A study of clinical patterns of cutaneous manifestations among hotel workers in costal Karnataka

Pradyumna R. Bhandary; Sanath Posavanike Kailas; Sowmya Kothamasu; Supreetha S. Shetty; Pradeep Senapathi

doi:10.18203/issn.2455-4529.IntJResDermatol20203752

Authors

Pradyumna R. Bhandary Department of Dermatology, A. J. Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
Sanath Posavanike Kailas Consultant Dermatologist and Cosmetologist, Shastri’s Skin Clinic, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Sowmya Kothamasu Consultant Dermatologist and Cosmetologist, Dr. Sowmya Skin Clinic, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
Supreetha S. Shetty Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist, A. J. Hospital and Research Centre, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
Pradeep Senapathi Department of Community Medicine, A. J. Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2455-4529.IntJResDermatol20203752

Keywords:

Hotel workers, Cutaneous manifestations, Coastal region

Abstract

Background: Catering personnel and other workers exposed to foods may develop both type I and type IV allergic contact dermatitis to foods including spices. Cutaneous manifestations vary according to the place that a worker is employed. Studies on the cutaneous manifestations among restaurant and dhaba workers in India are scarce. This study was conducted to determine clinical patterns of cutaneous manifestations among hotel workers in costal Karnataka.

Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out among workers of hotels situated in costal Karnataka. Study was conducted through Department of Dermatology, A. J. Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore. Consecutive type of non-probability sampling was used for selection of study subjects. A total of 1083 hotel workers from 53 randomly selected hotels, fulfilling eligibility criteria, were included in the study.

Results: The prevalence of dermatological manifestations was observed as 34.2% (370/1083) in hotel workers. Prevalence of fungal and bacterial infections was 51.4% and 17.6% respectively. Scabies was found in 6.8% subjects while oral manifestation and nail changes were observed in 3.8% and 2.2% subjects.

Conclusion: High prevalence of dermatological manifestations was present in hotel workers especially infective skin conditions like Tinea cruris and scabies. This is important, as they can be a potential source for spread of the infection. There is lot of scope for improving the standards of personal hygiene of hotel workers. Owners of establishments should be made aware of importance of pre-placement and periodical medical examination in order to protect the health of consumer.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Kokane S and Tiwari RR. Occupational health problems of highway restaurant workers of Pune, India. Toxicology and Industrial Health. 2011;27(10):945-948

Suzman MS, Sobocinski K, Himel H, Yurt RW. Major burn injuries among restaurant workers in New York City: and under-appreciated public health hazard. Journal of Burns Care and Rehabilitation. 2011;22(6):429-434.

Hjorth N, Roed-Pelcrsen J. Occupiuional contact dermatitis in food handlers. Contact Dermatitis. 1976;2:28-42.

Rycroft RJG, Occupational contact dermatitis. In Rycroft RFG, Menne. Froseh P J (eds): Textbook of contact dermatitis. 2nd edilion. Berlin:Springer-Verlag, 1995:341-400.

Biswas D, Hazarika NC, Hazarika D, Mahanta J. Prevalence of communicable disease among restaurant workers along a highway in Assam, India. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health. 1999;30(3):539-541.

Takalkar AA, Kumavat AP. Assessment of personal hygiene of canteen workers of government medical college and hospital, Solapur. National Journal of Community Medicine. 2011;2(3):448-452.

Chitnis UKB. An evaluation of health status of workers in eating establishments in Pune Cantonment. Medical Journal of Armed Forces. 1986;2:34-5.

Kale A B. Prevalence of intestinal parasites in food handlers. Indian Medical Gazette. 1989;289-291.

Sangole SS. Study of health status of food handlers working in “Zunka Bhakar” Center in Nagpur City. A Dissertation submitted for MD (PSM), Nagpur University 1999.

Mudey A, Kesharwani N, Mudey AG, Goyal R, Dawal A, Wagh VV. Health status and personal hygiene among food handlers working at food establishment around a rural teaching hospital in Wardha district of Maharashtra, India. Global Journal of Health Science. 2010;2(2):198-206.

Pawar AT, Kakrani VA. Health status of hotel workers with special reference to high risk practices and STDs. Indian Journal of Public Health. 2007;51(1):51-52.