Reported occupational hazards and illnesses among hairdressers in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria

• Published in: West African journal of medicine Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 20 - 23
• Main Authors: Omokhodion, F O, Balogun, M O, Ola-Olorun, F M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nigeria 2009
• Subjects: Accidents, Occupational; Adolescent; Adult; Barbering; Beauty Culture; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hair Dyes - toxicity; Humans; Middle Aged; Needlestick Injuries - epidemiology; Nigeria - epidemiology; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Occupational Diseases - etiology; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Workplace; Young Adult; Nigeria
• ISSN: 0189-160X; 0189-160X
• DOI: 10.4314/wajm.v28i1.48419

Hairdressers work in small scale enterprises with little or no health supervision in the workplace.
To identify workplace hazards and health problems of workers in this trade.
A cross sectional study was conducted in hairdressing salons in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria. Questionnaires were administered to a total of 355 hairdressers by trained interviewers. Information on work conditions, workplace hazards, accidents and current illnesses was obtained.
All respondents were females comprising 295 qualified hairdressers and 60 apprentices. They were aged 15-49 years, mean 29 +/- 6.9 years. With respect to work conditions, hairdressers complained of long working hours, poor earnings and prolonged standing. Occupational hazards identified included needles used for fixing hair attachments, 157 (44%), hair relaxing creams, 114 (32%), blades, 38 (11%), handling hot water, 16 (4%) and electrical equipment, 8 (2%). Types of accidents reported were needle pricks, cuts, accidents involving hot water and electric shock. Joint pains (21%) and low back pain (19%) were the most frequently reported illnesses among hairdressers. Hand dermatitis was reported by 5% of hairdressers.
The hairdressers' work environment has predominantly mechanical and chemical hazards. Long working hours and poor earnings in a physically demanding job, as highlighted in this study are characteristic of small scale enterprises. The regulation of work conditions in this sector continues to pose a challenge to occupational health authorities in developing countries.