Contact Dermatitis among Healthcare Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Two Regional Referral Hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Authors

Keywords:

Contact Dermatitis, Healthcare Workers, Occupational Skin Diseases

Abstract

Background: Contact dermatitis is a common occupational skin disease among healthcare workers (HCWs), often linked to wet work, disinfectants, and glove use. It negatively affects work productivity and quality of life, yet data from Tanzania remain scarce.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2024 at two regional referral hospitals in Dar es Salaam. Stratified random sampling was used across professional cadres. Data were collected using a Standardised Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire. Contact dermatitis was defined as two or more skin symptoms within the past 12 months. Modified Poisson regression was applied to identify associated factors, adjusting for age, sex, and education.

Results: A total of 369 HCWs participated, of whom 200 (54.2%) were women. Most were aged 31–40 years (41.5%). The prevalence of contact dermatitis was 30.0%. The most commonly reported symptoms were dry skin (31.7%), itching (27.9%), and redness (16.3%). Hands were the most frequently affected (86.3%). Independent predictors included female sex (adjusted prevalence ratio–APR=1.11; 95% CI: 1.03–1.19), personal history of hay fever (APR =1.08; 95% CI:1.00–1.16), allergy (APR=1.14;95% CI:1.05–1.24), working in the medical department (APR=1.11; 95% CI:1.01–1.22), working >8 hours/day (APR=1.17; 95% CI:1.09–1.25), and using >10 pairs of gloves/day (APR=1.20; 95% CI:1.06–1.35).

Conclusion: Contact dermatitis is common among HCWs and is associated with both personal and work-related factors. Preventive measures should include optimizing glove use, promoting skin-friendly hand hygiene practices, regulating workloads, and strengthening occupational health services.

Author Biographies

Hussein H. Mwanga, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Theresia B. Kipasika, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Campus College of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Luco P. Mwelange, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Khadija A. Shebe, Mwananyamala Regional Referral Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Dermatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Mwananyamala Regional Referral Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Zuhura I. Kimera, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Ezra J. Mrema, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

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Published

29-01-2026

How to Cite

Mwanga, H. ., Kipasika, T., Mwelange, L., Shebe, K., Kimera, Z., & Mrema, E. (2026). Contact Dermatitis among Healthcare Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Two Regional Referral Hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. East African Journal of Public Health, 17(1), 1–16. Retrieved from https://journal.muhas.ac.tz/index.php/ejph/article/view/85

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Original Research

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