DEMOGRAPHIC PATTERNS OF HEALTH PROBLEMS AMONG SALON
OPERATORS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN RIVERS STATE
Onyekwere I. L1, Okpako J. E. F2
University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
fxintegritypublishing@gmail.com1, okpakojef@gmail.com2
|
KEYWORDS |
ABSTRACT |
|
demographic
patterns, health problems, salon operators. |
The
salon environment is a zone where the workers are exposed to numerous
hazardous chemicals, physical and ergonomic challenges. Salon operators have
been reported to exhibit a lot of respiratory, allergic and systemic
symptoms. The study was done to determine the demographic patterns of the
health problems using a descriptive cross sectional study. 1,200 salon
operators in ten tertiary institutions in Rivers State were selected for the
study. Data was collected using a self- structured questionnaire, and
analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistical on the statistical
package for social science (SPSS). Alpha level was set at 0.05. The study
revealed that health problems were reported among the salon operators with
respiratory symptoms of sore throat (grand mean of 3.25) and Chest Pains
(3.22) been the most prominent followed by skin conditions (3.13). Age, years
of work experience and levels of education have a significant bearing on the
health problems. The study concluded that salon operators in tertiary
institutions in Rivers State go through a lot of health problems by reason of
their profession which have a correlation with age years of work experience
and education level. It was therefore recommended that salon operators should
be enlightened on the use of personal protective equipment in the workplace. |
|
DOI: 10.58860/ijsh.v2i7.87 |
|
Corresponding Author: Onyekwere I. L
Email: fxintegritypublishing@gmail.com
INTRODUCTION
The setting up
of salons in the beauty industry is not a capital intensive project, giving
rise to a lot of salons dotted around the city. The salon environment is filled
with myriad of chemicals which are released from hair sprays, dyes and so
forth. These chemicals are associated with health problems like asthma,
dermatitis, neurological symptoms and even cancer. Salon operators absorb these
chemicals through their skins and breathe them in, as fumes build up in the
salon. Comparative studies show that salon workers are two or three times more
likely to suffer from skin conditions than people in other occupations (Onyekwere,
2023). Observed that over 60%
of salon workers reported skin conditions like dermatitis, eczema and rashes (Archibong
et al., 2018). Salon work involves
considerable exposure of the hands to numerous irritating and sensitizing
chemicals. In addition, the hands are usually wet for a long period of time
while in contact with other chemicals. Long period exposure to moisture reduces
the skin natural barrier and makes it more permeable thereby increasing the
chances of absorbing more chemicals which can have hazardous effect on the worker.
Cosmetics are
the main contributory factor in Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD). This is an
inflammatory skin disorder which is characterized by swelling of the vesicles
and erythema in the early stages if exposure is sustained; it then develops to
a chronic condition (Celeiro
et al., 2014). Chemicals in fragrance
can penetrate the skin, mucous membrane and subsequently find their way to the
blood stream and other organs. Contact allergy to fragrance usually occurs
following exposure to them in sufficient doses that can produce an allergy.
This contact allergy is a lifelong situation of altered reactivity in the
immune system. The frequency of ACD in the general population in Europe is
estimated between 1 and 3%.
Exposure to
excess estrogen, including hormonal imbalance of progesterone and estrogen have
been proven to be precursors of uterine cancer (Liang
& Shang, 2013); (Rodriguez,
2020). Endocrine disrupting
chemicals (EDCs) such as synthetic estrogenic compounds have been
hypothetically assumed to contribute to uterine cancer risk because of their
ability to alter hormonal pathway (Helm
et al., 2019). The pathway used by hair
products is a predominant exposure pathway to several endocrine disrupting
chemicals that has been associated with hormone sensitive cancers, including
breast and ovarian cancer. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasing chemicals which
are constituents of hair dyes have been associated with carcinogenesis which
supports the theory of an association between hair products usage and cancer
formation (White
et al., 2021); (Zhang
et al., 2020).
