Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Barbers Regarding Hepatitis B and C Viral Infection in Sana’a City, Yemen

Abstract

There is strong evidence that razors, barber's scissors, nail files and body piercing instruments are risk factors for transmission of hepatitis B and C. to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding hepatitis B and C virus among barbers in Sana'a city. KAP study was conducted from July-September 2011. Two hundred and thirty four barbershops were surveyed. Out of 234 barber shops, 73.1% heard about viral hepatitis B and C. The awareness of modes of transmission of hepatitis and the different sources/risk factors were moderate, ranging from 51.6% who knew that hepatitis can be transmitted through sexual transmitted to 82.1% who knew that hepatitis can be transmitted through blood transfusion. 54.9% of barbers did not agree that it was essential to have periodic tests for HBV and HCV; however, 67.5%would themselves like to be tested for these infections. 32% washed their hands before attending each client, 59% cleaned instruments with disinfectant between clients, 96.1% washed razors with tap water before use on a new client, 92.6% also washed their razors with an antiseptic solution after every use, 87% used a new blade on new clients and 55% used disinfectants for skin cuts. In Yemen, a large number of barbers are shaving clients with an old style razor with a permanent blade. There is moderate awareness about the various modes of transmission of hepatitis among the barbers.

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among barbers and their knowledge, attitude and practices in the district of Sukkur, Sindh

“…The practice of using a new blade for every customer was common, as reported, among 90% of the barbers. This finding is consistent with other studies and indicates a uniform improvement in the practices of barbers across different countries [2,17,21]. We did not perform a regression analysis due to an insufficient number of HBV cases.…”

“…The majority of them were willing to get tested for HBV, a finding similar to that reported in a study from Hyderabad [3]. However, a lower percentage of barbers, i.e., 45.1% were willing to get tested for HBV in a study from Yemen [21]. The proportion of barbers willing…”

“…Poor knowledge of the barbers about transmission routes and consequences of HBV is similar to that reported in the literature. Studies conducted in Yemen and other countries have reported poor knowledge [1,21] and misconceptions about spreading of HBV via coughing, sneezing and eating food leftovers. In addition to this, the lack of knowledge about the disease spreading via a sexual route is common among barbers [2,17].…”

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Virus Infection Among Barbers in Isfahan Province, Iran

“…The prevalence of HBV and HCV is known to differ across countries and may also differ based on the individual characteristics and conditional factors (7,8). Hepatitis B virus and HCV infections are common causes of occupational blood-borne diseases that can be transmitted between barbers and their clients and frequently lead to a chronic asymptomatic carrier condition for a long time before the development of severe end-stage liver diseases.…”

“…In developing countries, HBV and HCV infections have been implicated as an occupational hazard of the barbers (7). Previous studies have indicated that in developed countries, certain beauty treatments play an important role in the speared of HBV and HCV infection among barbers and their clients (8). Hepatitis B virus can survive on the instrument, tabletops and workbenches for at least seven days; therefore, it is important for the barbers to know their HBV status by being screened for the HBV surface antigen and antibody and to be vaccinated against HBV if found to be unprotected (4,9).…”