Abstract

Abstract: -Hairdressers like other workers encounter hazards in their workplace that adversely affect their health. Some of these chemicals on contact with skin over a prolonged time can cause severe burns with redness, dermatitis, can damage the respiratory tract and severe pneumonitis. Most of these can be prevented if they use personal protective equipment. Therefore, this study assessed the knowledge, perceptions and self-protective measures towards harmful chemical exposure. The study was a cross-sectional design. The total population of hairdressers in the association was used. Data was collected using a validated semi-structured questionnaire that was interviewer administered, with a Cronbach alpha score of 0.722. It was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 to generate frequency tables and chi-square tests.The results showed that almost half 65 (46.4%) of the respondents were between the age range of 25-34 years while 3 (2.1%) of the respondents were between the age range of 55-64 with the mean age of 31.25 S.D ± 8.138. More than half 92 (65.7%) of the respondents had secondary education. Almost half 69 (49.3%)of the respondents had worked for 1-5 years and few 16 (11%) of the respondents had worked for 11-15 years. More than half 83(59.3%) of the respondents are aware that hair products contain chemicals that are harmful to health. Majority 80.7% of the respondents had a negative attitude towards the use of personal protective equipment. A significant relationship was found between awareness of chemical hazards and the use of personal protective equipment (p=0.011).In conclusion, most of the studied hairdressers had poor education, the most probable reason why some of them lack knowledge on chemicals found in salon/hair products and their effects on health and also ways to protect themselves from these chemicals. Therefore workshops or seminars organized for hairdressers by the local government health management board, educating them on the harmful effects of chemicals they are exposed to in their workplace laying emphasis on the use of personal protective equipment. This may help to increase more positive attitude towards the use of personal protective equipment.

Keywords:Hairdressers, Knowledge, Perception, Personal Protective Equipment