title: Musculoskeletal disorders among cosmetologists.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology, Technological Educational Institute of Athens, Athens, Greece. nikal1@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsigonia
authors.forename: Dimitra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tanagra
authors.forename: Athena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Linos
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Merekoulias
authors.forename: Evangelos C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Alexopoulos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016272:Occupational Health; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult