Prevalence of Occupational Hand Eczema among Healthcare Workers and its Associated Risk Factors in a Tertiary Hospital in Sarawak During Covid-19 Pandemic

Occupational hand eczema (OHE) is common among healthcare workers (HCWs), especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of OHE among HCWs and to identify its associated risk factors.

We conducted a cross-sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire study was done. It was followed by a clinical assessment of subjects with skin changes on their hands to determine the likely cause and its severity. Descriptive analysis and inferential analysis were performed to determine the prevalence of OHE and its associated risk factors.

A total of 1004 HCWs with a mean age of 34.58 years old were recruited. Of these, 50.1% were nurses, another 24.6% were doctors. A 1-year prevalence of 42.3% and a point prevalence of 16.5% were reported. Dry skin (n = 368, 86.6%) and itching (n = 274, 64.5%) were the common symptoms. Risk factors that were significantly associated with OHE were atopic eczema, allergic rhinitis, frequent hand washing and caring for children under four years old, whereas HCWs who frequently use alcoholic disinfectant and moisturizer hand cream showed lower odds of OHE. No significant association was found between age, gender, profession, involvement in COVID-19 care, number or duration of glove usage and occurrence of hand eczema.

We report a high prevalence of OHE among HCWs during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Education and effective preventive measures are paramount to prevent and improve occupational dermatosis.