This study was conducted to 1) evaluate the personal selection and use of
protective gloves against bloodborne pathogens and management of glove selection in the workplace, 2) survey the experience with
occupational dermatitis and other allergic symptoms, 3) explore the relationships between
occupational dermatitis experience and glove use, and 4) determine the impact of glove selection upon
occupational dermatitis among midwives. Subjects were 1,150 midwives working in Japan. Participants were selected from the members of Japanese Nursing Association and 835 responded to the survey. More than 30% of respondents wore gloves only when clients had an
infectious disease, 41% reported experience of
occupational dermatitis, 26% associated the
dermatitis with medical glove use, and 2% had a diagnosis of
latex allergy. Demographic variables that were significantly associated with
occupational dermatitis included history of allergic symptoms other than due to occupational exposure, age, tenure and type of working institution. Using
latex gloves during administering
enema, shaving, changing pads, washing perineum, receiving newborns, suctioning, and handling waste significantly increased the risk of
occupational dermatitis experience compared to not using gloves. Logistic regression analysis with backward stepwise elimination revealed glove selection management, such as availability of alternative glove types, using
latex gloves for washing perineum, and using
latex gloves for handling waste were significant predictors of
occupational dermatitis.
Occupational dermatitis is a significant issue and glove use as
personal protective equipment is not standardized. Some
occupational dermatitis may be preventable by managing appropriate glove selection.