1. Notification of hand eczema as an occupational disease among Danish hairdressers: a national survey on patients' perception.
- Author
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Kursawe Larsen C, Havmose MS, and Johansen JD
- Subjects
- Humans, Cross-Sectional Studies, Denmark epidemiology, Perception, Eczema epidemiology, Dermatitis, Occupational epidemiology, Dermatitis, Occupational etiology, Hand Dermatoses epidemiology, Hand Dermatoses etiology, Occupational Exposure adverse effects
- Abstract
Objectives: Self-reported hand eczema was previously found under-reported as an occupational disease to the authorities among Danish hairdressers graduating from 1985 to 2007. This study investigates whether self-reported hand eczema among Danish hairdressers graduating from 2008 to 2018 is under-reported as an occupational disease to the authorities., Methods: A cross-sectional study on all Danish hairdressers graduating from 2008 to 2018 was conducted. The participants were identified using information from the Danish Hairdressers' and Beauticians' Union. In May 2020, a self-administered survey on hand eczema was sent to all hairdressers., Results: A response rate of 30.7% (1485/4830) was obtained. The lifetime prevalence of self-reported hand eczema was 40.1%, and 84.1% of hairdressers with hand eczema believed it to be occupational of whom 27.0% answered it was reported as an occupational disease to the authorities. Of hairdressers believing their hand eczema was occupational, consulting a doctor and answering it was reported as an occupational disease, 94.4% had consulted a dermatologist. The main reason for not reporting was 'I would probably not gain anything from it anyway' (40.0%)., Conclusions: Based on hairdressers' perception, occupational hand eczema still seems to be an under-reported disease which may lead to underestimation of the problem and impair prevention, diagnosis and treatment., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)
- Published
- 2024
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