Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Background: Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the common causes of occupational
disability and injury among different occupations. It is considered as the major human health
problems, human injuries, loss of productivity and work time, resulting in absenteeism from
work. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, 50-70% of workers
experience work-related musculoskeletal disorders when exposed to poor working
environments. Workers in small scale industries, including hairdressers usually engage in such
poor work environment which leads them more vulnerable to the conditions.
Objective: To investigate the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and
associated factors among hairdressers in Oromia special zone surrounding Finfine, Ethiopia,
2019.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April, 2019. A systematic
random sampling technique followed by simple random sampling method was employed to
select 699 hairdressers. Data were collected by using the standardized Nordic musculoskeletal
questionnaire. We entered data in to Epi info version 7.2.1.0 and exported to statistical
package for social science (SPSS) version 20 for analysis. A bivariable analaysis was carried
out to identify variables with a p<0.2 and Crude odd ratio (COR) with 95% confidence
interval (CI). A multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to determine significantly
associated variables at a p<0.05 and Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% CI.
Results: The response rate was 93.3% (N=652). The mean age was 33.19 (Standard Deviation
(SD±9.639)) years. The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among
hairdressers in the past 12-months was 70.2% (N=458) [95% CI 66.7-73.9], and the past
seven days prevalence was 55.7% (N=364). In this study age [AOR: 2.73, 95%CI (2.55-
5.46)]; work experience [AOR: 1.51, 95% CI, (1.03-2.20)]; number of customers in a day
[AOR: 2.35, 95% CI (1.35-4.11)], and hours spent in standing position to make hair [AOR:
3.4, 95% CI, (2.49-7.77)] were significantly associated with work-related musculoskeletal
disorders.
Conclusion: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among hairdressers in the study
area was high. Year of services, number of customers in a day, hours spent in standing
position to make hair, educational level and age of hairdressers have significant association
