Hand Dermatitis among Staff in Loghman Hospital in Tehran

An investigation of the prevalence of occupational hand dermatitis in Loghman Hakim, a large teaching hospital in Tehran, was conducted. Information concerning the presence of occupational hand dermatitis, frequency of hand-washing and glove consumption, duration of contact with glove and wet environment, past history of hand eczema, personal and family history of atopy, kind of ward, kind of used detergent, underling systemic disease, history of systemic drug consumption, duration of employment, cigarette consumption, and demographic factors (including age, gender, hobbies, and occupation) was collected via a questionnaire and physical examination by dermatologist. To determine the type of occupational hand dermatitis, allergic or irritant, patch test was performed. The prevalence of occupational hand dermatitis was found to be 44% in total population. No relationship was found between occupational hand dermatitis and age, hobbies, frequency of hand-washing and glove consumption, duration of contact with glove and wet environment, cigarette consumption, duration of employment, type of ward, kind of used detergent, underling systemic disease, history of systemic drug consumption, and duration of employment. There were statistically significant differences between two groups of stuff (with and without occupational hand dermatitis) in their gender, past history of hand eczema, and personal and family history of atopy. Out of 43 stuff underwent patch test, 50% had allergic occupational hand dermatitis. The most common positive allergen was nickel. The high prevalence rate of occupational hand dermatitis among intra-hospital staff causes great concern about the health risks of these workers when they would expose to blood-borne diseases.