Adverse Skin Reactions to Personal Protective Equipment Among Healthcare Workers in Oman During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

Abstract

BackgroundDuring the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) were required to use personal protective equipment (PPE) for unusually prolonged periods of time in order to protect themselves. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of adverse skin reactions to PPE among HCWs from occupational and domestic exposure in Oman. MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study that used a self-administered questionnaire, modified based on the Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire, and was conducted in different categories of healthcare facilities in Oman from September to December 2020. This study involved 431 different categories of HCWs. Stata statistical software, version 12 (StataCorp, College Station, TX), was used to analyze the data, with a P value <0.05 indicating statistical significance. ResultsFindings indicated that 58.24% of HCWs reported new skin symptoms since the pandemic started, compared to 33.41% of HCWs who had skin symptoms before the pandemic (P<0.001). From the multivariate analysis, being female (odds ratio, or OR, 3.512; 95% confidence interval, or CI: 2.193-5.625), allergic rhinitis diagnosis (OR 2.420; 95% CI: 1.097-5.347), history of skin symptoms (OR 3.166; 95% CI: 1.856-5.400), and total glove use time (OR 1.160; 95% CI: 1.078-1.247) were associated with an increased risk of acquiring new skin symptoms. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that there is some association between the prolonged use of PPE during an event such as a pandemic and a previous history of allergic rhinitis and skin symptoms. This study also emphasizes the importance of appropriate protective skin care before and after the use of PPE.

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“…23 Moreover, several studies reported high or increased prevalence of adverse skin reactions from the prolonged use of PPE. [25][26][27] Wearing PPE, such as full-body protective clothing and face shields, can also affect workers' body movements, comfort, and visibility. [28][29][30] The increased physical and psychological job demands may increase the risk of injury for workers.…”

“…A recent meta‐analysis study reviewed 83 studies on mental health in healthcare workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic and reported a pooled prevalence of 41.4% for anxiety, 37.1% for depression, 44.9% for stress, and 43.8% for insomnia 23 . Moreover, several studies reported high or increased prevalence of adverse skin reactions from the prolonged use of PPE 25–27 . Wearing PPE, such as full‐body protective clothing and face shields, can also affect workers' body movements, comfort, and visibility 28–30 …”