should be revised, (2) 3 items should be deleted, and (3) a new item should be added. Discussion: The first survey showed differences in the perception of competencies among the participants, but vector alignment became possible as the survey progressed. Although several participants asserted that some items might be too advanced, following a literature review and discussion, the 40 new items produced were considered to be appropriate for the competency scale items.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine smoking status and perception of using new tobacco products among employees aged 39 years or younger at a company for the purpose of connecting no smoking support for users of new tobacco products. Methods: Anonymous self-completed questionnaires were distributed to 800 employees aged 39 years or younger at a large IT company. Responses about smoking status and perceptions of smoking were used to compare perceptions between nonsmokers, cigarette smokers, and users of new tobacco products by the chi-square test. Results: 80.6% of respondents were nonsmokers. 19.4% were smokers, among whom 66.7% used new tobacco products. Users of new tobacco products tended to have a lower perception of health risks. However, even nonsmokers found smoking to be socially acceptable. Discussion: Although the health risks of new tobacco products are not yet clear, the finding that users of new tobacco products tended to have a lower perception of health risks suggests a need for guidance. Social acceptance of smoking may also encourage even more people to start using new tobacco products. It is important to promote primary prevention by increasing risk perception among all members of the public, whether they are smokers or nonsmokers.