Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Cosmetologists

Alexandra Tsigonia, Dimitra Tanagra, Athena Linos, Georgios Merekoulias and Evangelos C. Alexopoulos
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Alexandra Tsigonia: Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology, Technological Educational Institute of Athens, 12210 Athens, Greece
Dimitra Tanagra: Occupational Health Unit, Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Patras University, 26500 Rio Patras, Greece
Athena Linos: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Athens University, 11527 Athens, Greece
Georgios Merekoulias: Occupational Health Unit, Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Patras University, 26500 Rio Patras, Greece
Evangelos C. Alexopoulos: Occupational Health Unit, Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Patras University, 26500 Rio Patras, Greece

IJERPH, 2009, vol. 6, issue 12, 1-13

Abstract: A cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the relationships between physical, psychosocial, and individual characteristics and different endpoints of low back, neck, shoulder, hand/wrist and knee musculoskeletal complaints among cosmetologists in Athens, Greece. The study population consisted of 95 female and seven male beauty therapists (response rate 90%) with a mean age and duration of employment of 38 and 16 years, respectively. Neck pain was the most prevalent musculoskeletal complaint, reported by 58% of the subjects, while hand/wrist and low back complaints resulted more frequently in self-reported consequences (chronicity, care seeking and absenteeism). Significant relationships were found between self-reported physical risk factors like prolonged sitting, use of vibrating tools, reaching far and awkward body postures and the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders at various body sites. Among psychosocial variables co-worker support and skill discretion seem to be the most important reflecting organizational problems and cognitive-behavioral aspects. The study results also suggest that effective intervention strategies most likely have to take into account both ergonomic improvements and organizational aspects.

Keywords: cosmetologists; beauty therapists; aestheticians; beauty salons; musculoskeletal complaints; occupational health; epidemiology; Greece (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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