The Association of Personal Protective Equipment Compliance, Personal Hygiene, Pesticide Exposure, and Work Duration with Irritant Contact Dermatitis among Apple Orchard Workers

Occupational skin diseases represent a significant consequence of exposure to irritant substances in the workplace, with irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) being among the most prevalent. According to 2018 data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, the agricultural and plantation sector reported the highest prevalence of dermatological complaints (29.27%) among the working population aged 15 years and above. This study aims to analyze the relationship between the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), personal hygiene, exposure to active pesticide ingredients, and work duration with the symptoms of ICD among apple orchard workers in Tulungrejo Village, Batu City. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and the results demonstrated a statistically significant association between the completeness and proper use of PPE, personal hygiene practices, types of active pesticide ingredients, and duration of employment and the prevalence of ICD symptoms. These findings underscore the critical need for targeted workplace safety interventions in this agricultural sector.