Implementation of education to batik workers about contact dermatitis in Tanjung Bumi, Bangkalan, Madura, Indonesia

Abstract

The harmful substances used in the batik industry may cause health problems to batik workers. Knowledge of occupational-related diseases is necessary for workers. This study evaluated the knowledge of batik workers about contact dermatitis and assessed their work-related skin complaints. This experimental study was conducted in Tanjung Bumi, Bangkalan district, Madura Island, Indonesia. Pre-test and post-test were conducted before and after the intervention of health education session. Fifty batik workers were involved in this study. The mean age of the subjects was 36.5 ± 10.201. Analysis with paired-samples t-test showed that there was a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test scores (p = 0.040). It was found that almost half of the subjects experienced direct exposure to wax and dyes with forty-four percent and forty-two percent, respectively. The use of gloves while working was not common among the subjects with only thirty-four percent using gloves. The most complained symptom among the batik workers was dry skin. The knowledge about occupational contact dermatitis related to the batik industry’s work environment can be beneficial to prevent the incidence of the disease and raise awareness about the importance of maintaining a safe and healthy work environment among batik workers.