Susan H Lysdal1, Heidi Søsted, Jeanne D Johansen. 1. Department of Dermato-Allergology, Research Centre for Hairdressers and Beauticians, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, DK-2900 Hellerup, Denmark. sushov04@geh.regionh.dk
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Occupational hand eczema is common in hairdressers, owing to wet work and chemicals. OBJECTIVES: To estimate whether hairdressers in Denmark have their hand eczema reported as an occupational disease and to clarify the reasons for not reporting. METHODS: A register-based study was performed, comprising trained hairdressers (n = 7840), using a self-administered postal questionnaire including questions on hand eczema and it being reported as an occupational disease. A response rate of 67.9% (n = 5324) was obtained. RESULTS: Overall, 2186 respondents ever had hand eczema; 71.3% were apprentices at the time of hand eczema onset. The majority (61.9%) had had hand eczema several times and 21.3% (almost) all of the time, but only 20.7% had reported their hand eczema as being occupational to the National Board of Industrial Injuries (Denmark). A positive association between severity of hand eczema and filing a report was found (odds ratio 19.2; 95% confidence interval 8.18-45.06). The main reasons for not reporting were 'I thought it would eventually get better' (40.4%) and 'My doctor didn't tell me it was possible to report it' (26.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Hand eczema is considerably under-reported as an occupational disease; the perception of hand eczema among hairdressers and the lack of reporting from doctors are the main reasons for this.
BACKGROUND:Occupational hand eczema is common in hairdressers, owing to wet work and chemicals. OBJECTIVES: To estimate whether hairdressers in Denmark have their hand eczema reported as an occupational disease and to clarify the reasons for not reporting. METHODS: A register-based study was performed, comprising trained hairdressers (n = 7840), using a self-administered postal questionnaire including questions on hand eczema and it being reported as an occupational disease. A response rate of 67.9% (n = 5324) was obtained. RESULTS: Overall, 2186 respondents ever had hand eczema; 71.3% were apprentices at the time of hand eczema onset. The majority (61.9%) had had hand eczema several times and 21.3% (almost) all of the time, but only 20.7% had reported their hand eczema as being occupational to the National Board of Industrial Injuries (Denmark). A positive association between severity of hand eczema and filing a report was found (odds ratio 19.2; 95% confidence interval 8.18-45.06). The main reasons for not reporting were 'I thought it would eventually get better' (40.4%) and 'My doctor didn't tell me it was possible to report it' (26.6%). CONCLUSIONS:Hand eczema is considerably under-reported as an occupational disease; the perception of hand eczema among hairdressers and the lack of reporting from doctors are the main reasons for this.
Authors: Thomas L Diepgen; Gitte Jacobsen; Kurt Rasmussen; Anne Bregnhøj; Marléne Isaksson; Ole Carstensen Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2021-10-19 Impact factor: 3.015