Pregledni rad
https://doi.org/10.31306/s.62.1.3
Medical examinations of pupils prior to entering vocational school for hairdressers
Tea Samardžić
; Specijalistička ordinacija medicine rada J. Ferenc-Ledić, Koprivnica, Hrvatska
Jelena Macan
; Institut za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada, Jedinica za medicinu rada i okoliša, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Sažetak
Due to constant contact with water and harmful chemicals, hairdressers are at high risk of developing occupational skin diseases (OSD), which in 90% of cases are manifested as irritative or allergic contact dermatitis of hands and forearms. The period from the beginning of exposure to onset of skin symptoms is very short averaging 2.1 years, meaning that symptoms may already be present during apprenticeship. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of pre-school medical examinations as primary prevention tool for OSD among hairdressing apprentices.
This survey was conducted in 2015 at a vocational school for hairdressers in Zagreb. All 128 third-grade hairdressing apprentices were invited to participate, and 101 female apprentices with an average age of 17 responded. Data were collected using survey questions regarding the content of the medical examination that pupils underwent before enrolment in the programme.
Eighty-nine (88%) apprentices stated they were examined by a physician before enrolment: 48 (54%) by an occupational medicine specialist, 5 (6%) by a general practitioner, 11 (12%) by a school medicine specialist and 19 (21%) did not remember the specialist. Out of 78 apprentices who recounted the details of the examination, 48 (62%) had their skin examined and 54 (69%) were asked if they had any allergies.
Results indicate a weakness in conducting health examinations for vocational schools. Consequently, pupils with pre-existing skin problems are allowed to choose high-risk occupations which may worsen their symptoms or facilitate development of OSD. There is a need to strengthen and standardize the content of the examinations prior to enrolment in schools as the first step in vocational guidance, choice of profession, and long-term preservation of working ability.
Ključne riječi
high-risk occupation; hairdressers; occupational skin diseases; primary prevention; pre-school examination; vocational guidance; occupational medicine
Hrčak ID:
236610
URI
Datum izdavanja:
3.4.2020.
Posjeta: 1.557 *