title: Validation of a questionnaire on hand hygiene in the construction industry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Construction workers are at risk of developing occupational contact dermatitis. Gloves, when used properly, may protect against chemicals and coarse materials. We investigated the prevalence and determinants of contact dermatitis in a population of Dutch construction workers and aimed at validating questionnaire items on hand hygiene.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted at 13 construction sites, yielding data of 177 subjects (95% response rate). A questionnaire covering questions on hand hygiene and contact dermatitis symptoms was used. Agreement between workplace observations and a number of questionnaire items was assessed by calculating Cohen's kappa. Log-binomial regression analysis was used to assess the association between contact dermatitis and various hand hygiene-related determinants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 1-year prevalence of self-reported contact dermatitis in our study sample was 46.9%. Multiple regression analysis showed a positive association with difficulties with hand cleaning (prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-1.52), hand contamination at the end of the working day (PR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.14-4.65), and intensive hand cream use (PR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.42-3.01). Observations of hand contamination, glove use, and glove types were found to agree well with the self-reported data from the questionnaire (Cohen's kappa's 0.75, 0.97, and 0.88).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-reported contact dermatitis prevalence in construction workers was high and related to hand hygiene. A strong agreement was found between workplace observations and self-reported questionnaire data.
authors: 1.Division Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CM, The Netherlands J.G.Timmerman@uu.nl.
authors: Johan G
authors: JG
authors: Timmerman
authors: 1.Division Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CM, The Netherlands.
authors: Hicham
authors: H
authors: Zilaout
authors: 1.Division Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CM, The Netherlands.
authors: Dick
authors: D
authors: Heederik
authors: 1.Division Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CM, The Netherlands 2.Research and Development, Arbouw, Harderwijk 3847 LG, The Netherlands.
authors: Ton
authors: T
authors: Spee
authors: 1.Division Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CM, The Netherlands.
authors: Lidwien A M
authors: LA
authors: Smit
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D060389:Construction Industry; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017575:Gloves, Protective; D063373:Hand Hygiene; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: construction workers; determinants; glove use; hand eczema; hand hygiene in the construction industry; occupational contact dermatitis; personal protective equipment; prevalence; regression analysis; validation