Health Disorders among Professional Female Hairdressers in Menoufia Governorate, Egypt: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Professional hairdressers are exposed to a variety of chemicals at their workplace. Objective: to assess health disorders among professional female hairdressers in Menoufia governorate, Egypt. Method: this cross sectional study was conducted on 115 female hairdressers in Menoufia governorate with a similar number of non-exposed controls. All participants were subjected to a predesigned questionnaire regarding respiratory, musculoskeletal, and reproductive manifestations followed by spirometry examinations. Data was collected and tabulated. Results: Lower respiratory manifestations including cough, wheezes, dyspnea, and asthma were more among hairdressers (p < 0.05) with highly significant reduction in spirometry measurements (p < 0.001). Musculoskeletal and Reproductive manifestations were significantly higher among hairdressers (p < 0.05) as well. Hairdressers working for more than 9 years were more prone for such disorders. Conclusion: Health and safety of professional hairdressers in Egypt has been inadequately provided as proved by development of respiratory, musculoskeletal and reproductive disorders, which mandates the high need for health education, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to this work group.