The impact of measures for secondary individual prevention of work-related skin diseases in health care workers: 1-year follow-up study.
BACKGROUND
Specific instruction courses as a tool for secondary prevention of occupational skin disease (secondary individual prevention, SIP courses) affecting individuals have been introduced in Germany. Little is yet known about the outcome of occupational disease and related behavioural patterns following these courses.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the outcome of occupational skin disease in health care workers (HCW) 1 year after attendance of a SIP course.


METHODS
Two hundred and fifty-three HCW participated in SIP courses and were contacted by telephone 1 year after attendance. Patients were interviewed about skin lesions, medical treatment, sick leave, change of occupation, skin protection, skin care and skin cleansing, and the impact of skin disease.


RESULTS
The follow-up rate was 81%. The proportion of participants reporting skin lesions decreased significantly (68% at follow-up compared with 77% at baseline; P = 0.02). Seventy-two per cent reported that their skin lesions had improved. Nine per cent reported having left their occupation due to their skin disease. Skin care and skin protection had improved, while the frequency of reported hand washing was reduced. Twenty-seven per cent said their quality of life was impaired due to the skin disease, compared with 54% at baseline (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Outcome parameters, including behavioural parameters, indicate a positive impact of courses for SIP on skin health of HCW 1 year after attendance.
Apfelbacher
Christian J
CJ
Department of Clinical Social Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany.
Soder
Stefanie
S
Diepgen
Thomas L
TL
Weisshaar
Elke
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000506:poisoning; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006266:Health Education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017592:Skin Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004785:Environmental Pollutants