Latex glove allergy. A survey of the US Army Dental Corps.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of latex glove allergy in a population of health care providers (dentists) with a high occupational exposure to latex gloves.

DESIGN

A survey instrument was distributed to all active-duty dental officers in the US Army (n = 1628). The survey was designed to identify those individuals who had symptoms of allergy to latex gloves.

SETTING

US Army dental facilities worldwide.

RESULTS

The response rate to the survey was 64% (n = 1043). There were 143 (13.7%) responses indicating latex glove allergy. If nonrespondents were assumed to be allergy-free, the prevalence rate would be 8.8%.

CONCLUSION

Latex allergy, as ascertained by self-report in this survey, appears to have a substantial prevalence in this health care provider population.