Analysis of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Seromarkers Among Barbers in Tehran

Abstract

BackgroundHepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are major health problem in the world. Hairdressers (barbers) are in continuous contact with scissors and blades, and are considered a high-risk group for these infections.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of hepatitis B and C infections in barbers in Tehran and to evaluate their attitudes and knowledge about the occupational risk of these infections.MethodsSix hundred eleven barbers were included in this study. A group of 556 bakers were also selected from the same regions, as a low-risk control group. Serum levels of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), HBsAg-specific antibody (HBsAb), hepatitis B core antigen-specific antibody (HBcAb), and hepatitis C virus-specific (anti-HCV) antibody markers were measured with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Participants were interviewed using a questionnaire consisting of four sections: demographic information, awareness, behavior, and personal attitudes.ResultsThere were no significant differences in the frequency of HBsAg between the two groups. However, the frequency of HCV Ab in barbers was significantly higher than that in bakers (P < 0.005). In addition, the frequency of HBsAb marker in barbers was significantly correlated with increased awareness (P < 0.05) and number of tattoos (P < 0.001). HBcAb marker was significantly correlated with age (P < 0.001) and duration of professional career (P < 0.005). With age, barbers’ attitudes improved significantly (P < 0.05).ConclusionsBeing a barber alone is not a potential risk factor for HBV infection, while HCV infection is still an occupational health hazards for barbers. We suggest more extensive case-control studies with regard to rates of hepatitis B and C markers among barbers in other Iranian cities to assess the incidence of hepatitis B and C infections among this population.

The epidemiology of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections in China from 2004 to 2014: An observational population‐based study

“…The greatest relative increases in HCV infection were observed among middle‐aged people in both genders. These results are partially consistent with those of previous epidemiologic studies and may be explained by the following observations: (i) the national HBV vaccination programme for newborns and catch‐up vaccination for children under 15 years may not protect adults effectively against infection, (ii) awareness of HBV and HCV infection and prevention among older people is still lacking, and (iii) the access to health care is increasing over time and middle‐aged and older people are frequent users of health care services compared to children and young adults, which increases the probability of detection of HBV and HCV infections.…”

Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Infections among Beauticians in Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam

“…This HCV prevalence was different from other studies among beauticians in Ghana (0.5%), 30 Brazil (0.8%), 10 Izmir, Turkey (0.9%), 29 Morocco (1.7%), 28 Teheran, Iran (2.0%), 25 Sivas, Turkey (2.8%), 37 and Pakistan (6.97%). 38 We may not have had a sufficient sample size to detect HCV infection in a low prevalence population, and we calculated our sample size based on estimating HBV prevalence, not HCV prevalence.…”

“…Comparing HBV prevalence among beauticians in our study with studies among beauticians in other countries, our study population had a higher HBV prevalence than that from studies in Iran (1.1%), 25 Morocco (1.9%), 28 Turkey (2.2%), 29 and Brazil (0%), 10 but a lower prevalence than that from Ghana (14.5%).…”

“…Several studies reported that beauty treatment activities, especially shaving and tattooing, might be associated with HBV and HCV infections. [5][6][7][23][24][25] Our study demonstrated that the prevalence of HBV infection among beauticians in Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh province was 7.3% (95% CI: 4.4-11.3). This result was similar to the reported global HBV prevalence, indicating that Viet Nam was classified as a region of high-intermediate level of HBV infection (5-8%).…”

Knowledge, Distribution and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B and C Infection in High-risk Groups in Guilan Province, Iran

“…In a study conducted on Pakistanian barbers, the participant's awareness about HBV infection was low (5). In another study in Tehran, 70% of barbers had good knowledge in this regard (16).…”