Skin disease prevention courses for secondary prevention in metal workers [Hautschutzseminare zur sekundären individualprävention bei beschäftigten in der maschinenbau- und metallbranche]

Abstract

Background: Metal-worker have an increased risk of occupational dermatoses. Therefore a job-specific secondary prevention programme was created to enable metal-workers to stay on their job despite their skin problems. Major aims of the programme are to improve individual skin protection, specific knowledge about the disease and to decrease the severity of hand eczema. Patients and methods: The one-day courses have up to 10 participants. Teaching units mainly focus on skin structure and function, individual risk factors, general aspects of occupational skin diseases and general information concerning skin protection. Additionally, every participant undergoes an individual counselling about protective gloves, barrier creams, skin cleansing products (detergents) andmoisturizing creams.Results: So far, since June 2007, 90 participants attended the prevention courses. Most of them have been male (96.7%) with a mean age of 44.0 years. Follow-up after one year shows positive tendencies of all parameters that were assessed. 96.1% had remained at their workplace. The participants rated the prevention course as highly recommendable and practically relevant. Conclusions: Collected data show positive changes in skin protection habits of the participants who took part in the prevention courses. The results demonstrate, that health educational interventions are successful in combination with a dermatological counselling. © 2009 Dustri-Verlag Dr. Karl Feistle.