The Relationship of Tofu Coagulants and Irritant Contact Dermatitis in Tofu Maker at Serang Banten Indonesia

Abstract

Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is the second most prevalent occupational ailment, following musculoskeletal disease. This condition occurs due to direct exposure to irritants, either acutely or persistently. The primary irritants responsible for contact dermatitis are acids or bases. The individuals most susceptible to contact dermatitis are the staff working in the tofu sector. This is because coagulants come into direct touch with personnel during the tofu production process. The study design is an observational analytic approach utilizing the cross-sectional method, which involves a questionnaire. According to this research, the prevalence of ICD among tofu makers in Serang is 59.8%. 85.9% of the workers in this industry are male. The study found that 79.3% of workers had an ICD, 16.3% had a history of atopic conditions, 6.5% always used Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), 93.5% had adequate personal hygiene, and 55.4% had a strong awareness of the ICD. The chi-square data analysis revealed that exposure to tofu coagulants is a causative factor instead of the protective factor for ICD, with a p-value of less than 0.001 and an odds ratio of 0.164. There is a correlation between the coagulants used in tofu production and the incidence of ICD in tofu manufacturers in Serang city.