Cosmetics
often contain low concentrations of heavy metals as impurities. While these
concentrations may seem harmless, these metals can accumulate over time and
become toxic to the body due to their long half-life. Even at low
concentrations, some of these metals can cause damage to internal organs. Lead
(Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) are considered the most severe contaminants known to
humans. Inhalation of large amounts of chromium can lead to stomach, kidney,
and hair problems.
Studies have
shown that cosmetology is a female dominated profession most of whom are in
their reproductive age group. In the
cosmetic industry there are group of chemicals known as the “Toxic Trio” it
comprised Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Toluene and Formaldehyde. They are so named
because of their links to cancer, birth defects, asthma and other chronic
conditions (Breskey,
2013). The clients and salon
operators may readily inhale this into their lungs and respiratory tract. The
vapour can also come in contact with the mucous membrane in the eyes and nose.
Formaldehyde can also be absorbed through the skin on contact. Health
challenges attributed to formaldehyde exposure include nose bleeding, burning
eyes and throat, skin irritation, asthmatic attacks, cough, chest pains, loss
of sense of smell, headaches and fatigue (Henrotin
et al., 2015)
The presence
of this toxic trio in the work environment contributes to reproductive hazards
faced by cosmetologists. Studies have shown a significant increase in preterm
births and increased risk of pregnancy disorders with hairdressers, when
compared to a group of teachers and sales clerks where the only occupational
difference is exposure to toxic trio (Henrotin
et al., 2015). Association has been
established between pregnant women who inhaled the toxic trio and adverse
reproductive outcomes such as intrauterine growth retardation and premature
delivery. It is based on this premise that the study examined the demographic
patterns of health problems among salon operators in tertiary institutions in
Rivers State.
Statement of the Problem
Cosmetics used
in the country are monitored through post market surveillance, which simply
means that regulatory authorities do not conduct clinical trials before
cosmetics are used in the country but when injury or harm is recorded by the
use of the cosmetics, only then do the authorities swing into action. This practice
exposes the salon operators majorly and their clients to a lot of health
problems and this study examined demographic patterns of health problems among
salon operators in tertiary institutions in Rivers State.
This study was
aimed at investigating demographic pattern of unhealthy application of cosmetic
by female salon operators in tertiary institutions in Rivers State.
Specifically, the objectives were to:
1. find out the health
problems among salon operators in tertiary institution in Rivers State.
2. determine the
relationships between demographic variables of age, years of experience,
education level and health problems experienced by salon operators in tertiary
institution in Rivers State.
The research
on the demographic patterns of health problems among salon operators in
tertiary institutions in Rivers State provides valuable insights into the
health issues faced by these operators and their clients. By examining the
demographic variables such as age, years of experience, and education level,
the study aims to understand the relationship between these factors and the
health problems experienced by salon operators. The research benefits include:
Identifying
health problems: The study helps in identifying the specific health problems
faced by salon operators in tertiary institutions in Rivers State. This
information can be used to raise awareness about these issues and develop
appropriate interventions and preventive measures.
Understanding
demographic patterns: By analyzing the demographic variables, the research
provides insights into how age, years of experience, and education level may
influence the health problems experienced by salon operators. This
understanding can inform targeted interventions and policies to address the
unique needs of different groups.
Informing
regulatory actions: The research highlights the need for better regulation and
monitoring of cosmetics used in the country. By revealing the practice of
post-market surveillance, where regulatory authorities only take action after
harm is recorded, the study emphasizes the importance of conducting clinical
trials before cosmetics are used. This information can support advocacy efforts
for stricter regulations to protect salon operators and their clients.
Promoting
occupational health and safety: The findings of the study can contribute to
improving occupational health and safety practices in the salon industry. By
identifying the health problems faced by salon operators, it becomes possible
to develop training programs, guidelines, and resources to promote safe
practices and reduce the risk of health issues.
Overall, this
research provides valuable insights into the demographic patterns of health
problems among salon operators in tertiary institutions in Rivers State,
helping to inform interventions, policies, and advocacy efforts aimed at
improving the health and well-being of salon operators and their clients.
