Abstract

Mayanna Habkréo, Bessimbaye Nadlaou*, Guaye Daïba, Ali Mahamat Moussa and Roger Sombié

ABSTRACT

Hairdressers in their profession continue to expose themselves and their clients to multiple communicable diseases. The objective of this work was to assess the infectious risk associated with the hairdressing profession in the city of N’Djamena. This was a prospective cross-sectional study, carried out in N’Djamena. A standardized sheet made it possible to collect socio-demographic data and those related to the practice of hairdressers during a direct interview. These data were analyzed by the SPSS software with usual statistical tests. Three hundred (300) male hairdressers were included. The mean age was 26.4 ± 5.6 years. Hygiene measures were not followed in 74% (n = 222) of cases. More than 70% (n = 212) regularly used cutting tools. One hundred and seventy-one hairdressers (57%) were frequently exposed to injuries during the procedure. Clients had skin lesions in 84% of cases (n = 252). A large majority (74%, n = 222) reported disinfecting after injuring themselves. Likewise, a large proportion (85%, n = 256) reported performing disinfection after a skin lesion that occurred to clients during hairdressing. Regarding the hygiene measures adopted, only 26% (n = 78) stated to wash their hands always before hairdressing against 55% (n = 165) after hairdressing. Hairdressers who received training were better equipped with regard to wearing gloves (p = 0.001) and disinfecting equipment before use (p = 0.015). Hairdressing salons are a significant route for the transmission of infectious diseases. Specific training actions should be taken by hairdressers to minimize the infectious risks associated with their profession.