Awareness and Experience of Occupational Hazards among Hairdressers in Umuahia Metropolis, Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study sought to determine the level of awareness of beauty salon workers regarding
their occupational hazards, the prevalence of experiencing the hazards, and the preventive
measures they take. The study employed the cross-sectional survey design and was guided
by five research questions. The sample was 188 salon workers selected from 80 salons within
Umuahia metropolis. The data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using
frequency tables, percentages, and weighted means. Two academics validated the
questionnaire, one in the Home Economics unit of the Department of Vocational Education
and one from the Measurement and Evaluation unit of the Department of Psychological
Foundations of the Abia State University, Uturu. A Cronbach’s alpha reliability score of 0.84
was obtained. The results showed a high level (3.04) of awareness of the hazards associated
with hairdressing occupation. The hairdressers also reported experiencing a feeling of
tightness in the chest (46.3%), sneezing (67.6%), and itchy or runny eyes (58%) because of
exposure to hair care chemicals. Other hazards they experienced were musculoskeletal
problems such as neck pain (73.4%), back pain (76.1%), and shoulder pain (64.9%) because of
long hours of poor work posture. The result further showed that the use of preventive
measures was poor (21.56%) It was recommended among others that local and national
health agencies should create more awareness among hairdressers about these hazards and
how to prevent them. They should also be enlightened about managing and improving their
work environment.