METHOD
The study
employed a cross-sectional survey design. This research design is commonly used
to collect data from a large sample drawn from a given population and describe
certain features of the sample that are of interest to the researcher. In this
case, the study aimed to investigate the demographic pattern of health problems
among female salon operators in tertiary institutions in Rivers State.
Cross-sectional designs are particularly useful when the researcher wants to
gather information about a specific point in time and gather data from a
representative sample. The design allows for the collection of data from
different individuals or groups at a single point in time, providing a snapshot
of the population being studied.
Population and
Sample Size: The population for the study comprised 1200 female salon operators
in tertiary institutions in Rivers State. The study used a representative
sample size of 1200 female salon operators, which represents the total number
of salon operators in the population. Ten tertiary institutions in the State
were selected for the study.
Data
Collection Instrument: The instrument used for data collection was a validated
self-structured questionnaire titled "Questionnaire on Demographic Pattern
of Health Problems among Salon Operators (QDPASO)". This questionnaire was
specifically designed to gather information about the demographic characteristics
and health problems of salon operators. It is important to note that the
questionnaire had a reliability coefficient of 0.92, indicating a high level of
internal consistency.
Data Analysis:
The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistical tools and
inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics, such as percentages, mean, and
standard deviation, were used to describe the demographic characteristics and
health problems of salon operators. Inferential statistics, specifically
one-way ANOVA, was employed to test for significant differences between
different groups or variables. The significance level for the statistical tests
was set at .05, meaning that a p-value less than .05 would be considered
statistically significant.
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Table 1.
Socio-demographic Data of Respondents
|
Variables |
Frequency (n=1170) |
Percentages |
|
Age |
|
|
|
16-19 years |
264 |
22.6 |
|
20-23 years |
362 |
30.9 |
|
24-27 years |
276 |
23.6 |
|
28 years and above |
268 |
22.9 |
|
Work
experience (in years) |
|
|
|
1-3 |
700 |
59.8 |
|
4-7 |
250 |
21.4 |
|
8-11 |
177 |
15.1 |
|
12
and above |
43 |
3.7 |
|
Educational
level |
|
|
|
No
formal education |
232 |
19.8 |
|
Primary
education |
230 |
19.7 |
|
Secondary
education |
405 |
34.6 |
|
Tertiary
institution |
303 |
25.9 |
Table
1 showed the socio-demographic data of the respondents with 264 (22.6%)
respondents aged between 16-19years, while 362 (30.9%) were aged between 20-23
years. Also, 276 respondents representing 23.6% of the studied population were
aged between 24-27 years, while 268 (22.9%) respondents were 28 years and
above.
On working
experience 59.8% of the respondents (700) indicated that they have worked for
between 1-3 years, 21.4% of them (250) have worked for between 4-7 years, 15.1%
of them (177) have worked for between 8-11years while 3.7% of them (41) have
worked for 12 years and above. With respect to educational level 19.8% of them
(232) had no formal education, 19.7% of them (230) had primary education, 34.6%
of them (405) had secondary education while 25.9% of them (303) had tertiary
education.
Research Question 1: What are the health problems among
salon operators in tertiary institution in Rivers State?
Table 2:
Health Problems associated with Unhealthy Application of Cosmetics
|
Items |
Mean |
Standard Deviation |
|
Appearance of redness on
the skin |
2.03 |
0.97 |
|
Appearance of rashes on the skin |
2.64 |
0.96 |
|
Emergence of dermatitis
or eczema |
2.71 |
0.88 |
|
Discoloration of the skin
|
3.13 |
0.87 |
|
Shortness of breath |
2.87 |
0.78 |
|
Nasal irritation |
2.94 |
0.93 |
|
Dizziness |
2.92 |
0.83 |
|
Nausea |
2.89 |
0.80 |
|
Sore throats condition |
3.27 |
0.68 |
|
Nose bleeding |
3.08 |
0.84 |
|
Chest pains |
3.22 |
0.85 |
|
Headaches |
3.13 |
0.78 |
|
Cluster mean |
2.90 |
0.84 |
Table
2 showed the health problems experienced by the salon operators. The most
prominent health problem experienced by the salon operators was sore throat
condition with a mean value of 3.27. Other health problems experienced include
skin rashes (2.64), dermatitis or enzyme (2.71), skin discoloration (3.13),
shortness of breath (2.89) nasal irritation (2.94), dizziness (2.92), Nausea
(2.89), nose bleeding (3.08) chest pain (3.22) and headaches (3.13).
