Notification of hand eczema as an occupational disease among Danish hairdressers: a national survey on patients' perception

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningfagfællebedømt

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.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftOccupational and Environmental Medicine
Vol/bind81
Udgave nummer3
Sider (fra-til)122-128
ISSN1351-0711
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2024

Bibliografisk note

Funding Information:
Unrestricted research grant from The Danish Hairdressers’ and Beauticians’ Union.

Publisher Copyright:
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

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