Occupational dermatoses in the Brazilian South region recorded in a reporting system (2007 to 2016)

Abstract

Background: Occupational dermatoses must be mandatorily reported in Brazil. Objective: To characterize the reporting of occupational dermatoses in the Brazilian South region, and describe the profile of the involved workers. Method: Retrospective and descriptive study of 396 cases of occupational dermatoses reported from 2007 through 2016 via the Information System for Notifiable Diseases. Results: 3.6 and 2.2 cases / 10,000 workers / year were of men and women, respectively. The highest incidence of occupational dermatoses corresponded to age range 50 to 64 years old, 1.8 cases / 10,000 workers / year, and to maintenance and repair workers, 3.6 cases / 10,000 workers / year. Most cases involved whites (77%) and workers not having completed elementary school (37.6%). Patch testing was only performed for 11.4% of cases. Conclusion: Reinforcing measures to promote the use of personal protective equipment is necessary, as well as to improve reporting and sensitize professionals to perform accurate reports in official systems.