Prevalence of latex allergy among healthcare workers in Izmir (Turkey)

KÖSE Ş., Mandıracıoğlu A., Tatar B., GÜL SEVER S., Erdem M.

Central European Journal of Public Health, cilt.22, sa.4, ss.262-265, 2014 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 22 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2014
  • Doi Numarası: 10.21101/cejph.a3912
  • Dergi Adı: Central European Journal of Public Health
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.262-265
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Allergy, Healthcare workers, Latex
  • Uşak Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The purpose of this study was to determine prevalence of natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy among healthcare employees and identify sensitive individuals. A total of 1,115 healthcare workers (HCWs) employed in Izmir Tepecik Education and Research Hospital participated in the study. Information on age, gender, occupation, history of allergy, and complaints were collected through a questionnaire. Serum latex-specific IgE level was determined. Among HCWs enrolled in the study, prevalence of latex sensitization was determined as 4.2%. More frequent occurrence of latex allergy was detected among nurses. Family history of allergy and history of personal food allergy were significantly more often noted among individuals with latex allergy. Latex is considered to be the leading source of occupational health problems.