Knowledge and occupational hazards of barbers in the transmission of hepatitis B and C was low in Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract

IntroductionBlood borne viral hepatitis transmission still ranges between 4-20% in many Ghanaian communities. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) also called liver cancer is reported as the leading cause of cancer mortality among males in Ghana. We studied the knowledge and risk factors associated with barbers’ occupation in the transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV).MethodsA randomized cross-sectional survey of 200 barbershops was conducted in Kumasi between January and August 2013. Barbershops, which operated continuously for more than 8 months, were selected for the study. Structured questionnaires were administered to the study participants. Data was entered and analysed in Microsoft Excel spread sheet and SPSS v12. The percentage value of each question was calculated.ResultsAll the barbers involved in this study used a new razor blade on every client and claimed to sterilize the hair trimmers after use on every client. The methods of sterilization; 46.5% of the barbers used the ultraviolet radiation sterilizer cabinet, 29% used 70% alcohol and 23% used antiseptic solutions. More than thirty-six percent (36.5%) and 5% of the barbers had heard of HBV and HCV respectively. Only 7% and none knew the route of transmission of HBV and HCV respectively, whereas 7% knew sharing razor blade or hair trimmer could transmit both HBV and HCV. More so, 2% knew HBV and HCV could cause cancer and 2% had received the HBV vaccine. The majority of barbers (63%) had education up to the junior secondary school level. None of the barbers used a new apron nor washed their hands after work on each client.ConclusionAwareness of barbers about HBV or HCV and job-related factors contributing to spread of infections was very poor among the vast majority of the barbers studied. Thus, giving training for the barbers is required toward prevention of blood- borne infections associated to their profession.

Biossegurança em serviço de embelezamento: conhecimento e práticas em uma capital do nordeste brasileiro

“…2017;38(4):e2016-0003 of biological materials that can transmit infectious agents such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and the human immunodeficiency virus. Such data corroborates the findings of an international study conducted in a city of Pakistan on the knowledge and practices of barbers and professionals of the beauty and aesthetic segment regarding the prevention of viral hepatitis (12) , and in a district of Ghana on barbers' awareness of and the factors associated with the risk of transmission of HBV and HCV (13) .…”

Hepatitis B in Ghana: a systematic review & meta-analysis of prevalence studies (1995-2015)

“…This includes lack of adequate information and understanding among Ghanaians of the transmission dynamics of the virus. For instance, in an assessment of 200 barbershops within the Kumasi metropolis, only 7 % knew the route of transmission of HBV [ 63 ]. Akumiah and Sarfo further point out that, the barber community in Ghana paid more attention to the decoration (e.g., availability of television, air conditioning, sound system etc.)…”

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

“…[ 3 ] also found a higher prevalence of HBV and HCV among barbers (39.8 % and 2.8 % respectively) than the comparison group (28.3 % and 1.1 % respectively) in a study conducted in the Sivas region of Turkey. However, despite this high occupational hazard posed to barbers, several studies have reported low level of knowledge on HBV and HCV among barbers in developing countries [ 7 – 9 ]. Also, data on the prevalence, knowledge and awareness of HBV and HCV among barbers are lacking in Ghana, and sub-Saharan Africa.…”