1
|
Gómez-García AR, Chang AH, Valenzuela-Mendieta RO, García-Arroyo JA. Leaving no-one behind in the workplace health promotion: towards regulatory equity in the Ecuadorian micro-enterprises. J Public Health Policy 2024; 45:152-163. [PMID: 38233505 DOI: 10.1057/s41271-023-00466-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The purpose of workplace public health programmes and regulations is to promote safety and health for the entire working population nationwide. Some countries limit the scope of such programmes to medium or big-sized companies, leaving out small and micro-enterprises, thus discriminating against many workers exposed to risks. This Viewpoint aims to identify inequalities in occupational health generated by the new Regulation for Workplace Health Promotion (WHP) in Ecuador. We showed how the regulation excludes all micro-enterprises and displayed the essential role of micro-enterprises in the business fabric and the Ecuadorian labour market. More than 93% of the registered companies are micro-enterprises and these include more than 25% of the employees in the formal economy. Integrating occupational health into the public health system will require deep analysis to improve protection for the working population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alywin Hacay Chang
- Universidad Espíritu Santo UEES, Samborondón Avenue 5, Samborondón, 092301, Ecuador
- Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - José A García-Arroyo
- Universidad Espíritu Santo UEES, Samborondón Avenue 5, Samborondón, 092301, Ecuador.
- Universidad Internacional de la Rioja (UNIR), La Rioja, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Guenther J, Norman T, Wee CP, Adler BL. A Survey of Skin Reactions Associated With Acrylic Nail Cosmetics, With a Focus on Home Kits: Is There a Need for Regulation? Dermatitis 2024; 35:49-54. [PMID: 37843914 DOI: 10.1089/derm.2023.0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Background: Sensitization to (meth)acrylates, the most common nail cosmetic allergens, is rising. In recent years, home acrylic nail kits have become easily available. Objective: To investigate the characteristics of individuals reporting skin reactions associated with acrylic nail cosmetics, particularly home kits. Methods: Cross-sectional survey of Facebook nail allergy support groups. Inclusion criteria were self-reported skin reactions associated with acrylic nails and age ≥18 years. Results: There were 199 respondents, nearly all female (99%), mostly white (83%), and 25-54 years old (83%). Seventy-eight percent reported using home acrylic kits, more than half for the first time during COVID-19. They predominantly learned about kits through social media (68%) and received training through websites/online videos (74%). Most home users (83%) first developed skin reactions after starting to use home kits. Compared with nonhome users, significantly more home users reported skin reaction onset within 1 year of use, as well as nail damage (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Among online nail allergy support group members, home acrylic nail kit use was common and associated with earlier development of skin reactions and more frequent nail damage than professional acrylic manicures. These findings raise important questions about the need to regulate home acrylic nail kits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jana Guenther
- From the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Thomas Norman
- From the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Choo Phei Wee
- Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Brandon L Adler
- Department of Dermatology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nguyen DT, Nguyen C, Pintor JK, Huynh TB. Stakeholders' Perspectives on the Feasibility of Adopting a Healthy Nail Salon Recognition Program in Philadelphia: A Qualitative Study. Ann Work Expo Health 2023; 67:320-329. [PMID: 36585841 PMCID: PMC10015804 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxac092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The California Healthy Nail Salon Recognition Program is a statewide initiative to incentivize nail salons to adopt occupational health and safety best practices such as the use of safer nail products without certain harmful chemicals, ventilation systems upgrade, proper personal protective equipment use, and staff training. This public policy intervention is in response to the call to protect nail care workers, mostly women of color, who bear a disproportionate burden of chemical exposure at work. Because there is an interest to adopt a similar program in the Greater Philadelphia region, we conducted this formative research to document stakeholders' perspectives on the feasibility of adopting a Healthy Nail Salon Recognition Program in Philadelphia. METHODS We conducted semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 31 stakeholders in Philadelphia in 2021. Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Science as our theoretical framework, we developed the interview guide and analysed the data using qualitative research methods to identify key facilitators and barriers. RESULTS Key facilitating themes were perceived need and benefits of program to improve workers' health and working conditions, and willingness of stakeholders to leverage their organizational resources. Barriers included perceived high cost and time commitment from salon owners and employees, lack of funding and implementation leaders at the city government, community members' willingness to be visible and advocate for the program affected by the stigmas of being immigrant workers, and fear of interacting with authorities, as well as the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest successful adoption of a Healthy Nail Salon Recognition Program in Philadelphia will require outreach within the community to raise awareness of the benefits of the program and close partnership with community-based organizations to facilitate mutual understanding between the authorities and the ethnically diverse nail salon communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Duong T Nguyen
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Chau Nguyen
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Jessie K Pintor
- Department of Health Management and Policy, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Tran B Huynh
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Moreno Ramírez D, Gutenkunst S, Honan J, Ingram M, Quijada C, Chaires M, Sneed SJ, Sandoval F, Spitz R, Carvajal S, Billheimer D, Wolf AM, Beamer PI. Thinking on your feet: Beauty and auto small businesses maneuver the risks of the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Public Health 2022; 10:921704. [PMID: 36106169 PMCID: PMC9465998 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.921704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization officially declared SARS-CoV-2 a pandemic, and governments and health institutions enacted various public health measures to decrease its transmission rate. The COVID-19 pandemic made occupational health disparities for small businesses more visible and created an unprecedented financial burden, particularly for those located in communities of color. In part, communities of color experienced disproportionate mortality and morbidity rates from COVID-19 due to their increased exposure. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the public to reflect on risks daily. Risk perception is a critical factor influencing how risk gets communicated and perceived by individuals, groups, and communities. This study explores competing risk perceptions regarding COVID-19, economic impacts, vaccination, and disinfectant exposures of workers at beauty salons and auto shops in Tucson, Arizona, using a perceived risk score measured on a scale of 1-10, with higher scores indicating more perceived risk. The primary differences between respondents at beauty salons and auto shops regarding their perceived risks of COVID-19 vaccination were between the vaccinated and unvaccinated. For every group except the unvaccinated, the perceived risk score of getting the COVID-19 vaccine was low, and the score of not getting the COVID-19 vaccine was high. Study participants in different demographic groups ranked economic risk the highest compared to the other five categories: getting the COVID-19 vaccine, not getting the COVID-19 vaccine, COVID-19, disinfection, and general. A meaningful increase of four points in the perceived risk score of not getting the COVID-19 vaccine was associated with a 227% (95% CI: 27%, 740%) increase in the odds of being vaccinated. Analyzing these data collected during the coronavirus pandemic may provide insight into how to promote the health-protective behavior of high-risk workers and employers in the service sector during times of new novel threats (such as a future pandemic or crisis) and how they process competing risks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denise Moreno Ramírez
- Community, Environment and Policy Department, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | | | - Jenna Honan
- Community, Environment and Policy Department, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Maia Ingram
- Health Promotion Sciences Department, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Carolina Quijada
- Community, Environment and Policy Department, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Marvin Chaires
- Community, Environment and Policy Department, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Sam J. Sneed
- Community, Environment and Policy Department, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Flor Sandoval
- Sonora Environmental Research Institute, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Rachel Spitz
- Sonora Environmental Research Institute, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Scott Carvajal
- Health Promotion Sciences Department, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Dean Billheimer
- BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States,Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Ann Marie Wolf
- Sonora Environmental Research Institute, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Paloma I. Beamer
- Community, Environment and Policy Department, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States,BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States,*Correspondence: Paloma I. Beamer
| |
Collapse
|