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FS13.3
Development of risk reduction strategies for preventing dermatitis
Author(s) -
Brown Terry,
Rushton L,
Williams W,
English J
Publication year - 2004
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/j.0105-1873.2004.0309dv.x
Subject(s) - intervention (counseling) , medicine , psychological intervention , workforce , best practice , family medicine , environmental health , nursing , management , economics , economic growth
A recent survey of the UK printing industry found a prevalence of 11% of occupational contact dermatitis (OCD), much higher than previously identified. Objective: This pilot study aimed to evaluate risk reduction strategies derived from recommendations of a literature review of preventive intervention studies and a series of focus groups of printers and observations of printers undertaking their normal duties. Methods: Four interventions were evaluated: (1) Provision of gloves of the correct size/type, plus use of an after‐work skin cream; (2) Provision of information; (3) Provision of skin checks; (4) Development of best practice skin care policy. Each intervention was evaluated in two companies over a three‐month period, at the end of which printers and managers were interviewed as to the effectiveness and acceptability of each intervention. Results: Although this pilot study was short, all interventions were acceptable to some extent. The prevalence of frank dermatitis fell over the study period, particularly in intervention (3). Intervention (1) achieved an improvement of awareness in both management and workforce and an increase in the use of both gloves and cream. Intervention (2) highlighted problems of dissemination and the need for relevant information in an appropriate format. However. no single intervention was completely effective. Conclusions: This qualitative research approach forms an essential first stage to improving understanding of ways in which OCD may be reduced among workers in the printing industry, and points towards the need for further testing of preventive strategies in larger‐scale intervention trials, in printing and other industries.