Major article
Adherence to and knowledge of best practices and occupational biohazards among manicurists/pedicurists

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2014.03.018Get rights and content

Background

Unsafe behaviors of the professionals working at health and beauty centers are arousing concern among researchers, especially because of the risk of infections related to occupational health.

Methods

This study involved a survey of 153 manicurists/pedicurists working in beauty salons in Belo Horizonte, Brazil between June 2012 and March 2013. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, χ2 tests, and logistic regression. Participants' knowledge of and adherence to best practices were evaluated based on the median results, and serologic markers for hepatitis B and C were identified.

Results

Associations (P < .05) were observed between adherence and workload, biosafety training, and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) serology, as well as between knowledge and courses in the area and accidents with sharp instruments. Manicurists who participated in a course on biosafety (63.6%) and were positive for anti-HBs reagents (56.8%) achieved better results on issues of adherence. Those who reported taking a specific course on this topic had good scores on issues of knowledge (60%). Reactivity to hepatitis C antibody was identified in 1.3%, and reactivity to anti-HBs was detected in 53%.

Conclusions

Overall, the participants demonstrated poor knowledge of and adherence to good safety practices and exposure to occupational biohazards, such as contact with blood by accidents with sharp instruments and minimal vaccine protection.

Section snippets

Methods

The present study consisted of a survey of manicurists/pedicurists working in beauty salons in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil between June 2012 and March 2013. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), logged under protocol no. CAAE-0195.0.203.000-11.

A sample of 235 establishments was selected from a pool of 600 salons, considering a 95% confidence interval, a standard deviation of 0.5, and a maximum estimated error of 0.05.

Results

According to previously defined criteria, completed questionnaires were received from 235 manicurists/pedicurists, 153 of whom had undergone serologic examination and composed the study sample. All 153 manicurists/pedicurists were female, ranging in age from 18 to 69 years. Sociodemographic data are presented in Table 1.

Discussion

The activities carried out in beauty salons are favorable for the cross-transmission of microorganisms among professionals and their clients, especially for manicurists/pedicurists regarding the occurrence of accidents with sharp instruments and blood exposure during customer service, instrument processing, and use of the same instruments to care for their own nails.1, 4 Thus, knowledge of and adherence to best practices and occupational biohazards are essential for manicurists/pedicurists, who

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Financial support was provided by the Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa de Minas Gerais (PPM 00340-11) and Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa da PucMinas (FIP 2010/5790-S2).

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