Characteristics of Latex Glove Usage and Glove-Related Symptoms among Health Care Workers in Each Work Sector of a University Hospital

Waranya Boonchai MD*, Wararat Sirikudta MD*, Pranee Kasemsarn MD*

Affiliation : * Contact Dermatitis Clinic, Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

Background : Healthcare workers (HCWs) are one of the high-risk careers for occupational contact dermatitis (OCD).
Objective : To compare glove usage characteristics and glove-related symptoms of HCWs in each work sector in a tertiary- care University hospital. Material and Method: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 6,880 HCWs working in all departments of a University hospital.
Results : The questionnaire response rate was 65.8% and 82.4% of respondents wore gloves at work. HCWs from non-clinical departments used gloves significantly less often than HCWs from clinical departments. The duration of glove usage was significantly longer for HCWs from non-clinical departments. The glove usage per day was notably higher in HCWs from clinical departments. HCWs working in the clinical pathology department had the highest prevalence of glove-related symptoms.
Conclusion : The characteristics of work and pattern of glove usage of HCWs in each work sector affect both glove-related cutaneous and non-cutaneous symptoms. The present study of occupational glove-related symptoms among HCWs found a higher incidence in the clinical pathology department that appeared to be related to glove usage patterns.

Keywords : latex glove use, glove-related symptoms, health care workers

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