PREVALENCE AND RELATED FACTORS OF CONTACT DERMATITIS AMONG LATEX HARVESTING AND PROCESSING WORKERS AT A FARM IN HON QUAN DISTRICT, BINH PHUOC PROVINCE

Abstract

Background: Contact dermatitis is classified as one of the three most common occupational diseases. In recent years, the incidence of this disease has increased among workers in the rubber mining industry. Although studies on assessing the status of contact dermatitis in workers have been carried out, they were still limited and no studies have been conducted in Binh Phuoc province.

Objectives: To determine the incidence and related factors of contact dermatitis among latex harvesting and processing workers at a farm in Hon Quan district, Binh Phuoc province.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 385 latex harvesting and processing workers from February 2021 to April 2021. Workers responded to an interview questionnaire based on the abridged Nordic occupational skin disease questionnaire. Contact dermatitis is assessed by the results on the skin examination sheet of workers during the general health examination on the farm in 2021.

Results: The prevalence of workers suffering from VDTX was 9.1%. Results from the multivariable model showed that workers with a family history of allergic dermatitis, occupational age group (from 11 years or more) and hand washing with soapy hand sanitizer had a higher rate of contact dermatitis.

Conclusions: Intervention and support for workers to reduce the rate of contact dermatitis is necessary, paying attention to the group of workers with long-term experience and personal hygiene issues.

Keywords: dermatitis, contact, occupational diseases, workers, rubber