Occupational health and safety measures and concerns in the beauty industry in Arua district

Abstract

Introduction: The beauty industry is an enterprise that provides services to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness or altering appearance without affecting the body’s functions. Beautician practices are relatively safe practices however infection can occur while conducting some of these procedures. The most frequent occupational diseases suffered in beauty care industry are allergy-related ill health conditions, occupational asthmas musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), cross Transmission of infections, and disease may occur through a small volume of blood due to visible or invisible injuries of the professionals and clients. These problems can be reduced if beauticians are knowledgeable and are highly complying with occupational and public health regulatory and operational requirements. There are however disparities and relaxations g observed in the beauty industry with regards to complying with Health and safety measures. This study aimed at assessing beauticians level of Knowledge, investigate the Health and safety measures beauticians under take to ensure compliance to OSH, find out what issues beauticians face in the industry and finding out what roles district authorities play in ensuring compliance to OSHA Methodology: Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Arua Municipality in Arua District. A structured and open-ended questionnaire together with an observational checklist were used to collect data.. A total of 164 selected respondents participated in the study from 6 wards of Arua Hill and Oli Division in Arua Municipality. Key informants provided additional information. Results: Majority of workers were within the age group of 30-39. Majority of beauticians (60.3%, n=99) had poor knowledge on occupational safety and health issues. Only a third of respondents knew that infections including HIV could be spread at their working place. And only 25% knew that sterilization and disinfection was one of the methods used for processing salon instruments. Only 39.6% of the respondents possessed gloves in their place of work. Only 4% of the beauty premises visited had sharp containers while the majority (87%) finally damped them into open pits or latrines. Some beauticians were found operating under trees without a specific premises/house. The district authorities did not have specific policies regulating activities of beauticians in the District and sited inadequate funds, logistics and man power in ensuring constant monitoring and supervision of beauty activities in the District. Conclusion and Recommendation: Health education strategies including training, supportive supervision and peer education are needed to facilitate the adoption of effective health and safety precautionary measures while offering beauty services. Licensing safe and well-trained beauty service providers protect customers from unqualified beauty workers. District authorities should adequately conduct workplace inspections and awareness program to improve compliance to OHS and PH requirement in salons and beauty premises. And lastly, a behavioral change communication campaign should be initiated without delay to protect the health of these workers and of the general population.