ABSTRACT
Background
Neck and low back pains are common among female hairdressers due to the physical demands of their work, such as prolonged standing, repetitive movements, and awkward postures. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of neck and low back pain among female hairdressers in Egor Local Government Area, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, and investigate the relationship between the prevalence of these musculoskeletal disorders and work characteristics, specifically the height of the client's chair and the posture of the hairdressers during the work.
Methods
This cross-sectional analytical study recruited 80 female hairdressers. Data was collected using a questionnaire that included socio-demographic characteristics, occupational and work characteristics, and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to assess neck and low back pain. Height and weight measurements were also taken. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and SPSS version 24.
Result;
The findings of this study showed that the 12 month prevalence of neck pain among respondents was 54 (67.5%), while 55 (68.8%) was observed for low back pain. There was a significant association between the posture adopted while working and the prevalence of low back pain among the respondents (X2 = 21.75, p = 0.001). However, there was no significant association between posture and the prevalence of neck pain among the respondents (X2 = 3.994, p = 0.677). There was a significant association between the height of the client’s chair and the prevalence of neck pain (X2 = 7.634, p = 0.022). There was however no significant association between the height of the client’s chair and the prevalence of low back pain (X2 = 2.092, p = 0.351).
Conclusion;
The findings of this study indicated a high 12 month prevalence of neck and low back pain among female hairdressers in Egor Local Government Area, Benin City, Nigeria. The study revealed a significant association between the height of the client's chair and the prevalence of neck pain, as well as a significant association between the posture adopted during work and the prevalence of low back pain. These results suggest that ergonomic factors in the work environment play a crucial role in the development of musculoskeletal disorders among this population.
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Keywords; Neck pain, Low back pain, Female hairdressers, Prevalence, Posture, Client's chair height.
