Reproductive health problems of hairdressers in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria

Introduction
Hairdressers operate as small scale enterprises in the informal sector. They are mostly women in their reproductive years and their apprentices are predominantly female adolescents who are known to engage in risky reproductive health practices. Social networking in salons also provides opportunity for peer influence which may predispose them to unhealthy lifestyles and ensuing reproductive health problems.

Methods
A cross sectional study was carried out in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria. All hairdressers in 15 out of a total of 45 zones within the city participated in the study. A total of 1700 hairdressers were interviewed by trained interviewers using a semi structured questionnaire. Questionnaire sought information about socio -demographic characteristics including occupational data, reproductive and sexual history, use of contraceptive methods and experience of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections .

Results
Hairdressers age ranged between 11 and 68 years, mean 27.0±8.1; 860 were single and 840 were ever married . There were 682 (40.2%) apprentices and 861 (51%) hairdresser /salon owners. Mean age at first sexual intercourse was 19.6±3.0 years. 120 (7%) had casual sexual partners. Of the singles, 69% had regular sexual partners, 19% reported an unwanted pregnancy, 17% had had an abortion while 32% and 39% of married hairdressers had unwanted pregnancies and abortions respectively. Current contraceptive use rates was 42.5% for singles and 54.5% for married hairdressers. Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases such as vaginal discharge and itching were more prevalent among single than married hairdressers, p,<0.05.

Discussion
Hairdressers have a high rate of unwanted pregnancies and abortions in spite of reported moderate use of contraceptives. Sexually transmitted infections were more prevalent among single hairdressers with rates higher than regional average. Reproductive health intervention will help to address these issues and reduce morbidity due to reproductive health problems.