RESUMO
AIM: To know whether latex sensitization risk among nurses is higher than among administration staff and whether latex sensitization risk among operating room nurses is higher than among ward room nurses and also whether there is a correlation between sensitization and sex, age, duration-frequency of exposure, smoking, or atopic status. METHODS: A cross-sectional study has been conducted in 830 persons from 6 hospitals in Jakarta consisting of 271 operating room nurses, 287 ward room nurses, and 272 administration staff. Subjects completed a guided questionnaire to determine the subject's age, sex, work setting, duration and frequency of exposure or smoking habits and then the subjects underwent an allergy skin prick test with allergens Der p, Der f, Fel d and latex to determine atopic status and latex sensitization. RESULTS: The proportion of latex sensitization among nurses was 6.1% and among administration staff 1.5%; there was a significant difference (p=0.002). The proportion between operating room nurses was 6.3% and among ward room nurses 5.9%; there was no significant difference (p=0.974). There was a significant correlation between sensitization and mild or severe exposure or atopic status, but no significant correlation between sensitization and sex, age, duration of exposure, or smoking. CONCLUSION: The risk of latex sensitization among nurses is higher than among administration staff, but the risk among operating room nurses was similar to ward room nurses. Atopic status and frequency of exposure were both associated with latex sensitization.