A Turkish translation of the Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire (NOSQ-2002/LONG) adapted for young workers in high-risk jobs

Occupational Contact Dermatitis in Hospital Cleaning Workers

BACKGROUND

Health care workers and hospital cleaning workers are at high risk regarding the development of occupational contact dermatitis (OCD).

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence and risk factors of OCD in hospital cleaning workers.

METHODS

A questionnaire was conducted in 245 cleaning workers in our cross-sectional study. The 236 cleaning workers formed the study group. In workers who were prediagnosed with dermatitis, physical examination was performed in the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic, and when necessary, patch test, skin biopsy, and investigation for total immunoglobulin E were conducted. Patients with definite contact dermatitis were diagnosed as having OCD by using the Mathias criteria.

RESULTS

The prevalence rate of OCD was 21.6% and was significantly higher in female workers (26.4%) when compared with male workers (11.0%). Female sex; low educational level; cleaning the external surfaces of the medical equipment, monitors, and accessories; and mixing the cleaning products and use them while performing cleaning activities were determined as the independent risk factors for OCD.

CONCLUSIONS

Occupational contact dermatitis was present at a high rate in hospital cleaning workers. The risk factors should be taken into consideration for prevention of OCD and improvement of the health status of hospital cleaning workers.

Investigation of the prevalence of hand eczema among healthcare professionals in Turkey: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Hand eczema is one of the common occupational dermatoses, having high prevalence among healthcare professionals (HCP). We found no epidemiological data in the literature concerning the prevalence of hand eczema among HCP in Turkey.

AIMS

The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of hand eczema among HCP in Turkey and to determine the demographic characteristics and risk factors that cause eczema.

METHODS

A clinical assessment- and questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 734 HCP working in a tertiary hospital. Demographic characteristics and personal and occupational risk factors were evaluated in terms of the development of hand eczema.

RESULTS

The survey response rate was 81.8%. The point prevalence of eczema was 27.6%, and the 12-month prevalence was 45.9%. Age, occupation, duration of work, atopic diseases, handwashing frequency, dry skin, moisturizing frequency, and presence and duration of glove use were important factors in the development of hand eczema. Powdered glove reaction was significantly higher in those with hand eczema (p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of hand eczema is high among HCP in Turkey. Combining self-reported questionnaires with clinical examination findings can provide a more accurate calculation of the prevalence of hand eczema. The availability of epidemiological data on hand eczema can provide guidelines for the prevention and treatment of this condition. Except for situations requiring absolute handwashing, disinfecting hands with alcohol-based lotions and applying a powder-free policy in all healthcare centers will reduce the prevalence of hand eczema among HCP.