The effect of occupational and nonoccupational risk factors on the prevalence of tinea pedis and onychomycosis in nurses working at the Çukurova University

Objective: Superficial fungal infections are commonly seen at feet. In our study we aimed to evaluate the frequency of the superficial fungal infections located at the feet of the nurses working at our hospital and determine the occupational and nonoccupational risk factors. Material and Method: Two hundred and three nurses who are working at the University of Cukurova, Balcalı Hospital included in the study. Nurses were questioned by the standard form and examined. Nail and/or skin scrapings were taken from the nurses. Samples of scrapings were evaluated by potassium hydroxide. Findings: Fungal infections were detected in 22 (10.8%) out of 203 nurses. Five out of 22 were subclinical, and 17 out of 22 were clinical. Clinical fungal infections were detected in the skin of 14 (6.9%) nurses, and in the nails of 7 (3.4%) nurses. Multivariate logistic regression test was done and parameters such as male gender, regular sportive activity and wearing synthetic socks during working hours were statistically significant for the 22 nurses who had fungal infections. Conclusion: When we evaluate the results of our study, nurses can be at risk of having superficial foot fungal infections. There is a need for new studies on this topic. In our study wearing synthetic sock is the occupational statistically significant risk factor for the superficial foot fungal infections. Keywords: superficial fungal infections of the feet, nurses, occupational, risk factors.