Health assessment of self-employed hairdressers in France

Risk of pain in the neck and shoulders and job change among hairdressers: a combined questionnaire and register-based Danish prospective cohort study

Objective

To investigate whether intensity of work as a hairdresser was associated with treatments for pain, and if musculoskeletal pain was associated with leaving the hairdressing trade.

Methods

We formed two cohorts of hairdressers covered in the PensionDanmark Health Scheme (PDHS). Cohort 1 consisted of 1304 active hairdressers in 2009. Self-reported weekly haircuts were used as work intensity measure and treatments for pain in the neck and shoulders in PDHS were used as outcome. We used a Cox regression model with robust sandwich estimates adjusted for age, sex, employment status and prior treatment < 1 year before July 2009. Cohort 2 consisted of all hairdressers ever covered in the PDHS from 2006 to 2016 (n = 11,162). Exposure were treatments in PDHS within the last year. Outcome was leaving the trade within the following year. Adjustments were made for sex, calendar-year and age in Cox regression models.

Results

The adjusted hazard ratio of treatments in PDHS compared to the lowest work intensity was 0.95 (95% CI 0.58–1.55) and 0.74 (0.43–1.29) for medium and highest intensity, respectively. The risk of leaving the trade was lower, HR 0.80 (0.72–0.90) among hairdressers with treatments in PDHS within the last year, mainly driven by hairdressers aged < 56 years.

Conclusion

We found no association between intensity of work as a hairdresser, measured as self-reported weekly haircuts, and treatments for pain in PDHS. Furthermore, we found a protective effect of treatments in the PDHS within the last year on risk of leaving the trade.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and associated risk factors among urban metropolitan hairdressers in India

Objectives

Ergonomic hazards account for a substantial proportion of work‐related diseases and injuries among hairdressers. Awkward posture during work, repetitive movements, prolonged standing, and long working periods to carry out work activities cause mechanical load on the joints and work‐related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). This study investigated the musculoskeletal problems among urban hairdressers and associated risk factors.

Methods

This study investigates the prevalence of WMSDs among 768 study subjects (384 hairdressers and control subjects each) from Ahmedabad and New Delhi metropolis in India. Univariate statistical analysis was carried out along with 95% confidence interval for effect estimates.

Results

Findings reveal that the nearly half of the hairdressers suffered from knee and foot pain (49.5%), followed by lower back pain (39.8%) and upper back pain (38.8%). The neck pain and shoulder pain were reported by more than 25% hairdressers. The odds of developing neck pain (OR = 2.04; 95% CI 1.37‐3.06) and shoulder pain (OR = 1.85; 95% CI 1.25‐2.73) were significantly higher than control. The female hairdressers were more likely to experience work‐related musculoskeletal disorder (OR = 2.63; 95% CI 1.18‐5.86) than male counterparts. Hairdressers within the age of 18‐35 years had significantly higher occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders with longer duration of working hours at the workplace. Longer daily work hours (>12 hours) posed significantly higher risk (OR = 2.47; 95% CI 1.39‐4.38) of experiencing MSD for hairdressers.

Conclusion

A very large proportion of hairdressers suffered with work‐related musculoskeletal disorders. The long daily working hours and gender of the hairdresser are associated with increased risk of developing WMSDs.

Low Back Pain and Associated Factors among Hairdressers in Northern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Low back pain is one of the major occupational health problems ranked the highest in terms of years lived with disability, and it has an economic burden on individuals and society in general. Hairdressers are high-risk professionals, but they are usually getting less attention in research and policy actions. The objective of this study is to assess the magnitude and associated factors of low back pain among hairdressers working in female beauty salons of Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was employed from January up to March 2018. A simple random sampling was applied to select 344 participants. Interviewer-administered, pretested, and structured questionnaire was used. Bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 23. A p value of <0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. A total of 314 hairdressers participated, with a 91.3% response rate. The study found that the prevalence of low back pain was 47.5% with 95% CI (41.8-53.1). Marital status (AOR: 0.40, 95% CI (0.23-0.71)), awkward posture (AOR: 2.59, 95%CI (1.45-4.63)), working greater than 4 days in a week (AOR: 5.12, 95% CI (1.94-13.70)), the task of washing the client's hair (AOR: 4.45, 95% CI (1.93-10.26)), having adjustable washing basin (AOR: 0.35, 95% CI (0.18-0.69)), job stress (AOR: 0.45, 95% CI (0.27-0.77)), and job satisfaction (AOR: 0.58, 95% CI (0.34-0.98)) were factors that show a statistically significant association with low back pain. This study found that low back pain is a major health problem among hairdressers. Marital status, awkward postures, working days per week, the task of washing the client's hair, adjustable washing basin, job stress, and job satisfaction show a strong association with low back pain. The result suggests that effective intervention strategies for low back pain need to include ergonomic improvements and psychosocial and behavioral aspects of the participants.

Musculoskeletal health, work-related risk factors and preventive measures in hairdressing: a scoping review

Background

Hairdressers are exposed to various work-related biomechanical and organizational risk factors. To date, there has been no overview of the evidence for this occupational group. The purpose of this scoping review is to gain insight into the current state of research on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in hairdressing.

Methods

Studies published up to November 2018 were identified by a systematic search using electronic databases (MEDLINE, PUBMED, CINAHL, Web of Science, LIVIVO), Google Scholar and reference lists of articles. Studies were screened by two researchers and synthesized in a descriptive manner.

