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Copyright of Romanian Archives of Microbiology & Immunology is the property of Institutul Cantacuzino and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of self-reported work-related and occupational hand eczema, as well as associated risk factors in hospitals and out-patient clinics in Romania. A standardized questionnaire was addressed to health professionals from different medical fields. Out of 245 healthcare providers who completed the survey, 235 were women (95.9%), and 243 were working more than 8 hours/day in hospitals (99.18%). Hand eczema was self-reported and documented in almost one third of the nurses (33.49%), the most frequently involved trigger factor being powdered latex gloves. A total of 207 (84.48%) individuals denied any present or past allergic diseases. Only one nurse declared that severe hand eczema was the cause of losing her job at the hospital. Exposure assessment is essential for the diagnosis of work-related or occupational skin diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]