Abstract
Background: The hairdressing industry in South Africa, both formal or informal, provides employment for the less educated, particularly in most populous cities. Similar to other industries hairdressers are routinely exposed to thousands of hazardous chemicals contained in various hair-care products. Routine exposure to these chemicals may lead to occupational diseases such as respiratory, skin and reproductive problems. However, these occupational diseases can be prevented by educating hairdressers on health hazards associated with their occupation as well as occupational health and safety practices. Objective: The study sought to assess hairdresser’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) towards occupational health and safety in Johannesburg South. Methods: I conducted a quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional study with a sample size of 383 conveniently selected hairdressers in Johannesburg South. Data was collected from selected hairdressers using interviewer-administered questionnaire and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Results: Majority (n=232 (60.6%)) of participants were self-employed compared to (n=151 (39.4%)) who were non-self-employed. This study revealed that non-self-employed hairdressers were more likely to have below primary education (AOR 3.19; CI 1.38 – 7.39) and learnt hairdressing from a friend, family (AOR 3.15; CI 1.29 – 7.70) or on the job (AOR 2.65; CI 1.0 – 6.84). Majority of the self-employed participants had either completed high school (n=167 (61.2%)) or tertiary (n=34 (75.6%)). Furthermore, non-self-employed are more likely to be unaware that hairdressing is hazardous to their health and safety (AOR 3.22; CI 1.63 – 6.36), exposes them to hazardous chemicals (OR 1.80; CI 1.19 – 2.73), which may cause cancer (OR 1.70; CI 1.12 – 2.57), asthma (AOR 2.48; CI 1.08 – 5.70) , and skin diseases (OR 1.72; CI 1.12 – 2.63). Majority of the self-employed (n=120 (73.25%)) were aware of the hazardous nature of their profession. Non-self-employed hairdressers were more likely to indicate that it is not necessary to have a hairdressing qualification (AOR 2.89; CI 1.53 – 3.74). Non-self-employed hairdressers were more likely to indicate that they wash hands sometimes after handling hair-care products (AOR 21.10; CI 1.33 – 335.74). Conclusion: Overall, this study found that self-employed hairdressers have better occupational health and safety knowledge, attitude and practices when compared to non-self-employed 9 hairdressers. This study recommends that regular occupational health and safety training, workshops, seminars must be conducted by occupational health and safety authorities together with employers within hairdressing sector to improve occupational health and safety knowledge, attitude and practices. Keywords: Hairdressers, occupational health and safety, non-self-employed, self-employed, knowledge, attitude and practices.
M.A. (Public Health)