ABSTRACT
Purpose of the study: Contact dermatitis appears among the most frequent occupational diseases particularly in hospital environment. Objectives of the study are to determine frequency of contact dermatitis in the university hospital of Mahdia, to emphasize the clinical profile of and find the causal allergens. We have carried out a transversal study concerning a representative sample of 225 hospital personals working in the university hospital of Mahdia. The study contained a questionnaire searching the dermatological risk, a clinical examination by a dermatologist for a diagnostic orientation and patch tests with European standard and additional series. Contact Dermatitis prevalence was 19, 1% [13.86 - 24.34]. Irritation was the most frequent [11.1%], followed by eczema [5.8%] and urticaria [2.2%]. The profile of the symptomatic staff is a worker or a nurse, from 30 to 40 years old and exercising in paediatrics or obstetrics services. Substances incriminated were gloves [34.9%], disinfectants and antiseptic [30.2%], medicines [16.3%], cleaners [16.3%] and colophony [4.6%]. Prevenvon is based on the replacement of incriminated products by others less aggressive, on the sensitization of the hospital staff towards the cutaneous risk inherent to their professional activity