Occupational Irritant Hand Dermatitis among Nurses in Al-batool Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Occupational irritant hand dermatitis (IHD) is frequent in hospital workers, especially in nurses. A comprehensive understanding regarding hand dermatitis is essential for establishing proper prevention and treatment strategies. Aims: The purpose of this study is to identify the prevalence of occupational irritant contact hand dermatitis in hospital nursing staffs and to identify the risk factors for hand dermatitis among nurses in Al-batool teaching hospital. . Patient and Methods: A Cross sectional study was conducted in Al-batool teaching hospital in Baquba city from 1st October 2013 to 30th March 2014. Completed questionnaires were obtained from 120 nurses (male and female) by face to face interview. In questionnaires we ask about the occurrence of the occupational hand dermatitis as diagnosed by dermatologist and the relation between hand dermatitis and the use of latex gloves and cleansing agent and the risk factor associated with this dermatitis. Results: Irritant hand dermatitis was diagnosed in 57 nurses. The prevalence of occupational irritant hand dermatitis was 48% (57 of the 120 nurses). We found hand dermatitis prevalence is of 54% (31 of 57) in Gynecological department nurses whereas the prevalence in pediatric department nurses was 46% (26 of 57). 60% (34 of the 57) of the cases presented with a hand dermatitis, the cause was latex gloves and in 25% (14 of 57) of nurses the cause was cleansing products, and the remaining 15% (9 of the 57) the cause was combined of both. 23% of nurses report a history of asthma (13 of the 57) and 33 %( 19 of 57) of nurses have allergic rhinitis. Also there was a family history of atopy in 44 % of nurses (25 of 57). There is increase in the occupational irritant contact hand dermatitis with increase period of work, 30% in nurse work more than 10 years. Conclusions: Our study indicates that it is necessary to provide nurse with specific skin care advice as part of their training. This might help to identify trainees at increased risk of developing occupational irritant contact hand dermatitis, encouraging the initiation of appropriate skin protection measures