ABSTRACT

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of the types of Demodex spp. among workers in hospitals, where people work collectively in a closed setting for long periods of time.

In order to determine the parasite prevalence among staff working in the Beydağı State Hospital, including laboratory and kitchen staff, cleaning workers and nurses, defi ned as risk groups by the infection experts and hospital administration, specimens were collected from their faces using standardized surface skin biopsy (SSSB) and analyzed in parasitology laboratories. Demodex spp. was found in 74.7% of the 95 specimens. The statistical analysis did not reveal any signifi cant differences by jobs, age and gender variables.

Moreover, it was observed that positivity was 75.4% for women, and 73.7% for men. Demodex spp. positive staff reported in their histories that they had been diagnosed with rosacea and had pruritus and blushes on their faces from time to time, for which they had not received any medical analyses. Subjects with Demodex spp. were referred to the relevant clinic.

It was concluded that the high prevalence of the parasite among the hospital staff is associated with inadequate information about Demodex spp. among the staff.

Keywords: Rosacea, Demodex, State Hospital