Management of information processes for prevention of occupational sensitization among health care students

Information for nursing staff, 2022, 55(4), 31-37.

M. Lyapina, Z. Savova, Y. Sabev, M. Vizeva

Medical College “Y. Filaretova”, MU – Sofia

Abstract. Allergic diseases are a global and socially signifi cant problem for public health worldwide. Occupational allergic skin diseases are gaining increasing importance due to their social, health and economic importance. Unfortunately, in practice, they are still not the subject of precise etiological diagnosis, and a number of chemical agents are not identifi ed as allergens at work. Modern humanity is living in the era of progress of information and communication technologies. However, the production and distribution of accessible information materials with a multidisciplinary orientation and specialized educational materials and reference books regarding the diagnosis and prevention of allergic skin diseases is extremely insuffi cient. Due to the lack of specialized units, there is insuffi cient interaction between diff erent specialists (in the fi elds of occupational medicine, dermatology, allergology and immunology, toxicology, chemistry, etc.) towards active identifi cation of allergens at the workplace and towards testing and diagnosis of allergic skin pathology. Aiming to evaluate and analyze the theoretical knowledge of the students and the sources of information used by them, regarding the risks of exposure to sensitizing agents at work and the occurrence of occupational allergic skin pathology, a survey was conducted through a purposefully elaborated questionnaire. 60 students from the Medical College “I. Filaretova” were surveyed. According to the results obtained, 91.5% of the students stated that it is necessary to conduct more targeted and mass information and educational programs for the prevention of occupationally determined skin-allergic pathology, considering the benefit of screening tests for diagnosis of sensitization to potential allergens in occupational exposure. A modern approach for management of information processes in occupational risks of sensitization is needed, based on the proposed European research standards, and practical actions should be carried out based on a multidisciplinary approach.

Key words: occupational allergens, allergic skin pathology, information processes, prevention

Address for correspondence: Assoc. Prof. Maya Lyapina, MD, PhD, e-mail: m.lyapina@mc.mu-sofia.bg