Prevalence and risk factors for latex glove allergy in clinical nurses / 中国实用护理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To determine the prevalence and risk factors for latex glove allergy in clini-cal nurses. Methods A serf-administered questionnaire was used to collect the information about latex glove-related allergy among clinical nursing staff in 4 general hospitals in Zhanjiang, and the risk factors were calculated with logistic regression analysis. Results Latex glove-related symptoms were reported in 16.9% of 1469 nurses. Age, employment seniority, and positive rate of personal and family history of ana-phylaetie diseases in sensitized nurses were superior to those in unsensitized ones. The positive personal and family history of hypersensitivity diseases, allergy to drugs or other materials, and working time in a room were high risk factors for the development of latex glove allergy, but the average number of gloves used in a working day was the protective factor. Conclusions Clinical nurses belong to high risk latex sensitization population, and the main risk factor is the atopie subjects.