Investigating hand dermatitis among nurses in Iran during the outbreak of COVID-19: Comparison of COVID and non-COVID wards

Nafiseh  Imani Khanegah; Nastaran Ayadi; Mehdi Heidarzadeh; Mehdi  Ajri-Khameslou; Mahnaz Davari

doi:10.18502/npt.v8i4.6701

Nafiseh Imani Khanegah Students Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
Nastaran Ayadi Students Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
Mehdi Heidarzadeh Department Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences Ardabil, Iran
Mehdi Ajri-Khameslou Department of Intensive Care Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
Mahnaz Davari Department of Emergency Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences Ardabil, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/npt.v8i4.6701

Keywords: hand dermatitis; contact dermatitis; nurses; COVID-19; outbreak

Abstract

Background & Aim: Hand dermatitis is one of the occupational skin diseases among nurses. Due to the prevalence of COVID-19, nurses' exposure to disinfectant solutions has increased, which can increase the incidence of dermatitis among them. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of hand dermatitis among nurses in COVID and non-COVID wards and its related factors during the outbreak of COVID-19 in Iran.

Methods & Materials: This descriptive-correlational study was performed by available sampling on 287 nurses. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire on hand dermatitis. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 22.

Results: The prevalence of hand dermatitis among COVID wards nurses was 65.7% and among non-COVID wards nurses was 36.2%. However, the logistic regression showed that Female gender (P= 0.001, odds ratio=3.19, CI=1.57-6.46), marital status (single) (P= 0.011, odds ratio=2.64, CI=1.25-5.57), age 31-40 (P=0.003, odds ratio=0.16, CI=0.06-0.55), COVID wards (P= 0.000, odds ratio=4.99, CI=2.36-10.59), Allergy history (P= 0.000, odds ratio=13.07, CI=6.12-27.95) increase the prevalence of hand dermatitis among nurses.

Conclusion: Hand dermatitis is a serious problem among corona ward nurses. Therefore, timely identification and treatment of this injury can be very helpful. Nurses should receive adequate training and care for hand dermatitis.