Hand Skin Problems: Prevalence and Risk Factors Among Nurses Working at Surgical Departments in Ministry of Health Hospitals

Abstract

Background: Hand skin problems are widespread problems among health care members especially nurses.Aims: to determine the prevalence and risk factors of hand skin problems among nurses who are working at surgical departments in Ministry of Health Hospitals. Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: This study was carried out at three ministry health hospitals in Assiut government: Al-Eman, Al-Shamlaa and Ophthalmology Hospitals. Sample: A purposive sample of 200 nurses working in surgical and operating room departments at Assiut ministry of health hospitals. Tool: A structured self-administrator’s questionnaire, included demographic characteristic of nurses, history about hand skin problems and risk factors for hand skin problems. Results: More than one third of nurses working from 40-45 hours weekly. More than one quarter of nurses were having hand skin problems and 11.5 % were complaining from hand skin problems less than one year ago. Majority of nurses had a satisfactory level of knowledge about risk factors of hand skin problems. Repeated hand washing is most common risk factors of hand skin problem. Conclusion and Recommendations: About aquarter of nurses have hand skin problems and some of them complained from hand skin problems less than one year ago. Efforts to improve skin condition must focus on improving products and identifying any interactive effects between hand care products and glove materials and brands.