Occupational respiratory morbidity and associated factors among hairdressers in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Amensisa Hailu Tesfaye; Garedew Tadege Engdaw; Belay Desye; Giziew Abere

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-074299

Occupational respiratory morbidity and associated factors among hairdressers in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open. 2023 Jun 21;13(6):e074299. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-074299.

Authors

Amensisa Hailu Tesfaye¹, Garedew Tadege Engdaw², Belay Desye³, Giziew Abere²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia amensisahailu@gmail.com.
² Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
³ Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with occupational respiratory morbidity among hairdressers in Northwestern Ethiopia.

Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 6 July 2022 to 17 August 2022. The data were collected using a standardised American Thoracic Society questionnaire. The collected data were entered into EpiData V.4.6 and analysed using Stata V.14. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with occupational respiratory morbidity. The association was determined using an adjusted OR (AOR) with a 95% CI at a p value of <0.05.

Setting: The study was conducted in Gondar city, Northwestern Ethiopia.

Participants: A total of 403 hairdressers participated in this study.

Outcome measures: The primary outcome is the prevalence of occupational respiratory morbidity.

Results: The total response rate was 95.5%. The majority, 250 (62%) of the respondents were women. The mean age (±SD) of the respondents was 27 (±6.0) years. The overall prevalence of occupational respiratory morbidity during the past 12 months was found to be 134 (33.3%) (95% CI (28.7% to 38.1%)). Female hairdressers (18.6%) showed greater respiratory morbidity than male hairdressers (14.7%). Working experience 3-5 years (AOR: 3.05; 95% CI (1.76 to 5.30)) and working experience >5 years (AOR: 6.22; 95% CI (2.73 to 14.16)), overweight (body mass index (BMI)) (AOR: 3.01; 95% CI (1.19 to 7.58)) and working near roadsides (AOR: 2.15; 95% CI (1.33 to 3.37)) were risk factors of occupational respiratory morbidity among hairdressers.

Conclusions: This study concluded that one-third of hairdressers experienced occupational respiratory morbidity. Longer work experience, higher BMI and working near roadsides were identified as significant risk factors for respiratory morbidity in hairdressers. Dietary calorie restrictions for overweight individuals and the development and implementation of air pollution mitigation measures targeted at roadside workers are advised to curb the problem.

Keywords: MORBID ANATOMY; OCCUPATIONAL & INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE; Respiratory infections.

MeSH terms

Adult
Cross-Sectional Studies
Ethiopia / epidemiology
Female
Humans
Male
Morbidity
Occupational Diseases* / epidemiology
Occupational Diseases* / etiology
Overweight / complications
Prevalence
Young Adult