Determinants for PPE use and Rest at work in prevention of occupational health hazards among hairdressing salon workers in Nansana Division

Abstract

Background: Hairdressing is one of the rapidly expanding small scale businesses. Hairdressers in Uganda contribute to the 85.0% of the workers in the informal sector. These are exposed to chemicals through inhalation and skin contact in the course of their work. The prolonged standing and constant working positions during work also poses them to occupational risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Objective: This study aims at assessing the risk factors to occupational health hazards among hairdressing salon workers in Nansana division between December 2019 and January 2020 so as to inform effective and sustainable interventions for health promotion of hairdressers at work. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study involving collection of quantitative data. Data was collected through conducting face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire designed in Epicollect 5, and then cleaned in Microsoft Excel. It was then exported to STATA version 13 for analysis. Results: Mostly females (97.1%) participated in the study. The overall prevalence of PPE use was 98.1%, with gloves (96.1%) and aprons (45.7%) being the most used. Body pains were felt by 79.4% participants, especially the legs (60.1%) and back (55.3%). Knowledge about exposure routes to chemicals from cosmetics was mostly moderate (44.7%). Being female (p=0.001), having a secondary level education (p=0.003), and awareness about health risks in salon work (p<0.001) were associated with wearing PPE, while long working hours (p=0.003) were associated with opportunity for resting while at work. Conclusion: Education level, awareness of hazard exposure at work, and working hours were associated with PPE use and rest at work among hairdressing salon workers.