Dermatological Complaints of Contact Dermatitis During the COVID-19 Pandemic (2019-2021) Among Healthcare Workers of an Isfahan University-Affiliated Hospital, Iran

Abstract

Background and aims: Using anti-septic and personal protective equipment (PPE) may cause contact dermatitis (CD) in hospital staff. During COVID-19, the team used PPE and hand washing more frequently. This study investigated the prevalence of CD and its related factors among hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Overall, 360 participants were selected by proportion sampling from an Isfahan University-affiliated hospital (Alzahra hospital) between 2019 and 2021. A checklist about demographic and workplace variables, skin signs, and symptoms was distributed to samples. We assessed associations between the frequencies of the worksite and cleaning product exposures and a symptom-based definition of CD among current hospital workers. Results: The prevalence of hand dermatitis in participants and their mean age were 84% and 35.7±8.6 years, respectively. In addition, the most reported symptoms were itching (147, 40%) and redness of the hand (141, 39%). Using gloves, especially latex and vinyl gloves, had a significant association with the incidence of CD (P<0.03). The frequency and time of hand washing had no significant relationship with dermatitis (P>0.05). Conclusion: Setting up preventive actions and managing this condition are better to be influential among the policies of hospital managers given the high prevalence of CD among hospital workers.