Research
Question 2:
What are the relationships between demographic variables of age, years of work
experience, educational level and health problems experienced by the operators?
Table 4: Age of Work Experience and
Health Problems
|
Age |
Health Problems |
No Health Problems |
||
|
Frequency |
Percentages (%) |
Frequency |
Percentages (%) |
|
|
16-19 years |
201 |
76.1 |
63 |
23.9 |
|
20-23 years |
271 |
74.9 |
91 |
25.1 |
|
24-27 years |
254 |
92.0 |
22 |
8.0 |
|
28 years and
above |
156 |
58.2 |
112 |
41.8 |
Table
3 showed the relationship between health problems and age of the salon
operators. The age group with the highest frequency of health problems was the
24-27 years age bracket (92%) while the least age group was 58.2% among those
28 years and above.
Table 4: Years of Work Experience and
Health Problems
|
Year(s) of Work
Experience |
Health Problems |
No Health Problems |
||
|
Frequency |
Percentages (%) |
Frequency |
Percentages (%) |
|
|
1-3
years |
533 |
76.1 |
167 |
23.9 |
|
4-7
years |
186 |
74.4 |
64 |
25.6 |
|
8-11
years |
134 |
75.7 |
43 |
24.3 |
|
12yrs
and above |
29 |
67.4 |
14 |
32.6 |
Table
4 showed the relationship between years of work experience and health problems.
The highest frequency of health problem was among those with 1-3 years of
working experience (76.1%) while the least was among those with work experience
of 12 years and above (67.4%)
Table 5: Education levels and Health
Problems
|
Educational Level |
Health Problems |
No Health Problems |
||
|
Frequency |
Percentages (%) |
Frequency |
Percentages (%) |
|
|
No Formal |
201 |
86.6 |
31 |
13.4 |
|
Primary
Education |
190 |
82.6 |
40 |
17.4 |
|
Secondary Education |
299 |
73.8 |
106 |
26.2 |
|
Tertiary
Education |
183 |
60.4 |
120 |
39.6 |
Table
5 shows the relationship between educational level of study and health problem.
The highest frequency of health problems was noticed among those with no formal
education 86.6% while the least frequency was among those with tertiary
education (60.4%)
Hypothesis 1: Age has no significant difference on demographic
pattern of health problems among salon operators in tertiary institutions in
Rivers State.
Table 6: Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
showing significant difference on health problems associated with the pattern of unhealthy
application of cosmetics among salon operators based on age
|
Sources |
Sum of Squares |
Df |
Mean Square |
F |
Sig. |
|
Between Groups |
15.577 |
3 |
5.192 |
30.042 |
.000 |
|
Within Groups |
201.531 |
1166 |
.173 |
|
|
|
Total |
217.108 |
1169 |
|
|
|
Table
6 indicates the ANOVA analysis showing that there is a significant difference
in demographic pattern of health problems among salon operators based on age [F
(3, 1166) =30.042; P<
0.05]. Therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected
Hypothesis 2: Years of work experience has no significant
difference on demographic pattern of health problems among salon operators in
tertiary institutions in Rivers State.
Table 7: ANOVA Analysis showing
significant difference on health problems
associated with the
pattern of unhealthy application of cosmetics
among salon operators based on years of work experience
|
Sources |
Sum of Squares |
Df |
Mean Square |
|
Sig. |
|
Between Groups |
.338 |
3 |
.113 |
.605 |
.612 |
|
Within Groups |
216.770 |
1166 |
.186 |
|
|
|
Total |
217.108 |
1169 |
|
|
|
Table
7 highlighted that years of work experience make no significant difference on
demographic pattern of health problems among salon operators [F (3, 1166)
= 0.605, P > 0.05]. Therefore, the null hypothesis was accepted.
