The Prevalence of Occupational Dermatosis among Workers in Khartoum State’s Tanneries

摘要

Introduction: Occupational skin disease is any skin disorder which is caused by a person’s work. An existing skin disorder becoming worse by work activities is also considered as occupational skin diseases. Objective: To identify the pattern of occupational dermatosis and other skin diseases in Khartoum State’s tanneries in the period from May to June 2002. Patients & methodology: The survey was performed at Khartoum tannery and White Nile tannery; both located in the central part of Khartoum State. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. Conclusions: The prevalence of skin diseases collective prevalence 67.4% in Khartoum tannery and White Nile tannery (p>0.05). The prevalence of skin diseases was more in two departments, tanning department and engineering & maintenance department. Skin diseases’ prevailed in the following order: contact dermatitis, urticaria, hand eczema, fungal infection and atopic eczema. This result is consistent with the studies from other counties. These skin diseases were easy to treat, ameliorate and prevent by applying simple measures.