Investigating hand dermatitis among nurses in Iran during the outbreak of COVID-19: Comparison of COVID and non-COVID wards

Hand dermatitis is one of the occupational skin diseases among nurses. Due to the prevalence of COVID-19, nurses' exposure to disinfectant solutions has increased, which can increase the incidence of dermatitis among them. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of hand dermatitis among nurses in COVID and non-COVID wards and its related factors during the outbreak of COVID-19 in Iran.

Methods & Materials:

 This descriptive-correlational study was performed by available sampling on 287 nurses. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire on hand dermatitis. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22.

The prevalence of hand dermatitis among COVID wards nurses was 65.7% and among non-COVID wards nurses were 36.2%. However, the logistic regression showed that Female gender (P= 0.001, odds ratio=3.19, CI=1.57-6.46), marital status (single) (P= 0.011, odds ratio=2.64, CI=1.25-5.57), age 31-40 (P= 0.003, odds ratio=0.16, CI=0.06-0.55), COVID wards (P= 0.000, odds ratio=4.99, CI=2.36-10.59), Allergy history (P= 0.000, odds ratio=13.07, CI=6.12-27.95) increase the prevalence of hand dermatitis among nurses.

Hand dermatitis is a serious problem among corona ward nurses. Therefore, timely identification and treatment of this injury can be very helpful. Nurses should receive adequate training and care for hand dermatitis.