The advent of HIV/AIDS increased the use of latex gloves in the health care sector with a resultant increase in the reporting of allergic reactions to latex among health care workers.
OBJECTIVES:
To determine the prevalence of latex glove allergy amongst dentists in LUTH.
METHODS:
A decriptive, cross sectional study of dentists of all cadres in LUTH. A self administered questionnaire was distributed to all dentists actively involved in treating patients.
RESULTS:
Response rate was 90%. 99 respondents made up of 54 males and 45 females filled the questionnaires. 98% of the respondents always wear latex gloves. Prevalence of latex glove allergy was 14.1%. Most allergies (57.1%) occured immediately after contact and 57.1% of the reactions were mild. Other allergies were repoeted by 39.4% of the respondents.
CONCLUSION:
Dentists should be aware of the risks of latex allergy and Hospital authorities should provide non latex gloves for dentists who are allergic to latex.