Prevalence and risk factors of varicose veins among female hairdressers: a cross sectional study in north-east of Iran.

BACKGROUND Venous diseases including varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency are one of the most important pathogenic factors worldwide. High prevalence of varicose veins and its complications is an emerging problem in the twenty-first century. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of varicose veins in female hairdressers in Shahroud, north of Iran in 2012. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 197 employed hairdressers, licensed by the Health Department of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Iran, were studied. Standard physical examination was used to check the condition of varicose veins of the lower extremities of participants. Data were collected by demographic information form. Proportional odds model for ordinal logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between risk factors and status of varicose disease in subjects. RESULTS Prevalence of varicose veins was 47.7%. Varicose veins were significantly associated with age (OR=1.08; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.13); family history of varicose disease (OR=1.99; 95% CI: 1.03, 3.82), blood pressure (OR=4.41; 95% CI: 1.63, 11.90); and duration of standing (OR=2.34; 95% CI: 1.05, 5.22). CONCLUSIONS Varicose veins in the legs of female hairdressers had a high prevalence, and it was associated with increasing age, family history of varicose disease, high blood Pressure, and prolonged standing.