Prevalence of skin and back diseases in geriatric care nurses.
OBJECTIVE
The prevalence of hand eczema, low back disorders (LBD) and neck/shoulder disorders (NSD) in geriatric nurses and the association of work-related factors with hand eczema, LBD and NSD in geriatric nurses were examined.


METHODS
The cross-sectional study comprises 1,390 nurses and nursing aides. Nurses underwent clinical examinations of their hands and their back and answered a questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for putative risk factors were calculated by logistic regression.


RESULTS
The point prevalence of hand eczema was 18.0%. Disposing factors, like atopic eczema in childhood and dry or itching body skin, were statistically significant risk factors for irritant skin changes. Hand cleaning and hand care were not predictive for hand eczema. LBD was observed in 47.9% and NSD in 16.6% of the nurses. Increasing age and years in the nursing profession, prior treatment of back disorder and psychological stress were significant risk factors for LBD and NSD.


CONCLUSIONS
Hand eczema and LBD or NSD are often found in geriatric nurses. Therefore, workplace-related health promotion should be improved for geriatric nurses.
Dulon
Madeleine
M
Institution of Statutory Accident Insurance of the Health and Welfare Service, Hamburg, Germany. madeleine.dulon@bgw-online.de
Kromark
Kathrin
K
Skudlik
Christoph
C
Nienhaus
Albert
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006699:Home Care Services; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D000078329:Workforce