Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS)

PREVALENCE AND MICROBIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF CONTACT DERMATITIS AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS USING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Authors

  • Syed Shahab Haider

    Author

Keywords:
Contact Dermatitis, Cross-Sectional Studies, Face Masks, Gloves, Healthcare Workers, Occupational Diseases, Personal Protective Equipment
Abstract

Background: Contact dermatitis is a frequent occupational skin disease among healthcare workers using personal protective equipment (PPE). Prolonged use during long shifts disrupts the skin barrier, causing dermatitis and increasing the risk of secondary microbial infections, an aspect poorly documented in regional settings.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and severity of contact dermatitis among healthcare workers using PPE during long shifts and to identify the associated microbial flora on affected skin.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over four months with 240 healthcare workers. Data were collected via questionnaires and clinical examination. Skin swabs from lesions were cultured for bacteria and fungi, with isolates identified using standard methods and antibiotic susceptibility testing.

Results: The prevalence of contact dermatitis was 38.8%, being highest among nurses (45.7%) and female staff (44.1%). Gloves (74.2%) and masks (51.6%) were the most common causes. Longer PPE use correlated with greater severity (r=0.34, p<0.001). Microbiological analysis identified Staphylococcus aureus in 48.4% of lesions, with 33.3% of these being Methicillin-resistant (MRSA). Candida species were isolated in 12.9% of cases.

Conclusion: Contact dermatitis is highly prevalent and is compounded by frequent colonization with resistant pathogens like MRSA. This underscores the need for a dual-focused intervention: preventive skin care and targeted management of microbial complications to safeguard healthcare workers and patients.

Author Biography
  1. Syed Shahab Haider

    Department of Microbiology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Pakistan.

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Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences
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Published
2025-07-31
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Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS)
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Articles
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Copyright (c) 2025 Syed Shahab Haider (Author)

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PREVALENCE AND MICROBIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF CONTACT DERMATITIS AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS USING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. (2025). Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences, 2(2), 1-13. https://axisjmbs.com/index.php/home/article/view/18