PREVALENCE OF CONTACT DERMATITIS AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS USING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT DURING LONG SHIFTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Zarina  Naz; Muhammad Dawood; Shabeer Haider

Authors

Zarina Naz National University of Medical Sciences Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Author
Muhammad Dawood General Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6360-3391
Shabeer Haider Kohat university of science and technology,Kohat,Kpk, Pakistan. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2089-0533

Keywords:

Contact Dermatitis, Cross-Sectional Studies, Face Masks, Gloves, Healthcare Workers, Occupational Diseases, , Personal Protective Equipment

Abstract

Background: Contact dermatitis is one of the most frequent occupational skin diseases, particularly among healthcare workers due to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The prolonged reliance on gloves, masks, and protective gowns during extended shifts heightens the risk of skin barrier disruption, leading to both irritant and allergic forms of dermatitis. The issue has gained prominence during infectious disease outbreaks but remains underexplored in regional healthcare settings.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and severity of contact dermatitis among healthcare workers frequently using PPE during long clinical shifts.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lahore over four months. A total of 240 healthcare workers were recruited through stratified random sampling, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, and ancillary staff. Data on demographics, occupational exposure, and PPE use were collected using structured questionnaires. Clinical dermatological examination confirmed diagnoses, while severity was assessed using the Hand Eczema Severity Index (HECSI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v26, applying chi-square tests, independent t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation.

Results: The overall prevalence of contact dermatitis was 38.8%. Nurses exhibited the highest prevalence (45.7%), followed by doctors (37.0%), paramedics (34.9%), and ancillary staff (27.3%). Females were more affected (44.1%) than males (32.7%). Gloves were implicated in 74.2% of cases, followed by masks and respirators (51.6%) and gowns (19.4%). The mean HECSI score was 23.5 ± 8.4, with 62.4% of cases classified as mild, 28.0% as moderate, and 9.6% as severe. PPE use duration showed a significant positive correlation with dermatitis severity (r = 0.34, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Contact dermatitis was highly prevalent among healthcare workers, particularly among nurses and female staff. Gloves and masks were the most common sources of dermatitis, and longer PPE use significantly increased severity. Preventive interventions, including skin-friendly PPE, barrier creams, and occupational health policies, are essential to reduce this burden.

Author Biographies

Zarina Naz, National University of Medical Sciences Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

MSN, MHPE Scholar, National University of Medical Sciences Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Muhammad Dawood, General Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.

Medical officer (Accidents & Emergency), General Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.
Shabeer Haider , Kohat university of science and technology,Kohat,Kpk, Pakistan.

Department of Microbiology, Kohat university of science and technology,Kohat,Kpk, Pakistan.

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