Majken H Foss-Skiftesvik1,2, Lone Winther3, Claus R Johnsen3, Claus Zachariae3, Jeanne D Johansen1. 1. Department of Dermatology and Allergy, National Allergy Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, 2900, Hellerup, Denmark. 2. Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Research Centre for Hairdressers and Beauticians, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, 2900, Hellerup, Denmark. 3. Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, 2900, Hellerup, Denmark.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hairdressing is one of the professions with the highest risk of occupational skin and respiratory diseases. The incidence of these diseases in hairdressing apprentices has been studied only sparsely. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of skin and respiratory diseases in hairdressing apprentices, and to explore whether hairdressing apprentices leave the trade during training because of these diseases. METHODS: A 3-year follow-up questionnaire study was conducted among 248 hairdressing apprentices and a control group comprising 816 young adults from the general population. RESULTS: The incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for contact urticaria (IRR 4.7, 95%CI: 2.6-8.6), hand eczema (IRR 1.7, 95%CI: 1.1-2.6) and rhinitis symptoms (IRR 1.6, 95%CI: 1.2-2.2) were significantly increased in the hairdressing apprentices, whereas wheezing was similar between groups. During the follow-up period, 21.8% of the hairdressing apprentices had left the trade, and 70.3% of these had left because of health complaints. The most frequently reported reasons for leaving were musculoskeletal pain (47.4%) and skin diseases (47.4%), followed by respiratory symptoms (23.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Hairdressing apprentices are at increased risk for contact urticaria, hand eczema and rhinitis symptoms compared with the general population, and a substantial proportion leave the trade because of these diseases, causing a 'healthy worker survivor effect.'
BACKGROUND: Hairdressing is one of the professions with the highest risk of occupational skin and respiratory diseases. The incidence of these diseases in hairdressing apprentices has been studied only sparsely. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of skin and respiratory diseases in hairdressing apprentices, and to explore whether hairdressing apprentices leave the trade during training because of these diseases. METHODS: A 3-year follow-up questionnaire study was conducted among 248 hairdressing apprentices and a control group comprising 816 young adults from the general population. RESULTS: The incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for contact urticaria (IRR 4.7, 95%CI: 2.6-8.6), hand eczema (IRR 1.7, 95%CI: 1.1-2.6) and rhinitis symptoms (IRR 1.6, 95%CI: 1.2-2.2) were significantly increased in the hairdressing apprentices, whereas wheezing was similar between groups. During the follow-up period, 21.8% of the hairdressing apprentices had left the trade, and 70.3% of these had left because of health complaints. The most frequently reported reasons for leaving were musculoskeletal pain (47.4%) and skin diseases (47.4%), followed by respiratory symptoms (23.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Hairdressing apprentices are at increased risk for contact urticaria, hand eczema and rhinitis symptoms compared with the general population, and a substantial proportion leave the trade because of these diseases, causing a 'healthy worker survivor effect.'
Authors: Jonathan Aavang Petersen; Charlotte Brauer; Lau Caspar Thygesen; Esben Meulengracht Flachs; Christina Bach Lund; Jane Froelund Thomsen Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2021-08-18 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Sanja Kezic; Roberto Nunez; Željka Babić; Sarah Hallmann; Martin S Havmose; Jeanne D Johansen; Swen M John; Marija Macan; Cara Symanzik; Wolfgang Uter; Patricia Weinert; Rajka Turk; Jelena Macan; Henk F van der Molen Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-03-31 Impact factor: 3.390