title: Hand eczema among Hong Kong nurses: a self-report questionnaire survey conducted in a regional hospital.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hand eczema is common in the nursing profession, and has been reported widely in various parts of the world.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of hand eczema among nurses working in a regional hospital in Hong Kong, as well as its psychosocial impact and any possible associated risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study took the form of a self-report questionnaire survey; 1240 nurses in a regional hospital were asked to participate in the survey by completing the questionnaire and returning it anonymously within 2 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven hundred and twenty-four nurses returned the questionnaire (a response rate of 59%). The prevalence of hand eczema among the respondents was 22.1% (160/724). More than 90% had moderate to severe hand eczema. Itchiness and dryness were the most common symptoms. Occupational work, housework, mood, social activities and sleep were particularly affected. Multinomial logistic regressions showed that a personal or family history of atopy and a hand washing frequency of >20 times per day were independent risk factors for hand eczema.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hand eczema is common and severe among Hong Kong nurses. The results of this study suggest that hand eczema is an important problem for nurses and that preventive measures should be emphasized.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Dermatology Research Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong. tommynmluk@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nai-Ming T
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Luk
authors.forename: Hau-Chi S
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chi-Kong D
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Luk
authors.forename: Yuk-Yin A
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: Mang-Chi
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Vai-Kiong D
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: Shun-Chin
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Leung-Sang N
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004485:Eczema / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index