Regional Distribution of Occupation Skin Disorders in Bricklayers and Brick Masons: A Cross-sectional study in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, South West Nigeria.

Background: Occupational contacts dermatitis are quite common among bricklayers and masons, due to the chromate-associated alkalinity of cement that can cause corrosive lesions, burns, excoriations, exudations and hyperkeratotic lesions. The aim of this study is to describe the regional parts of the body affected by contact with cements, sands and water in bricklayers. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 200 bricklayers in whom the regional distribution of cement related dermatitis was determined. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the independent associates of occupational skin diseases on the upper limbs. Results The mean age of the bricklayers was 39.74±17.03 years. The prevalence of contact dermatitis in the upper limbs, lower limbs and face were 39.0%,, 4.0% and 0.0 percentage respectively, p<0.001. Traumatic skin lesions and dermatological conditions were more common in the lower limbs than in the upper limbs and face, p<0.001 and p<0.001 respectively. While the use of hand gloves had a protective and reducing effect on the risks of upper limb disease, the usage of the rain boots, to the frequency of cement-associated dermatologic diseases on the lower limbs. Conclusion: Reductions in the skin contact with cement are measures that could minimize the prevalence of occupational skin disorders (OSDs) in bricklayers.