Intervention implementation research: an exploratory study of reduction strategies for occupational contact dermatitis in the printing industry.
BACKGROUND
Occupational dermatitis is a problem in the printing industry but can be avoided through adequate protective measures. Research into intervention implementation is fundamental to the success of a formal intervention effectiveness trial.


OBJECTIVE
The preliminary testing of four risk reduction strategies for occupationally caused dermatitis, which represent a range of approaches and cost implications.


METHODS
The strategies, the provision of (i) skin checks plus treatment advice; provision of (ii) gloves of the correct type/size plus use of an after-work cream; provision of (iii) information highlighting the problem of occupational dermatitis and (iv) development of a best practice skin care policy, were evaluated over 3 months in two non-randomly selected companies. A post-intervention evaluation into the effectiveness and efficacy of the intervention was also carried out.


CONCLUSIONS
All interventions were found to be acceptable to some extent. No single intervention appeared to be completely effective. The most practical intervention appeared to be the regular use of gloves of the correct type and size. This preliminary intervention study has demonstrated an improvement in the skin condition of workers examined and points towards the need for further testing of risk reduction strategies for the prevention of dermatitis in the printing industry on a much larger scale.
Brown
Terry P
TP
MRC Institute for Environment and Health, 94 Regent Road, Leicester LE1 7DD, UK. terry.brown@hsl.gov.uk
Rushton
Lesley
L
Williams
Hywel C
HC
English
John S C
JS
D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017575:Gloves, Protective; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011327:Printing; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D017592:Skin Care / Q000592:standards*
D003879:Dermatologic Agents