Hypothesis3: Educational level has no significant difference on
demographic pattern of health problems among salon operators in tertiary
institutions in Rivers State.
Table 8: Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
showing significant difference on health problems associated with the pattern
of unhealthy application of cosmetics among salon operators in tertiary
institutions in Rivers State based on educational level
|
Sources |
Sum of Squares |
Df |
Mean Square |
F |
Sig. |
|
Between Groups |
10.963 |
3 |
3.654 |
20.670 |
.000 |
|
Within Groups |
206.144 |
1166 |
.177 |
|
|
|
Total |
217.108 |
1169 |
|
|
|
Table
8 revealed that educational level makes a significant difference on demographic
pattern of health problems among salon operators [F(3, 1166) =
20.670; P < 0.05]. Therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected.
The study conducted in Rivers State's tertiary institutions
revealed that female salon operators faced various health problems while
performing their work. These findings align with previous studies conducted by (Tomar
et al., 2020). Which also highlighted
health issues such as nausea, skin irritation, dermatitis, and respiratory
symptoms among female salon operators. Additionally, the findings support the
research conducted found that salon operators are prone to respiratory
challenges, enzema, and headaches (Bigambo
& Saria, 2016); (Archibong
et al., 2018). Specific health
problems, including skin discoloration, headaches, and dizziness, faced by
salon operators during cosmetics application (Mphaga,
2021); (Adewumi-Gunn
et al., 2018). These studies
collectively emphasize the numerous health challenges prevalent in the salon
environment.
Several of the
aforementioned research works suggest that standardized education and training
for salon workers can help reduce these health issues. Asserting that regular
training and retraining of staff can mitigate the health risks associated with
salon work (Nassaji
et al., 2015). They also discovered
that hairdressers with college training effectively applied their knowledge to
salon work, consequently decreasing the health risks within the work
environment. The educational intervention programs, focusing on handling
dangerous chemicals, reading labels, and other relevant areas, could
significantly decrease the occurrence and severity of health problems in salons
(Nassaji
et al., 2015).
In this study,
the health problems were prevalent across all age groups, with higher
frequencies observed among individuals aged 24-27 (90%) and lower frequencies
among those aged 28 and above (58.0%). Research founded younger salon workers,
specifically in the age group examined, experienced more frequent health
problems, particularly respiratory issues (Lillienberg
et al., 2013). Similarly, identified a
higher frequency of health problems, including miscarriages, among younger salon
workers. The lower frequency of health problems among older salon operators may
be attributed to their reduced exposure to volatile organic substances and
limited involvement in "wet work." It is possible that older
operators, being salon owners, delegate such tasks to younger employees or
junior staff. This finding aligns with the study by (Mphaga,
2021). Which reported that less
experienced salon operators, particularly apprentices, encountered more health
challenges, potentially due to work overload (Abdel
Hamid Hawash et al., 2023).
Furthermore,
the study revealed that salon operators with no formal education exhibited the
highest frequency of health problems (86.6%), while those with tertiary
education exhibited the lowest frequency (60.4%). This finding is consistent
with the research conducted by (Nassaji
et al., 2015). Additionally, it
supports the statement made by Bigambo and Saria (2016) that education acts as
a deterrent to unwholesome practices within salons, which could inadvertently
lead to health problems.
CONCLUSION
Based on the
study's findings, it can be concluded that salon operators in Rivers State's
tertiary institutions experience various health issues. These include nausea,
skin irritation, and respiratory symptoms. Notably, younger, less experienced,
and less educated operators face these challenges more frequently. To
effectively tackle these health risks, it is crucial to establish standardized
education and training programs. The study highlights the significance of
demographic factors like age, work experience, and education level in
determining the severity and frequency of health problems. Therefore, targeted
interventions should be implemented to enhance the health outcomes of this
particular population
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|
|
©
2023 by the authors. It was submitted for possible open-access publication
under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY SA) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). |
