PREVALENCE OF OCCUPATIONAL HAND CONTACT DERMATITIS AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG STAFF NURSES OF A PUBLIC HOSPITAL IN SELANGOR

Background: Introduction Occupational contact dermatitis is the commonest occupational skin disease and hands are affected the most. Among healthcare workers, nurses have the highest prevalence of occupational hand contact dermatitis (OHCD). Prevalence of OHCD varies between countries and it shows an increasing trend. OHCD can cause economically burden to a country, reduce the quality of life of a nurse and increase the risk of cross infection. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence factors associates with OHCD. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 206 staff nurses of Hospital Selayang who full filled inclusion and exclusion criteria Data was collected 7 May 2018 till 1 June 2018 using validated data questionnaire. Pre-test of the selfadministered questionnaire was conducted among 50 staff nurses. Data was analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23.0 involving descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: The response rate was 100%. A 12-month prevalence of OHCD among staff nurses of Hospital Selayang was 26.2%. Hours of wearing glove, skin symptoms with gloves, skin symptom with hand washing liquid or soap, eczema history and allergy history to any substances were found associated with OHCD. Conclusion: OHCD showed to be a problem among staff nurses at the study location with a prevalence of 26.2%. Further intervention should be taken to prevent OHCD among staff nurses.