High prevalence of hepatitis B and poor knowledge on hepatitis B and C viral infections among barbers: a cross-sectional study of the Obuasi municipality, Ghana

Abstract

BackgroundBarbers, while shaving, may be accidentally exposed to the blood and bodily fluids of their customers increasing their risk of contraction of HBV and HCV infections. Hence, this study aimed at examining the prevalence and knowledge of barbers on HBV and HCV infections in the Obuasi municipality of Ghana.MethodsA work place based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2015 at the Obuasi municipality in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Two hundred (200) barbers were conveniently recruited and blood sample of each participant collected for the detection of HBsAg and HCV antibodies. Data on socio demographic characteristics, and knowledge on HBV and HCV infections were collected using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 16.0, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe prevalence of HBV and HCV among the barbers were 14.5 % and 0.5 % respectively. HBV was highest among barbers within 20–29 years (58.6 %). Majority (90.5 %) of the participants had heard of HBV infection before. The mode of transmission of HBV was unknown by 64.5 % of the participants and 64.0 % did not perceive themselves to be at risk for HBV. Most of the participants had never heard of HCV infection (61.3 %), and unaware of any mode of transmission of HCV (97.0 %). The radio was the major source of information on HBV (57.5 %) and HCV (25.0 %) infections.ConclusionHigh prevalence of HBV and low knowledge on HBV and HCV infections was found among barbers. Barbers need to be educated on viral hepatitis to reduce the acquisition 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.…”

Knowledge Gaps of STIs in Africa; Systematic review

“…Fourteen included studies assessed the awareness of 9,446 Africans in regard to HBV, three studies were conducted in each of Nigeria [61,62,64] , Cameroon [20,40,58] and Ghana [12,15,28] , two in Ethiopia [32,52] , one in each of Kenya, Mozambique and Madagascar [26,57,71] . The oldest among the study included was conducted in 2010 while the newest was conducted in 2016 (Table 1).…”

“…Six included studies assessed the awareness of 2,306 Africans in regard to HCV, two studies were conducted in Egypt [74,79] and one in each of Ghana [15] , Mozambique [26] , Ethiopia [32] and Madagascar [71] . The oldest among the study included was conducted after 2010 while the newest was conducted in 2015 (Table 1).…”

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Hepatitis B: A Survey among the Internet Users in Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

“…Healthcare providers should be educated strictly to follow infection control measures because they can be victims or source of disease transmission. Comparatively, a recent study identified that the modes of disease transmission were unknown by nearly two thirds of the included participants [18]. Less than 50% of the participants knew that the disease can be transmitted from mother to child and slightly above 50% by unsafe sex.…”