Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and their associated factors among hairdressing workers in Hongkou District of Shanghai
- VernacularTitle:上海市虹口区美发行业作业人员工作相关肌肉骨骼疾患及其相关因素
- Author:
Jingjing WAN
1
;
Limin LING
1
;
Xuexin WEN
1
;
Chunfang TAO
1
;
Feng YANG
2
Author Information
- Publication Type:Investigation
- Keywords: hairdressing industry; hairdresser; shampoo worker; work-related musculoskeletal disorder; individual factor; work factor
- From: Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(8):1002-1007
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
- Abstract: Background Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are common across industries. Workers in the hairdressing industry are frequently exposed to repetitive upper-limb movements and awkward working postures, which may increase their susceptibility to WMSDs. However, evidence on WMSDs among workers in this industry remains limited. Objective This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of self-reported WMSDs symptoms and associated factors among workers in the hairdressing industry in Hongkou District, Shanghai. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted using quota sampling in all eight subdistricts of Hongkou District, Shanghai. Hair salons in each subdistrict were ranked by the number of hairdressers and shampoo workers, and the 6 salons with the largest staff size in each subdistrict were selected, resulting in 48 survey sites. Hairdressers and shampoo workers who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were surveyed using the Chinese version of the Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire. Information on their individual characteristics, musculoskeletal symptoms, and work-related factors was collected. Chi-square tests and Firth logistic regression were used to estimate the prevalence of self-reported WMSDs symptoms and identify associated factors. Results The overall prevalence of self-reported WMSDs symptoms among workers in the hairdressing industry was 45.72%. Among hairdressers, the most commonly affected body regions were the neck (31.51%), shoulders (25.57%), lower back (15.98%), and feet (14.61%). Among shampoo workers, the most commonly affected regions were the neck (24.17%), lower back (24.17%), shoulders (20.83%), and upper back (10.83%). Firth logistic regression showed that fatigue in the corresponding body region after several hours of continuous work was positively associated with self-reported WMSDs symptoms in both types of workers (OR=6.544-52.838). Regarding individual characteristics, shorter height (female≤160 cm, male≤165 cm) was positively associated with self-reported neck and foot symptoms among hairdressers, and self-reported shoulder symptoms among shampoo workers (OR=16.324, 15.084, 9.680). Female shampoo workers had higher odds of self-reported neck symptoms than male shampoo workers (OR=4.924). Smoking was positively associated with self-reported upper-back and lower-back symptoms among shampoo workers (OR=10.544, 4.381). Among work-related factors, maintaining a fixed neck posture for long periods among hairdressers and prolonged standing among shampoo workers were positively associated with self-reported neck symptoms (OR=6.123, 3.080). Among shampoo workers, frequent overtime and maintaining a twisted posture were positively associated with self-reported upper-back symptoms (OR=11.710, 35.306). Sufficient rest time was negatively associated with self-reported foot symptoms among hairdressers (OR=0.238). Conclusion The prevalence of self-reported WMSDs symptoms was relatively high among workers in the hairdressing industry. Work-related fatigue and awkward working postures were strongly associated with WMSDs symptoms. Measures such as optimizing work-rest schedule, improving ergonomic workplace design, implementing fatigue monitoring and management, promoting work-break exercises, and providing training on appropriate working posture may help reduce the burden of WMSDs symptoms in this occupational group.
