Survey of Infection Control Procedures at Manicure and Pedicure Establishments in North York

• Published in: Canadian journal of public health Vol. 92; no. 2; pp. 134 - 137
• Main Authors: Johnson, Ian L., Dwyer, John J.M., Rusen, I.D., Shahin, Rita, Yaffe, Barbara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa, ON Canadian Public Health Association 01.03.2001; Springer Nature B.V; Springer International Publishing
• Subjects: Alcohols; Beauty Culture - instrumentation; Beauty Culture - statistics & numerical data; Beauty salons; Biological and medical sciences; Control; Cosmetic Techniques - adverse effects; Cosmetic Techniques - instrumentation; Cosmetic Techniques - statistics & numerical data; Disease transmission; Disinfection - methods; Disinfection - statistics & numerical data; Equipment Contamination - prevention & control; Equipment Contamination - statistics & numerical data; Equipment Reuse - statistics & numerical data; Feet; Hands; Hepatitis; Hepatitis B; Humans; Infection control; Infection Control - methods; Infection Control - standards; Infection Control - statistics & numerical data; Infections; Manicuring; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; Nail care; Nails; Ontario; Pedicuring; Personal grooming; Prevention; Public health; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Regulation; Sampling Studies; Sterilization; Surveys and Questionnaires; Universal Precautions; Vaccination - statistics & numerical data; Canada; North America; Ontario; America; Ontario Canada; Immunoprotection; Disposable; Glove; Reuse; Disinfection; Infection; Prevention; Professional practice; Instrument; Safety clothing; Behavior; Hygiene; Public health
• ISSN: 0008-4263; 1920-7476
• DOI: 10.1007/BF03404947

Objective: To describe infection control practices used by technicians doing manicures and pedicures in an urban setting in Ontario. Methods: A random sample of 120 establishments was selected from a sampling frame. A survey was designed and administered to technicians through face-to-face interviews. Results: Technicians in 72 establishments were interviewed, representing a 60% response rate. Twenty-nine (40%) of these technicians indicated that they had been immunized against hepatitis B. Technicians re-used almost all instruments even if this was not the intent of the manufacturer. Isopropyl alcohol was the most commonly used disinfectant. Many technicians did not wear gloves while performing procedures. Most did not follow universal precautions when asked how they would react to incidental cuts on either the client or themselves. Conclusion: There is a need for the development of infection control protocols for manicure and pedicure establishments since the potential for transmission of infectious diseases does exist. Objectif : Décrire les pratiques de prévention des infections employées par les manucures et les pédicures d'une ville ontarienne. Méthode : Nous avons sélectionné un échantillon aléatoire de 120 établissements à partir d'une base de sondage, puis conçu un questionnaire d'enquête que nous avons administré aux manucures/pédicures lors d'entrevues en personne. Résultats : Nous avons interviewé les manucures/pédicures de 72 établissements, ce qui représente un taux de réponse de 60 %. Vingt-neuf répondants (40 %) ont déclaré avoir été vaccinés contre l'hépatite B. Les manucures/pédicures réutilisaient presque tous leurs instruments, même ceux à usage unique. Le désinfectant le plus commun était l'alcool isopropylique. De nombreux manucures/pédicures ne portaient pas de gants au travail. La plupart ne prenaient pas de précautions élémentaires en cas de coupures accidentelles sur soi ou sur les clients. Conclusion : Il faut élaborer des protocoles de prévention des infections dans les établissements de soin des mains et des pieds, où les possibilités de transmission de maladies infectieuses sont réelles.