Skin problems related to personal protective equipment and personal hygiene measures during COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers in aseer Region, saudi Arabia

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Ebtehaj Sultan Alshareif

Armed Forces Hospital in Southern Region, Saudi Arabia

: J Comput Eng Inf Technol

Abstract

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Background: Reports revealed rising levels of skin diseases secondary to protective equipment use. Healthcare providers who are working day and night during the pandemic of COVID-19 are more susceptible to the damage of the skin. There is scarce published data about the incidence of skin disorders secondary to protective equipment use during the COVID-19 pandemic and what factors are associated in Saudi Arabia. Aim: Assessing the potential skin damage as a result of personal protection equipment (PPE) and intensive hygiene measures for healthcare providers during COVID-19 pandemic in Aseer region. Methods: This study a cross-sectional questionnairebased study done in Aseer region from January to October 2021. Personal data and related to history of skin disease, practices toward personal protective equipment, and new skin damage was collected and analyzed. Independent ttest and chi-square test was used to determine factors associated with the incidence of new skin damage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Total of 214 participants was included in the study. (47.7%) of the participants reported experiencing new skin damage during the COVID-19 pandemic, while 112 (52.3%) of the participants did not. Age, having a history of chronic skin disease, and number of worn gloves layers were all significantly associated with the incidence of skin damage during COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: The considerable rate of new skin damage during the COVID-19 pandemic makes it essential to take action and start rising awareness toward this topic among health-care workers as well as teaching them how to prevent the incidence of new skin damage. Recent Publications: 1. Bhoyrul B, Lecamwasam K, Wilkinson M, Latheef F, Stocks SJ, Agius R, Carder M. A review of non-glove personal protective equipment-related occupational dermatoses reported to EPIDERM between 1993 and 2013. Contact Derm 2019; 80(4):217-21. doi: 10.1111/cod.13177. 2. Clark M, Black J, Alves P, Brindle C, Call E, Dealey C, Santamaria N. Systematic review of the use of prophylactic dressings in the prevention of pressure ulcers. Int Wound J 2014; 11(5):460-471. doi: 10.1111/iwj.12212. 3. Coelho M, Cavalcante V, Moraes J, Menezes L, Figueirêdo S, Branco M, Alexandre S. Pressure injury related to the use of personal protective equipment in COVID-19 pandemic. Rev Bras Enferm 2020; 73(suppl 2). doi: 10.1590/0034- 7167-2020- 0670.

Biography

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Ebtehaj Alshareif is a respected professional affiliated with King Khalid University in Saudi Arabia. With her affiliation to the university, she has established herself as a dedicated and accomplished individual in her field. Dr. Alshareif's expertise and contributions demonstrate her commitment to excellence in education and research at King Khalid University.