Prevalence of asthma symptoms and their relations with work among barbers and hairdressers

The aim of this study is to examine the frequency and related factors of work-related asthma symptoms in hairdressers working in hair salons for women in Nilüfer district center of Bursa and the effects and medical outcomes of the existence of work-related asthma symptoms on daily life. In our cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was applied to 354 hairdressers working in 149 hair salons (94.9% participation rate). Out of 149 hair salons in our study, 9 of them (6.0%) are first class, 129 (86.6%) are second class and 11 (7.4%) are third class. In our study, 42.7% (151 people) of hairdressers have asthma-related symptoms and 18.1% (64 people) have work-related asthma symptoms. 70.1% of hairdressers are women and 29.9% are men. The mean age of participant is 32. Twenty eight point one percent of hairdressers with work-related asthma symptoms have asthma diagnosis. It was learned that hairdressers with work-related asthma symptoms work shorter in their hair salons and have higher daily and weekly working hours compared to those who do not have these symptoms. Ninetty four point six percent of hairdressers work more than 45 hours a week. To apply permanent straightening/keratin treatment on the hair, not to have a separate preparation room for the products used in the hair salon where they work and to have an allergic disease or an allergy history determined as independent risk factors. Twenty nine point seven percent of people with work-related asthma symptoms consulted to a doctor for their asthma-related complaints in the past year, 26.5% of them received treatment and 18.8% used sick leave. People with work-related asthma symptoms perceive their health in a worse way.