Cent Eur J Public Health 2014, 22(4):262-265 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3912

Prevalence of Latex Allergy among Healthcare Workers in Izmir (Turkey)

ªükran Köse1, Aliye Mandıracıoğlu2, Bengü Tatar1, Selma Gül1, Mehmet Erdem1
1 Allergy-Immunology Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
2 Department of Public Health, Medical Faculty, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey

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.

Keywords: latex, allergy, healthcare workers

Received: April 8, 2013; Revised: March 14, 2014; Accepted: March 14, 2014; Published: December 1, 2014  Show citation

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Köse ª, Mandıracıoğlu A, Tatar B, Gül S, Erdem M. Prevalence of Latex Allergy among Healthcare Workers in Izmir (Turkey). Cent Eur J Public Health. 2014;22(4):262-265. doi: 10.21101/cejph.a3912. PubMed PMID: 25622485.
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