title: Occupational skin diseases and prevention among sanitation workers in China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little research has been focused on the health status or the occupational protection awareness of sanitation workers. The policy recommendations on the occupational safety and health of sanitation workers based on the scientific research are also insufficient in developing countries like China.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the incidence of dermatoses and the relevance with occupational exposure, protection awareness and protective measures among sanitation workers for better management and protection of the sanitation workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  273 sanitation workers and 113 administrative staff from 11 streets of Wuhan were recruited. Dermatological problems were evaluated and recorded by physical examination. Occupational exposure, protection awareness, the use of protective equipments and personal history of skin disease were assessed by questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with administrative staff, sanitation workers had much more occupational dermatological problems and had a much higher rate of harmful ultraviolet ray exposure. Young sanitation workers were more aware of occupational self-protection and a relatively higher rate of them using protective equipments compared with old ones.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exposure to multiple health hazards and the poor use of protective equipments are related to skin diseases in sanitation workers. Prejob training of self-protection and the use of protective equipments are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University.
authors.forename: Yuehua
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Zibo Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases.
authors.forename: Xinggang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University.
authors.forename: Jianbo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D012499:Sanitation; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: occupational skin disease; protection awareness; protective measures; sanitation worker