Abstract

Background: Occupational skin diseases are common and deserve medical attention. Hairdressers are special risky group for skin diseases.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of self-reported hand contact dermatitis among female hairdressers in Basrah city.
Methods: Sixty one salons in Basrah city center were chosen randomly by using the systematic random sampling technique from a name’s list of registered salons in Basrah General Health Directorate. A convenient sample of female hairdressers was chosen from these salons.
A special questionnaire form prepared for the purpose of the study was used for collection of data from female hairdressers who agreed to participate in the study by direct interview.
Results: A total of 80 female hairdressers were included in the study. Their age ranged between 19 and 65 years old with a median age of 32.5 years. The prevalence of self- reported hand contact dermatitis or eczema among female hairdressers was 31.3%. It was significantly associated with the age and nationality of female hairdressers (P-value = 0.021 and 0.035 respectively). Furthermore, there was significant association between self- reported hand contact dermatitis and personal history of atopy (P-value < 0.001) and family history of atopy. (P-value=0.031).
Conclusions: The self- reported hand contact dermatitis is fairly common and associated significantly with age of female hairdressers, nationality, personal and family history of atopy. We recommend to enhance occupational health measures for the hairdressers with special alteration in the preventive aspects
.