Analisis Kualitas Hidup Tenaga Kerja Penderita Dermatitis Kontak pada Tempat Pencucian Mobil di Kota Banda Aceh

Abstract

In a rapid growth of industrialization without the attempts to cope with its side effect, the application of technology will cause the incidence of various health problems and occupational safety such as the increase of disease prevalence caused by occupation, poison, physical defect, and death. This condition makes health problem and occupational safety need to be paid attention by protecting the workers and their work environment. Currently, Banda Aceh has 17 car wash services employing 126 workers, of which, 33 workers (26.19%) are suffering from contact dermatitis. This cross sectional study surveyed 33 car wash service workers suffering from contact dermatitis to examine the relationship between the variables of age, the length of being sick, sickness localization, complaint of sickness and the quality of life viewed from the aspects of social activity, self perception, and physical function through Chi-Square Test. The result of this study reveals that 51.5% of the respondents have worked as car washers for less than 6 months and their level of education is relatively low because 57.6% of them are only SD (Primary School) graduates. Viewed from the aspects of social activity, self perception and physical function, the respondents ' quality of life is in the level of less category (36.4%). Respondents' quality of life is significantly related to their age (p = 0.042), the length of suffering dermatitis (p = 0.002), sickness localization (p = 0.000) and complaint of sickness (p = 0.002). The conclusion is that variables which are related to the quality of life of car wash workers suffering from contact dermatitis in Banda Aceh are age, the length of being sick, sickness localization, and complaint of sickness with different levels of significance. It is suggested that the owners of car wash services provide free treatment to their workers suffering from dermatitis, change the detergent or soap usually used into car shampoo with lower irritant. The workers when washing the car should keep distance from the car he is washing to avoid from getting too wet. The workers are obliged to dry their hands and feet and apply some protecting cream after the hands and feet are dried. Provide or stick the posters or announcement board containing the ways how to protect ourselves from the work-caused disease in a special place where everybody can read it. Provide the workers with extension on the prevention of disease caused by the contact with chemical components contained in the soap or detergent.