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Skin disease symptoms and related risk factors among young workers in high‐risk jobs
Author(s) -
Aktas Emine,
Esin M. Nihal
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
contact dermatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0536
pISSN - 0105-1873
DOI - 10.1111/cod.12606
Subject(s) - medicine , hand eczema , young adult , odds ratio , cross sectional study , demography , epidemiology , risk factor , disease , pediatrics , gerontology , allergy , contact dermatitis , immunology , pathology , sociology
Summary Background Occupational skin diseases are the one of the most frequent diseases in many industrialized countries. The studies about skin disease (SD) on young workers were limited. Objectives In this study, we aim to evaluate the prevalence of SD symptoms and related risk factors among young workers in high‐risk occupations. Methods This cross‐sectional study was undertaken between 2011 and 2012 in two vocational training centres. We included 455 young workers who were working as hairdressers, jewellers, or car mechanics. Data were collected with the N ordic O ccupational S kin Q uestionnaire, which was adapted to T urkish for young workers. Results The average age of the young workers was 17.9 ± 1.7 years. Of the 455 young workers, 52.7% were female and 47.3% were male. During the previous 12 months, the prevalences of the total SD symptoms, hand/forearm eczema symptoms and urticaria symptoms were 49.7%, 44.4%, and 13.4%, respectively. Those who worked as car mechanics were 5.8 times more likely [odds ratio ( OR ) 5.81, 95% CI : 2.58–13.10) to have a dry skin type, 2.9 times more likely ( OR 2.86, 95% CI : 1.72–4.75) to work for >12 h daily, 2.6 times more likely ( OR 2.59, 95% CI : 1.25–5.35) to have worked for >5 years, and 3.0 times more likely ( OR 3.05, 95% CI : 1.14–8.14) to have SD symptoms. Conclusion The results indicate that young workers in high‐risk jobs have a high frequency of skin symptoms. These results could provide a basis for occupational health professionals to plan prevention programmes for young workers.