Results

Overall 44 studies with different study designs, scopes and approaches were included. Nineteen studies provided data on MSD prevalence in at least one body site. The prevalence values between the studies varied considerably. On average, the highest 12-month prevalence was reported for the lower back (range 13-76%), neck (range 9-58%), shoulder (range 28-60%) and hand/wrist (range 11-53%). In comparison to other occupational groups, hairdressers reported more frequent MSD in all body regions or exhibited a greater risk of leaving the profession for health reasons. Common risk factors include working with arms above shoulder level, repetitive movements, forceful exertion of upper extremities, awkward back postures and movements, high mechanical workload and standing. In addition to physical stress, lack of adequate breaks, overtime, and general distress may deteriorate health and performance of hairdressers. Three rehabilitative and three preventive interventional studies were found. Only the rehabilitative studies showed positive effects on the management of physical and mental strain and resulted in significant pain reduction, increased physical capacity and knowledge of potential risk factors for MSD.

Conclusion

This data provides some evidence for work-related risk factors for MSD in hairdressers and indicate that there should be an intense focus on preventive measures. High quality and long-term interventional studies are needed to clarify the effectiveness of complex preventive concepts in hairdressing.

The Prevalence of Hand Eczema and Its Determinants Among Female Hairdressers: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Introduction:

Female hairdressers are exposed to various chemicals in their occupation which may lead to skin problems such as hand eczema.This study aimed to determine the one-year prevalence of hand eczema and its risk factors in a sample of Northwest Iranian female hairdressers in 2015.

Methods:

This study was a cross-sectional investigation in which 385 female hairdressers and 385 women from general population were selected as case and control, respectively.The prevalence of one-year hand eczema was obtained by Nordic occupationl skin questionnaireusing face-to-face interview. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-square, independent t-test and logistic regression in SPSS software version 19).

Results:

The mean and standard deviation of age and work experience of hairdressers were 33.16 ± 7.2 and 8.72 ± 5.7 years, respectively.The prevalence of one-year hand eczema in hairdressers and control group were 27.8% (95%CI=23.22 -32.22) and 13.2% (95%CI=9.02-15.58), respectively. The Odds Ratio (OR) for hand eczema in the hairdressers was 2.52 (95%CI=1.72-3.64), compared to the control group as the reference. Using logistic regression analysis smoking habit [OR=3.44 (95%CI=1.73-6.85)],age less than 30 years [OR=1.76 (95%CI=1.04-2.96)] and working experience less than10 years [OR=3.14 (95%CI=1.63-6.04)]were independent risk factors for reporting one-year prevalence of hand eczema

Conclusion:

Female hairdressers were more likely to be at risk of developing hand eczema compared to general population. Smoking habit, younger age, and less work experience were the significant risk factors of hand eczema in hairdressers. Occupational health interventions should consider these factors in the control of hand eczema in hairdressers.

Health assessment of self-employed in the food service industry

Objectives This study's objective was to assess the morbidity of self-employed workers in the food service industry, an industry with a large amount of occupational health risks. Methods A cross-sectional study, consisting of 437 participants, was conducted between 2011 and 2013 in Champagne-Ardenne, France. The health questionnaire included an interview, a clinical examination, and medical investigations. Results The study population consisted of 146 self-employed workers (not working for an employer) and 291 employees (working with employment contracts for an employer). Logistic regression analysis revealed that self-employed workers had a higher morbidity than employees, after adjusting for age (OR: 3.45; 95% CI: 1.28 to 9.25). Main adverse health conditions were joint pain (71.2% self-employed vs. 38.1% employees, p < 0.001), ear disorders (54.1% self-employed vs. 33.7%, employees, p < 0.001), and cardiovascular diseases (47.3% self-employed vs. 21% employees, p < 0.001). Conclusions The study highlights the need for occupational health services for self-employed workers in France so that they may benefit from prevention of occupational risks and health surveillance. Results were presented to the self-employed healthcare insurance fund in order to establish an occupational health risks prevention system.

Occupational Respiratory and Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Egyptian Female Hairdressers

Hairdressing is associated with exposure to a variety of harmful agents which have been linked to respiratory and musculoskeletal disorders in hairdressers. This study aimed to identify respiratory and musculoskeletal disorders in hairdressers compared to office workers. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 80 female hairdressers and 50 matched controls. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on personal and occupational data, hairdressing activities, the presence of respiratory symptoms and the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in the past 12 months. Reported symptoms were compared between hairdressers and controls. The associations between self-reported symptoms and hairdressing activities were investigated. Hairdressers were more likely to report symptoms than controls particularly for those who were older, with higher body mass index and longer duration of work as hairdresser. There were significant associations between frequent hair treatments (bleaching, dye and wave) and hand dermatitis (P < 0.001), running nose (P < 0.05), eye irritation (P < 0.01) and phlegm (P < 0.05). Elbow pain and shoulder and back pain were the most prevalent musculoskeletal pains in the past 12 months (13.8 and 12.5% respectively), back and knee pains were the most frequent chronic pain (7.5%), hand and wrist pain led 12.5% of hairdressers to visit a doctor and shoulder pain and back pain indicated a period of sickness absence in 13.8% of hairdressers. Musculoskeletal disorders were associated with manual handling, prolonged standing, strenuous shoulder movements and awkward body posture. Hairdressing is associated with increased risk to respiratory and musculoskeletal disorders due to adverse work conditions.