Specialty (if any): PM&R

Keywords: chronic pain, nail salon, Vietnamese

Background: Ethnically Vietnamese nail technicians make up 80% of nail technicians in California. Though little is known about these workers’ health, nail technicians frequently handle cosmetic products in poorly ventilated salons, upwards of 10 hours per day. Vietnamese women may also face socio-cultural barriers that prevent care to address any work-related pain symptoms. Currently, there is no existing literature exploring chronic pain in nail salon communities.

Objective: The goal of this study was to explore the prevalence of chronic pain in the Vietnamese nail salon community in relation to work conditions, sociodemographic factors, and types of chronic pain experienced by this community.

Methods: We surveyed nail salons across California in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles County, Orange County, and San Diego County. Sociodemographics, work conditions, health system utilization, PPE usage, and chronic pain assessments were asked as part of a 10-page written questionnaire that was available in both English and Vietnamese. Responses underwent descriptive statistical analyses. Chronic pain was assessed through questions about headaches, musculoskeletal pain, neuropathic pain, and disability based on at least a three-month period.

Results: Of the 15 nail salons who agreed to the study, thirty-six nail technicians completed the questionnaires. The majority of nail technicians (26/36, 72%) experience some type of pain (headache, MSK, or neuropathic pain). Of those twenty-six, 70% have chronic pain. Neuropathic pain was the most self-reported symptom, followed by musculoskeletal pain. In the chronic pain group, 38% report that the pain has interfered with their ability to work or has changed their ability to participate in daily activities, however the majority do not see a healthcare provider for their pain.

Conclusions: Preliminary data demonstrates high prevalence of chronic pain within the Vietnamese nail salon community. Findings of this study emphasize more research is needed to determine the healthcare gap in Vietnamese nail salons and treatment of chronic pain related to work. Future studies with larger sample sizes and a control group are needed to determine statistical significance to the relationship between Vietnamese nail communities and chronic pain.