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Prevalence of Adverse Skin Reactions in Nursing Staff Due to Personal Protective Equipment during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Claudia Westermann

    (Department of Occupational Medicine, Hazardous Substances and Public Health, Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Healthcare and Welfare Services, 22089 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Nika Zielinski

    (Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Christiane Altenburg

    (Department of Occupational Medicine, Hazardous Substances and Public Health, Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Healthcare and Welfare Services, 22089 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Madeleine Dulon

    (Department of Occupational Medicine, Hazardous Substances and Public Health, Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Healthcare and Welfare Services, 22089 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Olaf Kleinmüller

    (Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Jan Felix Kersten

    (Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Albert Nienhaus

    (Department of Occupational Medicine, Hazardous Substances and Public Health, Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Healthcare and Welfare Services, 22089 Hamburg, Germany
    Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany)

Abstract

In order to prevent the nosocomial transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it has become necessary for health workers to increase their use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and influencing factors for adverse skin reactions (ASR) due to occupational PPE use among nursing staff in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study uses a mixed methods design. A focus group was created with experts from the field of healthcare, and an online survey was then carried out among nursing staff. Influencing factors were identified using multivariate logistic regression via odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of 2274 nursing staff took part in the survey, with 1967 included in the analysis. The prevalence of ASR was 61%, with 94% affecting at least one area of the face. Statistically significant factors of influence were Filtering Face Peace (FFP) mask wearing duration of ≥4 h, a history of contact allergies, and being female and young. A pre-existing skin disease had a protective effect. The prevalence of PPE-related ASR underlines the necessity for targeted preventive measures for nursing staff during pandemic situation.

Suggested Citation

  • Claudia Westermann & Nika Zielinski & Christiane Altenburg & Madeleine Dulon & Olaf Kleinmüller & Jan Felix Kersten & Albert Nienhaus, 2022. "Prevalence of Adverse Skin Reactions in Nursing Staff Due to Personal Protective Equipment during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12530-:d:931063
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alessandro Messeri & Michela Bonafede & Emma Pietrafesa & Iole Pinto & Francesca de’Donato & Alfonso Crisci & Jason Kai Wei Lee & Alessandro Marinaccio & Miriam Levi & Marco Morabito & on behalf of th, 2021. "A Web Survey to Evaluate the Thermal Stress Associated with Personal Protective Equipment among Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-21, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yingying Zhao & Meng Su & Xin Meng & Jiying Liu & Faming Wang, 2022. "Thermophysiological and Perceptual Responses of Amateur Healthcare Workers: Impacts of Ambient Condition, Inner-Garment Insulation and Personal Cooling Strategy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-20, December.

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